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Saturday, 11 May 2013
Ashton Park - Day 4
Yesterday was the day of Ashton Park's Year 11 Prom. I arrived at the prearranged time of 3.30pm I went to reception at the main building to announce I was there, and then I waited for Anita to come and take me down to the classroom.
When at the classroom, Anita, myself, and Margaret, a year 12 student, checked what equipment we would be taking and how we would shoot the images. I brought my Canon DSLR and my flashgun as requested. We also decided to take Anita's camera, a flashgun, a tripod, the studio background structure and material (white fabric), and studio lights. We decided to shoot using JPEG as we would be taking hundreds of photos that all would need to be edited, and the RAW file format requires more editing, something that could not be done before the school's deadline for the images.
We then went and packed away the background and lights from the studio/editing suite, however, one of the lights broke at one of the adjustment fixtures. Margaret luckily had some superglue on her and we managed to fix it using the glue and some tape. We packed everything into Anita's car and set off to her house to collect an extension cable.
Shortly afterwards, we arrived at the Marriott Hotel, unpacked the car, and found the suite in which the prom would be taking place. We set up the background structure and material in front of a curtained window, as it fit perfectly in the space, and it also meant we could utilise natural light during the first few hours. We set the lights up so that they were quite high and illuminating the background. One camera with a flash was set up on a tripod, which Margaret used, while I used my camera and flashgun to bounce flash off the white ceiling for my images. We ended up using three cameras - Margaret used the tripod, whereas myself and another student freeheld our cameras. I shot in a portrait format in order to capture the whole of the clothing worn by the students, as they were all in formal dress.
The initial rush of students came between 7 - 7.45 and weren't shy about asking to have their picture taken. Anita arranged them within the frame and directed them to look at the central camera (tripod). This way, with three cameras shooting, there would be plenty of pictures for the students to choose from when they get the contact sheets delivered.
Their three-course meal was taking place between 7.30 and 9pm, so during this downtime, Anita and myself got a quick bite to eat. When we came back, we began photographing small groups of students who were coming out between courses to have their pictures taken. After the meals were finished, I went into the main room with another student to photograph the students dancing. These results were not very good as they were all facing away from me.
We started packing away the equipment at 10pm, and were finished at 10.30. I found it to be a good experience as I have only shot one event before and feel more confident in taking up more opportunities like this in the future. The nature of the event being a year 11 prom gave it an exciting vibe, and I am pleased with my images. Having to sometimes direct people within the frame of the image was beneficial to me, as I find it difficult to talk to people I don't know.
I will deliver my images to Anita on Monday after the submission of the report, as she needs to send contact sheets out to the students on wednesday.
7 hours, 84 overall.
When at the classroom, Anita, myself, and Margaret, a year 12 student, checked what equipment we would be taking and how we would shoot the images. I brought my Canon DSLR and my flashgun as requested. We also decided to take Anita's camera, a flashgun, a tripod, the studio background structure and material (white fabric), and studio lights. We decided to shoot using JPEG as we would be taking hundreds of photos that all would need to be edited, and the RAW file format requires more editing, something that could not be done before the school's deadline for the images.
We then went and packed away the background and lights from the studio/editing suite, however, one of the lights broke at one of the adjustment fixtures. Margaret luckily had some superglue on her and we managed to fix it using the glue and some tape. We packed everything into Anita's car and set off to her house to collect an extension cable.
Shortly afterwards, we arrived at the Marriott Hotel, unpacked the car, and found the suite in which the prom would be taking place. We set up the background structure and material in front of a curtained window, as it fit perfectly in the space, and it also meant we could utilise natural light during the first few hours. We set the lights up so that they were quite high and illuminating the background. One camera with a flash was set up on a tripod, which Margaret used, while I used my camera and flashgun to bounce flash off the white ceiling for my images. We ended up using three cameras - Margaret used the tripod, whereas myself and another student freeheld our cameras. I shot in a portrait format in order to capture the whole of the clothing worn by the students, as they were all in formal dress.
The initial rush of students came between 7 - 7.45 and weren't shy about asking to have their picture taken. Anita arranged them within the frame and directed them to look at the central camera (tripod). This way, with three cameras shooting, there would be plenty of pictures for the students to choose from when they get the contact sheets delivered.
Their three-course meal was taking place between 7.30 and 9pm, so during this downtime, Anita and myself got a quick bite to eat. When we came back, we began photographing small groups of students who were coming out between courses to have their pictures taken. After the meals were finished, I went into the main room with another student to photograph the students dancing. These results were not very good as they were all facing away from me.
We started packing away the equipment at 10pm, and were finished at 10.30. I found it to be a good experience as I have only shot one event before and feel more confident in taking up more opportunities like this in the future. The nature of the event being a year 11 prom gave it an exciting vibe, and I am pleased with my images. Having to sometimes direct people within the frame of the image was beneficial to me, as I find it difficult to talk to people I don't know.
I will deliver my images to Anita on Monday after the submission of the report, as she needs to send contact sheets out to the students on wednesday.
7 hours, 84 overall.
Bristol Water - Editing
During the past four weeks that I have been working for Bristol Water, I have been editing images for them concurrently.
I have been editing images for a few of hours a day, several times a week. My methodological approach means I put a lot of time into editing a single picture. I have been touching up the images, as well as editing contrast, brightness, selective colours, saturation, etc. As all of my images have been shot in RAW, editing has taken longer due to the extra editing control shooting on RAW allows.
I will show my edited pictures to Paul, Sandra, and Janice at corporate affairs in the forthcoming weeks as I continue to work for them.
In total, the hours add up to roughly 50 of editing.
50 hours editing, 77 overall.
I have been editing images for a few of hours a day, several times a week. My methodological approach means I put a lot of time into editing a single picture. I have been touching up the images, as well as editing contrast, brightness, selective colours, saturation, etc. As all of my images have been shot in RAW, editing has taken longer due to the extra editing control shooting on RAW allows.
I will show my edited pictures to Paul, Sandra, and Janice at corporate affairs in the forthcoming weeks as I continue to work for them.
In total, the hours add up to roughly 50 of editing.
50 hours editing, 77 overall.
Thursday, 9 May 2013
Bristol Water - Day 5
As my two days with Ashton Park were cancelled due to an unexpected OFSTED meeting, I went to Littleton to photograph their new UV filter. The UV filter eradicates germs from the water, and is one of the stages along the way to getting clean water that is health to consume.
The filter is situated on a lower level, so I shot images from above to get an overall view, as well as going down to the filter to photograph the machinery in closer detail, and utilising a shallow depth of field with varied angles.
I then went to the filter gallery to take some interior shots. The filter gallery is all white with white machinery, and I felt that I got some good interior shots that show off the space well. I also photographed some of the equipment in the lab, just as I felt I should capture it while I was there, as I have not seen a lab at a Bristol Water site before. I photographed as well a detailed, almost interactive map of the south-west (particularly the Bristol-Gloucestershire area and Wales) that used lights to demonstrate water flow in rivers and estuaries. I found this to be an interesting subject matter, and thought it was worth photographing to try to capture the glow from the detail in the rivers.
I sent the contact sheet to Paul, Sandra, and Janice, who also works in corporate affairs. She was especially interested in the shots of the UV filter, and would like to use some of them in the upcoming annual report that is sent to the Bristol Water shareholders. I would be credited for my images. She would also like to go on a shoot with me, so she can direct me to take some images that she needs. I may also be getting paid for this, which is a bonus, and I am excited at the prospect of having my work published and being credited for this.
4 hours (without editing), 27 overall
The filter is situated on a lower level, so I shot images from above to get an overall view, as well as going down to the filter to photograph the machinery in closer detail, and utilising a shallow depth of field with varied angles.
I then went to the filter gallery to take some interior shots. The filter gallery is all white with white machinery, and I felt that I got some good interior shots that show off the space well. I also photographed some of the equipment in the lab, just as I felt I should capture it while I was there, as I have not seen a lab at a Bristol Water site before. I photographed as well a detailed, almost interactive map of the south-west (particularly the Bristol-Gloucestershire area and Wales) that used lights to demonstrate water flow in rivers and estuaries. I found this to be an interesting subject matter, and thought it was worth photographing to try to capture the glow from the detail in the rivers.
I sent the contact sheet to Paul, Sandra, and Janice, who also works in corporate affairs. She was especially interested in the shots of the UV filter, and would like to use some of them in the upcoming annual report that is sent to the Bristol Water shareholders. I would be credited for my images. She would also like to go on a shoot with me, so she can direct me to take some images that she needs. I may also be getting paid for this, which is a bonus, and I am excited at the prospect of having my work published and being credited for this.
4 hours (without editing), 27 overall
Ashton Park - Day 4
Today was supposed to be my fourth day at Ashton Park Sixth Form, helping out with the exams. I got to the school and went to the reception to introduce myself and to ask if I could go straight down to the sixth form (it was during registration and the corridors were empty, so I felt it was wise to announce I was there).
The receptionist rang the sixth form reception to see if someone could meet me outside, however, when she ended the call she told me that OFSTED were in for the next two days and therefore could not let me help out in the exams today or tomorrow. This is disappointing, as I was looking forward to it and there would be several hours completed, however OFSTED turn up with half a day's notice.
I will still be helping to shoot the Prom tomorrow night, and will meet Anita at the school at 3.30pm.
I ended up going out with Bristol Water to take more images today instead.
The receptionist rang the sixth form reception to see if someone could meet me outside, however, when she ended the call she told me that OFSTED were in for the next two days and therefore could not let me help out in the exams today or tomorrow. This is disappointing, as I was looking forward to it and there would be several hours completed, however OFSTED turn up with half a day's notice.
I will still be helping to shoot the Prom tomorrow night, and will meet Anita at the school at 3.30pm.
I ended up going out with Bristol Water to take more images today instead.
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Bristol Water - Day 4
Today I went to the Barrow logistics depo to photograph some more required shots for Bristol Water. This was mentioned during my meeting as a place where they would like some images, especially of pipes. The logistics depo is where water pipes of all shapes and sizes, as well as what connects them, are stored, which gave me plenty of things to shoot that would fit the brief set.
Upon arriving, I was given a high-vis jacket as a safety measure, as "plants" (heavy-duty vehicles) operate outside. I was then shown the various different pipes and other equipment kept there, and started shooting. The pipes were made of various materials - long concrete and metal ones, long plastic ones, and plastic ones so long they are stored rolled up in rings. I managed to get various different shots by employing different techniques to create many images I think may be suitable for publication.
A contact sheet of the images can be found here.
This is my last shoot for Bristol Water that will count towards the work experience unit. I will continue to work for them after the deadline next week to complete the work set. This has been a brilliant opportunity for me, and will look great on my CV.
3 hours (without editing), 23 overall
Upon arriving, I was given a high-vis jacket as a safety measure, as "plants" (heavy-duty vehicles) operate outside. I was then shown the various different pipes and other equipment kept there, and started shooting. The pipes were made of various materials - long concrete and metal ones, long plastic ones, and plastic ones so long they are stored rolled up in rings. I managed to get various different shots by employing different techniques to create many images I think may be suitable for publication.
A contact sheet of the images can be found here.
This is my last shoot for Bristol Water that will count towards the work experience unit. I will continue to work for them after the deadline next week to complete the work set. This has been a brilliant opportunity for me, and will look great on my CV.
3 hours (without editing), 23 overall
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