INSPIRED: Aliza Hoover

So you may remember Zev Hoover of FiddleOak whom I posted about a while ago, but while doing research for my own miniature project I stumbled across the work of his sister, and my oh my it is wonderful.

Her absolutely stunning fine art photography has a range of processes, but completely flows as one entire portfolio of work, and it is just beautiful.

Highland companion

It was this series that first caught my attention, photographs mixed with these ghostly hand drawn figures, always linked with the subject of the photograph, I just absolutely adored it, the idea of an imaginary friend, or a protector of some kind always being with you, whether you know it or not. I just found the whole series so peaceful and calm, I absolutely adored it. The rest of the Companion images can be found here.

Moments in Between - true colors

When delving deeper into her extensive collection of work, I found a set of images that again combine art and photography, and I'm just so drawn to them, I find them so different to anything I've seen before, the colours are beautiful and the watercolour blends so nicely with the photograph. I urge you to check out this series to by clicking here.

damselfly

I don't think there's an image of Aliza's that I dislike, every single one of them intrigues me and draws my attention, but I thought I'd include this one because it completely draws me in, I love anything fairytale and magical, and the insect wings on this figure is so beautiful it completely has my imagination going wild. I also thought this was such a lovely image to show the similarities between Mr Fiddleoak himself and his fanastically talented sister, you can see their styles are very similar, but the way they develop their ideas pull them apart. I can imagine them being a very powerful duo when thinking together.

You can find all of Aliza Hoovers work at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ummatiddle/ and I completely recommend looking through all of her work, it is magnificent.

Assisting Georgia's shoot

Today I assisted Georgia Bloy with her shoot. She was taking actors headshots, and I gave her a hand with lighting and for a lighting test while she waited for the model.

Oh the fun we had, Capture One was being a little bit of a nuisance, refusing to rotate the images, which we later found out (with help from 3 staff members who were all just as confused as we were) that it was a setting on the camera. Yay for learning new things right?

We also worked out a great feature of Capture One which is Live View mode. Now I have a canon software which is pretty similar to capture one in that it lets you control the camera through a laptop or computer and allows you to see more clearly what you're shooting as you shoot it, and also tweak the images a little bit. It is no way even close to the level that Capture One is at, however I know how helpful live view mode can be for me when doing self portraits, trying new techniques without a model, so when I spotted the little video camera button on Capture One I had a feeling it would do the same thing.

This was incredibly helpful for Georgia because she worked out how to zoom in on the live view screen and make sure she had the eyes of the model completely in focus as she was using a very shallow depth of field with a 50mm lens, and it was so helpful to know you were definitely in focus every single time. So we did good teaching ourselves new tricks and all in all it was a very successful shoot. I have since contacted a couple of young actors about their headshots as a way for use to practice together and use in our portfolio!

Isabel

So I needed work to write up reports for WBL, and so I contacted Heather (who I know through a mutual friend) to ask if she would like photos of her daughter taking. I suggested an outdoor shoot as I can only book the studio at set times, so trying to work that around both of our schedules, and to be honest kids are much more natural when they're playing outside anyway

So I bought some bubbles, and met up at Saltwell Park this afternoon and we basically let Izzy run wild. I got some absolutely beautiful photos of her, she's adorable.

I'll leave a small selection of my favourites below.

Let me know what you think!

PROJECT: Presentation (portfolio)

So as a part of the portfolio we were to give an assessed presentation to the class, putting forward our idea for the project and how we were to go about doing it.

I mostly had visual aids and talked around them, but I thought I might share those images with you by popping my presentation into this post!

I think it went pretty well, I've never been shy about talking in front of people, but I definitely feel as if I'm becoming clearer and more confident about doing it.

So anyway, enjoy!

MODULE: Portfolio Project

Yet another module to be working on, this time it's a nice open brief, create a portfolio of 15-20 images surrounding a theme.

I'm dead set on creating a series of miniature people images similar to what I've done before, and I can't wait to get started.

I think I can get away with creating 12 as they take a lot more work in post, but I'm going to aim for 15.

I'm going brainstorm some ideas and I'll be sure to keep you updated!

INSPIRED: Ryan Edy

Yesterday, our year received a talk from Photographer Ryan Edy. Now before I start talking about this we get quite a few photographers come to deliver talks to the college, and I'm never usually all that interested. The majority are fashion/ beauty based, in a huge studio set up, have been in the business for years and years and the message they seem to give us is that it is too hard to get into the industry, which is a little demoralising. It should be said I'm also far from a beauty and fashion photographer, I'm not sure what kind of photography I want to get into at all to be honest but those just aren't my thing.

Now, what a breath of fresh air Ryan Edy was, he is the most honest guest speaker we've had into college, and I am taken away by his work.

Ryan Edy

Ryan Edy

I love the tones that are continuous through all of his images, and the beautiful light and compositions he uses.

His talk was specific to the module we have just received which is to create a portfolio of work, however we did get off topic when questions were asked and discussed other things like how he works and his journey into the industry, and like I said earlier, he came across very genuine, nothing was sugar coated, he was very clear about his work and his thoughts, and that was very encouraging.

I'd highly recommend you pop on over to his website to look through his work because every single image is beautiful. Definitely right up my street, and I'm very glad he came in to talk to our class.

http://www.ryanedy.com/

MODULE: Work Based Learning

So with the start of the year comes another introduction to another module, and this time it's Work Based Learning.

Now last year WBL consisted of a project brief that ran like a commission, it was in conjunction with End Clothing as they supplied the brief, and it was a fashion based project which is not my area!

This year it is basically any commission work you have had written into a report, along side two supporting images, and aside from the fact I'm panicking about being able to get work, this seems like a much better and more enjoyable module.

I will update you with the work I have, and hopefully you'll enjoy seeing it!

BRANDING: Letter Head

Now this post won't seem too exciting as I've already posted my CV, and this is pretty much the same design, but I've completed it and thought I'd share it anyway. There's not too much to say about it to be honest apart from that this is the last branding post, and I'm very happy about the consistency of my designs.

BRANDING: Business Cards

I have sent off to Moo.com for a set of 10 free business cards as before I pay for any amount I'd like to see what they look like. Here are the design I used, again my number is blurred:

The back of these cards just feature my logo, I got 5 printed with the logo on white and 5 in a dark grey with a white logo, I think I'll prefer the colour ones, but I thought as they were free samples it was worth trying both out.

BRANDING: Social Media

I thought I'd take today to link you to all of my social media places regarding my photography, that way you can keep up to date with any new information, new shoots and anything really that I want to share, this is an important part of brand awareness, and so I have created linking accounts.

FACEBOOK 

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

BLOG

BRANDING: Logo

So, this was a very difficult process, I knew that I wanted something a bit arty, hand drawn feel to it, but i had no idea how to go about creating that effect digitally, nor could I afford to hire a graphic designer. So I started out sketching some cameras and used the best pieces of each doodle to merch together and end up with a complete camera. This way I got to keep the sketchy feel without actually having to create a perfect drawing at the same time because then I think too hard about drawing it!

I tried putting this camera with hand written text on a watercolour background that I had I drawn and scanned into the computer but it still wasn't quite right, I decided to make my logo round, use a more legible font and instead of using my own water colour, I downloaded a brush set online and that meant i could have a clearer watercolour effect.

At the moment I have my facebook page in the logo because I'm yet to get a website set up, but I still have the original file and once that happens I can easily switch out my facebook url to a website url, at the moment I'm very please with how this looks.

I also created a dark background version of this so I have the option if i need it, I quite like the way it looks, but I definitely prefer the colour version.

PROJECT: Contextual Studies.

Along with an essay set by the college we were asked to create a supporting image, inspired by the work of the photographer we talked about within the essay.

My photographer of choice was Zev Hoover of Fiddle Oak who I have posted about before and used as inspiration for my Scale project last year.
Though I loved that project, after reading through Zev's blog I found out more about his process, and specifically how he shoots in the same lighting as the background image, something we weren't allowed to do for the project last year.

So while creating my supporting image, I followed his process to some extent, using the same lighting, and though the image of the model wasn't on a blank studio background, I made sure it wasn't too busy and cutting her out from it wasn't as difficult as I had expected.

I'm very happy with how it has come out, I managed to match the focus quite well, and also create shadow that is hopefully believable.

I'm hoping to continue creating images like this, almost paralleling to the images on Fiddleoak, making mine more city based rather than nature, though I'd love to do some like that too!

BRANDING WEEK

Next week, I'm going to be sitting down and sticking in with getting myself branded, so I've decided to make an effort and push myself to put a post a day during the week of the new branding things I've been up to. This promise should motivate me to actually get stuck in and work out each element of my branding so that I get to share it on here.

See you next week!

SUCCESS!

So after Emma's shoot, we went out and shot my supporting image ( blog post to follow in the next week!) and while we were doing it, I again decided to film a small amount to allow me to practice in creating these cinemagraphs.

We were shooting on one of the little walkways above building height on the quayside on the Newcastle side of the Tyne (in case you're wondering how to get there, you need to take the little steps down from the Castle Keep towards the river. It's a very lovely little secluded walk hidden right next to the busy town, I'd recommend it!) so I decided to stick with where we were, and there was a lovely view of the Tyne Bridge!

I asked Emma to stand looking out at it, and to keep very still, so that essentially the only thing moving would be her hair and scarf blowing in the wind. Obviously this is not the case, you can see in the image above that her body moves ever so slightly too, but, I think it still works pretty well, and I'm quite proud of my improvement!

It lead us to a discussion about creating them, and me and Emma decided (following from talking about the Tyne Bridge in this shot) it would be quite nice to create a series of cinemagraphs from around Newcastle City Centre, showing the beautiful city it is.

Hopefully we'll get started after Christmas and deadlines!

Keep your eyes open!

Beth! :)

Assisting Emma's shoot.

Today I assisted the lovely Emma Howe during her shoot for her contextual studies supporting image before I went off to shoot mine!

Her image will be in the style of Solve Sundsbo, with a double exposure feel to it.

It was a very smooth shoot! I met the model (whom I actually know), before heading up to college, and then while she was in getting her makeup done by the fantastic Laura Lou (who's information I will link at the bottom of this post for you.) I gave Emma a hand with her lighting.

Rebecca (the model) was really lovely to work with, she isn't shy and was happy to do anything Emma suggested while I ended up in the back directing the fan to her hair.

While Emma was taking head shots for Laura I set up to record a snippet of video to try and make a cinemagraph from, I thought it was worth it while the lights were set up to just hit record and play around once I got home.

This is what I got:

Now it is nowhere near what I was expecting and I'll explain why:

First of all, I had Rebecca do some spins and some poses, but what I need to pay attention to when making these is that the motion can be repeated seamlessly, so although she was spinning in a full circle, her feet didn't stay in the same place, and that was a problem, because it meant there was a little jump where she started the process again, and takes away from the fact it looks like almost a moment in time captured.

Secondly, the lighting was very orange, so I had to switch it black & white, that was probably the settings on my camera, and the fact it was picking up the overhead lighting aswell as the modelling lamps, so I need some proper continuous lighting if I'm to studio shoot again.
(I would have fixed this in post, but I had issues with the editing software I have on my laptop, so it all had to be done in photoshop!)

Thirdly, this is still not perfect motion, the best bit i could choose was her hair movement, and her hand still moves and slightly jumps.

However, this was definitely a learning curve and I aside from the frustration, I really did enjoy the process and I'm looking forward to practicing and improving!

Beth :)

Emma Howe:
https://www.facebook.com/EmmaHowePhotography?pnref=lhc


Laura Lou:
https://www.facebook.com/lauraloumakeupartist?fref=ts

PROJECT: Surrealism

As you can see it is a very different kind of work than I usually do, and it was all done on a flatbed scanner!

I know I could have done pretty much anything for alternative techniques and stayed a bit safer in terms of imagery, however as soon as I tried scanning images I fell in love with the tones and texture and with the creative freedom we had for this project I decided to push myself a little bit and just go for it!

It's quite a dark image for me and I don't really want to explain my thoughts behind creating it because I like that it's open for interpretation but I'd love to hear thoughts in the comments as it's so different to my usual work!

INSPIRED: Cinemagraphs!

Okay, so you may have seen a very old post of mine where I gave these a try with an image of my brother and had only his eyes moving. Well a few of these popped up on a feed of mine recently (I don't remember where, tumblr or twitter I imagine) and I have fallen in love with them once again.

 I probably get more excited about film than photography, which seems a little ridiculous to admit considering the course I'm doing, but I think photography is a pivotal part to film, and I do love the subject, however there's something about movement that grabs my attention, and I think these are the perfect combination of film and photography and that is possibly why I love them so much.

(That and also they remind me of Harry Potter...)

The two I've included are a couple of my favourite, and I hope to create something just as beautiful soon!

Fingers Crossed!

Beth :)

Fujifilm Instax Contest

Fujifilm instax photo for a competition at college #fujifilm #instax #photography #hands #creativephoto #

A photo posted by Beth (@heydrapel) on Nov 7, 2014 at 4:57am PST

There is soon an event at college by calumet, who have leading up to this, issued a contest to win a fujifilm instax camera, something I would LOVE to own!

Every student who wants to enter gets one shot to take a creative photograph, so over lunch we took the camera out and took our photos to enter. (I'll stick Emma and Georgias at the bottom of this post through their instagram so you can be nosy and see theirs too!)

I loved the excitement of not knowing what it would turn out like, and I'm pretty pleased with my image, even if I can't calculate distance and had the focus set too far away, I'll pretend like I did it on purpose!

Behind the scenes of my instax image. 📷 Thanks @georgiabloy for capturing this bizarre position. And thanks @emmahowe3 for your lovely hands. :3

A photo posted by Beth (@heydrapel) on Nov 7, 2014 at 8:26am PST

Here's Emmas image!

My picture for the fuji film instax competition at college 😝 #cute #fujifilminstax

A photo posted by Emma Howe 🍉 (@emmahowe3) on Nov 7, 2014 at 6:27am PST

And Georgias!

Fujifilm Instax 📷

A photo posted by georgia, Instagran (@georgiabloy) on Nov 7, 2014 at 4:52am PST

Pop and give them both a follow on instagram, I'm sure they'll appreciate it! :)

PROJECT: Incident Room

So this is my incident room project, it is based off a project I did at a level art, but with much more sophisticated lighting than my bedroom light and a candle hah!

I liked the idea of showing basically two sides to how you feel through a mirror because it is often when you're sat looking at a mirror when you think about yourself and who you are. We shot in a travelodge because it worked out pretty cheap compared to other places, so the room isn't the best (including the warped mirror!) but aside from that I think my lighting is pretty well done considering I'd never lit a room before with flash, and the idea is solid, it just needs a bit more styling to the room.

All in all I was much more pleased with this project than the weightless aspect of the module, and though it is certainly not my style of work usually, I enjoyed the opportunity to create something a little different a practise a new skill!

PROJECT: Weightless

My final image for weightless is one that I'm reluctant to put up, because what I imagined this looking like is not at all what it has ended up looking like.

Cringe 

I'm not making excuses but when we did this we did 4 shoots in a day, which then ended up actually being 5 because my original one did not work even slightly and I had to reshoot last minute having my friend make her way over immediately from university just so I had a model, thankfully Georgia stayed and gave me a hand, but to be honest neither of us were very confident with flash outdoors, and to top it off only one of our flash heads was working because with the equipment we booked out from the store we were only given one radio slave, which was fantastic considering the image had to be lit with two lights....

However I know exactly what I did wrong, I basically exposed the image for the natural light and then added the flash, which due to the fact the sun was incredibly bright was not the best thing to do, I should have spent more time making sure I had it right but to be honest i was flustered and completely lost with how to even begin to shoot with outdoor lighting and that affected my motivation to keep trying. I wish I had had time to go back and try again but I had to make do with what I had, and it's not an awful photograph but I know I could have done better with time and practise. Never mind.