London

I went to London for a few days to capture some nature images. Most of the photographs I took was in Hyde Park. The day was not very sunny but it was still a great day out. 

Location 

My second location was at Hyde Park in London. I chose this location as it had some very bright autumn colors and a lot of wildlife.

Who influenced me?

My tow influences were John Varley and Guy Rogers as I wanted to take some photographs of squirrels and I also wanted to capture the beauty of autumn.

Equipment

For the landscape photography I used a Canon 400D camera with a 18 - 55 mm lens. I also used a tripod to ensure that my pictures where not blurred.

Health and Safety

They was a lot more consideration and health and safety aspects doing landscape photography then they was doing a photo shoot in the studio.

While I was outside I had to consider if they was any dangerous places where I would be at risks of injuries or accidents. I made sure that if I was near a road they was no traffic. I made sure I had an umbrella incase it started raining so my equipment didn't get wet, I also had to make sure if it had been raining that it wasn't slippy. I made sure if I had to climb up anything that it wasn't slippy and that I would be able to stand on it steadily.

I took a torch with me incase it got dark so I could see where I was going and I always looked for any danger signs to keep me safe. 

Shutter speed - 1/60secs, F7.1, Focal Length 18

Shutter speed - 1/160secs, F10, Focal Length 43

Shutter speed - 1/200secs, F11, Focal Length 48

Shutter speed - 1/125, F8, Focal Length 30

Shutter Speed - 1/320, F10, Focal Length - 18 

Shutter speed - 1/200, F10, Focal Length 55

Shutter speed - 1/125, F7.1, Focal Length 55

Shutter speed - 1/125, F8, Focal Length 55

Shutter speed - 1/125, F8, Focal Length 55

Shutter speed 1/200, F9, Focal Length 55

Shutter speed 1/125, F9, Focal Length 27

Shutter speed 1/200, F10, Focal Length 46

Shutter speed - 1/160, F8, Focal Length 55

Shutter speed - 1/200, F9, Focal Length 18

Shutter speed - 1/400, F13, Focal Length 18

Shutter speed - 1/320, F10, Focal Length 18

Shutter speed - 1/160, F9, Focal Length 55

Shutter speed - 1/80, F5.6, Focal Length 18

Shutter speed - 1/160, F10, Focal Length 49

Shutter speed - 1/8, F3.5, Focal Length 22

Shutter speed - 1/200, F8, Focal Length 18

Shutter speed - 1/125, F7.1, Focal Length 18

Continuous Lighting

I decided to use continuous lighting in my first photo shoot in the studio to get the grey background like the ones that Vee Speers uses in her photography.
Continuous lighting is great for seeing where shadows and highlights appears on the model, as you view the scene directly or on the camera screen, this means you can see what effect it has on your photograph.
Using continuous lighting lets you interact and change the set up of the lighting more freely. Because you don't have to hook the camera up to the lighting a few adjustments will have to be made.
One of the disadvantages of continuous lighting is that it can get quite hot, this gets very uncomfortable for the model and also myself.

My first session in the studio.

Location

My location for this shoot was at college in the studio as it reflected the background in Vee Speer's photographs. The lighting was the only thing that was altered to create the lighting of the background.

Equipment

For my shoot I used a canon 5D Camera with a Canon EF Zoom Lens 24mm - 105mm

The lighting I used was continuous lighting so that I could get the right effect on the background.

Who influenced me?

The photographs that I taken in my first studio shoot were influenced by the photographs taken by Vee Speers. They was very emotionless but I tried to add a bit more colour to the model by getting him to wear bright clothes and using objects that are brightly coloured. The tonal range of the background was quite grey which still gave the dullness to the photographs. Most of my photographs were taken with my model facing towards me and with the photograph cutting off the bottom of his legs but I wanted to mix it up so I took some photographs of my model sitting down. I wanted to create the unusualness of Vee Speers photographs so I got my model to bring a range of outfits that was all different but each had a weird sinister side to them.  

I also had a little bit of influence from Ian Phillips-McLaren when I took some photographs of my model in normal clothing.

Health and Safety

While doing the photo shoot in the studio they was a few things to consider like the wiring in the studio, making sure it was not frayed or damaged, making sure it was PAT tested and making sure we never tripped over it.While moving props I made sure that I bent my knees and kept my back straight to avoid injuries. 

When in the studio I used a naked flame but I made sure that it would not be able to cause damage to the studio or harm to my model. That's why I used a lighter instead of matches as if a lighter is dropped then the flame goes out.

Shutter speed - 1/50secs, F4.5, Focal Length 58mm

Shutter speed - 1/50secs , F4, Focal Length 58mm

Shutter speed - 1/50, F4, Focal Length 58mm

Shutter speed - 1/50secs, F4.5, Focal Length 58mm

Shutter speed - 1/50secs, F4.5, Focal Length 58mm

Shutter speed - 1/50secs, F4.5, Focal Length 58mm

Shutter speed - 1/50secs, F4.5, Focal Length 58mm

Shutter speed - 1/50secs, F4, Focal Length - 58mm

Shutter speed - 1/50secs , F4.5, Focal Length - 58mm

Shutter speed - 1/50secs, F4.5, Focal Length 58mm

Vee Speers

I like these images as they are different. They show a different story to every viewer this is what I would like to portray in my work. The sense of innocence but with a darker deeper inner story. I would like my photographs to show colour so then the story is abit more ironic and also catches the viewers eye. What drew me to these pictures were how all the models are centrally positioned this once again shows that they are the story to the viewer. I would like my models to be the story within my pictures. Each child has a very emotionless expression on their faces and the colour seems to be very dull. 

This photography is very plain, I think the photographers is trying to make the girl very unnoticed, she has a sad expression on her face and her body language is lifeless and quite closed. She is also centrally positioned and is photographed about the knees like all of the rest of the photographs. The tonal range is very white based. I think the focial point is the mask as it is very unusual. Unlike all the rest of the photographs the girl has her head looking down to side and her eyes are pointing at the floor.

The composition of this picture is very centred but you can only see half of her body. The colour of this photograph is very dull, they is no bright colours which stand out but I think the focial point is the scissors and the long hair as it makes my imagination run wild, just thinking of what she could be doing with the scissors. Could she be ready to chop off her long hair or maybe even hiding them as they are behind her back.

I like this photograph because it is unusual. The photograph is very questionable, the rat and the gas mask bring a sense of mystery to the photograph. I think the focial point on this photograph is the mask, it is very dark. Like all the rest of the photographs the colour is very dull, the tonal range is very white based. I think the photographer shot this photograph from the side to see the detail of the gas mask and the rat.

John Shaw

John Shaw is a professional of nature photography, that started in the early 1970's. His work has been published in many books and magazines including the National Geographic. He has done a variety of nature photographs across the world, some of the locations including Ireland, Japan and Antarctica.

 In 1997, Shaw received the first-ever Outstanding Photographer Award given by NANPA (North American Nature Photography Association) then later on in 2002, Shaw was chosen as Nikon's Legend Behind the Lens for his work. Later on in 2006, his work got recognised again by Microsoft who designated him Icon of Imaging.

He became Nikon Professional Services member since 1976. In 2001 he became part of Epson's Stylus Pro fine art print makers. 

John Shaw is an author of six books on nature photography and has 2 ebooks, "Lightroom workflow" and "Photoshop Techniques". John also does photo tours, workshops and seminars. 

John Shaw uses a Nikon D3s and a Nikon D3x with a variety of lens. He always uses a tripod to make sure that he gets good quality photographs.

John Shaw believes "The more you simplify your vision, the stronger your images will be," (Nikon: 2012: 29/1/2012)

I think the focal point of this picture is the pebbles and water as they are very close. The colour of the water is very clear and the colour of the grass is very bright. I love the old building in this picture as it adds character.

I love the bright green colour of the 3 photographs above. 

I think this photograph draws in the viewers imagination and sense of mystery as you can not see where the road is leading to. The trees adds spookiness to the photograph. It is a very dull picture as the grey from the tree and the colour of the road dominate the picture. The focal point of this picture is the road as the it has a linear perspective.

I hope to capture photographs similar to the one above and below. I love the different range of colours.

I like the orange and yellow colours of the trees. The focal point of the picture is the road as it takes up most of the photograph. The road also adds a sense of mystery and imagination as you can't see where it leads to. 

I love the exciting bright orange colour of the leaves as it's a very autumn colour. The tonal range is very bright and the natural day light makes the colouring stand out more rather than if it was at night.

In most of John Shaw's photographs he mainly takes photographs of areas with just one main building which stands out and capture the viewers eye. I hope to capture a few photographs similar to this.

Reference: Shaw.J (online) John Shaw Photography. Available from: http://www.johnshawphoto.com/ [date accessed: 13th October 2011]

Nikon (2012) John Shaw: John Shaw: A Photographer's Vision Simplified. Available from: http://www.nikonusa.com/Learn-And-Explore/Photography-Tips/g1attuky/all/The-Essential-John-Shaw.html [Date accessed: 29th January 2012]