My Photography Project Proposal
Slide 1
- Introduce yourself and what you'll be presenting in your proposal presentation.
Slide 2
For my photography project's theme or idea regards symmetry in architecture. I decided on this idea by selecting a subject/theme that consistently occurred across the two-year collection of photos of my iPhone’s camera roll. The top two results were, ‘symmetry’ and ‘architecture’. I thought this would be the best way for me to conclude on an idea as it would be personally engaging, through an approach to photography that I already practiced naturally.
By exploring urban landscapes that are close to me (personally and literally), I hope to create photographs that combine visual pleasure through symmetrical compositions of exterior architectural structures. In my lifetime of using a camera, I have carried out a lot more creative projects with video production than I have with photography. In some way, I wanted to combine these two passions of mine by incorporating a practice to video production which I have always leaned towards, symmetrical compositions.
Slide 3
Inspired by the works of directors such as Wes Anderson and Martin Scorsese, their films have symmetrical compositions through subject positioning and elements of the mise-en-scene which I find aesthetically pleasing and professional when watching and I try to implore this technique when I produced films.
I wanted to take this idea of symmetrical compositions to the subject of architecture because I've always found pleasure looking at architecture, but never really approached it or practiced it with an academic or professional photographic purpose. Whether it takes up the form of a postcard; a painting; an establishing shot in a film or TV show; or even a property magazine, I have always had a keen eye for architectural photography and the visual beauty it possesses in its design.
I hoped this idea would further develop my camera skills in terms of composition, construction, perspective, repetition and recognition, benefitting both my passions of film and photography.
Slide 5
Currently, I have carried out a lot more research regarding my project’s theme than I have practiced it with a camera. However, I feel I have a firmer grip on what it is I aim to capture and how to approach it so now I can go out and practice more with it.
So, in regards to research, I have used an array of mediums to stretch my knowledge in my photography project's themes, and photography more in-general such as; journals, online articles, books, TV shows, YouTube videos and vlogs, and other professional photographer's works in similar areas of my projects theme. I will briefly talk about the most useful resources I have found in my research so far
Slide 6
Of all the professional photographer's work I have researched, the most inspirational I have come across is the dutch photographer, Dirk Bakker. I really like to looks of his photographs and his approaches to photography. His images present the viewer with the beauty of our everyday surroundings, taking photos of various architectural subjects in his hometown of Amsterdam and cycling around other local cities finding interesting architectural patterns from an array of perspectives. His subjects could simply be beautiful pieces of pavement to mind-blowing staircases, from eye-pleasing facades to majestic bridges, by which he uses the power of repetition to create a rhythm pleasant to the eye.
SHOW EXAMPLES OF DIRK BAKKER IMAGES
Bakker’s pictures take more than just a unique eye for patterns, textures, and lines – they also take time and patience to find a perfect perspective, which leads into one of the most useful readings for my project about shooting techniques in architectural photography
Slide 7
I have learned a lot from reading sections of Adrian Shulz book on architectural photography. In regards to symmetrical compositions, it has taught me a lot about the importance of standpoint and perspectives when constructing your photographs; what equipment and settings are best to use for outdoor, exterior architecture shoots; the importance of daylight and ND filters, the list could go on.
From all the reading I have done into architectural photography, the most important thing aspect in approaching this type of photography is to spend a lot of time exploring your locations around your subject for the desired angles and perspectives you intend (almost similar to the 'beauty-spots' of landscape photography). If I wanted to create beautiful symmetrical compositions of the geometric shapes and repeated patterns within architectural structures to create visually pleasing images, finding the perfect standpoint, time of day and correct manipulation of equipment will all contribute to the success of my project and this book has really supported me on that front
Slide 9
When I had a more comfortable understanding of how to approach architectural photography, I went out on two separate practice shoots. One around Brighton with my iPhone, simply capturing shots of buildings and that I felt had elements or symmetry and repetition within their construction, and another around walking around central London for 6 hours, toying around with different lens and perspectives of buildings using a DSLR camera and tripod. At the time, I felt that both photoshoots weren't very successful in the content that I captured. But when I reflect on it, it has made me realize the strengths in my project and where to improve.
SHOW IMAGES OF SYMMETRY I HAVE CAPTURE SO FAR
As you can see, I have tried in a majority of my images to capture elements of symmetry in my compositions, but crossing been a full perspective and minimalist approach to the details/subject which I focus my images around. I still am not sure whether to focus on specific shapes and patterns of a building; whether to focus on a specific type or architecture; what connection to make between all the images or whether I capture the whole building or minimalist elements of it..
Slide 8
In regards to the technicalities behind my project, I want to carry out my project using a DSLR, shooting in RAW format to get a vast range of contrast as this is important when shooting architecture for when I want enhance some of the qualities of my photographs in post-production. However, I also recently received an SLR 35mm film camera for my birthday, which I would love to make use of and tie in with my project in some way.
Due to expenses, I want to find architectural structures in places that are close to me, personally and literally, using the same approach of Dirk Bakker by cycling around local cities for different beauty spots.
Slide 23
There are still areas I can consider to research and methods of practice I can carry out to further develop my project and resolve some of the issues attached to it.
- I still need to consider how I want to exhibit my project and whether to use digital, film, or both for my final images.
- I have had friends who are studying architecture related degrees who recommend I look at brutalist architecture in London to help develop my project further.
- I want to visit Kew Gardens and make comparisons between natural and man-made structures that possess symmetrical qualities and see if I still want to focus the theme of symmetry on architecture specifically, or whether to consider natural symmetry too.
- I will tend to always need to use a tripod for architectural shots due to the small aperture and long exposures needed for a crisp and wide depth of field. Therefore, this may limit me in terms of some of the locations I can shoot at as some places may require consent/permission to use a tripod
Slide 10
Thanks for listening, I hope you enjoyed my presentation, any questions on queries you may have about my project, please ask now.
Slide 6
Of all the professional photographer's work I have researched, the most inspirational I have come across is the dutch photographer, Dirk Bakker. I really like to looks of his photographs and his approaches to photography. His images present the viewer with the beauty of our everyday surroundings, taking photos of various architectural subjects in his hometown of Amsterdam and cycling around other local cities finding interesting architectural patterns from an array of perspectives. His subjects could simply be beautiful pieces of pavement to mind-blowing staircases, from eye-pleasing facades to majestic bridges, by which he uses the power of repetition to create a rhythm pleasant to the eye.
SHOW EXAMPLES OF DIRK BAKKER IMAGES
Bakker’s pictures take more than just a unique eye for patterns, textures, and lines – they also take time and patience to find a perfect perspective, which leads into one of the most useful readings for my project about shooting techniques in architectural photography
Slide 7
I have learned a lot from reading sections of Adrian Shulz book on architectural photography. In regards to symmetrical compositions, it has taught me a lot about the importance of standpoint and perspectives when constructing your photographs; what equipment and settings are best to use for outdoor, exterior architecture shoots; the importance of daylight and ND filters, the list could go on.
From all the reading I have done into architectural photography, the most important thing aspect in approaching this type of photography is to spend a lot of time exploring your locations around your subject for the desired angles and perspectives you intend (almost similar to the 'beauty-spots' of landscape photography). If I wanted to create beautiful symmetrical compositions of the geometric shapes and repeated patterns within architectural structures to create visually pleasing images, finding the perfect standpoint, time of day and correct manipulation of equipment will all contribute to the success of my project and this book has really supported me on that front
Slide 9
When I had a more comfortable understanding of how to approach architectural photography, I went out on two separate practice shoots. One around Brighton with my iPhone, simply capturing shots of buildings and that I felt had elements or symmetry and repetition within their construction, and another around walking around central London for 6 hours, toying around with different lens and perspectives of buildings using a DSLR camera and tripod. At the time, I felt that both photoshoots weren't very successful in the content that I captured. But when I reflect on it, it has made me realize the strengths in my project and where to improve.
SHOW IMAGES OF SYMMETRY I HAVE CAPTURE SO FAR
As you can see, I have tried in a majority of my images to capture elements of symmetry in my compositions, but crossing been a full perspective and minimalist approach to the details/subject which I focus my images around. I still am not sure whether to focus on specific shapes and patterns of a building; whether to focus on a specific type or architecture; what connection to make between all the images or whether I capture the whole building or minimalist elements of it..
Slide 8
In regards to the technicalities behind my project, I want to carry out my project using a DSLR, shooting in RAW format to get a vast range of contrast as this is important when shooting architecture for when I want enhance some of the qualities of my photographs in post-production. However, I also recently received an SLR 35mm film camera for my birthday, which I would love to make use of and tie in with my project in some way.
Due to expenses, I want to find architectural structures in places that are close to me, personally and literally, using the same approach of Dirk Bakker by cycling around local cities for different beauty spots.
Slide 23
There are still areas I can consider to research and methods of practice I can carry out to further develop my project and resolve some of the issues attached to it.
- I still need to consider how I want to exhibit my project and whether to use digital, film, or both for my final images.
- I have had friends who are studying architecture related degrees who recommend I look at brutalist architecture in London to help develop my project further.
- I want to visit Kew Gardens and make comparisons between natural and man-made structures that possess symmetrical qualities and see if I still want to focus the theme of symmetry on architecture specifically, or whether to consider natural symmetry too.
- I will tend to always need to use a tripod for architectural shots due to the small aperture and long exposures needed for a crisp and wide depth of field. Therefore, this may limit me in terms of some of the locations I can shoot at as some places may require consent/permission to use a tripod
Slide 10
Thanks for listening, I hope you enjoyed my presentation, any questions on queries you may have about my project, please ask now.
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