Final Evaluation

How has your research influenced the images that you have created?

My Research into various artists allowed me to study the different techniques that they used and then apply them to my work. It also influenced me to interpret my images from an abstract point of view. Lots of my work resonates with abstract and aesthetic techniques to bring a uniqueness to my images. Ansel Adams was a huge inspiration for me as I not only explored his landscape photography, but he influenced my colour photography despite him only having one or two colour portfolios. I think his techniques of using manual tools to create interesting effects influenced my experimentation with photoshop. Also Annie Leibovitz and Richard Avendon are my favourite artists as they focus a lot on aesthetics and individualism which I find the most eye-catching type of photography as it not only looks good but it also delivers a political and personal message.

       What new technical skills have you developed and how has this impacted on your work?

     I have learnt many techniques such as taking a blurred motion image, I have also learnt how to establish the right IOS and aperture and shutter speeds for particular environments. I also developed by using manual focus, which makes my photos more personal as I can choose which section of my image is in focus. I also learnt how to use light tables and light boxes for professional image taking, this included learning how to correctly use a tripod. I have also learnt many new things on photo shop such as composite image making, tinting, dodging and burning and colour changing including black and white and altering saturation. This impacted my work as it opened the gates to creating more professional and abstract and surreal ideas, helping my work become unique and also led to a lot of experimenting.

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Has the way you take photographs changed/improved?

I have improved a great deal due to my research and focus into camera settings. It has changed the way I take my photographs, as it ensures that the right lighting and depth of field is present in my images, so it can illustrate the effects I need. I have also improved by instead of taking one photograph for everything I capture. I take several at different angles and shutter speeds to allow for more option when choosing my best photographs.

       In what way have you demonstrated your ability to experiment ?

I have demonstrated my ability to experiment by looking into different techniques on photoshop to make my images abstract such as saturation, composite image making and using lasso tools to edit and remove and replace backgrounds. I have done many physical experiments too such as creating shadows and using props to create more meaningful images. I have also looked into using sepia tones to create and ageing effect on my images, and experimenting with different lighting to show a variation throughout my images.

       Is your work is developing in a particular direction?

      In what areas of your work were you most successful in what areas were you the least successful?

As I mentioned earlier a lot of my work focuses on abstract and aesthetically pleasing techniques and I am further looking into compositional photography. I was the most successful in my photo genres documentary and portraiture, I think this was because I found it the most interesting as these topics allow for a lot more personal and political input than the formal elements. I think my least successful was shape as I could have looked further into arrangement and created some very unique photography but I think I was worried to step out of my comfort zone at this point, as I had not unlocked a lot of techniques and tools to create outstanding work.