Friday, 11 March 2016

LO1 - Photographic Techniques

Photographic Techniques




Composition The composition of a photo is how everything in the photo works with everything else. So it's what and where it is in the photo




Framing - Framing is when a photographer uses surroundings in an image to focus more attention towards a point of interest in the image  



Rule of Thirds - The rule of thirds refers to when a photograph is divided into a 3 x 3 grid and a center of interest is put on one of the crossing dividing lines 





Colour/Mono-chrome - The contrasting use of colour and monochrome in photos often makes a photo look brilliant. It is essentially having a black and white photo, and then making a centre of interest in colour


Close up - A close up is a photo that has been zoomed in on a particular subject within the photo. When combined with a close depth of field, close ups can look very good.


Leading Lines - Leading Lines are a way of luring any and all viewers into seeing the center of interest. The lines are made of the scenery within the photograph, for example roads, train tracks, hallways etc.


Repetition - Repetition is when something in a photo is copied so there are multiple of the same thing or very similar next to each other.


Format - Format in photography focuses on the sizing and shaping of an image and the choice between capturing a portrait or landscapes shot depending on the object of choice to photograph.


Center of Interest - The center of interest in a photograph is something that draws attention to a specific spot in the picture. For example, the placement of an anachronistic object or a contrast in colours between the main focus in the image and the background.


Viewpoint - The viewpoint is the angle in which a photo is taken at, for example. overhead and point of view.



Light - Light in photography is an important part of taking a perfect photo. A photographer must know where their light source is coming from so there isn't an over or under exposure to light.


Texture - Texture is used to add visual interest and contrast to an image by photographing multiple different-textured objects in a photo



Narrative -  Narrative in photography gives an image meaning by creating a story for someone to view and connote meaning from the image from the viewpoints, facial expressions and body language used in the photo.


Thursday, 10 March 2016

LO1 - Photographic Genres

Photo Journalism





“Photojournalism is a particular form of journalism (the collecting, editing, and presenting of news material for publication or broadcast) that employs images in order to tell a news story.”

Photo Journalism is used when wanting to document a particular event, as most people want to actually see what is happening to this sort of Photography allows pressing News to be further shown to people.




James Nachtwey is a famous and esteemed Photojournalist, here is some of his work:






This is some of Nick Ut's work, another Photojournalist:








Portrait Photography

'Portrait photography or portraiture is photography of a person or group of people that displays the expression, personality, and mood of the subject. Like other types of portraiture, the focus of the photograph is usually the person's face, although the entire body and the background or context may be included.'

Portrait photography can have a variety of uses, as the close up nature of it can allow for many different narratives to be told through emotion evoking facial expressions. Portraits can also be used for documenting as they can provide proof that someone was in a specific place.





Steve McCurry is a very well known Portrait Photographer who is very good at showing culture in his Portraits











Some of Lisa Kristine's work:







Landscape Photography



'Landscape photography shows spaces within the world, sometimes vast and unending, but other times microscopic. Landscape photographs typically capture the presence of nature but can also focus on man-made features or disturbances of landscapes.'

Landscapes are good for many things, most commonly showing vast landscapes. Be they rural or urban, Landscapes are a great way to showcase wide shot views of areas. Because of how much detail Landscapes can and do usually capture, there is so much experimentation that can be done with them varying from colour change to playing with different Depths of Field 



 Ansel Adams is a famous Landscape photographer who has a very distinct style - Black and White environmental Landscapes. 



Galen Rowell again focuses on the environment in his Landscapes.



Night Photography




'Night photography refers to photographs taken outdoors between dusk and dawn.Night photographers generally have a choice between using artificial light and using a long exposure, exposing the scene for seconds, minutes, and even hours in order to give the film or digital sensor enough time to capture a usable image.'

Night photography is a brilliant way of showing how beautiful and vibrant night life can actually be, so a very common convention Night Photographers use is a Slow Shutter speed thus allowing more light in to the camera and therefore being able make interesting and rather breathtaking patterns with all the colours that come put when the sun goes down.




Michael Bosanko is a famous Night Photographer who is very well known for is excessive use of contrasting neon colours made by lights and Show Shutter Speeds









Brassai is known for his Night Photography, specifically his interesting use of silhouettes to tell a narrative in what would otherwise seem like a pretty plain image







Wildlife Photography




'Wildlife photography is a loosely-defined profession which demands a passion for nature and art. Wildlife photographers make a career of traveling to remote areas and taking pictures of wild animals and natural scenery.'


Wildlife Photography can be useful to show insight on how full of like Earth is, and can bring some needed attention to the pressing issues that our Wildlife faces as we continue to treat our planet as we do. It isn't always easy for the majority of people to really get to see how truly diverse the natural world is, so having Wildlife Photography allows for viewers to see at least a hint of the natural world.




Suzi Eszterhas is very good at capturing some of the more furious members of the animal Kingdom such as Tigers and Lions





Here are some of Jon Cornforth's amazing underwater shots of the Wildlife Under the Sea




Fashion Photography

'Fashion photography is a genre of photography devoted to displaying clothing and other fashion items. Fashion photography is most often conducted for advertisements or fashion magazines such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, or Elle.'


Fashion Photography is often used to advertise new products from Fashion companies, so photos have to be so good and detailed that they convince viewers to buy the products in the photo. So, naturally there is a lot that goes into these photos to assure they are as visually appealing as they possibly can be.





Steven Meisel is a well known Fashion photographer, here is some of his work:









Mario Sorrenti is famous for his intricate use of colours within his fashion, he focuses on close ups so he can really show of the fashion in the photo 







Street Photography

'Street photography is photography that features the chance encounters and random accidents within public places. Street photography does not necessitate the presence of a street or even the urban environment.'


Street photography is useful because it can shed some light on some more local culture that perhaps goes under-appreciated in everyday life, but thanks to Street Photoraphers, viewers can be reminded of what it means to be where they are from as opposed to culture from other places in the world.




Here are some of Bernd Schaefers's street art shots 





    Ian Cox is bets known for his Street Art Photography, as he often adds a narrative on top of the narrative told by the street art itself, here's some of his work