Start by doing some reflecting in your learning log. What kinds of subjects might be seen as un-photographable? How might you go about portraying them using photography?

OCA course book Assignment two.

Looking at this an idea that comes to mind and could argue it’s in vogue at the time, although I hate to say that term. A lot of people are jumping on the bandwagon. ”Mental Health” is what I’m relating too. It’s nothing new in my eyes it’s just more in your face today than it was said some ten years ago.

Everyone has some form of mental issues; it’s just how one chooses to let people know. Talking is the apparent answer though is probably the hardest one to achieve in today’s modern society.

The idea of seeing one’s self in an image looking wholly different and showing a side that is unphotographable will hopefully show what it is I’m trying to portray.

The idea has come from the image above. I’d need to take a few self-portraits in various guises for the concept to work. It draws from the previous exercise and projects with manipulation and telling a story.

After reading my tutor feedback part on suggested reading, I noticed Carol Reeds (1949) The Third Man.

Intrigued in why this was in the write up. I’d sort of known about the film but can’t say I’d ever watched it. More listened to my dad talk about it as a child. It was never on my list of films to watch.

After numerous internet searches only to find small clips and the trailers. I decided to rent it from a well known mobile phone company that lets you download or rent music, films and Tv programmes etc.

A classic black and white film. What took me by complete surprise was the use stunning cinematography. I can see way my tutor has recommended it. My style of black white photography and how some of the scenes of harsh shadows and strong shapes. The use of negative space, silhouettes great characters wearing hats and light hitting their faces at prime times in the frame. Fantastic to watch how light had been used.

Had this been in colour I just can’t see how the viewer would of felt. The music and light hold the drama and suspense on the set and frame. Like I had said before it wouldn’t have been a film I would watch. The images in the tunnel in the trailer the face that is revealed from the shadow. That’s is how I see my compositions at times.

By waiting in the shadows yourself, you are at times waiting/fishing for that subject just to fall into a small sliver of light or come from the light into the shadow. Another area to look now for inspiration and ideas ahead of assignment two.

Bibliography

THIRD, T., Official, -, & Trailer, O. (2015, May 7). THE THIRD MAN – Official Trailer – Restored In Stunning 4K. YouTube. Retrieved February 12, 2020, from https://youtu.be/r9yyDEDGlr0

I’m a big fan of shooting Street photography predominantly in high contrast black and white. However, I’m always open to new ideas and seeing how different photographers challenge themselves.

With reading other students problems with hitting the streets, I’d probably say this is an ideal book for those that fear the idea of shooting street whether this is from a candid approach or just having the confidence to shoot people without actually asking them.

Confidence is a hurdle in itself when shooting on the street. A friend gesture to whoever to shoot will generally help. Unless your taking it to the extreme in the likes of Bruce Gilden style then you have to be prepared for confrontation with your subject.

Remember there is no real law of taking pictures of people unless it’s of a military/site of sensitive nature. It’s a common-sense approach added to what you think is ethical.

Ultimately, I believe you have to walk the street and take pictures to learn from your mistakes. Practice, practice practice is the key to great images. Gone are days of 30 odd pictures with film. You can take thousands of pictures in a day depending on your memory card size and how many you use.

The Street Photographer’s Manual https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/050054526X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sK.pEbZ8FVNW6

This is at times during EYV I tended not to do and move onto the next part. Although it’s not been full-on outside with my camera at the ready its been intriguing to see that its something I’ve done over the years. Taking any picture whether by film or sketch you’re documenting something.

• Mood
• Subject
• Light
• Action
• Emotion
• Expression

Your documenting it, the life of your family, pets, adventure. All have a form of documentation. I have seen at times how news teams can document life first hand, but when you don’t see the final product till weeks later, it annoys you that that have twisted what you have said or not shown the side you were trying to portray.

Documentary, reportage, photojournalism, art photography. All seem to along the same lines. Like Seawright mentions its the fine line between them. I see every picture captured shows lines of the above. Henri Cartier-Bresson decisive moment documents a capture in time. Add something special to it and its Art. Photography is a form of art that I believe is here to stay for and with technology changing this will endeavour to be greater in years to come.