Assignment 4: Revisited

This post is to follow up on my original post for the fourth assignment, A Sense of Place, as a chance to reflect upon tutor feedback and start to explore some ideas that have been thrown up.

Individual Image Comments

I provided a total set of 12 images but refined them down to a preferred final 6. Tutor feedback was provided on the final 6, extracts from which are provided below:

Disused Shaft, Kinningars Park

From OCA P and P Assignment 4

"Some of the architectural detail of the tower is hidden from the viewer behind the structure in the foreground. A three-quarter front view taken further to the left of the camera position for this shot would have yielded a more interesting view, showing the form of the building and revealing the detail at its base."

It could be debated as to which structure is more significant, the tower which would have housed the winding gear or the pit head itself in the foreground, however a view taken further to the left may have proved better for both. My failure in this regard is due to the fact that I was somewhat rushed wanting to include the family engaged in dog walking who passed by in the background quite quickly.

Memorial to Mining

From OCA P and P Assignment 4

"You have captured a very good image for your sequence. It makes an excellent statement about the nature of the location and its historical involvement in mining. I think that it composes beautifully. The eye swings in an impressive curve from the bottom margin, round the seated figure and then across to the wheel."

I was pleased with the composition myself and even more pleased that my tutor liked this one.

Railway Footbridge

From OCA P and P Assignment 4

"I understand your point about the way in which railway locomotives can dominate an image, but I wonder what captures the attention of a visitor most. Would it be a railway engine or the station furniture? If the opportunity had presented itself you could have combined both in one shot."

It is very easy to show the locos but the danger is that you end up with a typical 'tourist' shot and the brief was not to do this, for example:

As mentioned I did attempt to include a loco with the bridge so here is an example:

I don't feel this quite works. Upon reflection I am wondering if it might be possible to take a position up on the bridge but behind the viewers and looking down to the trains. This means catching peoples backs but would show the loco better and nicely put the whole thing in context. I don't really have an example of this so as usual one to revisit.

The Hippodrome

From OCA P and P Assignment 4

"This is a good explicit image of the cinema although it would have had more impact from not so far away. The building on the right could have been cropped. Did you walk up to the building to experiment with some close up shots of the entrance to see if they would convey a more powerful impact?"

Mid distance is a problem as you would have to stand in the road so realistically this means standing far back or getting very close. The "building on the right" is in fact the cinema auditorium but it would have been possible to crop for the façade only.

I have certainly experimented with closer shots, for example:

I think I prefer my original shot because of the blue and white of the sky but will certainly be going back to experiment further.

Ballantine and Bo’ness Iron Company

From OCA P and P Assignment 4

"There is obviously something interesting happening on the other side of these doors. I would be curious to know what that activity is. Ballantine and Co. have put their sign over on the left side of the gate which means that if you go in close to get a better view through the doors you will lose the sign. Do you think that you would have had any success if you had asked them to open up so that you could see what they were up to?"

I have thought about contacting the company to get photographs from the inside but have been deterred by the anticipation of a raft of health and safety type issues. And in the case of this image I like the fact that you can't quite see what is happening, just getting a glimpse through the partly open gates, this is just how the works appear to the locals as they go past.

Pipe Band Practice on Fair E’en

From OCA P and P Assignment 4

"This is quite a nice formal arrangement of the band at practice with good sky detail but not many faces or instruments that can be clearly seen."

My idea was to show the band as a group and formed in a circle. It was shot at 17mm with me practically on top of the nearest pipers and positioned so that the drum with the band name could be seen, though admittedly a small detail in the overall image. I did try homing in on more detail, changing to 40mm, which shows the instruments in more detail but for me this immediately loses the sense of the group which is what had drawn me take the image in the first place:

"My preference is for the shot of the trombonist in the Bo’ness and Carriden Band. It has expression in the facial detail and some added interest in the instrument."

From OCA P and P Assignment 4

Further Reading

There were two suggestions from the tutor:

1. Revisit HCB - to learn more about his philosophy on the effect of imagery in society.
2. Look at some of the work of Robert Capa and give yourself more practice in getting close to your subject.

My local library does not appear to have anything by Capa so in the short term this may require an on-line review and then I can consider a book purchase if funds permit.

Conclusions

From the tutor on a positive note:

"I have studied your assignment and your blog quite thoroughly and am impressed by the obvious sincerity of your approach to your work. In my opinion you have selected the strongest images although I feel that you have left out one which could have been included. All you images are sharp and well exposed."

And areas for improvement:

"My general criticism is that your images give an ‘arms length’ or slightly distant feel. In my opinion your selection would have been improved if you had moved closer to your subjects even concentrating on details at times to give your viewers the impression that you were taking them with you to introduce them to the character of the town."