Harlow Resolution

Final Triptychs

Final Evaluation

For my Unit 10 project I was given the theme of 'Self Imagery', For my initial research I created a mind map to show what I defined 'Self Imagery' as. My ideas included personal appearance, interests and hobbies, and family/background. I also produces a couple of mind maps with creative and technical ideas, using inspiration from other photographers and artists, This gave me the idea of the theme of 'subcultures' to explore when shooting my final shoot. I chose this theme because it was very interesting to me, I enjoyed learning about the lives of different groups of people who do things outside 'the norm'. I also researched a lot into different types of subcultures to find differences and similarities between them. The definition of a subcultures are 'those groups that have values and norms that are distinct from those held by the majority'. Examples of subcultures are can include; goths, hipsters, skinheads and teddy boys. For my final shoot, I chose a subculture local to me who dress up and recreate the Celtic lifestyle. In their organisation they dress like Celts, use Celtic weaponry and reside in Celtic huts. They also make most things from scratch such as the clothes they wear and the huts in which they stay.

Overall I think my shoot went very well, I took plenty of photographs which I could use to so off the Celtic subculture. When taking my photographs I didn't want to focus too much on the idea of them being an reanactment group so I took images of them doing everyday things such as using a coffee machine or standing on their phones, I have used a few of them for my final images. When editing my images, I did not want to change them too much but I did put an orange toned filter to make it seem warmer and to make the images look older.

If I were to do this shoot again, I would love to do it at night time to show off the fires and the atmosphere of the camp at night time. I would also like to practise some Photoshop skills as I would have loved to make the images look much older that I attempted to as I think that would look more realistic. Overall, I have learned a lot from this project, from different techniques when doing my practise shoots, to more information about subcultures, self imagery and Celtics.

Celtic Research

• The Celts were around from 750BC to 12BC
• The celts were the most powerful people in central and northern Europe
• The Celts were around in 'The Iron Age'; this name comes from the discovery of a new metal called iron. The Celts discovered how to make tools and weapons out of the material
• They occupied many parts of central and western Europe, especially what are now known as Austria, Switzerland, southern France and Spain. Over several years they spread outwards, taking over France and Belgium, and finally crossing over to Britain.
• Celts loved bright dazzling colour, they dyed their woollen trousers and tops bright colours with natural vegetable dye.
• They wore a lot of jewellery made from bronze, gold, tin, silver, coral and enamel.
• They grew and hunted all of the food they ate.
• Celts lived in round houses with thatched roofs of straw or heather. The walls were made of straw and mud and they had no windows.

Subculture Research

A subculture is a group of people within a culture that differentiates itself from the larger culture to which it belongs. This would include differences in interests, behaviours or beliefs, like religion, ethnicity, and social or economic status. The evolution of subcultures have three main steps; deviance, resistance and then distinction. They started off as a threat to society because of their lack of socialism with the mainstream culture. Mass media had a huge role in building and promoting subcultures by broadcasting their images, but also weakening them by creating a stigma against them. However, nowadays, subcultures are the norm in todays society especially considering there are so many different types. 

People tend to associate subcultures with clothing, style, music taste and social activities. There have been many fazes of subcultures throughout the years from teddy boys to role-play subcultures, to goths. Below is a few examples of different subcultures:

Museum Visit

Harlow museum opened in 1973. As part of this project we visited the museum which was not very far from college. When I walked in there, there was a wall of folders which held thousands of photographs of Harlow dating back to the 1940s. The photographs were split up into categories such as churches, public houses, arial views and housing. There were also a few newspapers that dated back to the 1960s that I was able to look at. The trip really benefitted my project ideas because I was able to come up with a concept for my final triptychs. I was also able to learn a lot about the history of Harlow and see the dramatic changes that have happened throughout the years.

Liquid Emulsion

This are the original images that I started with, I just got them off the internet. 

1. To start, using black poster paint, I painted a black rectangle with uneven edges onto a piece of a4 card.
2. I then waited for the card to dry so I could scan the results.
3. I then opened both the image of the card and an image I found on the internet in PhotoShop. 
4. Next I changed the contrast on the the image of the card to ensure that the black paint was a solid black colour and the white paint was a solid white colour.
5. After, I selected the entire image and dragged it on top of the image I found of the internet.
6. Then I double clocked on the layer in which the photograph of the card was on and then selected the 'Blend Mode' drop down box and selected 'Screen'.

I also experimented with different compositions and different levels of contrast to develop different outcomes. The images below are my final result:

Resolution

To test resolution, I compared different lengths of zoom and changed the apertures.  The focal lengths I tested were 50mm, 70mm and 200mm.  

50mmmf8 has the clearest resolution compared to the other two photographs. The least clear is the 50mmf22.

50mmf1.8

50mmf8

50mmf22

Although all of the images below are quite clear, 70mmf8 is the sharpest with the least camera shake. 70mmf22 is the blurriest with the most shake.

70mmf4

70mmf8

70mmf22

In the set of images below 70mmf8 is the clearest with the least camera shake. The blurriest is 70mmf11.

70mmf8

70mmf11

70mmf22

All these photographs are pretty clear, however, 200mmf11 is the most clear. 200mmf4.8 is the least clear.

200mmf4.8

200mmf11

200mmf22

This images have been cropped and zoomed in. The best resolution in the images are 50mmf22. The photograph is a lot sharper and clearer then the other images. 50mmf1.8 is the blurriest.

50mmf1.8

50mmf1.8

50mmf8

50mmf8

50mmf22

50mmf22

Calibration Research

Calibration is defined as an association between measurements - one of a scale or accuracy made or set with one piece of equipment and another measurement made in as similar way as possible with a second piece of equipment.

Who uses calibration and why?
Calibration is used by almost everyone. Instruments, machinery and technology all need to be calibrated throughout its lifetime. It is used to ensure that the needed equipment, usually something that is a measuring device is accurate.

How is it useful?
Calibration defines the accuracy and quality of measurements recorded. Over time there is a tendency for results and accuracy to 'drift'. To be confident in the results being measured there is an ongoing need to service and maintain the calibration of its equipment throughout its lifetime for reliable, accurate and repeatable measurements.

How is it relevant in photography?
Calibration is relevant in photography especially when it comes to editing your images. It can sometimes be necessary to calibrate your monitor to ensure that your eyes see the photograph on the computer the same way it would be if the image was printed out. Calibration is also important when it comes to changing the setting of your camera. Shutter speeds, apertures and ISO all need to be calibrated to ensure that their photographs come out correctly.

Examples of calibration:

• Pressure calibration - brometers, test gauges
• Electrical calibration - insulation testers, data loggers
• Mechanical calibration - scales/balances, accelerometers
• Temperature calibration - Thermal cameras, weather stations
• Humidity calibration - humidity recorders, transmitters

Triptychs Research

Triptych - a set of three associated artistic mediums that are intended to be appreciated together.

William Neill

William Neill's triptychs are all photographed in natural settings, using natural elements. The images he uses are all very similar to each other in subject matter, composition and lighting.  The location is outside which allows natural lighting to brighten the image. In many of is images he uses a shallow depth of field which allows the subject of the image to stand out. Although in many of his images he uses the entire canvas to show his subject, in the images when he doesn't, he uses a plain white background to show of the subject.

http://www.williamneill.com/

Adde Adesokan

Triptychs of strangers is an ongoing series by Adde Adesokan, where the goal is to meet total strangers, get to know them and then take three matching personality shots and make them one. In his images he used a shallow depth of field to show off the subjects of his images. The location is always outside, the reason for this is because he approaches stranger to take their photographs; this allows natural lighting to brighten the image and he doesn't use any studio lighting. His images are edited to black and white, I believe this is because the audience can focus more of the persons feature instead of the colour. The black and white also creates a sense of mystery which is exciting for the audience. 

http://www.adde-adesokan.de/

Nicolas Grundy

Nicolas Grundy's triptychs are all of natural subjects, almost always in a location, again this allows for natural lighting to brighten the image. Many of his images are of a landscape which is effective because the audience gets to view the whole scene in the area.  He edits some of his images to black and white to who off the detail in his images. The image in his triptychs are always the same theme, but unlike the other artists they aren't very similar. He explores shapes in nature which is usually the focal point of his images.

http://www.nicholasgrundy.com/

Jack Macey

Jack Macey creates triptychs of landscapes, typically on the beach or exotic areas. His triptychs are made up of one image split up into three pieces. He focuses on the sky and beach mainly in his images, the composition is like a split screen because they different subjects take up almost exactly half of the screen. Like the other artists his photography is taken outside which allows the natural lighting to brighten the image. The way his triptychs are presented are very interesting and unique, he uses a think black border to frame his images; this is effective because it ensures that the photographs stand out. Another effect of the frame is that is very contrasting to the light, peaceful photographs.

http://www.jackmaceyphotography.com

Peter Funch

Peter Funch is a contemporary artist who's triptychs are full of action and chaos. He uses people in most of his images although they are not the focal point of the image. He uses abstract settings as you can see above with shady lighting. His photographs are very mysterious but they all tell a story. The way he produces his triptychs are through three different images with the same theme.

ttp://uk.lumas.com/pictures/peter_funch/triptych_iii/

Thea Penna

Thea Penna produces triptychs as a painter. Her style is realistic portraiture, the images she produces have an eerie feel as they portray sadness and suffering. The expressions on the subjects faces are depressing and sinister. Her artwork is detailed in the facial features of the subjects and the lighting and shadowing, indicating that the location of these sets of images are indoors, in a dark unlit room. The triptychs are all very similar and composition and angles.

http://www.theapenna.co.uk/

Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon's triptychs are very abstract. Her paintings use only a few colours and few objects  which make her images look very simplistic.  Her triptychs are always located in a plain and simple room. They only have one or two subjects, usually including a pice of furniture and a person. The way he presented his triptychs was the classic 3 separate images in front of a white background with large spaces between them. The way his images are separated make it look like his triptychs are telling a story.

http://francis-bacon.com/

Shannon Grissom

Shannon Grisson produces triptychs as a painter. Her style is very pop-art like as it uses bold colours and it is very abstract. She uses the typical triptych style of three images next to each other in a frame. Grissom has done a lot of painting of the sock monkey shown above, creating colouring books and also producing other painting with the character in. The compositions in her triptychs are very similar. Although all of the images are different they flow together.

http://shannongrissom.info/triptychir_sm/