Available Light
My Initial Response
"Many photographers and filmmakers such as Imogen Cunningham, Jan Groover and Bill Brandt have created successful images only using available light. Their work often includes clearly defined areas of light and shadow, which reveal aspects of the subject that may otherwise have been unnoticed. Research relevant examples and produce your own work."
I choose Available light because I felt this was the most challenging topic between them all and will allow me to use my creative ability to its full potential. It will also allow me to use certain techniques that will only work in bright, ongoing images. I have taken a lot of images to give me a boost starting my exam work, these images consist of shadows, candles, Liverpool city centre and sunsets. My first collection of photos were taken in a dark room with a black canvas protecting any natural light escaping, I used this limited light to focus on certain objects that projected light, Such as candles, shot glasses and models. Doing this created some really nice images and shown that not all available light is natural and can be forced, this also created shadows in the backdrop to some of the images. In total doing this simple method got me over 200 images which are a great stepping stone into my exam work. I also tried using all of the different mood settings on the camera to create meaning while I was taking the pictures, such as having the flash off or the aperture up. My second photo shoot location was in a car park with not much natural light, I used the headlights from my dad's car to create very bright images, I found it was best to replicate shadows doing this, for example i stood in front of the car having the light shining directly into me making a figure on the over side. I think these images turned out very good and were able to create some eye-catching images.
Research Of Available Light
These 9 images above were the best 9 images I found from doing research on "Available lIght" I think all these images show how amazing light can make an image if you take care while taking the photo, all these images are different topics within Available Light and have made me want to explore all these different options while doing the prep stage of my course. Using natural light over forced light can get very interesting images, I really like how in most of these images they used shadows as shadows is the best way to get the best images. Using my experience from these images I am going to explore sun in different areas such as streets, beaches, forests.
Artist Research
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Henri Cartier-Breson is a well known photographer for his work in available light, he mainly produces black and white high contrast images, i believe he takes very powerful image that test the viewers mind and intelligence. Most of his images portray shadows and dark rooms, Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French humanist photographer considered a master of candid photography, and an early user of 35 mm film. He pioneered the genre of street photography, and conceived of photography as capturing a decisive moment. I admire the work that he done as they mainly consist of street images of people without there permission which shows the level of effort and patience he went through to get his images that are famous today.
Artist Research
Brassai
Brassai is an well known photographer for his detailed work and enjoyed for his work of street photography, I enjoyed doing my research on him as he showed great detail images that show a great level of emotion. Brassaï was a Hungarian–French photographer, sculptor, writer, and filmmaker who rose to international fame in France in the 20th century. He was one of the numerous Hungarian artists who flourished in Paris beginning between the World Wars. When taking my images during my planning stage i will think about some of his techniques and composition he has used as it will improve my images by doing such simple step. I think using black and White editing techniques will make the images more detailed and better to look at for up close portraits of my friends.
Artist Research
Michael Bosanko
Michael Bosanko is my favourite researched photographer form the main reason he explores "Light Trails" to me these are the most rewarding and beneficial images to go for and can allow you to create outstanding images. I think using Light Trails to bring out exposed colours, Using moving objects such as boats, or ferris wheels gets really interning images that look very dramatic. Light Trails can be taken anywhere you want if your take the time to look at the composition with in the shot you will get the best possible images for Available light. I chose to research Michael Bosanko as he uses his techniques and mixes them together with the images he has taken, he sometimes will take a very basic image and use high key paint brushes to style them into masterpiece bye writing letters or styled colours and shapes.
Artist Research
Andrew Whyte
Andrew Whyte is an underrated photographer who explores shadow manipulation and uses his own developed photoshop techniques to create incredible, detailed photos. Long exposure is something he does not work as much with any more but as a young inexperienced photographer he took some really special photos and are considered his best images of all time. Long exposure is something very difficult to capture and takes a lot of patience to capture to the true light. Also city exposure is something i found doing my research and found very interesting to capture for games of buildings in complete darkness having street lights bright up the image.
My Work
Product Photography
Black And White
Doing product photography was very interning for me as i thought it would be a bit boring just having shining light on objects but i think for the little amount i did they turned out quiet well, to take these images i had to create a dark surface room which i did during night time to make no natural light enter the images, the only light you can see is from the camera flash and forced light from torches, I really like these images as it was difficult to create different images that weren't to repetitive. I decided that i wanted to present these images in two set gallery which would showcase images straight from the camera and then underneath all the same images in a black and white format presented to show the spacing of my product.
This is a map of the "Albert Dock" with in Liverpool were i have started taking all my pictures for my exam, Available light. The Albert Dock is a very memorable place for the people of Liverpool and i thought it would be perfect to start my exam of here. The Albert Dock has a lot of well known building, such as the Liver Birds, The Wheel, Beatles Statues, ETC. There is also a great sun set of the river themes at night and create some really meaning photos.