Research
To start off with the Places brief I wanted to research and identify practitioners involved in location photography. I have researching the following categories within the places brief they are:
To start off with the Places brief I wanted to research and identify practitioners involved in location photography. I have researching the following categories within the places brief they are:
A familiar place that is significant or important to you
The City or the Urban Sprawl
Wilderness or Countryside
The ‘alien’ or ‘foreign’ environment
This is a independent non studio based assginment which will require exploring different places.
Landscape
Ansel Adams
The first person who springs to mind when I think of landscape is Ansel Adams. Ansel Adams usually
photographs across the American West in Black and white.
photographs across the American West in Black and white.
Joe Cornish
I think Joe Cornish work has a elegant appearance. I like tones and textures he uses throughout his work.
Country Side
Freeman Patterson
I think his work is sureal I espically like the second image as it looks slightly fantasy.
Urban Sprawl
Walker Evans
Rural
Charlie Waite
Robert Polidori
I took alot of inspiration off Robert Polidori photography. I think photographing this type of genre is growing fast now. The reason why I like this style of photography is because I like how there is many different colours and texture and so many memories are held with in these buildings.
Hamish Scott Brown
Hamish Scott Brown also photographs abandoned old building. He uses a wide angle lense to capture these. His work appears quite surreal this is due to him using HDR, the image almost look like a computer game. In his image you can see a variety of colours, textures and lights.
Other Photographers I have looked into
Robert Frank;
Mark Powers;
Lee Friedlander;
Fay Godwin;
Thomas Joshua Cooper
Robert Polidori;
Tony Ray Jones;
Martin Parr;
Kevin Cummins;
Simon Norfolk;
Sophie Calle
Ed Ruscha
Steven Shore
Candida Hofer
Lewis Baltz
Timothy H. O'Sullivanin
Ian cameron
Carleton E. Watkins
Tom Mackie
After looking through many photographers and different location the photographer that stood out most to me is Marc Adamus. I think his work is very contemporary and I like the tones and textures in his images.
Even though I have to look at many different photographers I still need to find out what style I am going to use for this brief. I quite like the rural / alien style of locations. I am keeping the researching ongoing.
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Exhibitions
I have made a list of local photography and art exhibitions for the fourth coming future. I am going to as many of these as I can as they are very educational.
The Bluecoat - Underwater
11 December 2010 - 13 February 2011
The Underwater exhibition sees painting, sculpture, photography and video by ten international artists, including Bill Viola, Dorothy Cross and Ellen Gallagher.The Bluecoat has commissioned the installation of a 12 metre 3D Drawing of a submarine ___________________________________________________________________
Corke Gallery - ‘BODY LINES’ Joel Bird
‘BODY LINES’ Joel Bird
24 January – 5 February 2011
Liverpool born artist and sculptor, Joel Bird returns with a new collection of work showing at the Corke Gallery. With this collection, I began with a vision of the art nouveau decorative arabesques and introduced expressionist aesthetics.
24 January – 5 February 2011
Liverpool born artist and sculptor, Joel Bird returns with a new collection of work showing at the Corke Gallery. With this collection, I began with a vision of the art nouveau decorative arabesques and introduced expressionist aesthetics.
John Davies: Two Rivers at EDGEspace (formerly the International Gallery) Slater Street.
20 January - 16 February 2011
Internationally acclaimed photographer and artist John Davies shows his work from the River Mersey and the River Taff. This documentary landscape exhibition of large-scale photographs of river environments celebrates the launch of the EDGEspace.
20 January - 16 February 2011
Internationally acclaimed photographer and artist John Davies shows his work from the River Mersey and the River Taff. This documentary landscape exhibition of large-scale photographs of river environments celebrates the launch of the EDGEspace.
The work features the River Mersey from where it forms beneath the M60 in Stockport following its course to Liverpool's tidal estuary and The River Taff from its source in the Brecon Beacons to Cardiff Bay.
Some images where made before the substantial changes that have taken place alongside these two iconic rivers. From Liverpool's now disused airport and old docks in 1986, to Cardiff's 1990's naturally changing tidal 'Tiger Bay' now re-branded and re-formed as a permanent waterfront feature with the construction of the Cardiff Bay Barrage.
This is the first time that the River Taff images have been exhibited in England.
Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 4BX
Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 12.00 – 18.00
Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 12.00 – 18.00
Gostins Gallery - Exhibition of photographic images by Patrick M. Higgins
Exhibition of photographic images by Patrick M. Higgins
28 January - 5 March 2011
Exhibition opening: Thursday 3 February 18.30 - 21.00
Collage Collectables & Fine Art presents An exhibition of photographic images by Patrick M. Higgins . Patrick is a Liverpool based artist who works extensively across the North and West Wales where he has exhibited regularly over recent years and where many of his images are captured.
28 January - 5 March 2011
Exhibition opening: Thursday 3 February 18.30 - 21.00
Collage Collectables & Fine Art presents An exhibition of photographic images by Patrick M. Higgins . Patrick is a Liverpool based artist who works extensively across the North and West Wales where he has exhibited regularly over recent years and where many of his images are captured.
Beatles Story Pier Head - The Beatles Hidden Gallery
The Beatles Hidden Gallery at Beatles Story (Pier Head) from August 2010
A ‘hidden gallery' of Beatles photos discovered by a photographer in his attic after almost 50 years are on display at the Beatles Story Pier Head, Liverpool from 25th August 2010. Thirty eight black and white shots of the Fab 4 on tour with singer Helen Shapiro which were taken between 1963-64, were unearthed by photographer Paul Berriff in the attic of his home.
A ‘hidden gallery' of Beatles photos discovered by a photographer in his attic after almost 50 years are on display at the Beatles Story Pier Head, Liverpool from 25th August 2010. Thirty eight black and white shots of the Fab 4 on tour with singer Helen Shapiro which were taken between 1963-64, were unearthed by photographer Paul Berriff in the attic of his home.
08 Place - “Three Photographers” Exhibition
“Three Photographers” Exhibition
16 December 2010 - 13 March 2011
The Art Space in the 08 Place will host a photographic exhibition of the work of three local photographers, curated by Liverpool based arts organisation dot-art . “Three Photographers” showcases the work of Merseyside artists Simon Parker, Gianni Pisanu and Graeme Murray.
16 December 2010 - 13 March 2011
The Art Space in the 08 Place will host a photographic exhibition of the work of three local photographers, curated by Liverpool based arts organisation dot-art . “Three Photographers” showcases the work of Merseyside artists Simon Parker, Gianni Pisanu and Graeme Murray.
The Citadel - People & Places
Art Exhibition - 'People & Places' - Recent and retrospective work by Merseyside visual artist, Mary Christie. 19 January - 21 March 2011
PRIVATE VIEWING on Wed 19th January 2011 - Nibbles & wine from 18.30 - 20.00
PRIVATE VIEWING on Wed 19th January 2011 - Nibbles & wine from 18.30 - 20.00
Kirkby - 7th British Mini Print Exhibition
7th British Mini Print Exhibition at Kirkby Gallery
21st February – 24th April 2011.
This exhibition has attracted international artists with 31 countries represented, using a diverse range of techniques including lithography, linocut, woodcut, etching, collagraph, drypoint, digital and screen printing.
I have been able to attend the following exhibtions:21st February – 24th April 2011.
This exhibition has attracted international artists with 31 countries represented, using a diverse range of techniques including lithography, linocut, woodcut, etching, collagraph, drypoint, digital and screen printing.
Bolton Art and Photography
Saturday 5 February to Saturday 27 MarchSee the latest array of artistic talent from Bolton Art Circle, Bolton Camera Club and Bolton Digital Photographic Society.
Unfortunately I wasnt allowed to take any photo's at this event.Next exhibition:
Focus on imaging at Birmingham .
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Portugal Mountains
As this brief is all about places I wanted to do some travelling to a different country and explore what was out there. I decided on Portugal as it’s a beautiful hot country and it holds Europe smallest town and also Europe’s largest bridge “The Vasco da Gama Bridge”. I thought his would be amazing to photograph.
I wanted to photograph the landscape from the mountains as this would give a clear view of the land. I drove up to Serre da Estrela a rural tourist destination and the main skiing resort in Portugal with peaks reaching 2900 metres. When I was photographing I found getting the correct exposure difficult because the more I went up the mountains the more snow and fog arised. Unfortunately I was unable to drive to the top due to the bad weather conditions.
The images from the mountain.
The view from the mountain. I have increased the claity and used an a tone curve but this image needs lightening up because the fore ground is very dark.
This is the side view of the first image. I have increased the clarity and added a curve tone. This image also needs lightening up as it is very dark.
I have increased the black slightly and the clarity.
Before and after
This image shows the fog as I get further up the mountain.
This is rumored that this is a house in the mountain.
Water from the mountain. This water is clean drinking water.
Contact sheet of Images from the mountains
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Deralict Hospital
In the mountains I came across a deralict mental hospital that is centuries old. I thought this would be excellent to photography. The area was very alienated as it was situated in the middle of mountain with no houses or shops near by. I have used a black and white high contrast preset on many of these images and also increased the clarity. The reason I have used this preset it gives a more scarey feel to the image rather than just black and white or sepia.
Before and After
Contact Sheet of Images for the deralict hospital with image information.
I have used Hamish Scott Brown for inspiration as this is the same kind of style he has used in his manicomio project although I have not used HDR.
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Country side
I went up to Pendle Hill to take some countryside images. I thought this would be a good place to visit as there is miles of beautiful scenery and it looks down on small villiages near by.
Here is a map of Pendle Hill
I have posted processed this image using Adobe lightroom. I have increased the clarity and the blacks, added some saturation.
To the same image I have changed the preset into black and white.
Before and after
Post processing this image I have increased the saturation and the clarity to give a sharper appearance.
I like how this following image has a foreground, middle ground and a background it add intrest into the image. I have used the same style of post processing on the image. I have cropped the image slightly, increased the clarity and added some saturation.
Before and After
A contact sheet of the images from with the image detail
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Blackburn Task
For a task for the places brief we were asked to go around blackburn taking images and head back to the university documenting the journey. I had two people in my group Charlotte and Emma .F. We decided to start near the old infirmary and we would explore many different aspects of Blackburn starting there. Once we had finished this we were then allacated time post process these image and take the best 24 images and create a contact sheet. Then we would review the classes images as a group.
Here are my images.
Overall I am happy with the images I produced through out the day. I also learnt about time keeping for example:
How long it takes to take yout images.
How long it takes to post process them.
I have decided to use Blackburn as my significant place and make a book on it.
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Alien / Foreign Environment
These images are some other images I could use for alien/foreign enviroment.
This one was taken in a small town portugal. It reminds me a lot of Walker Evans Image of a church.
I have changed the image into black and white, increased the blacks and clairty I think this gives the image more of a creepy appearance.
Before and After
Walker Evans
Another derelict building I found in Satao Portugal. I have increased the clarity, and changed to black and white.
Porto in Portugal
Viseu Portugal
Derelict house - De-saturated image, increased the blacks and clairty.
The same image but I have added saturation, clarity and a curve tone over the sky.
Spain
This was the first time I have been to Spain so I felt a bit alienated.
Added saturation and clarity.
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Turkey
I have just come back from Gumet Turkey which is Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia. It's a beautiful country. This is was the first time I have been there so I felt quite alienated at first. This is a map of country.
Majority of the image I had taken there were Landscape.
I like this image because it has fore ground, middle ground and a back ground this you into the image. I have slightly increased the saturation so the image looks slightly more colourful.
Bodrum Castle
I think this is my favorite image I have taken from the trip. It was taken at the top of Bodrum castle. Unfortunately I couldnt get anymore due to battery failure. I have used a high F stop to achieve a deep depth of field. Post production: Increasing the clarity, black and a curve tone.
Screen shot of post production
A contact sheet of some of the images from the week in Turkey.
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Final Images for Places
Now that I am coming to the end of my Places brief I need to decide on my eight images that I will be submitting.
Significant Place
For my significant places I have chosen the place I have know best my home town Blackburn. These images are presented in three diptyches consisting of six images in total.
All six images have been printed in metallic because it has a pearl like quality and gives the image depth.
Image 1
Image 2The view of Blackburn was post process in lightroom. I have improved clarity to give a more defined appearance.
The camera settings I have used are:
Iso 100, F7.1, 125/sec, Focal length 50mm, and was taken on 23rd March 2011
Image 3
This image of the railway was post processed in lightroom by changing the preset to black and white high contrast and added clarity to give the image more depth.
The camera settings I have used are:
Iso 100, F7.1, 125/sec, Focal length 50mm and was taken 23rd March 2011.
Image 4
This image of the bridge and landscape of Blackburn was processed in lightroom. Using a black and white high contrast preset I could achieve the image I wanted.
The camera setting I have used:
Iso 100, F7.1, 125/sec, Focal length 50mm and was taken 23rd March 2011.
Image 5
Image 6
Image 6 Image 5
This image of a derelict garage shows a different side to the other images I have taken for significant place. In lightroom I applied a cream tone preset, increased the blacks and added clarity to give more dentition to the image. I took this image slanted as I thought it I would look more interesting.
Iso 100, F13, 1/100sec, Focal length 50mm was taken 23rd March 2011.
Image 6
This image was taken under a bridge. I like the graffiti in the background it makes the image more interesting. In lightroom I have applied a cream tone preset, increased the blacks and added clarity to give more dentition to the image.
Iso 100, F9, 1/50sec, Focal length 50mm was taken 23rd March 2011.
Urban Sprawl
This Image I am using for Urban Sprawl was taken at Mount Estella in Portugal. To capture this image only a small F number was used so only foreground was in focus and the middle and background faded out. This was the creative technique I wanted to achieve.
I post produced this image in lightroom, I have increased the clarity and exposure than added a slight gradient in the background then improved the vibrancy. The image is printed in metallic.
The camera settings I have used are:
Iso 400, 1/30, F8, Focal length 55mm and was taken 21st .February 2011.
Urban Sprawl
This image for urban sprawl was taken at Pendle Hill near Clitheroe. I used quite a high F number so I achieve a deep depth of field so everything was in focus.
I processed this image in Adobe lightroom 3; I have slightly increased the saturation and also a small amount of black. I applied a light vignette and increased the clarity by a few points. The image is printed in metallic which gives a pearl like quality.
Camera Setting:
F16, ISO 100, 1/80sec, Focal length 55mm and was taken 22nd March 2011
Wilderness
This image was taken in Satao a small town in Portugal. The image taken shows the view of the woodlands and the mountains.
Using Adobe lightroom; I have decreased the exposure and also slightly increased the vibrancy level to make the image look brighter. I have also added clarity to give the image depth and a more defined appearance. The print has been printed onto metallic which gives a pearl like quality.
The settings that I used are:
ISO 400, F 14, 1/400sec, Focal Length 55mm and was taken 24th February 2011
Countryside
This image of the country side was taken at Pendle Hill near Clitheroe. I have chosen this image because I like the composition with the different colour and textures.
I processed this image in Adobe lightroom 3; I have slightly de-saturated and also slightly increased the blacks to add depth to the image. I cropped the image a little bit to give a more balance composition.
The settings that I used for capturing this image are: ISO 100, F14, 1/125sec, focal Length 55mm and was taken 22nd March 2011.
The print has been printed onto metallic which gives a pearl like quality.
The ‘alien’ or ‘foreign’ environment
This image of a derelict mental health hospital was taken Mount Serre da Estrela in Portugal. I included this image in my places brief I because I believe this image has a creepy alien appearance to it.
When post processing in Lightroom I have cropped the image to get a more balanced appearance, de-saturated the image completely, increased the black levels and improved the contrast. I like how the image is out of focus this gives the impression that the building s set in a strand foreign atmosphere. The image is printed in matte.
Camera Setting:
F 8.0, Iso 200, 1/30 sec, Focal length 18mm, and was taken on 21st February 2011.
This image of a derelict building was taken in Satao a small Portuguese town. I have chosen this image for alien/foreign environment because I feel the image has an eerie appearance.
In Lightroom I have slightly cropped the image to get a more balanced appearance, de-saturated the image completely, increased the black levels so the image looked more high contrast, then increased the clarity and contrast until I was happy.
The camera setting I have used for these images are:
ISO 400, F 14, 1/400sec, Focal Length 55mm and taken on 24th February 2011
