Tuesday
Contextual Studies with Mike De Vere
This week we discussed CV's as part of our Unit 8 project. I already have a CV which I am pleased with so at least that's one part of the project done. I need to organise a folder to keep all my research and writing for this project. Also, I still haven't chosen a photographer to use for my presentation (which is on 2nd November!). Reading Week will have to be Catch Up Week for me!
Wednesday
Large Format with Lee Garland
This week Lee brought in a darkroom tent for us to practice developing our own large format images. I have never developed film myself before and found this session to be very valuable.
Each of us loaded film in the darkroom and took portraits of the others in the class. Repeating the process of using the large format camera has definitely got me used to using this equipment and will be great experience for when we go out shooting for our mini project.
Lee took us through the process of developing the negatives with chemicals. Again, this is something I have never done before and it was a great learning experience.
Thursday
P&DI with Max Bamber and Dan Morgan
In Max's session this week we went outside shooting portraits using natural light, reflected light, flash and studio lighting. I feel that I needed this refresher session to increase my confidence in using photographic equipment. Although I didn't get to shoot myself this week I feel I have learnt a lot about camera, flash and lighting settings and who to create different effect with flash.
I want to use flash with my Unit 7 project on the 'Lost Generation' and these practical sessions will be of great benefit to me. I made notes as each shot was composed to help me understand the technical aspects of shooting portraits outside. I need to understand each piece of equipment and how they relate to each other in order to build my confidence and my ability to create quality images.
Reading Week will be doing further research and idea development, as well as updating my sketchbook and practicing with my camera and flash.
In Dan's session we looked at how magazines/newspapers etc are constructed with text and images. I actually found this quite interested and will use my new found knowledge and incorporate it into my website design.
My website interface is developing steadily after researching other photographers websites to gather ideas. I would my interface to to simple and straight forward with only a few selected images. I have also been experimenting with different typefaces to see which would work best with my layout.
In other news...
Len Grant contacted me and came into college this week to drop off the Didsbury 100 posters that have been printed. I am very pleased with the outcome of the project and proud to have been a part of it.