From my previous shooting with Sorcha Groocock during my feedback evaluation more people were drawn to photographs with natural lighting and later on we discovered that the reason why the photographs were liked more was because they were light better. In my photographs I did not combine flash light with natural light correctly. To be prepared for next shoot I tried to look for videos that would explain the technique of combining these two lights together and these videos helped me the most. Check them out :
-firstly, measure and set up the exposure of ambient or
constant light and then do it with flash and change only aperture
-ambient light is the key for exposure
-don’t use too much power because then you lose background
Longer video in which more scenarios of different environments and their lighting scenarios is explained.
-around 250 calls per year and 70 set the business at the
end
-private company but publicly funded
You can test the market in groups, start free enterprises,
plan ahead your budged. You will need a separate account for self-employed
account. You won’t get taxed until you make above £12,500.
To start a business, make a list of expectations and visions
you have, then do market research to see what it out there and compare what you
want to bring in. Look at your finances, into funding (Kick start Program gives
£1,500 for start) or look at the loans if needed. Plan your space and make sure
you have all equipment that you will need to prevent professional work.
Some contact sheets from today’s photo session which we have done at university with Sorcha. We tried some photographs without flash which I like as everything is softer and more natural symmetrically light on the background and also on the subject. After I tried out flashlights and umbrellas that I brought, and photographs were more dramatic.
Final outcome from my environmental portraiture which I want to show in our tutorials. I’ve chosen three portraits with natural light and three without flash. Photographs with flash are crispier and sharper but I feel they are too dramatic but I will see what the feedback will be like. Personally for this project, I am more attracted to the photographs that has been shot in natural light as they are more warm and pleasing images where the background and environment is seen clearly and shows in what atmosphere the artists normally works in.
Tutorials/ Feedback from Peers
-It’s good to try both, natural and flash light to see which one works better
-In this case natural light works more as it is less harsh and more inviting as person plus you can see the surroundings as well.
Anthony Kurtz has created many environmental portraits that leaded from different projects in which he kept his strong cinematic look, similar color and style of framing. He is a good example of how the photographs can be used as artistic pieces same as in the advertisement because of their visual similarities . It is interesting how work can be connected simply with focusing on similar color of lighting and it is something I would like to think about and combine with my practice as it kind of builds own signature but also can be used as artwork and commercial work in the future. Usually they are mid-shots combined with few head-shots but usually he shows the environment, work these people do through mid-shot that are horizontal.
I have talked to another ceramicist but this time a student in the ulster university which I met by accident during my performative project that she became a part of.
Sorcha is second year which agreed on a photo-shoot this week in their ceramic studio at our university.
Before the shoot I visited the space and took some snapshots of the environment to know what equipment I will need but also what to be prepared for. The room is very large and I would say well light artificially but also with big windows from sides. I feel that is will be also a good idea to bring flash lights to balance lighting plus there is a big bonus of large space so I will be able to play around with the lighting.
Michaelo Wharley is another photographer that has done series with environmental portraits that are quite interesting in the London. The photos look similar because of the use of flash and it kind of creates a mood.
Michael said that “I’ve been based at the Make Space for over 5 years now, but even after all that time, it is still such a characteristic experience to turn from the relatively mundane corridor into a studio and be amazed by the world of wonder made by an artist in their small white box, as they have personalized or tailored the space to fit and reflect their work.Multiply that effect by 60 spaces, and that’s a stunningly varied set of working environments.I tried to capture some of that diverse creativity and variety by visiting willing artists – from puppet makers to screen printers, sculptors to painter– for 10 minutes apiece, armed with one flash unit and a camera, to explore their working worlds.” http://www.michaelwharleyphoto.com/make-space-environmental-portraits-artists/
Wharley’s work is very similar to my vision to this project. I like the simplicity behind his portraits and the way it is obvious what the person does on the image. It seems that he used flash light in every environment that brings that clean natural light and photographs are much sharper and professional. Each model’s posture is difference same as their expressions that represent themselves as a person as well. I like the way he combined the portraits of individuals with their pet as it brings more emotion and warmth to the photograph as it is more personal.
I am starting to think who I should approach from art world.
These are the professions that would interest me so I created small collages of different art and fashion designers, tattoo artists or ceramicist which I will use as a template of showing my models what the final outcome I am looking forward to but also it is an inspiration that I can keep in my pocket during photo shoots in case I would get stuck with new ideas.
I would like to focus on young female artists that are still students same as the ones that are finished and work as self-employed. I found it easier and engaging with women so I feel it will be better to “collaborate” with women for sessions.
I contacted Sasha McVey which is a ceramicist to see if she would be up for portraits in her work space and as she agreed we took some test shots of her studio in Glenarm.
I discovered that I will probably need to bring artificial lighting because the natural light there is very poor and photographs would not be sharp enough as the only source of light was one lamp and roof plastic windows.
The studio is very cold as at the beginning it was meant to be a shed before Sasha has remade it into a studio and it is full of Sasha’s work which at one point is amazing because so many can be shown off in the photo shoot but also it brings the limitation of the space but I am sure we will be able to work around it.
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