Project Pose and stance

Exercise: Varying the pose


For this exercise I had the use of some props at the photography studio. This gave me the perfect opportunity to give some direction to the model as to where and how to position herself.

What was of benefit was that as the model was quite inexperienced (somewhat like the photographer) she was much more dependent on me giving direction rather than her going through her own sequence of moves. This aided me in my ability and confidence in how and what I wanted the model to do.

I think I have met the challenge of the brief by providing a series of images that demonstrate varying the pose.

Project A portrait sequence

Exercise: Focal Length

For the next two exercises I tried something completely different. I went along to a local photography studio that arrange organized photo shoot days. This particular session was a lingerie shoot.

To be honest I was a quite nervous but also excited about going along as this would be the first time I had shot in a studio with models.

The group consisted of 8 photographers which included the studio owner/professional photographer.

The format of the day was that you would shoot in pairs with a fellow photographer giving direction to the particular model. The model would have two costume changes providing two different looks. There were a total of three models for the whole day.

The Pro photographer was on hand to assist with the lighting and anything technical and also to give you assistance if required.


Once I got over the initial reserve of photographing models in underwear, I quickly found my stride with regard to direction and how and where to position the model. I was quite surprised to find how quickly you forget how little the model was wearing as your view is focused on the viewfinder and trying to find the best shot possible of the models.

This exercise gave me an excellent chance to try something that I would have not normally of done and have come away with some invaluable experience of direction and seeing the subject through the viewfinder.



For this exercise I used two lenses a prime 35mm F1.8 lens and a 55-300mm F4.5-5.6 telephoto lens.

It is quite obvious shooting with the longer telephoto lens how much more of a flattering view you get of your subject as opposed to a wider angle lens, Although the 35mm lens can produce some stunning results if you get to close you can produce some quite unflattering images.

Focal length 240mm

Focal length 102mm

Focal length 105mm

Focal length 35mm

Focal length 35mm

Focal length 55mm

Focal length 35mm

Focal length 55mm

Project A portrait sequence

Exercise: Review a portrait sequence


For this exercise I enrolled the assistance of my elder daughter Keira. The location chosen was Museum Gardens, York.


I chose a location which I have photographed many times but only from a landscape point of view. As it is a public area I chose an area of Museum gardens that was quiet, were we could conduct the shoot uninterrupted.

At first Keira was naturally reserved which is reflected in her expression in the first few images.
As the shoot progresses Keira starts to relax more which is clearly reflected in some of the later photos and by the end of the sequence which in my opinion seem to be the most successful shots, Keira is actually having a good time.

For me the best shoots of the sequence are from 14-20 with number 19 being the shot of the day.
Halfway through the shoot after reviewing some of the images I decided to add some fill in flash to brighten up the tones as it was quite an overcast day. This added some much needed colour to the photos to further lift and enhance them.

Portrait Sequence 1

Portrait Sequence 2

Portrait Sequence 3

Portrait Sequence 4

Portrait Sequence 5

Portrait Sequence 6

Portrait Sequence 7

Portrait Sequence 8

Portrait Sequence 9

Portrait Sequence 10

Portrait Sequence 11

Portrait Sequence 12

Portrait Sequence 13

Portrait Sequence 14

Portrait Sequence 15

Portrait Sequence 16

Portrait Sequence 17

Portrait Sequence 18

Portrait Sequence 19

Portrait Sequence 20

Project Expression

Exercise: Eye contact and expression



For this exercise my daughter Tilly yet again became the guinea pig. As she is only 5 years old it does take a little bit more work with regard to direction and how and when I want her to pose. What I have found quite funny and entertaining his her reluctance on some occasions to put any effort into posing for the photographs, this is quite obviously reflected in some of the shots which clearly show I would rather be somewhere else but then again what other 5 year old wouldn't be.
 


Looking Away
I started off with Tilly trying to look & focus on something else other than the camera, I think in this first shot Tilly has got it pretty much bang on, there is not to much expression and the right amount of angle in her stare to depict her focusing her gaze else ware without it looking like it was unintentional.

Looking Away

Straight at the camera
I love these shots it shows Tilly looking straight down the lens and clearly would rather be somewhere else doing something more interesting than helping out dad.

Straight at the camera

Straight at the camera

Focused on task at hand
When Tilly focus on something she likes as below her demeanor completely changes and this can quite clearly be seen in the shot below. Tilly loves reading her books and when focused on the tasks she enjoys she completely forgets about me snapping away in front of her.

Focused on task at hand

Focused on task at hand 2

Project Activity

Exercise: An active Portrait


My inspiration for this exercise was one of my friends, he enjoys spending a lot of free time gaming, I had an idea of how I wanted to capture him and explained my ideas with him. Because this is something that the subject enjoyed doing and was completely natural to him I knew that having the distraction of having your photo taken gaming would not really phase him.

I tried to convey in the shots the sheer concentration that Clive was displaying whilst playing the video game, He had completely zoned out to me and was completely focused on the game he was playing.

I think the pictures convey this and the shots I have selected give the viewer an insight into the world of the gamer.