Comments on Photographers and Exhibitions Visited.

Hi Peter,

Thank you for your feedback on my first assignment.  Most helpful.  It was interesting viewing my pictures after reading your comments.  I tried to see them as if for the first time and ignore what the photographer, me, had seen at the time of their taking and view them as for the first time.  The pictures hadn’t changed but my view of them had.  

Two of the four names you suggested I should look at I am reasonably familiar with, Diane Arbus and August Sander. 

I find Arbus rather cruel in her approach with her emphasis on the odd and grotesque.  Even ordinary people, when photographed by Arbus, take on a surreal, strange and sometimes tortured look.  Very powerful and very distinct. 

August’s pictures are all about a changing world.  What did happen to the Young Farmers in the coming war?  What became of “The Soldier”?  His photograph “Blind Children” and “Crippled ex-Serviceman” left the subjects with their dignity.  Arbus would have turned them into exhibits.  If I could hang one of his pictures on the wall it would be “Radio”.

I knew Joel Sternfeld only through his work “The High Line”.  Whenever Sue and I visit a new city or town we try and seek out a river or canal trip as these give the visiter a unique and quirky view from behind the facade.  The now disused High Line gives such a view to a city with which, at least through cinema and television, we are all familiar.  I was less familiar with his portrait work, which has a cold dispassionate feel.  There seems little engagement with the subject.  His Sweet Earth project would seem worth a closer look linking as it does people and architecture.

Erwin Wurm.  I’m not sure if I am looking at an engineering project or a photographic project.  Well executed on both counts but not for me.  

Came across three collections by Elliott Erwitt.  I had seen his work on dogs and thought he might be worth a second look.  He has a great eye for the absurd, such as the lady playing the cowboy slot machine, as well as the poignant with the shot of the gates to  Auschwitz.  

For light viewing I have been delving into Cruel and Tender by Emma Dexter and Thomas Weski.  Great names and super pictures.  Discovering more photographers to study.

Earlier this year I attended Tate Modern to view both the William Klein and Daido Moriyama exhibitions.  I was aware of Klein’s work but had no idea how well they would work on the grand scale of the exhibition hall.  I particularly enjoyed seeing his portrait of the snarling boy with the gun blown up to the size of a poster.  The unused and raw pictures with their cropping marks gave an insight to his work.  I found the Moriyama exhibition less satisfactory.  I was puzzled by some of his subject matter, such as the series of pictures taken at a railway station featuring the random collection of people on the opposite platform.  I was interested in his scatter-gun approach to photography but found some of the voyeuristic results disturbing.  A recent television programme showed him at work walking the streets and snapping away with his Ricoh at anything that moved, and many things that didn’t.  It may be this approach that makes his photographs so memorable.  The overworking of the prints took away much of their subtlety, giving them a dark power.

Last week I attended the Man Ray exhibition at The National Portrait Gallery.  This really was one for the purist.  The prints were originals with all the subsequent damage and fading.  Lovely portraits of the great and good of the day simply lit with perfect poses.  I would liked to have seen some of them reprinted so that their true glory could have come through.  His use of polarization was much softer I thought it would be.  Having tried solarization, back in the day when I had a dark room, I know how difficult it is to get right.

Assignment Two: People and Activity.

Assignment Two: People and Activity.

Deal during the Summer months is a hive of activity with band concerts, two carnivals, visiting fairs and even a big top.  The Winter months are, as one might expect, a lot quieter.  The local community hall did however hold a discount fashion show for the local ladies.  I asked if I could attend and take pictures.  They readily agreed.  

So far, so simple.  One of the my fellow volunteers at the centre, however, has a medical problem whereby she is liable to have convulsions in the presence of strobe or flash lighting, which of course I was going to need for this assignment.  The room is quite large and I wanted to dominate the various light source colours by the use of flash.  To maintain harmony at the centre I was now restricted to taking pictures in places not occupied by this individual.  Not the best circumstances but here are the results.

Equipment: Olympus E3 with a 14-54 lens and Metz 58 AF-1.  Olympus E330 with a 11-22 lens and Olympus FL 50 R.

The day was run almost exclusively by the ladies of the community centre with one large exception, David, who was in charge of setting out the chairs and other furniture.  Looking a bit like a rabbit caught in headlights and doing his best not to pose.  I shot from a slightly low position to emphasise his size and height.

Olympus E330. 11-22 @ 16mm. f4. Diffused flash.

Behind the scenes.  Here the girls from the sales team unload their van.  How they got all their stock into that space I will never know.  If the weather looks cold in the shot, then think colder.  I wanted to show the work that goes on behind the scenes of these events.  

Olympus E330. 11-22 @ 11mm. f4. Diffused flash.

As with all charity events a lot depends on the enthusiasm and work put in by the volunteers.  Here is a shot of them preparing the buffet.  I Like the lines made by both their heads and their arms.  In this picture the colour temperature difference has become very obvious.  The flash has provided white light to the foreground and the low energy lights in the corridor have provided a yellowish light.

Olympus E330. 11-22 @ 12mm. f4.5.  Diffused flash.

Here Ella checks her hair and makeup in a mirror before going out into the hall.  I stood to her left and directed the flask at the wall and mirror.  This has given a pleasing highlight in her eyes and a nice gloss to her hair.

E3. 14-54 @37mm. f4. Indirect flash.

The following are of the show itself.  As I said earlier I was limited to where and when I could take pictures because of the presence of the woman threatening to have convulsions.  In all these shot I used a low angle to exaggerate the models' height.

The first of these is of one of the models showing off the lining of a jacket.  I wanted the full flared effect and achieved it.  By keeping in a number of the audience I am trying to show their participation.  

Olympus E3. 14-54 @ 20mm. f3.2. Indirect flash.

Here is the same model in a blue dress.  The use of flash has given this material gloss and texture.  This certainly was not so evident in the hall. As in the last picture I have let the model get away from the distraction of the clothes racks at the back of the room.  The room was very cluttered but I have tried to lessen the effect of the clutter.

Olympus E3 14-54 @ 33mm. f4.

I have included the next one to show what happened when I didn't lift the model out from the background.   Here she has become lost in the aforementioned clutter with a resulting loss of interest.  Far better to allow the models to come forward out of the clutter.

Olympus E3. 14-54 @ 49mm. f4. Indirect flash.

Here I have again allowed the model to come away from the background where she can command her own space.  She was painfully shy and would not look at the camera.  Shame.

Olympus E3. 14-54 @ 42mm. f3.3. Indirect flash.

The last one is of a section of the audience.  I was forced to miss the end of the show because of the my problem lady.   I did, however, take a shot of a section of the audience to represent this applause.  

Olympus E3. 14-54 @ 27mm. f4. Indirect flash.

When I planned to photograph this event I wanted to show the whole event right through from the setting up to the selling of the clothes.  This process was interrupted for the reason stated earlier.  I considered shooting without flash to alleviate the lady's problem but dismissed this when I took a reading of the available light.  The mixed colours from the available light sources would also have been a nightmare.

I had hoped for a larger selection of catwalk shots but was forced to make my selection from only nine available pictures.  

Despite the difficulties I think I have captured the spirit of this community fashion show.  

Exercise: Developing Your Confidence.

Exercise: Developing Your Confidence.

I found this a strange assignment to carry out as a look at earlier parts of my blog will demonstrate.  I have no fear of approaching people and asking to take their picture.  This exercise asks for the taking of a picture when the subject 
is not aware.  Very different.  I found this to be a rather furtive exercise and took many shots by literally shooting from the hip with a wide angle.  With some others I used my wife, Sue, as cover. I chose the Canon G12  as it would not be seen as threatening and obvious as a DSLR.  I missed many shots by shooting from the hip but think the the day's best shot came from it.

A trip to Canterbury gave the busy location with a steady supply of subjects.  

I took the first shot in the restaurant of the Beaney Museum.  The subject was reading, and fully absorbed in her book.  I set the lens to its maximum focal length (140mm equivalent) and sat it on my table.  The exposure time of 1/8 secs didn’t matter as my subject was sitting very still and the camera was stable.  I like the way her cup is leaning over ready to spill its contents.  She was totally unaware I had taken her picture.

Canon G12. f4. 1/8 sec. 140mm equivalent.

The second is of a couple looking in a jeweller's window.  Their closeness and age would suggest they were looking at engagement rings.  What makes the shot for me is the pawn brokers sign in the lower right corner hinting at possible times ahead.  I was having lunch across the road and I shot through the widow of the restaurant.

Canon G12. f4. 1/80sec. 140mm equivalent.

The last of these is one shot from the hip.  The flapping coat on the left is mine.  The low position of the camera gives this shot a nice feeling of menace.  The man standing with his back to the shop adds to the tension by looking over towards the two men.  Shot from eye height these would just be two guys, walking along the High Street but the low angle changes all of that.  It increases their dominance of the scene and their threat potential.  My favourite shot of the day.  I tried converting this to monochrome to give it more mood but in doing so it lost some of its tension.

Canon G12. f4. 1/250sec. 28mm equivalent.

Project: The Moment.

Exercise: Capturing the Moment.

I went to a nearby golf course to get more long lens shots for the telephoto exercise and game across this lady setting up to drive.  I set the camera to take a burst and waited for the action.  Not quite Open Week but I managed to catch the blur of the ball as it left the club.  There is just enough movement in the club to hint at speed and power.  I like the way the angle of the ball's flight is matched by the contours of the area behind the golfer.  As the flight of the ball takes one's eye out to the right these contour lines bring one's eye back to the golfer.

The shots either side of this picture lacked the vital ingredient, the ball.  I would have liked to have had her face in shot but she was doing as she should and held her stance. 

Olympus E330. f5.6.  350mm equivalent.

Project: Medium Telephoto.

Exercise: Standing Back.

The obvious place for me the play with my long lenses is over on the golf courses that surround Deal.  I found the subjects out on a cold and blustery day.  They were the only people out on the course.  I shot then from the comfort of my car for a number of reasons.  With the camera mounted on a mono pod I could use the arm rest of the car as a firm base.  The wind was so severe that camera shake would have resulted from any attempt  at shooting from outside. The area is often used by birders and no-one looks twice at a long lens poking out from a car window.

I was able to stalk these two guys until I got the shot I wanted.  Head down into the wind but determined to finish their round.  The legend on the golf bag  is a neat counter to the conditions.  "Sunny Mountain".

Olympus E330. f5.6. 400mm equivalent. 

Project: Wide-Angle.

Exercise: Close and Involved.

I chose Deal for this exercise as there is usually plenty going on in and around the High Street.  Again I chose the Canon G12.  

The first person I came across was my fishmonger, Steve.  There was no way I was going to take a covert picture of him so I just pointed and shot while we passed the time day.  It’s a shot that places him in his environment, tea mug in hand and looking for customers.

Canon G12. f2.8. 1/80sec. 28mm equivalent.

The second is of a shopkeeper who was washing the front of her shop.  I tried to take a surreptitious picture but she immediately stopped her work, looked up, and started to chat.   I took the picture anyway.  The three yellow features, the bucket, the shopping bag and the distant sign, all contrive to give a lead to the eye and an edge to the shot without cropping.  Likewise the flower in the bottom left acts as a nice full stop to the left and lower edges.

Canon G12. f4. 1/320. 28mm equivalent.

In the third I approached it a different way.  I started chatting to the drayman until he returned to his work and then took the picture.  Not covert but looks it.  I quite like the large guy at the back of the shot apparently eying up the promise of a good evening ahead.

Canon G12. f4. 1/160. 28mm equivalent.

The problem with shooting up close is that you are too close to the subject and holding a camera.  

I think I solved this in a number of ways.  Firstly by choosing a camera that is not too big and too imposing.  The Canon is ideal, being small but very versatile.    Other solutions were pretending a picture was not being taken, as in the restaurant shot of the woman reading,  shooting from the hip  hoping the camera will do the rest, as with to guys in Canterbury, and finally by chatting and then taking the picture.  I intend practicing the shooting from the hip technique and improve my hit rate.  Be friendly, be sneaky, be clever but most of all get the shot without starting a fight.

Project: Standard Focal Length.

Exercise: Standard Focal Length.

I found this a tricky exercise as I have become so used to using zoom lenses to fill out the frame rather than having to physically move to frame the shot.  This called for a bit more planning.  Deal again provided me with my pictures.  I tried to take the shots unobserved. I produce the following pictures.
Canon G12.  Newly acquired G1-X.

This is an older lady with a wheeled shopper walking to the shops.  What caught my eye was the advert for keep fit classes urging one to, “Move it, lose it, love it”, which she is clearly looking at.  I would love to know what she was thinking.  I saw the possibility of the picture when I saw her and her red coat approaching.  I just had to wait until she reached right place.

Canon G12. About 60mm equivalent. f5. 1/640sec.

I’ve treated myself to a new pocket camera, a Canon G1-X, and took it for its first test drive today carrying on with the standard lens theme.  I shot blind with the camera low down at my right side.  I obtained about a 50/50 hit ratio.  Here are two of the resultant shots.

With the first I wanted to see how close I could get without the three men noticing what I was doing.  It would seem very close.  

Canon G1-X. About 40mm equivalent. f5.6. 1/400sec.

The second was of three people enjoying their coffee at Costa Coffee.  This was again shot blind.  I found framing shots very difficult at this focal length when shooting blind.
Shooting at wider apertures is far easier and has the added bonus of some moody distortion.

Canon G1-X. About 40mm equivalent. f5.6. 1/400sec.

The third is of a local fishermen who fishes from a traditional wooden boat and sells directly to the public.  Three herring for £1.  I was in the queue and while waiting to be served captured this shot.  This was the ideal focal length for this shot.  It cut out the unnecessary clutter from the edges but allowed in sufficient detail to show the queue. For this one I was able use the fold out screen to frame the shot.

Canon G1-X. About 50mm equivalent. f5.6. 1/100sec.

The last was taken while I was out cycling near Sandwich.  I regularly see the subject of this picture and thought he might make a good subject.  On seeing him in the distance I stopped set up to take the shot.  He was obviously aware of may actions but just cycled on.  I have produced it as monochrome as I thick it suits both the rider and his cycle.  It gives it a timeless quality.  This was again shot from waist height using the fold out screen.  This gives the feeling it may have been taken on a Box Brownie similarly held. The frame of the cycle was green.  In editing the shot I reduced the green to black thus making the bike look older.  

Canon G1-X. Approx 50mm. f5.6. 1/200sec.

Project: Public Events, Public Spaces.

Exercise: An Organised Event.

I had been planning a visit to The National Gallery to see the Man Ray prints for some time so when I saw the weather forecast predicted a good day I got to London early and took in the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

Being half term, and a good day, the area in front of The Palace was pretty packed.  I managed to work my way on to the Wedding Cake and got a reasonable spot opposite the main gates.  Once on the island my opportunity to leave was next to impossible.

The first shot is of a mounted trumpeter in The Mall at the junction with Marlborough Road.  The combination of white horse, red and black uniform and brass trumpet made for a compelling picture.

Canon G1-X. f508. 1/320sec.

The subjects of the next picture were typical of the crowd.  Foreign and lost. I used f2.8 to try and lift them out of the crowd but it wasn't very successful. 

There were plenty of Police in attendance ensuring the crowd’s good behaviour and warning one and all of pick-pockets.  The mounted Police were doing the bulk of the work and looked most impressive.

Canon G1-X. f8. 1/160sec.

When the two motor cyclist arrived they were immediately surrounded and almost became the main event. 

 Canon G1-X. f6.3. 1/400sec.

The Police cyclist was the highest ranking officer there and, although he didn’t do anything, was most likely in charge.

Canon G1-X. f6.3. 1/400sec.

I will show only three of the many shots I took of the Guards.  They really speak for themselves.

Exercise: A Public Space.

I had three attempts at this exercise.  The first was on the front at Deal but this proved far too quiet.  The second was as an extension of the last exercise and thought Trafalgar Square would be a good venue but the only action  was people sitting around and eating lunch.  The last was an area I had picked out as a likely area for taking pictures for one of the earlier projects, and that was the childrens’ play area at Fowlmead near Deal.  The aim was to show the use of the area. 

To play safe I took my own grandchildren with me as my models.  I didn’t restrict myself to photographing them but was tactful in approaching other children.  The pictures were taken over two visits.  On the second visit the weather was very cold with snow flurries.

Canon G1-X and Canon G12.  Chosen to be unobtrusive. 

The first picture is my adventurous 2 year old grandson, Nathan, climbing up a slope to get to the top of a slide.  I have tried to emphasize the height of the climb for one so small

The second is of Nathan and his dad Iain on top of a climbing frame.  Just a nice family portrait.  I used the structure to form a natural frame.

One of the pieces of equipment is a rope swing shaped like a serpent.  This was a chance to incorporate other children as Iain pushed the swing for Nathan.

Using the camera at waist level allowed me to take this shot of two mums and their children at the swings.  I was very careful not to offend.

While waiting for Nathan to appear at the bottom of a slide I captured this shot of another child emerging.  Nathan always managed to come through face down so I have not included any shots of him emerging.

The seventh shot is of my four year old grandson, Ollie, on a swing.  I managed to push him and get the shot.

For the see-saw picture I set the camera low down and raised Ollie high up to exaggerate the height of the see-saw.

The last is of the zip wire and has Iain and Nathan in action.  The shutter delay on the camera led to a number of attempts to get this shot right.