Assignment 1 - Response to Tutor Comments

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.