The Past
The Herald- Work Experience
I have started to work on my photography last year by gaining experience with The South West Media Photography-The Herald Photography/ Newsroom department. This was a fantastic experience and learnt so much in the space of a week. The biggest highlight was when I met a few of the stars from Strictly Come Dancing in The Pavillions. They had a variety of photographers who specialised in different fields and all had there own aspirations for there future. One of the assignments was in the mall where we had to photograph various members of the public who dressed summery. This helped me to deal with people in a professional manner as well as boosting confidence to talk to random strangers.
Tamar Valley Westerners- Work
This is my first photography work in which they modelled for me in all there Indian gear for a project. They were impressed with the images and now get asked to accompany them for photographs when they go to various events.
Business Cards
Business cards are a great way to promote who you are and have already printed a set. My cards had various different images on them and from them being open to the public for them to take gave an insight into what image they preferred. The next time I order a set of cards I wont have so many images and limit it to a few the ones that got took.
The Present
Studying and finding my strengths
I am currently at PCA on the Foundation Degree Photography Course where I am starting to get a sense of where my strengths are. I thought my main strength was landscape but I seem to be showing great work in portraiture. This is more specifically using controlled lighting in a studio environment.
The Future?
If my strength does seem to be in portraiture then the next step would be getting equipment necessary to set up freelance. This will also include looking into different insurances to protect my self and my equipment.
Sunday 13 May 2012
My inspiration
When I was on my first course at the college (and where I first learnt about photography) I came across a photographer called Michael Bosanko. He is known as a light graffiti artist because he uses long shutter speeds on the camera to create various light trails. Here is some of his work. All copyright belongs to the original owner.
Matt Whorlow Interview
I met Matt Whorlow at Saltram while he was selling prints of his work. I had a good look through his work and thought they were quite remarkable. He is a freelance photographer who specialises in landscape photography. I went up to him and explained who I was and asked if I could ask a few questions. He was very busy but he did give me a few minutes.
How long have you been a photographer?
Not long I have only been photographing for 10 years but now I do it I can't really imagine myself doing anything else.
Do you use film or digital?
I use digital now but I did start on film.
What made you change from film to digital?
Digital is just easier and cheaper to use then film. I know you don't get the same quality but it's so much easier and I see the results right away whether that be on the back of the camera or on a computer.
How did you first start your business?
I started by going to various places like these and try to sell as many prints as possible to gain confidence and to see what sold. From the confidence gained I went full-time into photography and now promote myself as much as possible.
Where do you like to photograph?
Cornwall is the main place but anywhere beautiful really.
I notice you use black mounting on your work and not white why?
I use black mounting because I personally think it looks more professional then white. I also think the black enhances colours and white makes them looked washed out.
I found this to be a really good experience as im not used to going up and talking to people. I have seen him and his work at Saltram before but never had the courage to go and talk with him but am now glad I did.
How long have you been a photographer?
Not long I have only been photographing for 10 years but now I do it I can't really imagine myself doing anything else.
Do you use film or digital?
I use digital now but I did start on film.
What made you change from film to digital?
Digital is just easier and cheaper to use then film. I know you don't get the same quality but it's so much easier and I see the results right away whether that be on the back of the camera or on a computer.
How did you first start your business?
I started by going to various places like these and try to sell as many prints as possible to gain confidence and to see what sold. From the confidence gained I went full-time into photography and now promote myself as much as possible.
Where do you like to photograph?
Cornwall is the main place but anywhere beautiful really.
I notice you use black mounting on your work and not white why?
I use black mounting because I personally think it looks more professional then white. I also think the black enhances colours and white makes them looked washed out.
I found this to be a really good experience as im not used to going up and talking to people. I have seen him and his work at Saltram before but never had the courage to go and talk with him but am now glad I did.
Devon Air Ambulance Competition
The Devon Air Ambulance are holding a photography competition in which the prize is £500 vouchers on photographic equipment as well as the image being published in there calender. There are three categories in which you can enter in. There's at work, at rest and at play and the image must be a form of landscape.
This is the image I decided to enter and entered it into the category at work. I thought this was the best category to enter as it shows the little shoot working to be as big as its predecessor.
I'm looking forward to any feedback from the competition as I have never entered one before and think this will be great experience for me.
This is the image I decided to enter and entered it into the category at work. I thought this was the best category to enter as it shows the little shoot working to be as big as its predecessor.
I'm looking forward to any feedback from the competition as I have never entered one before and think this will be great experience for me.
Copyright
Copyright
- The right to authorise or restrict the making of copies
- An authors right
- A property right
- Ahuman right
- A collection of rights
Copyright protects the photographers work from unauthorised copying and restricts the use of there photographs. Through this they can get payment for the use of their work.
As soon as the image is created copyright automatically exists on it. This does not include when an idea is created it has to be created or expressed in a physical form. Copyright applies to anything that can be sold or produced.
The protection of copyright in the UK is under the Copyright Design & Patents Act 1988 and came into effect on 1st August 1989 (1956 or 1911 Act will still apply to some older works). This act has been changed on numerous occasions the most important being the copyright duration to photographers. Copyright now lasts the lifetime of the photographer plus 70 years.
Authorship & Ownership
The author is the one who creates the image, the photographer is the author not the assistant (who might even press the shutter) and not the art director (who came up with the concept).
If you are an employed photographer you do not hold the copyright during the course of your employment. The employer owns the copyright, the employee works under contract whose tax and national insurance are deducted before payment. When using employers equipment for your own work the copyright can still lay with the employer even if its outside office hours.
If a piece of printed work is sold the buyer has the right to hang it and sell it on but not to reproduce it (copyright remains with photographer). A photographer can license there work to be reproduced in various forms of media for a limited period of time. You should only assign copyright as a last resort as there is no payment involved, this can also damage reputation if misused.
Copyright Infringement
Primary
If you are an employed photographer you do not hold the copyright during the course of your employment. The employer owns the copyright, the employee works under contract whose tax and national insurance are deducted before payment. When using employers equipment for your own work the copyright can still lay with the employer even if its outside office hours.
If a piece of printed work is sold the buyer has the right to hang it and sell it on but not to reproduce it (copyright remains with photographer). A photographer can license there work to be reproduced in various forms of media for a limited period of time. You should only assign copyright as a last resort as there is no payment involved, this can also damage reputation if misused.
Copyright Infringement
Primary
- Reproducing/ copying take place without the photographer's permission.
- A photograph is used without permission and put onto a t-shirt, or another unlicensed photograph is made into an art poster.
Secondary
- Other aspects of trade in the pirated or infringing goods.
- Where the infringing t-shirt and art posters are sold from a market stall, even if the market trade did not make them their self.
Commissioners and clients who use the photographs but don't pay or comply with contractual terms. Commissioners and clients who use photographs outside the terms of the original license. Other users who copy photographs without clearing rights:
1. either by making an exact copy of original
2. or by getting another photographer to re-take the photograph or imitate it too closely.
Friday 11 May 2012
Client Shoot
These are the images I shot for my client, he was quite specific in what he wanted from the images. He wanted photographs of the course to put onto his facebook page. Im very happy with the images overall, but wish I could have people in the shot to give a better atmosphere.
These images belong to the copyright of Alex Dance Photography.
Thursday 10 May 2012
Chance Opportunities....
While I was visiting the doctors at my local surgery I got talking to one of the senior doctors. He seemed very interested in my photography and where I was studying. At the end of our discussion he offered me wall space in the surgery if I wanted to display images of the local area. I jumped at this chance to show my own work but also want to gain experience in displaying my own work in the real world. The next step I will take is to research on how to display artwork as I havent done anything like this before without guidance. I have displayed my photography work before but it has been in the confines of the College and it has only been one final piece rather then a series of images.
Tony Cobley Lecture
We were fortunate enough to have Tony Cobley visit the College to lecture us on his experiences in the photographic world. He started trading in April 2005 and has since then become a fully qualified associate of of the British Institute of Professional Photography. He offers creative contemporary photography to a wide range of businesses in the Devon and Cornwall area. He was also a student at PCA he gained a lot of experience by assisting various photographers in the field. This led him to start his own freelance work and starting his own business.
The settings on the camera were ISO 100, F8 at 1/60.
We used two elinchrom quadra flash heads for this shoot. The key light was focused on the subject while the fill light light up the background.
I was the photographers assistant and had to help set up lighting (which included taking light meter readings) and taking notes of the action at hand.
I thought this was a really fun exercise in which I learnt about composition in the workplace and use full potential of the environment around you. It also made me realise that sometimes you need to adjust to the limited space thats around you.
I thought it would be nice to get ask a few questions to the man himself to go along with the lecture. I emailed him and was grateful that he got back.
Why did you choose photography?
Always been into it since 12 years old as a hobby. Decided to do it as a job and retrain in my 30's.
Because it is what I love doing.
Who was your main inspiration?
Here's some:
Ansel Adams: Combining landscape photography with ecological and conservational views that were ahead of his time.
Joe Cornish: His meticulous yet "organic" approach to the landscape and representation of colour.
Martin Parr: Documentary irony and satire.
Henri Cartier-Bresson: that moment!
Marcus Davies: Formal qualities and compositional techniques- I often think about what Marcus taught me.
What area of photography do you prefer the most?
Landscape/ wild unspoilt places.
Documentary- run down/ spoilt places.
People- capturing beauty and personality.
Do you prefer to use film or digital?
I love film- fast grainy B&W and the colour you get from colour tranny.
But I don't get too worried about this- it's all about the image rather then the medium.
What advice would you give to a photography student?
Be passionate
Shoot loads
Enjoy it
Show your work to others
Visit every exhibition you can
Never miss a chance to talk with Marcus Davies
I found the lecture very interesting as it gave me knowledge into what freelance work is available and the various directions it could go. After the lecture we were lucky enough to have a workshop with him in where we would swap roles and act as professional clients, assistants and photographers in the workplace. The workshop included using portable flash lighting like the ones he would use when going to a clients location.
The settings on the camera were ISO 100, F8 at 1/60.
We used two elinchrom quadra flash heads for this shoot. The key light was focused on the subject while the fill light light up the background.
I was the photographers assistant and had to help set up lighting (which included taking light meter readings) and taking notes of the action at hand.
I thought this was a really fun exercise in which I learnt about composition in the workplace and use full potential of the environment around you. It also made me realise that sometimes you need to adjust to the limited space thats around you.
I thought it would be nice to get ask a few questions to the man himself to go along with the lecture. I emailed him and was grateful that he got back.
Why did you choose photography?
Always been into it since 12 years old as a hobby. Decided to do it as a job and retrain in my 30's.
Because it is what I love doing.
Who was your main inspiration?
Here's some:
Ansel Adams: Combining landscape photography with ecological and conservational views that were ahead of his time.
Joe Cornish: His meticulous yet "organic" approach to the landscape and representation of colour.
Martin Parr: Documentary irony and satire.
Henri Cartier-Bresson: that moment!
Marcus Davies: Formal qualities and compositional techniques- I often think about what Marcus taught me.
What area of photography do you prefer the most?
Landscape/ wild unspoilt places.
Documentary- run down/ spoilt places.
People- capturing beauty and personality.
Do you prefer to use film or digital?
I love film- fast grainy B&W and the colour you get from colour tranny.
But I don't get too worried about this- it's all about the image rather then the medium.
What advice would you give to a photography student?
Be passionate
Shoot loads
Enjoy it
Show your work to others
Visit every exhibition you can
Never miss a chance to talk with Marcus Davies
Monday 7 May 2012
Flickr Page
I set this page up last year to promote my work and to also see what other creative work was out there. There are a few images from previous work up there but never got used to it till I got shown the potential it holds. Will be posting new work up from my latest assignment and self assigned projects up soon!
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