Now that I have completed and posted my second assignment to my tutor it is time for some reflection. How are things going. It seems a while since I completed my first assignment and received comments on it. I have to say that I was delighted. The work was overall very well received and I had no argument with any of the comments and have made my response to them. The two criticisms centred around some cropping, which I have done, and and adjusting the white balance in one or two to warm them up. I have enjoyed working on my second assignment but have spent a long, long time reflecting on the list of possible images before I finally edited them down to 12. They have gone off today and I look forward to my tutor's comments.
As the course progresses I find a great deal of my thoughts are spent on planning and looking for images for my seasons portfolio. Spring has been and gone and I have a selection of photographs to choose from when the time comes. Summer or what passes for it is still with us and I am still seeking out potential shots. I have my poppy and ox-eye daisy images and soon it will be time for harvest. I need to think about a visit to Cleethorpes or other seaside resorts for some summer holiday type images.
I notice in my last Reflection I mentioned putting in place printer profiles. I have experimented with this with only limited success. When I used the profile I downloaded for my permajet paper, the images had a horrible magenta cast. I have an old Epson 1290 and find the if I turn the magenta down to -10 I produce images with colours that please me and seem to be lifelike. I have used this setting for some time now after being given advice from a local camera shop. My printer is coming to the end of its life I think though and I am considering replacing it. I may try the use of profiles again then. I have however, calibrated my monitor successfully. The problem with my printer is that I get faint lines down each edge of the print unless I clean the heads after each print so if anybody reads this and can make a suggestion I would be grateful.
Looking towards Assignment 3 I am considering working on the theme of water which really appeals to me. I have also thought of churches in the landscape or lines in the landscape: hedge lines, tree lines, crop lines, drains, rivers etc. If I do opt for water I envisage shots of the sea in clam and rough conditions. I would love images of the sea crashing over Whitby harbour wall so I shall be watching the weather forecast and tide times. I also would include upland rivers and streams, including rapids and waterfalls as well as more placid stretches. Ponds with lily pads also comes to mind, possibly with early morning mist. Puddles are another thought possible in the rain and reflections could feature in any body of water. I would also experiment with fast and slow shutter speed techniques.
I have been continuing my reading and currently have a book by Ansel Adams and have just been given the latest Landscape Photographer of the Year book - very inspirational. Although more research is needed before I commit myself to a photographer for Assignment 4, I am leaning towards Fay Godwin. As much as I am a fan of Galen Rowel and Ansel Adams I feel that more ready access to mountains might be needed for assignment 5. Fay often uses such features as pill boxes and other such buildings in her work. I think that many of her shots are reminiscent of Lincolnshire and I am perhaps considering looking for derelict farm building and attempting to represent them in her style. There is much thought to be done before then though.
Progress on the projects:
Project 11
This was a theoretical project which I enjoyed reading about but it didn't actually involve any photography.
Project 12
I completed this exercise on the dynamic range of films but found it somewhat difficult to come to any conclusions. I think that this is because I am using digital cameras and to a large extent post processing in Adobe Lightroom overcomes a number of the problems that photographers used to face. Another technique is that of HDR photography which I have experimented with but haven't really got into.
Projects 13 and 14
The weather this summer has made these two projects difficult as have the long daylight hours. I have to say I have blanched at the thought of photographing every hour from 3.00 am till 10.00 pm. Having sourced a location I have decided to leave them until later in the year.
Project 15
I have enjoyed researching a range of locations for this project and have secured both winter and spring shots. I shall soon need to revisit for summer images.
Project 25
This fell neatly into my lap this year and I thoroughly enjoyed taking pictures of both snow and fog.
Overall I am still thoroughly enjoying the course.
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