Part 4 BACP 201 – Visual Trends – Critical Evaluation
As learnt in the first year, the assignments presented to students are not an easy journey’s. Coincidently, neither was the Visual Trends assignment. However, with the summer break project handed out, it gave many opportunities to investigate what visual trends actually were all about. The research that took place led to Getty’s web sites. After initial investigation, this then led to asking more questions. Questions that were not going to be answered before the start of year 2, for example, knowing the trends didn’t necessarily mean what one was to do with them! The answer to this question may be seen in the evaluation of Part 1.
The research for this assignment prompted a search of the internet to find more about colour surge and food photography. With a plethora of examples of the trend to investigate, a great deal of experimentation of photographing dried foods with colour commenced. Typically, lighting the shoots proved to be initially troublesome. the use of ‘BX kits’, proved to be too strong a lighting system for the available studio area. Therefore, the use the ‘D’ light system was much more suited to a small studio. A great deal was learnt in this process. The biggest light is not necessarily the best light to use. In addition, at times, one light is better than two. Colour too was a difficult thing to get right. By stepping outside the accepted colour combinations and use unusual colour groupings has been a challenge, but it is one that feels right.
The initial aim for a steady flow of photographed work was to shoot at least one session per week. This sometimes went to two but sadly at times never happened at all. It was felt this was the best strategy to maintain a creditable volume of experimental images and to grow as a photographer. Subsequently, it is felt now that this certainly worked, despite some personal family distractions. Each shoot got better and it was promising to see things much more clearly. Such as, the use of backgrounds and how to build a set from scratch, one piece at a time rather than just placing items on a table to shoot. Structuring in this way certainly helped with the production of final images. Furthermore, the value of completing so many shoots has been so rewarding. As an emerging professional photographer, the shoots have offered a new relationship with a new camera and lighting equipment thereby allowing creditable personal development. Similarly, another important available asset, which has assisted in progressing so well, has been asking questions, using available lecturers then experimenting with their advice. All this has developed confidence and production skills to present a comprehensive range of images for this assignment. The evaluation, critical analysis, strategies and future development of photographic skills, new skills and practices may be seen at ‘andyyoungphotographyblog.wordpress.com’ and in presented work and evaluations.
To develop a style has been extremely important. Clean-cut images with clear lines is something that has grown. Going back to basic visual language such as, rule of thirds, space, colour and composition has been a valuable exercise. Moreover, continued photographic experimentation has been rewarding. So much so, it has enabled greater self-empowerment for future image production.
The confidence to have courage in taking risks and experimenting has assisted in producing final images. The more shoots that have taken place have generated enthusiasm to experiment and create.
As mentioned above, the use of different lighting was complimented with the use of a range of equipment such as, softboxes, diffusers, scrims, flags, backgrounds, different lighting equipment and setups. Furthermore, the continued growth of ‘Photoshop’ skills which has been complimented with the introduction of ‘Capture One’ have both been extremely valuable to develop my post processing skills. It is hoped these skills can be seen within my final images.
It has been rewarding as an aspiring professional photographer, to produce a full body of varied work for this assignment. By having to narrow the search for the visual trend of colour surge was initially complicated. Nonetheless, the lessons learnt by using a varied range of different equipment and processing skills has bolstered future career aspirations.
To enable all the above to manifest itself required a great deal of commitment and organisational skills. This has had its difficulties, nevertheless, the work produced has been successful due to valued guidance from lecturers which has afforded the opportunity to successfully complete the assignment to a high standard which has also contributed to personal development within the commercial photographic world.
Andy Young Photography 