NJ Photography: October 2010

29 Oct 2010

Unit 305 - Photographer, William Henry Fox Talbot

William Henry Fox Talbot

William Henry Fox Talbot was born in 1800. He was an inventor and pioneer of photography. He invented the calotype process, which was the basis for most photographic processes of the last 200 years. The process used paper coated with silver iodide to record images.

Apart from inventing early photographic reproduction, he was also acknowledged as a good photographer, recognising the use of photography as an artistic medium.

His early images which would be considered as urban landscapes still stand up today as being technically and artistically superb.

While researching for inspiration, I could not fail to include Fox Talbot as one such source. He recognised very quickly, how to capture texture, lines and patterns, use of framing and composition and the 'rule of thirds' to create atmospheric urban landscapes.

I will hope to use some of the techniques and skills displayed throughout Fox Talbot's early images in my own assignments, for both urban landscapes and social documentary.

For all the modern processing software and sophisticated camera equipment we have available today, Fox Talbot shows us that the secret to producing a good image is to capture a good image to start with.

William Henry Fox Talbot, 1800 - 1877

Cameras used by Fox Talbot between 1835 - 1839

Latticed window in Lacock Abbey, 1835

An image of a latticed window in Lacock Abbey in 1835 by Talbot is a print from the oldest photographic negative in existence.

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The Haystack, c.1845

Here, an image of a simple haystack shows how the use of the rule of thirds, lines, patterns and texture, and good lighting enhances the scene.

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Nelson's Column Under Construction, c.1843

The composition has been carefully chosen and the rule of thirds adhered to, producing a fabulous historic record of a national treasure.

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The Open Door, 1843

Not a subject that would have been immediately obvious so early in photography, Fox Talbot sees how the use of framing, composition and lines, make this a great picture. The open door, leads the viewer in to the window in the background. The broom handle lies in line with the shadow on the door.

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Holy Trinity Church, Bishop's Road, Paddington, London, William Henry Fox Talbot, 1845

In contrast to the others images represented here in my blog, this image is quite naive. T composition is very bland, the view to the church is very square on, and there is a lot of wasted space in the foreground. This is certainly more of an historical record than an 'urban landscape'.

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A scene in York, 1845

Nicely framed and lit, with good use of the 'rule of thirds'. The road in the foreground leads the viewer to the focal point of the Minster.

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Ships at Low Tide, c. 1844

Lines, patterns, 'rule of thirds', as well as good composition make this a lovely image.

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Street in Frankfurt, 1846

The composition is good, as the road leads you around the corner, 'rule of thirds' used to good effect.

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The Fruit Sellers, 1842

I like the candidness of this image. Instead of posing his subjects in a typically formal fashion, Fox Talbot has used the casual, fly-on-the-wall view for this scene. Nice use of composition and lighting too.

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Lacock Abbey, c. 1840

Lacock Abbey was the house where Fox Talbot lived for much of his life, and the subject for many of his pictures. Here is a nice view of the house, taken from an oblique angle, making good use of the 'rule of thirds'. The angular perspective leads your eye from left to right.

27 Oct 2010

Unit 305 - Photographer, Iain Hutchinson

Photographer - Iain Hutchinson

While looking for some inspiration for Urban photography on the internet, I came across the site of Iain Hutchinson (iainhutchinson.co.uk). There is not much information about him personally, but it seems fairly clear that he is from the Manchester and Salford area of the North West of England.

Like Peter Marshall, Iain likes to work in black and white, but Iain includes more people and movement in his photographs. He captures the general hustle and bustle of life in a raw, true format. The fast film speed or high ISO setting produces a graininess in the images, which adds to the atmosphere.

Below are some of his images, from which I shall draw inspiration for my assignments.

This image is beautifully framed by the trees and the use of the low natural light to show the lights inside the church is well done. The crucifix stands out as the focal point, as it appears to float above the scene.

The low light is used to good effect again in this image. The car lights giving the image the sense of urgency. The 'rule of thirds' is applied, and the low camera angle gives the viewer a sense of being in the thick of it. I like this image, and I tried something similar in my low light research. As long as there is some object that puts the location in Hull and is recognisable to locals, I might try to include an image, similar to this in my Theme 1 assignment.

A similar technique is used for this image as the previous one. The shot from within the car helps the viewer to feel very much a part of the environment. The theatre is the focal point. Even though the theatre sign is not completely visible, one knows what it is and you want to look at the play that is being shown and want the taxi to move so you can peek inside the foyer.

Framing plays a big part in this image. The archway of the bridge draws the viewer through to the buildings the other side. The image has lines, shapes and patterns. On the negative side, I think there is too much blank space in the lower third of the image. Hands on the steering wheel, or less of it, by raising the camera might have worked better for me.

View points are used to good effect in many of Iain's images. Here he has got a vantage point over looking the scene.It gives the viewer a broader, more voyeur view being taken out of the street. The buses take the viewer off in to the distance. I will look for different or unusual angles to apply to my images.

This picture differs quite a lot from the previous ones. Without the poster picture on the fence, I would see the building going on behind the fence. The fence itself giving lines and pattern to the image. The poster however,suggests that the children are missing and gives a sadness to the picture and the fence symbolises protection which has now been lost. There is a lot of story in this picture.

I like these quirky shots. We don't know what the graffiti means, but it puts us in a specific location that means lots to some people. You look at the writing first but are drawn by the road to the next bridge. Good use of the 'rule of thirds' and lines.

The previous images have not included many people, but the next 7 images get close up. This image portrays movement and energy, particularly in the blurred hands and the slight angle of the camera.

Another candid shot of every day life. The camera was put at a low view point which gives it a feel of people moving around oblivious to things around them. It looks as though through the eyes of a child observer.

I like this image a lot. At first you are drawn to the girl in the centre of the shot, looking to the side, but then notice the girl holding the cup looking straight at the camera. I start to want to know more about her, she has an air of mystery.

Nicely framed by the two children, one is drawn right up to the door of the building to show what is happening in the scene. Again, good use of the 'rule of thirds' and nice exposure, sets the image off.

The lighting in this image singles out the woman wearing the scarf, and the fact that everyone else in the image is walking in the opposite direction. Although in a busy street, she looks like she is unaware of her surroundings. The location is unique to those familiar with it and I would like to emulate this in my own work.

Just a nice, peaceful scene, no hustle and bustle. Good exposure. The viewer is drawn over the heads of the two women sitting in the foreground to the focal point of the bandstand.

More of a dynamic scene, with patterns and lines underlying the street scene. The high view point again takes the viewer away from the scene in a voyeuristic way.

Good use of the 'rule of thirds', lines and patterns. The shutter speed used just captures the movement of people well. I like this image, as it shows a familiar landmark in a casual manner.

I love this picture. I think the temptation would be to come back out and get the whole statue in the image. By keeping close in and a superb camera position looking in to the eyes of the statue, the figure almost comes alive. Great use of framing and 'rule of thirds'.