Evaluation/Final Images

In this double unit, we were working with the theme of glass. We got to explore further in traditional, film-based imagery with some darkroom uses and digital imagery. In addition, we also used colour film and looked at the communicational side to all our imagery. On the other hand, we also used digital use of Photoshop to create manipulations that was around the glass theme too. After doing several tasks, we ended up with 5 or more final prints that were using different printing styles or photo-taking methods.

Primary/Secondary Research/Additional Images
The first two tasks was all about background research and primary research. I found it very useful to explore different past examples of different photographers who used film photography, or took pictures of glass. Also looking up artists who used computer image manipulations was very interesting. I came across some unique pieces of work that was very inspirational and I tried to always refer my work back to all this research. When I got to the stage of taking images, I couldn't work out what subject to start photographing around the glass theme. The theme was so broad that I had to find what I found interesting. This was when I was keen to explore and put my moodboard to use. I had an idea in my head and starting capturing away. I also did some additional images that I thought would be useful because it gives me a range of images to work with and I get to explore the theme in different perspectives.

Photographic Processing Laboratories
This task was a bit of background research which I thought was interesting. I've been using ProAm for the past year and a half and I've learned quite a lot more about what they do. I also looked at Max Spielmann and thought it was interesting when you compare both prices. I think the most useful thing I learned from this task is the 1 hour service which comes to use when you want quick service. However, it's not an excuse to leave work last minute expecting it to be printed. I do believe I researched about the lab in great detail and I even included primary research where I made a visit to them.

B&W Shoot 1
For the first time, I faced problems with traditional film. I felt quite frustrated that my images didn't come out the first time and I had to re-shoot again. I was worried more than anything that it would happen again. I wasn't too worried that I wouldn't get it done, but I just had to work twice as hard to ensure I produce high quality work like the first time round. So I had to put in the hours and go on location again.

B&W Shoot 2
I have done this shoot at home, so I knew it wouldn't be as good as using the light box at college. I tried to be unique with my idea and photograph in the dark with a flash light but it was challenging. I managed to get some images out of it but I still considered doing some extras when I re-shoot for the previous shoot. I went right ahead and got some still life images of the light bulb and the bottle in that shoot which I was happy with.

Darkroom (Health and Safety)
This was a overview on what I already knew about our safety in regards to the darkroom. I managed to do a risk assessment and note some health and safety points that needs to be addressed with in the darkroom.

Colour (Planning/Shoot/Comparisons)
I had planned out my images, and went shooting. I was happy with the images that came out on digital because it was along the plan. Once again, I had to re-shoot because my film didn't come out. I had to think fast on how to address this issue and get my images on my negs scanned so I can do this comparison. It was a challenge to balance everything out but I managed to keep on track again.

Reflections
This shoot went okay and I got quite a few images around the theme of reflections. I think due to time strain, I had to get this shoot done and the weather wasn't the best to get reflections. It was mainly dry weather so I had to re-consider how I will capture the reflections. Luckily, I managed to get some images that were considered for each little concepts such as colour.

Baubles/Christmas Task
This task was all about capturing baubles and festive glass images. I've captured some and analysed the images. I think it was okay and I could have taken more images. I feel like I've been taking images of festive glass themed images before we got this task so it just meant I had to do a shoot just based on it. I also tried to keep these images different to what I already had taken in the other tasks.

Darkroom Use
I really enjoyed the darkroom use in this project. It's been a while since we last used it. I believe I applied independent darkroom techniques when I've chosen what shade I want my image to look, so I'll keep it the same and just increase the grade for more contrast. I showed each development in my folder of how I progressed each print and got to the final image. 

Manipulation
This was a task that I enjoyed doing because I got to be creative and think of ways to manipulate my image, whilst referring it to the glass theme. I created some independent examples which I researched upon myself. I know I'm not as advanced as the examples of others work who has used image manipulation techniques, but I think I did well to present my own design against the given theme of glass.



Overall, I think with time strain in the final run, I managed to stay sane and do a good job. I feel like I was very organised with this double unit compared to other units - and while handling my UCAS application and personal statement. I think I wasn't as stressed as I usually am when it comes nearer to the end. That's because my folder was organised and I knew exactly what needs to be done and so forth. I kept myself a to do list to ensure it's clear what needs doing. I am happy with both digital and film imagery that I've captured in this project and it's been an insane project. I mean having disasters with my film twice pushed me back a few times but I still felt motivated to do my best and aim for the higher grade. I did a lot of additional and extra photo shoots and did some independent designs for manipulation. I also put a lot of hours in for example, when I went to print my final images a few days before the deadline to stay prepared and on track. I also been to the darkroom a couple of extra times to make sure I have a few examples as my first session wasn't the best. I do believe I have everything done in the end for these units, and I hope I can keep my organisational skills consistent for the next.

Final Images:

1x Image scanned from Colour Neg

1x Image scanned from B&W Neg (Additional)

1 - Digital

2 - Digital

3 - Digital

4 - Digital

5 - Digital

Additional Print

Manipulations/Technical Tutorials

In this task, I will be doing some computer image manipulation. I will be using Photoshop to do these manipulations via various number of techniques. I've also made tutorials that I will be including in my blog. Here are my images:

This first image is from my baubles task. I used the liquify tool and my aim was to make it look like it's melting. As a first attempt, I thought it wasn't too bad but it was tough making it look realistic. I think the red bauble is quite a good attempt whereas the green bauble went pear shaped. Perhaps because it was also shiny, it just looked like it was glowing as I drag it.

This next image is the snowflake. As you may remember, this snowflake was made out of little balls. I used the liquify tool and dragged it all across so it's sharp and edgy. I also kept the shape the same so I had to stay within the snowflake. I quite like this because it reminds me of an icicle. I also considered to manipulate it like an icicle as it fits the glass theme.

This was a random manipulation I created using the glass filter. So I actually cut out the bauble and kept the bauble the same. Then I selected the background and added a frosted glass filter. This gives it a nice manipulation twist like the bauble is a cut out on the glass and it's popping out, it also makes the focus strong on the bauble. I think the technique was fun to experiment with the glass filter. I accidently saved the original as this manipulated version on Photoshop so I couldn't include the original version in this case.

Here is my most favourite manipulation from my baubles task images. I've used this image and used the liquify tool to melt one half of the bauble. I really liked how this turned out because it looks quite surreal. The gold lines on the baubles actually make the liquify tool more effective because it's all distorted and it's almost pouring downwards. If you compare it to the first image I've tried, I think the drips weren't too ideal so I think this melted look works better. The half and half idea came from my secondary research with the photographer who captured half glass and half real.

Using more imagery I've taken during this unit, here are more manipulations. This example I've done is an image of the Superdry glass jar lights. I've used the liquify tool not to melt the image, but to distort the shapes and make it look all odd. I think this technique makes the glass look quirky and vintage. Like if you look at the lid, it's all distorted from a round shape so it looks older than it is. I've also done it on some of the back ones that aren't really in focus just to keep it consistent. I like how realistic this actually looks besides when the rope actually decided to bend too.

This image is from my B&W negatives that were scanned. I used the liquify tool here to distort the light shade. I also kept the manipulating within the shape so it's still round. I just made the shapes all swirly and messy.

This is another image from my B&W film shoot. I used the liquify tool but used a smaller brush than usual. This enabled me to drag smaller sections and create this melted look. I think there's potential and I like how it's all grey tones when it's liquified. But the direction and dynamics could have been better if we leaded where the melting 'liquid' was heading. It's not a bad image I think, and it looks like the bottle is glued on the table and it's being pulled apart.

Finally, this is an image from my first colour film shoot in the digital version. I selected this glass bauble as the subject and liquified it. I like the outcome because of the colours and it's eye-catching. I used a small brush which took some time to edit, because it's working on the details. I completely got rid of what's inside the bauble and just focused on the colours that was behind the bauble. These warm colours are very festive and gives the image a warm aesthetic.




'Person in a Glass Bottle'

In this next manipulation task that I put here, we had to put a person in a bottle. In order to do so, We needed a transparent glass against a white background and a full length photo of someone. Preferably, it's ideal they're against a white backdrop because it's easier to cut out on Photoshop. I will also be considering about the pose I want my model to be constructing because it can make the image very effective. For example, if they are trying to escape or if they look stuck.

Here are the contact prints of the images I will be using. Most of these images were taken by me and a friend during a studio workshop.

Here are my manipulations:

This is my first image that I've created. I created two versions as one includes a shadow. I think it adds a bit more to the image. Looking at this image, I've selected this long neck bottle and used this image. I like how her body position is fixed like she's bending her back. Her hands look like it's placed on the glass as if she's pushing it. I changed the fill instead of the opacity because I wanted it to match the bottle dark tones on the bottom but quite flat with the contrast to make it look like she's inside the bottle.

I've created this because I liked the shine on the glass. I didn't change the opacity or fill because I thought it worked with the glass. I also like how the shin is going over the arms so it looks like she's inside the bottle. The position worked really well and I managed to fit the model in that small circle base. Her position is great because she looks frustrated that she's stuck.

This is the same image of the model, but in my own creative way. I decided to manipulate her into this packaging. Looking at the technical side of the image, I had to change the perception and transform her so it aligns with the package. I then changed the opacity and fill till it looked like she's inside. I quite like how it looks because when I changed the perception, it made her look flat. This way there's not much depth and it looks like its worked because she's inside that small width of the package.

Here is my favourite manipulation image in this task. I like how this worked out the way I imagined it. I used this jar because I like the closed lid. Then I used this image of the model and considered the pose so she looks like she's trying to escape. Having put these together, it looks well considered and eye-catching. I like how she's reaching out and it looks like she's trying to touch the 'ceiling' of the glass. I adjusted the opacity and the fill to make it look like she's inside the glass. I also created one with a shadow which I will print at ProAm as an additional print.

This was an edit I created using a VOSS bottle. I knew it's quite a cylinder shame so I picked an image where the model was stood fairly straight. I put them together hoping that the voss logo will be visible on the model to make it look like she's inside it and it has appeared over her. I like the position of her hand because it does look like her elbows and arms is touching the end of the glass bottle inside.  

This is my final manipulation for a person in a 'glass'. I like how the model is stood and her body language makes it look like her hand is leaning on the edge of this bottle. This bottle is actually suppose to be a perfume bottle but it looks like a small nail polish bottle. Either way, I like how it came together and how she looks like she's inside the bottle.

Additional Manipulations:

Here are some additional manipulations I done during my spare time using Photoshop. I used the internet which gave me the idea and a basic tutorial which I've developed into my own. I've used this colour film image that I've scanned and made this shattered glass effect. I like how it's all leading outwards from the shop window and there's pieces of glass around. I think this effect worked really well with the colour film because of the purplish tones. I really like how this turned out. 

This is another additional manipulation that I was experimenting with. I used my B&W image of this bulb and made it look like there was water inside. It worked fairly well and I kept the shape of the bulb consistent. I also got some bubbles in there for the water. I've experimented with the water by desaturating it as it's a black and white shot of the bulb, but it just looked better when it's colour. This way, it looks like it's been colour popped.

Finally, this is my final image where I've done the same shattered glass effect on one of my black and white film images. This time, I focused on making a hole right where my subject is. This way, it looks effective and draws your attention to the middle. This effect on a black and white image makes it look very vintage because the glass effect also has a glass texture over it which makes it look grainy. Overall I am happy with my manipulations and it was great fun exploring different techniques on Photoshop.

Technical Tutorials:

Baubles Task (Glass Christmas Task)

In this task, I will be photographing Christmas baubles, lights or anything festive that fits the 'glass' theme. I hope my images are colourful, bold, sharp and well exposed. Personally, I don't have a Christmas tree but this doesn't stop me. I will be out and about to try and capture festive images that I've not already taken before e.g. the German markets. Here are my contact prints:

Analysis:

This image is selected because I like the exposure. I've captured this in a salon and they've decorated it beautifully. They've added a few bits and pieces like the baubles and the snowflakes all over so it looked amazing. The aesthetic feel is a bit wishy woshy because I don't get that homely sense. You can see the road behind the glass and it puts me in a difficult position. Moreover, I like this bauble because it's silver and it has characteristics of glass. For example, you can see a reflection of lights on it.

This is another image that is festive whilst fits the theme of glass. I've photographed this snowflake made out of plastic/glass, and I think it's super cool. I just love the shape of it, and how it's made of little balls. The background window isn't this bad in this example because you can just see their printed design. It contrasts nicely with the snowflake itself. The design of the snowflake actually looks like a sparkle which gives it a nice festive aesthetic. 

I like this image because it's a boxed gift with baubles and ribbon wrapped over it. I love the focus on the baubles as it's sharp. In particular, the silver baubles are very reflective. This fits the glass theme because it's festive and there's a reflection of me. I've shot a close up to capture the baubles in detail and it helps show the reflection of the baubles on the box.

In this shot, I've used deep depth of field so it's just focused on the baubles. I like the colour contrast with the red and green. I also like the way the green bauble is reflective. I know this is slightly overexposed as it has dark tones, but I preferred it than having the green tree look white because of the exposure. This punch of contrast makes it more eye-catching because it looks bold.

Finally, I selected these gift boxes because I think it fits the glass theme. Apart from the baubles, the texture and features of the box resembles glass. The shiny box actually looks the way frosted glass looks. This is a similar image to that close up, but here's a overview of the boxes in this vertical format. Even the ribbons are reflecting light because of the shiny material.