Still Life - Evaluation

Still Life Evaluation

Nicola Callaghan

I completed the assignment by first researching all of the mini- assignments given, Food, Product, Documentary, Nature Morte/ Vanitas and Photo Montage. I also attended some of the classes given, as each was a 2 week mini- assignment for each of the mini projects. For some of these mini- assignments I also used book research, for example for food, as well as using the internet to find out more about the subject and to additionally find artists relating to the topic as well. I shot all of the photos, except documentary, in the studio as the brief stated, using two flash heads, including soft boxes, reflectors and a high quality digital camera. I used a canon 6D, normal standard lens and a macro lens.

The concept behind my work is for food and product something that is and looks very simple but catches your eye and looks professional, something you would see advertised. For documentary it was about documenting something I have been around my entire life and would be the first time I've done something personal on a project, though the way I shot it, didn't have that feel or personal look to the photos. The idea for Vanitas came about in the studio when we had a look at what we had and decided on a girl’s night out. Finally for digital montage, I was stuck with an idea for but then tried to stop over thinking and think too hard and though of something which I like which is my country and the United Kingdom therefore I chose to recreate the Union Jack using roses, red roses as this was the flower for England, white roses as they were still roses and could be used for the colour in the flag and blue tulips as I needed the blue and tulips were the first flower that came in my head for the blue. I also chose the flowers however because when I hear still life I automatically think of flowers and thought using those will help fit within the theme nicely.

One of the problems I had was, though I was there for the first lesson of Nature Morte/ Vanitas, my group didn't get an image that day and not all of us where in, an attempt after that I missed and therefore didn’t have an image but luckily who I was shooting with, whilst getting my food, product and Vanitas done, Oneka hadn’t got her image neither and this worked out for the both of us as we were in each other’s group. During my tutorial I was told using a macro 100mm would be best for the shots I was trying to achieve however I didn't have one personally, was unable to buy one in time and there was only one in the university photography shop and it only fitted the canon 6D. I was able to resolve this by managing to take it out at the weekend however I had to share the camera with another student in my class, this was accomplished by me taking it out and having it Saturday and handing it over to Rachel on Sunday were she would return it on Monday.

Another problem I had was by not thinking properly I gave the man at IT a file to print out and it being JPEGs instead of printable TIFFs after asking which ever they use and he chose JPEGs. Due to this the quality was not very good and all but one, (which was product- the cans), were blurry. After initially worrying thinking I wouldn't have time to solve the issue, some of my peers, Oneka, Cara and Jess Walker said when Oneka’s print (which were TIFF files) out they will compare the difference to mine, as the IT man said it wouldn't make a difference with the printer they were using. They offered to do this for me as I had to pop home because my print sleeves were due to be delivered. Once the photos were compared it was advised by them to print my photos again in TIFFs. As the IT were printing mine off again it only got around half way done and there was a problem with the printer, most likely due to over- heating. The issue would have to be resolved the next day Jess told me when I went to collect the photos that had been printed as IT had left for the day. By the next day I didn't end up going to IT as many other people had their photos to print and though the printer hadn’t been fixed they were using another but by the time I got sorted and figured out which ones I needed I had a feeling mine wouldn’t be done in time because of the queue so I therefore stuck with what I had, the only photos I needed redoing where my cigarette images, though not all of these would be completely all in focus as I was using the macro lens so only parts of the images would be.  

The last serious hindrance I had was on hand in day when the Mac computer corrupted my ILA file which I needed to print. Luckily the hand in wasn’t early on the morning and I therefore had time to go back home and retrieve the file again, walk back and print out my ILA.

I don’t think I had too much influence for my work except for Irving Penn for documentary and ILA, his photographs of the cigarettes was the biggest inspiration I had for this project and the only main influence and inspiration I’ve ever had whilst at university. For food and product it was the simplicity of the shot that I liked from research and tried to recreate. With Vanitas I was influenced by the paintings, how everything had a meaning, could be personal to the person and worked and fitted together. Lastly for photo montage I was inspired by mosaics and other collages. Mosaics because they use many different pieces to make one image and that’s what doing this collage reminded me off and the fact that I like collages though haven’t ever really done one and definitely not a digital one.

Every assignment has challenged me as, with previous projects, I hadn't done any of the mini projects given. I hadn't shot food, product, Vanitas or done any photo montages. Though only thing I may have done was documentary although at the time shooting I didn't think of that as I was shooting landscapes/ seascapes but all that is documenting as I’m recording what is there. I learned new techniques, like macro and gained new skills using Photoshop with the help from tutors and peers which I am pleased about and grateful for. I thought a lot more about composition as every photo had to be thought out precisely and exact, more than I had done before. I went outside my comfort zone completing all of the assignments especially documentary and ILA as I would never have thought I would be shooting cigarettes but glad I did as I am happy with the outcome.

I have previously mentioned some new skills I acquired one being on Photoshop were I learned how to be able to do a photo montage. Another ability I learned was a lighting set up we used in the studio for ‘product’ shots but could also be used for food for example. I also refreshed my memory on alternative set ups, resizing my images (which is very important for me as I have always forgot but now I know I’ll remember, though it took a while). New things that I learned was using the macro lens for the first time and also that whilst on Capture One you can take a photo by pressing one of the icons instead of the camera which enables you to stand out the way so you don’t become a reflection in your image.

I received help and guidance from both my peers and tutors. I always listen to what they have to say and try to use they’re advice as best as possible. The assistance for this assignment was really beneficial, useful and helped me immensely. I take in what others have said as they’ll have done it before me and will have the knowledge and experience. With receiving this help I also try my best to help out where I can and did what I could on this project.

The final outcome meets the requirements of the brief as I have handed in more than the minimum for photographs, have completed my ILA, presented photos labelled, in print sleeves and in an appropriate box. I have placed my photos in the correct folder on the student work- pool, written blog posts and written my evaluation like asked. I also shot in the studio with the correct lighting and used natural light when told.

I believe I have met the requirements of the brief and therefore been successful, as listed above all of the items l have finished.

Something I could improve on is timing with regards to my work, do things earlier so I have more time to complete other tasks like photo montage. Print all images off in TIFFs and try to make decisions faster so I can get to work quicker. That’s why when the idea for cigarettes came into my head for documentary I did it and it was a challenge for me and something I hadn't done before.

Like mentioned something I would do differently is making decisions quicker so I have more time. I would be in university more and print earlier like planned so I have time to resolve any issues.

Overall, though some photos printed aren't quite right as they’ll be blurry, I am very pleased with my outcome and the photos I have produced. I enjoyed the assignments given as all were a new challenge for me and very happy with the new skills learned and knowledge gained.

Through much contemplating and decisions, for my final year I would like to choose Fine Art photography to do.