Well here we are. It's nearly time to say goodbye but before I do, lets look back at what I have learned, or failed to learn.
I have already blogged about camera settings, aperture, shutter speeds and how I understand and often confuse myself with all the silly numbering systems. So I wont talk about that. What I will talk about is my experiences on the battlefield, my attempts at manipulating images and how I decided to present my images.
Level 1
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on this course. I came into the course not really knowing anything about how to use my camera manually and now I'm pretty confident I can go out and take some decent shots without having the urge to switch to auto. I loved the light writing task and it was good fun to get into the studio and the darkroom. The main assignment was where I had the most enjoyment. Initially I was in a panic. I had chosen a difficult theme and had nothing. No props, no costumes, just a crazy idea in my head. I think it's a testament to myself that I actually stuck with this theme. I guess the main 'downer' was all the research we had to do.
Now I like photography, I like other photographers and I know what photo's I like and what photo's I dislike. The problem is writing about them. I could tell you why I like a photo but trying to explain why a certain photographer did what they did is a little frustrating. I think that most photographers (especially the war ones) are just trying to 'wing it'. Studio photography is completely different. You can see how they use lighting and such but I'm pretty sure Robert Capa didn't ask people to take time to pose for him on the D-Day landings. I feel photography is so much more about the subject matter then the technique and equipment used. If I like a photo, I tend to like it because it's a powerful graphic image, not because it follows the rule of thirds or because the photographer used beauty dishes or diffusers etc. I know that even some of the most famous war photographs were staged but it's the content that matters to me. I guess I feel this way because I would like to be a documentary photographer. Fashion photography doesn't really appeal to me.
Photographing WW2... in 2010!
Being a war photographer is hard work. Your life is constantly on the line ready to be snuffed out in a split second. That wasn't the case for me. All I had to worry about was getting frostbite in the freezing cold or falling down large hills into ponds full of rubbish. It was great fun, running about in the woods acting like children again. I loved every second of it. Directing my actors and composing the right shots took quite a bit of time. Trial and error was also a major factor. I often imagined what it would be like to take these pictures under the same circumstances as those famous war photographers. Is it wrong that I actually want to put my life on the line to be held in the same high regard as them?
I cant say thank you enough to my friends for helping me out. Mr David Land is probably the main reason this project got off the ground. If it wasn't for him discovering a fantastic little shop in Wales that sold replica world war two gear (yes, Wales!) then I wouldn't have been able to get the equipment I needed. I repayed my good friend by having him killed by a Nazi.
I was particularly hard on myself in earlier blogs. Maybe because I instantly thought my images would be amazing without trying, or maybe it's because I just don't really like myself very much and feel the need to mentally self harm. Deciding to be a little nicer to myself, I found out that I had indeed captured some great images. Some of my portrait shots came out particularly good.
Whilst out in the field I learned that taking as many photo's as you can is a very good idea. I used to take a photo, check the screen, then delete that picture until I was happy with the results. Now I just keep clicking away and then have to sift through hundreds of pictures until I find some good ones. It's time consuming but I think it's better to have too many photo's than not enough.
I was pretty annoyed when I started planning this shoot. I had come up with a totally unique theme which I thought would stand out from the class (without being big headed, and if I could actually take a decent photo) only to find that someone had changed their idea to the same theme as me. After having a rant to Ian I figured 'What the hell,' and just got on with the immense task.
I think we both took the theme in two completely different ways and ended up with vastly different shots. I do apologize if I may have come across as a tad hostile. I'm very particular about these things.
Manipulation
I already kind of knew my way around photoshop so the manipulation assignment was something that really interested me. Some of my manipulated images came out pretty well where others were just about passable. It was hard work getting the desired effect.
My original plan was to do something completely different for my manipulation assignment. With time restrictions I thought it was best to continue with the war theme. I had planned to do this amazingly surreal Jacob's Ladder type journey through purgatory with demons and everything. Maybe one day.
Presentation
When it came to presenting the images I wanted to do these great big prints. As soon as I found out about the Blurb website (where they will make a book for you) it just seemed to make sense. I have seen Robert Capa and Don McCullin's books in stores and the topic fits the medium really well.
As far as these assignments are concerned, I feel like I have done the best I can with my current knowledge of the camera and photoshop techniques. Maybe picking such a difficult theme was a hindrance but, I stood firm and managed to achieve something that I wouldn't even have attempted to do without the motivation this course has given me.
I don't think there's anything I would have done differently. A theme change my be the only thing I would re-consider but I don't see the point of taking pictures of things that wouldn't interest me. I'm not saying that I'm only interested in war but it's subjects like war, poverty, famine and gangs that grab my attention. I could easily go out and take photo's of bands (after all, I love music), weddings, christenings and bar mitzvah's to make money but that's not what I aspire to be.
What's next?
I took this course to learn the basics of photography and I feel like I've done that. I would have liked to go on to do level 2 and 3 but this isn't really feasible at this time. I think I just need to keep on taking photo's and putting myself out there for the world to scrutinise. I can expand my knowledge of photography in other ways. There's always tutorials on the net, magazines, DVDs etc. I feel what I need to do now is just build up a portfolio and see what happens.
If I manage to get a job in photography then that'll be amazing. I always wondered what it would be like to do a job that you actually enjoy? If not, at the least it'll be just another hobby along with music and football. Maybe I can make a bit of money here and there doing those menial photography jobs I mentioned earlier but at the end of the day, I always aim high.
Finally
Thanks for your patience and wisdom Marie. Your enthusiasm towards my crazy ideas helped egg me on to actually go out there and stick with it. So what I'm trying to say basically is, I'm blaming you for making me spend a fortune in equipment. It's a good job I'm a forgiving person.
Even though I spent a lot of time looking miserable in class (Not something I can help sadly!) I would like you to know that inside I was the most cheerful chap in the room (Well, in my isolation booth next door as I like to call it).
I wont say anymore as nobody likes a suck-up and I don't want to leave with the 'teachers pet' tag.
It's been fun.
Bye.
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