United States Shoot

I decided to use the flags and place them behind the subjects. This created a much stronger image which creates a patriotic feel to it. It also makes the background more interesting without distracting the attention away from the soldiers. 

Trilogy

This is the Tamar Valley Westerners Trilogy which honours the fallen soldiers and re-enacts the Confederates Surrender to the United States. There is only a limited time to take photographs because its not a long ceremony but it was great to capture and brilliant experience to make imagery to look interesting while not getting in the peoples way. 

FMP- Shoot one

Here is a collection from the first shoot I did with the Tamar Valley Westerners. I set up my own portable studio for the first time and thought it was an invaluable experience. I am now more prepared for set up with the timing involved and how much space they can take up. I would also set up the studio differently as I would not peg the backdrop to the side of the poles, I would have another pole across the top and have it draped down to avoid creases. I also had a few of the models suggest positions relating to the war and telling me their characters and shows. This helped them to relax so they weren't so stiff in the images. 

Final Major Project

My final major project is about the American Civil War and a documentation of that. I first got the idea of this project from working with the Tamar Valley Westerners. I have already took images of them in there Native American Gear as they needed images for a portfolio to show people what it is they do. I wanted to go further into the group so I asked if they would be available for me to take images. They agreed just as long it was in the clubs time so there equipment wasn't damaged or shown outside without supervision. I did a test shoot to experiment with lighting and how I could go about this project. While I was doing this I also talked with the models to see if there was any positions they could suggest, especially with the way they saluted. After this discussion I felt much better as I had a few ideas how I wanted them to pose. I will also be creating my first studio so it will be good to see if I have the skills to set up a good enough studio. Whatever happens it will be good experience and practice.

Portable studio shoot

While I was taking photos for my Final Major I was approached by a lady who wanted to have some portraits taken. I had some time and I agreed not realising there were so many! It was really challenging to try and get them all in front of my little studio which it just wasn't possible. It was also challenging to light that many people without shadows crossing. Also getting the timing right so the children were all facing the right way proved to be difficult. Even though I was put on the spot with this, I was glad I did it as it would be there last family picture together.

The Best So Far!

This was an exhibition held in the Trerise Gallery featuring the work submitted from the Foundation Degree Photography (Year 2) Group from Plymouth College of Art. There was an amazing variety of work on display showing just how creative each individual is and there own personal technique showing through. We submitted an image that best reflected our work or style. Each style is different but every image had a story behind it which links it to the artist. The Image I submitted was from a series of Images that show the journey of Drakes Leat through Dartmoor. I felt this image represented me best as a landscape photographer but it also had very powerful meaning throughout the image.

Unfortunately I was unable to help with putting up the actually show which I was really looking forward to do  as I have had previous experiences with putting up framed images in exhibition before. This was the third exhibition that my work has been exhibited in, first was at The Plymouth College of Art in 2009 where I showed time through light trails, my second time was again at The Plymouth College of Art in 2011 where I explored the Native American Culture. In 2012 I helped the Foundation Degree Photography (year 2) at the time with setting up the show, carrying boards, painting, measuring etc.

I do enjoy seeing my work in an exhibition because it looks really professional with it mounted and framed with other students work. It's nice to see when people compliment and appreciate the work that goes into it.

BA (Hons) Photography Auction Night

As I am hoping to top-up my Degree and go onto the BA (Hons) year I thought it would be good experience to go and see their auction night to get a sense of what is expected next year. I went to the one that was held in the Plymouth College of Art on Monday 4th March. Even though it wasn't a fantastically huge place to hold it, there was room for entertainment, refreshments and a projector to present the work that was for sale.

I spoke to Nick White who is on the BA year and asked him a few questions while he was at the auction. He discussed about the last auction and even though he didn't think they were going to make as much as last time he hopes that it was still going to be a good amount of earnings. Also they had a print from an artist that was donated to them which, rather then put into the auction they were hoping to approach a private collector to get more money. I also asked why he had picked his particular piece to go into auction as it was not from any of his recent work. He chose it because he thought obviously it would be best to sell but also that the image stood well on its on as his recent work is better viewed as a series. He was also curious to see how the image will do in an action on sale. He thought the image was appealing and thought it would attract a more variety of an audience for selling.

I had never been to an auction before and found it a good experience especially to know what's expected next year. The more work that is available to sell the more chance of getting money so it is good to approach people and see if they would make a donation. Its not something I can see myself doing for a living but it was good to and was also quite fun to see what prints would sell good and what wouldn't.