Final images plus evaluation

ONE PICTURE SAVES A LIFE

- Final Images -

1/200, F 5.6, ISO 800

1/200, F 5.0, ISO 800

1/200, F 5.0, ISO 800

Evaluation

A positive, positive experience. Enjoyed every second of it. Everything was going smoothly. I was able to engage with the dog using his favorite toy and making weird noises. I think a chose a perfect spot for the shooting and the right day as the weather/lighting conditions was just perfect. I did use flash however to light up the image a little. The backdrop is nicely blurred and has a calm tranquil feel to it due to the blue and green colours, it still has a natural feeling. The dog stands out superbly the contrast is sharp. There was no distractions around us and my partner did a great job of handling the dog. It was a good team work. I was very confident from the start to the end, I felt that I'm well prepared for this shooting, knowing everything that I had to know and as a result of that I did get the final result as I wanted it. I sat on the ground, bending over, zooming in to be at the dog's eye level, so I think I was able to create the eye contact between the dog and the viewer. I was able to successfully set up the camera for the circumstances and even though my shutter speed was limited to 1/200 due to the use of flash, still I was able to get sharp images and avoiding any motion blur. The only thing that I might missed out on is the distance between the background and the dog. I probably would have like a more blurry background, but I didn't achieved that due to the close distance. However I can still correct that with post editing. So if I want to change something that would be the only thing. As all in all, in my opinion this project can be a big success for everyone, I am very satisfied with the results of my images. I look for exactly the same setting. The idea worked well and the execution was good. I'M HAPPY!

Tips for dog photography

I have to consider a few things when I'm working with dogs, like:

1. Limit the number of distractions - Dog are distracted by everything. E.g Having people around is distracting. With fewer distraction is more likely that the dog is going to respond to me and I can get a better picture at that way and making sure the dog is focused on you.

2. Try to engage the dog with toys, treats and squeakers, visual signs, weird noises - Try to take the pictures when the dog is looking directly into the camera lens. Find out what the dog interested in and try to engage with the dog and I might get a little head tail or some interesting expression. 

3. Get on eye level - Remember when photographing dogs always be at the dog's eye level - We don't want them looking up, we want them looking at you. In the case of taking picture of a tiny dog, we can put the dog on a table and we'll be right at his eye level. There are dogs that can look a bit though, we should have a walk with him around for a couple of minutes until he pants and panting looks like smiling. 

4. Background - the most preferred backdrop is a green bush that have a nice natural setting in the background with no distracting elements. Try to avoid putting a white/black dog against a white/black wall, avoid the same colours. Always show some kind of a contrast between the dog and the background to make the dog stand out more.  

An example of what to avoid: This wrong setting really hides what the dog looks like and you are immediately starting to lose the contrast between the dog and the background. 

5. Composition - The most important photo is the head shot, focusing on the eyes. Specially the eyes because the eyes what makes a connection with the potential adopters. 

6. Patience - Remember to be patient, frustration will never help. The experience should be positive for the pet and for me as well. Enjoy!

Brief for dog adoption picture

In this project I would like to take picture of dogs who are waiting for a new home and work together with the dogs home staff, so with each other's help and collaboration we can help the dogs to be adopted quicker (hopefully) by taking a better adoption picture of them. 

I believe that this project has the potential to meet the animal shelter needs and the aims, as working together as a team we can help to increase the number of adoptions and support and make their work more efficient. At the end of the project the images will be uploaded to their websites and everybody who's been involved will be feeling more satisfied and happy. A very positive part of this project will be that the work that I will start off can be continued after the project as well even including myself as volunteering further on.

I'm going to chose a partner or more that I will team up with. Having a partner will help make my job as a photographer much much easier. My partner is very important as he will be responsible for handling the dog being on the leash, kind of keeping the dog calm and making sure the dog is not jumping around or running off across the park, so it's a safety requirement. We want to keep the dog safe and allow me to focus on taking the pictures. 

I'm planning to use my Canon EOS 1100D DSLR camera with 18-55mm lens. It's a fast lens and creates a very amazing fairy tail effect of the dogs. As the dogs' face, their eyes will be in focus and everything in the background will be blurred out, which is very appealing and it looks like a very positive situation. I always want to make sure that we make the pictures as positive as we possibly can as some people think that adopting from an animal shelter can be a potentially negative thing, but it's not and that's why I will try to make these dreamy pictures. Obviously it will be important to see how the dog looks like; small,big or have unique features? and show it in an additional image. 

Research dogs home images

Bit of information about how important it is to support these dogs home and help the animals find a new loving home.

Here are some example images that I downloaded from the following websites: RSPCA, Pets4Homes UK, Merseyside Dogs Home:

You can really see on these images how the wrong camera settings, positioning, background, weather/lighting conditions can really affect what the dog looks like. These images are all wrong in some ways but I can see some trying when they took the dog on the grass which gives a more natural feeling. 

However, the angle and the point of view of these images are wrong all the time. You can find a distraction element on nearly every picture. Whether its a lighting issue or motion blur or people's body parts, these are all distraction while the focus should be only on the dog. 

Pulling the dog out of the shadow into a bright setting with natural light we can get some fantastic shots and that is what I'm going to do. 

Changing idea

As I mentioned earlier I have some concerns about my first idea and I wasn't feeling comfortable enough to doing it even though I did enjoyed my test shooting I was kind of missing some motivation and excitement. But while I was reviewing my initial idea, I came up with another idea and I felt so strongly about it immediately and started to be excited and feeling motivated. 

My idea was to help out an animal shelter in my county, where the pets are looking for forever homes and they need our help. And I thought the best way I can help them is to take a better adoption pictures. I do see some of the websites images of the dogs that are waiting for adoption and they're clearly not the best shots of the dogs, very unprofessional and missing that dreamy, fairy tail look that can make the dog look love able from the first sight and convincing for the adopter. A good picture can really help save a life. I can clearly see how my project can help for a community who loves dogs and taking care of them. I love dogs too. I want them to be loved and helping them to find their forever loving homes by taking professional and amazing pictures of them. 

Review powder photography and experience further

Although I planned to use colour powder where each colour would have represented the person's feeling and added more meaning to the image, I was only able to use flour this time. However this was still good enough for my test run and showed that this idea can be attainable, mainly in similar weather conditions. I think it was the right day and time of the day for the shooting. Although it was a little bit windy, still I could correctly determine the direction of the wind and accordingly set my subject faced into the right direction, so the powder didn't blown back into her face. So, I was already ticking out some of the points that I've made earlier to consider before the shooting. I've waited for an afternoon hour to do my shooting when the sun was low and I barely had some shadows, plus my subject were standing in the shade too.

Personally, I think the shooting was successful, the images show the emotion of the girl, she was definitely having fun and that was one of my main point, reason to do this project; to let the people experience something joyful while I'm creating something amazing and memorable for them. I can see this project work and getting the outcomes that I'm looking for. However I do have some concerns about it too. The use of powder can be a messy process and people might not want to engage in it as truly the girl's dress got dirty during the shooting.

After reviewing the images, I think they work really well both as a series and as a single image. I have realized the possibilities in post production and how I can present them in different ways but still effectively and I'm happy with both results. Also, I think found the right method for this project. The continuous shooting feature of the camera was definitely the key for the success. I can hardly say anything that I would change. I was shooting in two different format depending on the way the powder have been thrown up, so I can't see any problem with the framing. Obviously the background could have been much interesting, but it was still fine to have contrast between the powder, the dress and the colour of the background. All of the images are correctly exposed and I was able to define the right shutter speed for the circumstances.

In addition, because I had concerns about the execution and I was not able to apply colour powder on my images I tried to find a different way of how colours can express various emotions. I really like that idea of purposely using colours on my photographs and I really wanted to show how the colours can evoke different feelings and ideas in us. So my project kind of turned into something completely different as now I wanted to show the application of one colour in various ways and testing the effectiveness of my idea about colour meanings.

I chose the colour RED and searched for its meaning. Here it is:

Out of the different meanings, I chose three that I wanted to convey with my images.
These are: LOVE, PASSION, ANGER. I either wanted to have the red in the focus point (center) to immediately grab the peoples attention or strongly applying the colour on my image, so there is barely any other colour. I come up with some simple ideas to show how its meaning can change.

Here are my sketches of how I want to frame the images and apply the colour, red:

LOVE (1/200, F 5.6, Auto ISO 800, flash, indoor)

PASSION (1/160, F 5.6 Auto ISO 640, outdoor)

ANGER(1/160, F 4.5, Auto ISO 250, outdoor)

I'm happy about the outcomes, I think the red is always gets the viewer's attention and I was also using indexical sign and body language to increase the meaning behind the image which helps to transmit messages to the viewer. I think proved to myself how effective a colour can be on my photographs and how it evokes different meanings or ideas in the viewer. This way I was able to test and try the effectiveness of colour use on my images and how I can convey my message more successfully to the viewer with emphasizing a colour and connect it with body language/gestures expressions in some cases.

Overall, I think my initial idea can work very well for the project. I'm also feeling prepared about the techniqual aspects that I have to know for this kind of photography. I do think that it's a manageable project and can improve the quality of life for the residents of the community center.

Test run of powder photography

MY TEST RUN

Before I do the shooting I have to consider a few things like;

• weather/lighting condition - sunny, rainy, windy, cloudy, hazy etc? Which direction the wind blows? Do I need to use flash? 
• shadow detail - distinct, soft, barely visible, no shadows?
• background - light, dark? How is the contrast between the subject,powder and the background? Is it making the powder stand out? 
• shutter speed - appropriate time? How can use shutter speed to capture motion in my photography? 

To freeze the moment of throwing the powder I have to know the appropriate technique for this particular shooting. So, I have looked at the different techniques to capture motion. I was looking for a technique that freezes the entire scene and captures the motion in a single moment. And the method I'm going to use for my shooting is 'chrono photography'. 

Chrono photography

Chrono photography is an effective way for capturing motion using the continuous shooting feature on my camera that allows me to capture a series of shots. In the post processing stage I can also join those images together.

Determine the proper shutter speed

To identify the right shutter speed for my circumstances I'll need to ask myself a few questions: 

1. How fast is my subject moving?

2. How much distance exists between the camera and the subject?

3. How much motion do I want my photograph to convey to the viewer? Do I want like a more frozen,crispy looking subject?

Data of the test run

• Weather: dry, sunny (sun rise), clear sky, little bit windy  
• Shadow: barely visible
• Background: red brick wall, (black dress on the subject) 
• Shutter speed: 1/500, continuous shooting (Camera on mode M, F3.5, Auto ISO)

Here are my images:

I shot the images in two different formats; portrait and landscape and I also thought about two different presentation styles; one that shows the action in a single image and one that shows the action in four images. 

Powder photography research

After I came up with the idea of colour powder photogrpahy I have done a little bit of research and looked at other artists' works before I started of taking my images.

Here is a little background info about Holi Powder:

Holi is a Hindu spring festival otherwise known as The Festival Of Colour. It's especially associated with the worship o fthe Hindu god, Krishna, and is considered an imitation of his play with wives and daughters of the cowherds. At the celebrations in some parts of India (and around the world) participants throw coloured powder on each other with reckless abandon.

Previously on my blog I uploaded images of colour powder photography however those images were taken in studio, however I won't be able to take my images in a studio therefore I looked for photographers who shot outdoor.

Here are the examples of an Australian photographer C J Willimas:

I think the photographer did an amazing job capturing the energy and love between the couple. As the two are throwing puffs of colourful powder at each other it really looks like they are having fun and the pictures show an explosion of colour and love. It definitely looks like a much easier process of making these images outdoor then in studio. It requires less equipment and will not create as much mess as it could in a closed place. There won't be as much health and safety issues as it would be in a studio because the participants won't have to be aware of hot flash lights and wires on the floor, moving around in dark relatively small place. 

Compared C J Williams shots to my idea, I think I'm looking for a very similar outcome for my community art project. And I'm even more determined about looking at his works, because these are really shows that using coloured powder is a good idea. Something that's going to engage everybody and offer them a great time for having fun while I will be capturing the amazing experience that they are going to live through during my project.

Examples of memory montage photography:

 Two way of showing the action: using more than one image and placing them next to each other (image above) which has a narrative effect or using just one image that freezes an action in a single moment.

It looks like these type of images can work anywhere whether it's shot on location or in a studio. You can choose any kind of background as we see on these examples it can be something closer to the subject like a building or just a nice landscape behind them. Everything is working, because the colours contrast with both dark and light background.   

Proposal

Newton-Le-Willows community centre

In this community art project I would like to run a photography workshop and provide training for the members of the N-L-W Community Centre. Enable people of all ages, interest and abilities to experiment with digital arts and participate in a creative activity.

How can I meet the aim of the Association with my project?

I believe that this project has the potential to meet community needs and the aims of the Association. The opportunity that I can provide for people can help to increase their creativity, confidence and self-esteem. Also, it can improve an environment in order to enhance the quality of life there. For example by exhibiting the artworks created by participants at the end of the project.

Identify a need

As I found out from my initial research, people are interested about the digital form of art, so I should successfully implement this project at the end and support the people who have least access to digital arts.

The plan 

My main part in the project will be to explain the basic functions and the proper use of a digital camera; to teach the technical sides of image making and to demonstrate a few interesting methods; like how to create light trails. After my talking they will get a chance to talk about their ideas in groups and my job will be continuing on to take and understand the groups’ ideas or maybe guide them through potential pitfalls. 

Also, I’ll ensure that they can apply the new skills in a health and safety environment. Hopefully with the new techniques that I’ll be teaching them, they will be able to create a high quality artwork, as I will let them have a go to experiment with the power of photography , to express their creativity and successfully develop practical skills.   

In addition, the act of sharing my knowledge and stimulating creativity amongst participants can bring the people together and improve community relations, as they will have to work together as a group too. While the new skill they will learn can be used after the project is over.
The exhibition at the end can be exciting for individuals to know that their finished work will be seen in public.

Budget and finance

 

The centre is self‐funded, therefore it won’t be  

necessary to get financial help from other  

partners as the project ’s budget isn’t high.  

Predicted budget: £35‐40 for materials  

Idea B

My plan B is about to share my knowledge of photography and teach different techniques to a range of people, then letting them have a go and create their own imagery. The way I imagine this is like, I create a power point about ‘Techniques of image making’ before the project starts and on the day with the help of the PP I will present it in front of the class. Then, I’m going to use my own camera and a tripod to demonstrate each technique practically. After everybody has a clear understand of everything they should sit together and come up with some idea then create a creative piece of work using my equipments.
If they need further explanation, I’ll be there to help till everyone is happy with outcome.

If the community chooses my plan B, then I have to make sure, that I’ll have the access to a computer room where I can display my power point. Probably one of the methods would be light trail so the room should have blinds to create darkness. Again, I have to make sure that no accident is going happen in the dark so I’ll have to do a speech about health and safety too. The price of the torch flashlight is around £10-15.

My chosen community centre: Newton-Le-Willows Community Centre
Primary aims of the Association are to:

- Improve the quality of life for the residents of N-L-W.
- Provide services and resources that will support the area and individuals.
- Develop a community spirit & responsibility by encouraging local people to participate in the management and day to day running of the centre.
- Indentify the needs of the area and devise ways in which the Association can respond to those needs. 

Idea A

How can I help the local community?

Ideas!?

* First as a group, we come up with some ideas, like working together with children and create children’s flipbook. Then we were thinking about making time lapse or stop motion images involving the members of community and showing them the particular technique of this type of image making.

After I’ve done my research, I come up with 2 barely different ideas for my community art project. My first idea would be to do a photo shoot. I think it would be a great activity after I read about the success of High Peak‘s fantasy landscape making project. My second idea would be to provide training about certain image making methods that could achieve meaningful improvements in the lives of participants.

I would like to keep both options open because I’m not sure about that my first idea would work, so I thought I’d like to give the opportunity for my chosen community centre to choose between my plans. The results from the chosen project would be exhibited in the community centre to enhance the quality of life there.

My plan A is about to work with a particular group (marital arts: self-defence group) and do a photo shoot, involving everybody who’s in the group to be on an image and punch or kick a bag filled with coloured powder paint, while I’m capturing the moments of the explosion, using the technique of high speed image capturing. I’m looking forward to create an enjoyable environment that can positively affect people’s life.  Because probably most of the people in the class have had bad life experiences; for example: bullying. So I’d like to engage these people to come and experience something excited and joyful by taking part in the photo shoot. I want to boost their confidence and capture their moment of ‘freedom’ when they can just express themselves by punching or kicking that bag using their favourite style of marital arts techniques. The powder should look amazing on the photos and my aim is to create something similar then the example images.

A link for a tutorial;

http://photoextremist.com/high-speed-powder-photography

If the community chooses my plan A, then I’ll have to order the powder from Amazon and take into consideration the delivery time of the products. Also, the use of powder can be a very messy process and might not everyone going to enjoy the shooting, if their clothes will be getting dirty. Also, if there would be children in the class, probably I’ll have to ask for permission from the parents. It’s obvious, that I’ve to inform the member of the community centre about my project and Co-operate with the staff to advertise the future event. Verify the time, place and the financial support behind the project. One tub of powder will cost about £8. Also, I have to find the best place for the shooting, as I would have to use studio lights or flash lights on stands, which can be cause accidents, therefore I’ll have to stick out some health and safety notifications. But overall the shooting should be fun.  I also did an advanced research about colour meaning, because I’d like the people to choose a colour that will represents their actual feeling. For example if someone is angry, then he/she should be using the red powder. So, know I’ll be able to stick a note on each tub that shows the meaning of that particular colour. This would give more meaning to the image.