Photography Evaluation

During this unit, we were given the opportunity to experiment and try our hands at something completely different. To launch ourselves into the unit, we were asked to research different types of photography and then make a presentation concentrating mainly on two types. I choose to focus on the two genres of photography that mostly interested me; War and Fashion. The presentation had to include what these photographies achieve, how they were used, how the photographers made money from them. I also had to compare the similarities and difference of War and Fashion photography.

Having complete task one, I looked closely at the cannon DSLR's camera and learnt how use the settings to capture the images I wanted. I then familiarised myself with these settings by producing, blured motion, shutter zoom, frozen movement shadow depth of field, light graffiti and large depth of field photography.

Using all the new skills I had now learnt, it was time to produce my own set of photographic images. Having had the chance to play around with and research different types of photography, establishing the kind of photos I wanted to produce came easily to me. I initially decided to produce Music photography, but changed my mind later on. After looking for a plan B, I finally settled on Commercial fashion photography.

With my mind made up, I began to Pre produce my final images. This consisted of me creating a mood board of the images I wanted. I also started to contact the people I wanted to use during the shoot and plan out my photo shoot concept in the form of a video pitch and mind map. The pre production stage of this unit, for me was one of the most rapid and enjoyable of any other units I've produced in the past. Everything seemed to occur according to plan and when scheduled. 

However, the day of the shoot could have ran much smoother. Although the photo studio was booked for 10am, CWC technicians were not available therefore delayed our setting up process, so forcing the shoot to start much later.  Unfortunately, the fire alarm at the college was set off, again eating into our shooting time. Aside from those little misfortunes, overall it was a good shoot. 

The Post Production stage was amazing as I learned how to use Photoshop to professionally edit the my final images. I took over 200 images and had to choose 10 pictures that had the most potential. That was difficult, so insisted the help of Mahan and Ngozi in helping me decide which was helpful.

I think I've worked very hard and well with the time I had. I used a professional photography studio with a plain infinity backdrop. I feel that the ambient lighting used created an elegance and simplicity to the final images. During the post production, I familarised myself with the photo editing software, Photoshop which professionals use when adding the final touches to their photos. I tried my best to create a professional atmosphere all throughout the shooting process by actually hiring a professional model (Ava Roeg) and make-up artist (Ngozi Amaechi) to help out. I provided our visitors with a refreshment table that they could help themselves to in between shots and wardrobe for my model of a set of outfits that I wanted her to wear during our shoot. I think some of my pictures would look and suit the style of Glamour magazine because of the minimal background and set used therefore bring attention to the outfits being shown.

In all, I enjoyed this project much more than I thought I would. I was highly apprehensive when I first found out what the unit was. I think I surprised myself. I think that my final images have some levels of professionalism. From what some of my classmates have said they can pass as features in a printed magazine or online magazine which I'm very pleased about.