Theme 2: Urban Landscape
Title: Hull's Docks, 2010
Professional application of the photography to be undertaken
The images for this theme are intended to be published in a book or magazine to be used as a record of the use and upkeep of the docks of Hull as they are at present and be a true representation to be compared with previous years imagery archives. I intend them to be a formal record that could be used for historical purposes in the future.
Reasons for selection of theme (including inspiration from the work of others)
Having recently started spending much of my time in Hull, I am fascinated by the variety of docks and how they have changed over the years since their construction. Because of it's unique location on the Humber Estuary, Hull became one of the most important ports on the East coast. Some seaborne trade can be traced back to at least the 13th century, but the port as it stands now started to evolve in the 1800's.
Hull then grew to become a very important port until after the second world war when sea trade diminished and much of the dockland went in to decline.
Since the early 1970's a great deal of renovation has been carried out and today there are 3 distinct uses for the current docks. Some continue to be an important means of trade and communication, with ferries running to Europe and import/export maintained through the container docks. Several of the docks have been left to decay and shows the historical legacy of the once powerful, thriving port. Finally, some of the docks have been completely re-rejuvenated into other uses, such as recreational areas and shopping malls.
I have researched the internet initially for inspiration for this assignment and found and excellent site at http://www.urbanlandscape.org.uk . It shows the work of some 12 urban photographers, each with their own style. I shall be studying their work in more detail and using some of their techniques to improve my own work and to compare the various ways in which they project their images, hopefully comparing my own work to them as well.
I shall continue to research other photographers to draw more inspiration and to get the best around knowledge to add to my photography.
The photo imaging equipment and medium that will be used and why
I will be using a Nikon D3000 DSLR fitted with an 18 - 105 mm zoom lens. The lens is fitted with a daylight filter for protection of the lens. The filter has little effect on the exposure, but serves to stop the lens getting scratched, and easy to remove for cleaning. There is also a removable hood for the lens to reduce the effect of solar flare if necessary. The camera has a built in, flip-up flash and has a 10.2 megapixel CCD sensor. I use 4 Gb SD memory cards to store the captured image. The camera has a built in light meter and can be set to fully manual operation, which means I can take full control of the exposure setting. The ISO value can be set between 100 and 1600, and I can chose whether to use manual focus or automatic focus.
I will also have a tripod to support the camera when using slow shutter speeds, and a remote control to trigger the camera on the tripod to avoid moving the camera when pressing the shutter. I have a view finder cover to stop light entering the camera when it is used remotely on the tripod.
If I can afford it, I would also like to get a Graduated Neutral Density filter to fit to the lens for particular light conditions. This helps to reduce the brightness of the sky and allow detail to be recorded in both the sky and the landscape subject for a given exposure value.
If I can afford it, I would also like to get a Graduated Neutral Density filter to fit to the lens for particular light conditions. This helps to reduce the brightness of the sky and allow detail to be recorded in both the sky and the landscape subject for a given exposure value.
The camera has a good resolution, which means that the final images can be output to a good print size. The zoom lens has a wide focal length range which is suitable for close-up or long distance work, without having to carry extra lenses and changing them to get the correct image composition. I prefer to use several memory cards, instead of one of large capacity, in case of card failure, lose or breakage, then I do not have the worry of losing too many images before they can be backed up.
As soon as possible after taking images, I download them to a laptop computer and then back them up onto a large capacity external hard drive. This means I always have a copy of the original images and I can easily transfer them to other computers for processing or output.
Finally, I always have a lens cleaning cloth handy and have found through experience that an umbrella is useful to take out on location shoots to keep the lens dry in case of rain.
Techniques that will be used and how they will help convey the visual message
The only things that can be controlled on the camera to take a good picture are the ISO value, shutter speed and lens aperture, the focal length of the lens and the focus. Different combinations of these settings can be used to convey the visual message. There are a number of other, 'off camera', actions that can also help to do this, so as well as setting the camera's physical values, I shall try to include composition, colour, shapes, patterns, lines, tonal range, framing, Rule of Thirds, form, focal point and perspective when considering the final image.
Techniques that will be used and how they will help convey the visual message
The only things that can be controlled on the camera to take a good picture are the ISO value, shutter speed and lens aperture, the focal length of the lens and the focus. Different combinations of these settings can be used to convey the visual message. There are a number of other, 'off camera', actions that can also help to do this, so as well as setting the camera's physical values, I shall try to include composition, colour, shapes, patterns, lines, tonal range, framing, Rule of Thirds, form, focal point and perspective when considering the final image.
- capturing movement by using a slow shutter speed to create blur can add great interest to an urban landscape, showing people walking or traffic moving
- foreground objects can help to frame a scene and give a three dimensional look.
- framing the scene so that it contains a focal point - an object that draws the viewer's eye into the picture.
- placing the focal point off-centre, in accordance with the Rule of Thirds, creates a more pleasing composition.
- placing the horizon a third of the way down from the top or bottom of the frame is usually much better than having it in the middle of the scene.
- scale can often be important to the understanding of a landscape, and can be achieved by including an object of a known size in the scene. People, animals or other recognizable objects that would naturally belong in the scene are suitable for showing scale.
- using a tripod to ensure sharpness, especially in low-light conditions or when a slow shutter speed is required.
- set an ISO value that will permit proper exposure and suitable depth of field. Not forgetting the 'noise' implications of high ISO settings
- keeping the rules of composition in mind when framing a scene. Lines and texture, in particular, can be a strong factor in making an interesting landscape
- changing perspective and getting off ground level by standing on a bridge and shooting down for example, or gaining a higher vantage point by using a multi-storey car park
Depending on the subject, different light conditions are essential to convey the visual message. Part of my research and preparation will be to use differing light quality to see how I can best make use of it in my images. I am hoping to be able to experiment and try all conditions; sunrise, twilight, bright skies, cloudy conditions, sunset and artificial lighting.
Early morning can give a soft diffused light. An hour or two before sunset can help to capture interesting shapes and textures with the strong lines of buildings in the orange light of a setting sun and create striking images.
Artificial street lighting and signs can give a whole different feel to a street scene and the lights of a fairground helps to capture the motion and excitement of the location.
Grey, misty conditions can show the dreary side of life.
Risk and health and safety considerations
There are obvious risks to health and safety while out and about in locations while taking photographs.
There is a risk to yourself and your equipment and a risk to other persons or property if care is not taken.
I usually go out with another person. Apart from company and inspiration, they can help carry equipment and keep a watch around while I am concerned with the business end of taking pictures. It is also useful if they drive to and from locations as they are less distracted by looking for suitable subjects!
Particular care must be taken when working in unknown locations and inside old buildings where there is a danger of unsafe footing or falling objects. Special care must be taken at night, and a torch is essential.
As Hull is a port, you have to be vigilant when working near water and it is a busy thoroughfare for traffic and attention must be paid to the danger near roads.
Consideration must also be paid to the placing of equipment and tripods as this may cause a nuisance or trip hazard to other people or vehicles. When working from higher aspects such as bridges or multi-storey car parks, care needs to be taken not to drop equipment or objects to the ground below.
Legal and ethical considerations
It must be remembered that you cannot just go out and take pictures of anything you like. Some locations might be sensitive because of national security. Airports, military installations and stations are just some examples.
Personal property should be respected, this includes buildings, and permission to photograph may have to be obtained from the owner prior to taking pictures.
People are always sensitive to being photographed by strangers, and care should be taken not to be intrusive, and respect the privacy of others.
For legal and ethical reasons, taking pictures of minors should also be avoided unless they are known to you or have been specifically allowed to be photographed.
Risk and health and safety considerations
There are obvious risks to health and safety while out and about in locations while taking photographs.
There is a risk to yourself and your equipment and a risk to other persons or property if care is not taken.
I usually go out with another person. Apart from company and inspiration, they can help carry equipment and keep a watch around while I am concerned with the business end of taking pictures. It is also useful if they drive to and from locations as they are less distracted by looking for suitable subjects!
Particular care must be taken when working in unknown locations and inside old buildings where there is a danger of unsafe footing or falling objects. Special care must be taken at night, and a torch is essential.
As Hull is a port, you have to be vigilant when working near water and it is a busy thoroughfare for traffic and attention must be paid to the danger near roads.
Consideration must also be paid to the placing of equipment and tripods as this may cause a nuisance or trip hazard to other people or vehicles. When working from higher aspects such as bridges or multi-storey car parks, care needs to be taken not to drop equipment or objects to the ground below.
Legal and ethical considerations
It must be remembered that you cannot just go out and take pictures of anything you like. Some locations might be sensitive because of national security. Airports, military installations and stations are just some examples.
Personal property should be respected, this includes buildings, and permission to photograph may have to be obtained from the owner prior to taking pictures.
People are always sensitive to being photographed by strangers, and care should be taken not to be intrusive, and respect the privacy of others.
For legal and ethical reasons, taking pictures of minors should also be avoided unless they are known to you or have been specifically allowed to be photographed.
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