Assignment 1: revisited

This post is just to follow up on my original post for the first assignment, as a chance to:

1. reflect upon tutor feedback
2. to provide an update on my action plan points

1) Tutor feedback

Tutor feedback was very comprehensive, positive and encouraging. However there were a few suggestions for the improvement of a couple of the images which I am considering here.

Image 2

Here is how it appeared originally:

From OCA P and P Assignment 1

And an extract from the tutor comments:

...In your image I feel that you have been divided between the two alternatives. You left space on the right and below but cropped tight on the left and above. Your subject has symmetrical oval features and your decision on 2:3 framing echoes the shape but in my opinion gives an impression that the image of the face is trapped in the top left corner of the frame. Your subject has smooth a smooth, expressive features and would stand a tighter crop...

A revised version with a tighter crop:

From OCA P and P Assignment 1

This tighter crop does seem to work well.

Image 3

Here is how it appeared originally:

From OCA P and P Assignment 1

And an extract from the tutor comments:

...I understand that you chose this lighting plan in order to demonstrate its difference with the rest of your selection. It has produced a very flat effect, which is more obvious because the image is also rather too dark...I feel that your image could benefit by added brightness +10 and contrast +50...

A revised version:

From OCA P and P Assignment 1

This image had been a late substitution in the set and I clearly had not done as good a job on the post processing as I would have liked. I think the revised version is a clear improvement.

2) Action Plan

Action - For regular and fashion portraiture use sites like Model Mayhem to find new subjects.
Update - I have been doing this, see:

• Outdoor location shoot with Kai and Steph
• Asian bridal shoot

Action - Attend further seminars
Update - Photovision Roadshow, 2010

Action - Further reading, both monographs and more general works on portrait and street photography
Update

• Read “Street Photography: From Brassai to Cartier-Bresson” by Clive Scott, though I may need to read it again to let more of it 'soak in' before I post a review.
• I am now reading "Camera Lucida" by Roland Barthes.

Other action points are ongoing.