Generally pleased
with the comments from my tutor. The main build for me is that I have
concentrated too much on the editing aspect of workflow (probably because this
is what interests me the most) but have left out key information about my
process for preparing my equipment, shooting, backing up or even whether I
shoot in RAW or not. I guess this is because these are now givens for me in my
workflow and I did not consider them interesting enough to include in my write
up. For my future work I need to ensure I am not taking things like this for
granted and I explain myself better.
Here are a few
responses to my tutors comments:
Planning:
My preparation for
shooting is quite streamlined and organised and is as follows -
- Check battery charge (I always recharge my battery after use so it is ready for the next time I shoot.)
- Format memory card.
- Check camera settings - for example no unusual settings left from last shoot such as exposure compensation, white balance or timer. My standard settings are: Raw capture, automatic focus (usually single server but changed to continuous if faced with moving subject), automatic white balance (can be altered in RAW conversion if necessary), aperture priority mode, ISO chosen as low as possible to enable fast enough shutter speed to hand hold shots (if light is rapidly changing I choose automatic ISO capped at 3200), exposure metering by the cameras multi segment metering mode.
Shooting:
How much I prepare
for a shoot entirely depends on how I intend the final image to be used. I have
a tendency to over think and have too clear an idea of how I want an image to
look. This regimented approach has led to disappointment on many occasions when
the shot I have taken does not work in the way I have envisioned. Often I can
see how a change of viewpoint or different technical considerations could have
improved the image - sometimes I am able to reshoot but often the moment is
lost. I am also inclined to search for an unusual angle or viewpoint and
discount anything that seems typical - on my last course 'The Art of
Photography', my tutor spoke about not discounting what she termed the 'tourist
viewpoint' but using this as a basis for exploration. This provided a light
bulb moment for me and I now always endeavour to do this - that is not to say I
take a machine gun approach and shoot a great deal without consideration,
instead I attempt to explore a subject or location fully and experiment more.
As I explained in my
write up, I began my planning by brainstorming different approaches I might
take to Penshaw monument. What I did not explain however was my approach once I
arrived on site. For the reasons mentioned above I tried to keep preconceptions
to a minimum and explore the subject as fully as I could. Mainly I took the
same route around the monument but each shoot was different because of the
lighting conditions and time of day and how they affected how the structure
looked which prompted me on the approach to take.
For getting the
right exposure I checked the histogram and bracketed shots if necessary.
Because I was shooting in RAW format I did not worry too much about this as I
knew I could make adjustments in post processing. This is the general approach
I usually take, I am looking forward to exploring later parts of the course
that focus on getting the image right in camera.
Backing up:
Mention is also made
of good practice for backing up images - I store my images on two external hard
drives - initially I import onto my computers hard drive and then transfer the
files onto my external drive which I keep connected at all times. I also copy
the images to my backup drive which I only switch on for this purpose. This is
not a very streamlined process and RAID drives are something I have thought
about in the past and will research further in the future.
One of my aims for
this assignment was to create a coherent body of work and it is reassuring to
know that I have succeeded in this. The encouragement has set me thinking of
ways I can push this further and be more adventurous with future assignments.
