Final Major Project - Metamorphosis
This is my mindmap of initial thoughts and ideas for the theme of metamorphosis as well as creating a moodboard of ideas from an internet search looking for inspiration, as well as this i have looked at word association which starts with the word metamorphosis and ends up ending with the word metamorphosis. in the end there were a few ideas from the mindmap which stood out to me and so below i used the chosen words and created a more specific mindmap of the ideas as well as a moodboard for each one before deciding what i want to do.
Out of the above mindmaps and ideas i have decided on the idea and theme of dance as i think it best shows metamorphosis as a whole as well me having more ideas relevant to that theme as well as me leaning more towards that one. the way dance links with metamorphosis is the changing of dance move and i have lots of ideas of what to photograph and capture this concept. as well as this the subject of dance links through my word assosciation which i did and can be found next to mindmap of initial ideas.
Below i have outlined and written up my project proposal for the project containing everything i hope to do, to go with this is the FMP presentation which is a simpler version of my project proposal. Next to it is the feedback questions that i came up with for everyone else to answer about my project, proposal and presentation with all the feedback that i received below that.
Project Proposal
FMP Presentation
Presentation Feedback Questions
Presentation Feedback Summary
The feedback i received over my initial idea and presentation was mostly positive and constructive with the feedback saying the my initial idea was clear and precise and that it linked to my theme of dance and the main theme of metamorphosis with a few saying that my idea could have been explained better which i agree and disagree as i thought i explained it okay but at the moment i am not sure how i will photograph due to the limited amount of research i have done at the moment and therefore haven't made up my mind yet which would explain the feedback i have received. the other feedback i have got is that my presentation was explained well which i'm pleased about. the other feedback was constructive and about my research and idea and with that i received comments about how i could visit a dance show or dance events and see first hand dance in action, another one was about finding photographers which i know about but didn't mention it into my presentation. overall i am pleased with the feedback i have received as it has been useful and generally good and therefore this means that it is unlikely that i will change anything based off of it but i will consider going to see a dance show as it will be helpful for my project and being able to see the dance movement up close and in person.
SWOT Analysis
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Strengths - I have identified the main theme of my project which is dance which links to the other theme of metamorphosis. i have several ideas to try out on a test shoot before making my final decision.
Weaknesses - My idea is not definite or specific due to not completing enough research to decide which idea i want to produce. i also havent decided on the details such as where i intend to shoot whether it be in the studio or out on location.
Opportunities - I have never done dance photography before so i don't know how i will photograph the dancer so i will need to learn about it and whats the best technique.
Threats - Organising the time and availability to shot the test shoot and actual shoot, as well as the dancer not wanting to do it so having to find a different person or not being available.
Questionnaire
sample questionnaire questions
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what is your gender?
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how old are you?
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what is your race?
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where do you live?
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what is your current income?
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what is your profession?
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do you or have you ever danced?
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if so what style? how long?
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what is your favourite style of dance? to either perform or watch
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why?
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what do you like about dance the most?
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why?
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have you seen dance photography before?
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if yes what did you like about it?
The sample questions that i had come up with for my questionnaire to the left i had used the first six questions in my actual questionnaire, whereas the others i used to some extent or i came up with different ones. as the sample ones either repeated questions or were not relevant to the information i wanted to find out.
Link to Questionnaire
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Questionnaire Responses
If Yes what style of dance?
Do you have a favourite dance style to either watch or perform?
If so why is it your favourite?
Here above is the responses and data i collected from my questionnaire to do with my project. i only managed to gather a few responses due to not many people not answering the questionnaire i sent out meaning these are probably limited results. however the results i do have indicate that the majority of my target audience would be females and according to my results everyone that had answered had either danced or currently dance, liked dance, would be interested in dance photography. i was able to get a mixture of results in regards to the different styles of dance which gave me an indicator of what styles of dance are currently out there so it gives me an idea of which style i could photograph and which is of interest to people and why? the detailed of these responses is above.
Instagram Poll
The questions i wanted to ask were to be similar to the questions i asked within my questionnaire.
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do you or have you ever danced?
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do you like dance?
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which would you prefer location or studio?
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which would you be more interested in leaps, jumps, tricks or dance poses?
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would you be interested in dance photography?
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Here are the results of the instagram poll some of which came out surprising and not what i was expecting and i was able to get varied results from several different people which help towards my project and my upcoming shoots. the data stated that those who had not danced before still like dance, sixty percent agreed that the studio would be best to shoot in however with my shoots i have decided that i am going to shoot out on location rather than the studio so in this case i agree with the forty percent. other results suggests that more people are interested in the leaps, jumps and tricks rather than standard dance poses and positions as well as this i found that not everyone who took my poll would be interested in dance photography which is a different outcome to my questionnaire where the results of that stated that everyone would be interested in dance photography.
Target Audience
I believe my target audience from information gathered from my questionnaire an instagram poll is for people of all ages due to dance being a universal nature or subject but as its mostly young people that dance the age range would more likely be for those aged 13 to 30. as dane is associated as more as a feminine topic, i think my project is therefore aimed at females. my project would be more interested by dancers and would be beneficial to those looking for a dance photographer either for a dance portfolio/photos, dance studio wanting promotional images or team photos, dance competitions advertising there event to the public. as well as this i believe my project would be best displayed or shown within dance studios, dance or performing arts magazines such as the stage and dance spirit magazine, within theatres/cinema, dance events/competitions, books/promotional/ programmes or shown at exhibitions. so when i photograph i will try to keep this target audience in mind.
Dance history and Types of Dance
Dance definition: dance is a series of steps and movements that match the speed and rhythm of a piece of music.
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It is not possible to identify the exact origins of dance and when it became apart of human culture. dance has been used since before the birth of early human civilisation such as being apart of ceremonies, rituals, celebrations and entertainment. as well as this dance has been used as a tool of social interaction, communication and bonding. the earliest dance styles were ballet (15th century), african dance (16th century) and ballroom (17th century). over time the evolution of dance and technique has changed and evolved into the many styles and forms we see today.
Performance art isn't just dance performance art is a performance presented to an audience no mater what form. performance can be many things either scripted, unscripted, random, orchestrated, spontaneous, planned and with or without an audience. there are four elements to a performance time, space, performers body, presence and the relationship between a performer and its audience. performance art can be anything from art, dance, music, circus, drama, poetry, singing, photography, mime etc. origins of performance didn't just start with the Europeans and americans as asia and latin America are also notably part of it, and with each decade performance has evolved and changed especially since the 1960s.
This Photographer Jordan matter i found through instagram with previews of his account below.
Jordan Matter
All Jordan Matters dance photographs all share the same style and technique with each of his photographs standing out from another. the style of photos is that they are bold and bright in regards to colours as they stand out and are clear and defined. there are shadows and highlights which can be seen on the dancers body, the trees and on the road. all the photos have been shot at various locations where you wouldn't necessarily expect to see dancers within these environments, let alone perform leaps, jumps and positions. i think this is what makes Jordan matters work interesting, eye catching, unique and stand out from other dance photographers, as well as the ten minute photo challenge it makes his popularity grow. i think that natural lighting was used to capture these photos to achieve the high quality and defied photos and even with some shot indoors i think natural light was tried to be used or an on camera flash. some of these photos also tell a story better than others and the use of facial expressions help for example the ballerina at the airport image you can tell what emotions she was feeling at that time and therefore it leaves viewers wondering and guessing what happens next like did she make her flight or did she miss it etc. this photo happens to be apart of the ten minute photo challenge due to the present timer still in the right top corner. another photo that portrays a small narrative is the girl with the crossing the street, could she be on her way back home from a party, on her way to the party, a prize or the birthday girl its open to interpretation and i like this concept photograph something similar involving a narrative as it gives the photos that much more meaning from the photographer to the viewer.
Jordan Matter originally never planned on becoming a photographer but due to creativity running through his family photography came about and so started as a hobby before growing into a passion and so on into now a career. Jordan matter has worked with many people including Tyra Banks, the today show, CBS, NBC, BBC as well as being featured in many magazines, newspapers and galleries worldwide. he photographs mainly dance photography but also shoots headshots and comp cards. he has 6 books published containing his work from local and afar travelling all over photographing and holding workshops for other photographers to learn. he has become increasingly popular due to the exposure of the ten minute photo challenge which he photographs dancers in any location trying to capture as many photos as possible the videos are then posted on his youtube channel that has over 800,000 subscribers and over 5 million views.
I think there are some elements i would like to take from Jordan matters photography such as the narrative which proves that you don't costumes or to be on stage to compel a story and the dancers themselves can just be in ordinary street clothes as long as they can dance in them comfortably. as well as that i am possibly inspired to try and photograph in the unusual or public place as the public or vehicles would just add to the photo or act as extras in the background. this may or may not work depending on the need to get a model release form to be in the photo. i looked at this photographer as having seen his work on instgram i wanted to find out more and see more of his work as well as liking the quality of his images through the specific techniques he uses and adding a story to some of his images even if its through just a prop or location and this is an element i would like to include within my photography.
Jon Applegate
https://www.jonapplegate.co.uk/
Jon Applegate Photography has been running for many years now. he started out in dance photography in 2011when he had been given the chance to be the official photographer for one of the biggest dance event in the UK, MOVE IT on the main stage and again in 2015 and 2017. Jon Applegate photography is based in the UK in Hertfordshire with his own large, bright well equipped studio where he offers photoshoots for dancers, performers, models and gymnasts within the studio and on location where he photographs all ages from 5 to adult and of all abilities beginner to professional.
I looked at this photographer as of the different dance movements and positions he puts the dancers in as they are really unique and creative as well as show the form of the dancers body which is part of my idea in which i want to portray and capture.
Jon Applegates photographs are primarily in the studio using black, grey or white backdrops and therefore would have been shot using the studio lights which in turn showcases off the dancer and the dance positions they are creating. the dance moves themselves are intricate and creative with unique leaps, jumps, turns, stretches and backbends etc. i think i would like to use some of these ideas and positions for when i photograph, as with the combined lighting ad position it shows off the dancers physique, extensions of the arms and legs and pointed feet. the photos are a mixture of black and white and in colour and on the variety of backgrounds this then links with the outfit choice of the dancer, which are either plain and simple leotards or dancewear with no bold, bright colours and patterns or costumes with colours and sequins that flow with the movement. the photos work in a simplistic yet beautiful way as the concept is not over the top but show elegance. i think to create these you would have to have had a fast shutter speed to capture the movements and to compensate use extra lighting which is where the studio lights would be of help. all of the photos have a different tone and style to them depending on the composition. i quite like the idea of the use of props in the photo with the silhouette/shadow cast behind the dancer, i quite like this idea and i may try this technique and idea when i shoot depending if i choose to shoot within the studio at one point as i dont think it will create the same desired effect out on location as the shadow will get sunk in to the background. another thing i would like to take from Jon Applegates photography is that the use of the different and creative moves. i would like to make sure my photos and finished product stands out as well as this and use a similar camera and photography technique to him so i am also able to capture the dance movements just as good.
Dance Moms
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Dance moms is an American reality tv series that aired on lifetime. the series features mothers and their daughters following there dance training and early careers within the industry under the guidance of abby lee miller. set at the abby lee dance company (ALDC). the series ran for seven seasons from 2011-2017. each episode focuses on the group of girls learning a new dance routine and either solos, duos or trios combined with mother drama and the pressure for a win alongside getting ready to compete that weekend at competitions wide and far.
Maddie Ziegler - 'Cry' solo in Lyrical/Contemporary
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portrays emotion with facial expressions and through movements - small and delicate with the head, arms and legs
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dance moves - leaps, turns, aerial, pointed feet, floor section, legs, posture/position and the splits
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in time with music and choreography goes with music which both set the tone and atmosphere for one another
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purple costume, hair done in a French twist, make up and nude jazz shoes
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its set up right from the beginning from going on stage to walking off
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a narrative - set by the lyrics of the music and the dance reflects this with a sad yet beautiful tone
Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler, Kalani Hiliker, Kendall Vertes, Jojo Siwa, Brynn Rumfallo and Nia Sioux - 'Boss Ladies' a Hip Hop group dance
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fast and upbeats moves
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confident and sassy attitude
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dance moves of core hip hop, canon, flips, formation, foot work and lines
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music reflects choreography and costumes showing a narrative of being the boss, in charge, rule the world
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choreography goes with the beats of music and parts of the lyrics
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costumes are manager or executive like outfits, hats, hair down, make up - all same for each girl
Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler, Jojo Siwa, Kalani Hiliker, Kendall Vertes and Nia Siuox - 'Always a Bridesmaid' in Musical Theatre
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each girl is given a character to portray for the routine, right from the start before stepping onto the stage and msic begins, throughout the routine, again at the end of the routine
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all girls dressed the ame with bridesmaid type dresses but each girl has a different hair style representing their character
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choreography in time with music and lyrics
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upbeat, joyful, fun, happy, engaging and positive moves and music
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good subject matter that's light - bridesmaid/wedding
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dance moves of legs, jumps, leaps, spins, floorwork, acro, formation/lines and pointed feet
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use of facial expressions - helps character
Camera Techniques for Shoot 1
Websites ​
The camera techniques that i plan to use for my first test shoot would involve a fast shutter speed so i can capture the movement more clearly and precisely. there are several websites i have found that involve and have information about dance photography and more specifically to what i am looking for, for when it comes to photographing my first test shoot. the information i found from the websites i have summarised below.
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dancing is moving and due to subjects moving you need to have a good focus and to get the desired results it would be beneficial to have at least 1/1000 second shutter speed.
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you need to show the dancers faces in order to tell the story as photo will be incomplete without it so you need to know how to get the right angles and interesting poses
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you have to have a good grasp of photography lighting due to the reds, greens and blues and therefore should have a aperture of at least f2.8 the widest aperture possible, to help you can also use a flash if allowed.
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to focus the camera you can put your camera onto autofocus, continuous auto focus mode or continuous or burst mode pressing down the shutter so you ca take many photos at a time when the performance is at its peak.
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to achieve good framing you can use a tripod easing the shaking and unsteadiness that could occur when taking a photo
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check the white balance and change it when necessary it can depend on your shoot location
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dance uses facial expressions as well body movement to create different forms and positions that in turn conveys the idea and concept
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you can use a high ISO which will add grain to the images
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I think i will use a fast shutter speed to capture the movement making sure its in focus and clear and precise without blur and pixelated. to compensate this i plan to use natural lighting as well as possible help from the camera depending on how much light is available so i would have a high ISO. i would also use a high aperture to create what i am looking for. I have previously looked at camera techniques in unit 1 with information about the ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed.
Plan for Test Shoot 1
This plan is just a proposed plan so it may be of use when i shoot or it could change for when i shoot as it will depend on the day and the amount of time i have to shoot.
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Camera Techniques
I plan to use several different techniques which i have researched through various different websites as stated above as well as looking at my photographer research and the result of the research is summarised below more specific to my idea as well as some other tips and techniques which may be useful:​
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fast shutter speed
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to place the camera onto continuous shooting mode to capture many photographs at once so i can pick out which ones captured the movement the best and have a lot of options.
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place the camera onto auto focus mode so you can easily adjust to the dancers moves.
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set the camera with the longest focal length available for more life and colour.
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locations
I want to shoot on location rather than in the studio due to the fact when i was researching for my moodboard and photographers a lot of them were photos taken in the studio and i want mine to be different and look more interesting with the use of a location as a background. below are possible location ideas i might shoot in which will be weather depending.
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possible outfit ideas and narrative ideas:
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fairytale (red riding hood)
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emotions
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hidden narrative
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leotard
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dancewear
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streetwear that can move in
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costume
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possible dance movements/styles i may use:
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acro
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contemporary
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jazz
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modern
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firebird
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side leap
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box jump
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needle
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scorpion
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splits
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y-stand
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leg hold, kicks
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backbend
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aerial, acro
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arabesque
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stag jump
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c-jump
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tilt, tilt jump
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and many more
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Test Shoot 1
My first test shoot went really well i think as i was able to get a range of different dance positions and movements with even looking some up on the internet whist shooting meaning we were able to get everything the dancer was able to do and im really pleased with the result of them, as well as this im pleased with the quality as they are clear and precise without any blurriness or pixelated which was one of my worries of the shoot beforehand. however there were a few downsides to the shoot which was that due to the hot and sunny day there were sun glares that came out onto some of my photos which could possibly be fixed through cropping of the images. another thing was that due to her moving some of the images didnt come out as how i would have liked due to me zooming out she looks further out in the frame due to me trying to fit in the whole of the movement and other times it was the opposite where i zoomed in too much and ended up slightly cutting off her hand or her foot to close to the edge of the frame. with these however on my next test shoot are things that could be fixed or improved on upon and hopefully the shoot turns out better. next time i think i will possibly use a different location idea to make each test shoot be different and a range of background choices for when it comes to my final shoot, i will also use the other technique of the long exposure which i had originally planned on doing during this test shoot but didnt have enough time as only have limited time with the dancer and didnt want her to become to hot and tired other than that everything else went according to my plan and no big changes occurred. when i was shooting i tried to keep in mind the reaseach i had done beforehnad overall im really happy with the results as my images show a good representation of my theme and idea.
Contact sheets
Risk Assessment
Model Release Form
Feedback Questions
Interim Presentation
Presentation Feedback Summary
The feedback i received was mostly positive with nearly all yes responses in regards to whether my research and photographs link with my theme which is good as i agree with those responses. i also received mixed responses about any more research i could do for my project with some saying no the research i have done is fine whilst others said that i could use social media such as instagram, go and see dance firsthand through musicals and plays, more dance photographers, books and questionnaire which i have done and mentioned within my presentation i just haven't received enough responses yet to write up my findings onto my wix page so this part of the feedback i don't agree with however i do know that i need to do more research and have found some more dance photographers i wish to look at and i will think about the other research suggestions for my project. i did also receive a varied amount of comments about my photos and idea development which i will take in and think about for when it comes to my second test shoot. overall i think my presentation was clear according to my feedback with comments on to speak louder and possibly stand up and overall the feedback was good mixed with positive and negative comments and some of the comments themselves is things i already knew that i had to do and planned to do, it is unlikely that i will change anything about my project due to the feedback i have received.
Feedback from Lee
To the right is the feedback sheet from lee about things to improve on for this project so far and these are things i will continue to work on throughout the continuation of the project.
Favourites from Test Shoot 1
I chose these photos out of my entire shoot as my favourites due to quality and precise moment in which the dance movement was best captured as well as gaining a range of dance moves and these i think are the best photos out of each one.
Above is a possible sequence of photos that i took from test shoot 1 and within this sequence i have given them some kind of narrative with the story starting of as the dancer picking flowers and they enchant her to dance out her emotions in this case its happiness until the magic has worn off or a idea of something simplar such as the flowers made her feel happy, happy enough to feel like dancing. i really like this type of narrative to the photos as its something subtle and simple but still there and clear to see to viewers, i would have liked the photos to merge together in a line creating the sequence more tight which i might try editing to create but i think this way still works the same out and gives off the same effect and represents the theme just as good. none of these photos have been edited yet but in regards to the framing it works still as if the camera is moving along the sequence with the dancer. with this narrative idea it links to my research through the photographer jordan matter as well as the dances from the tv show dance moms as they also have a story to there dance routines just as this sequence is inspired by.
These are the settings i had my camera at when i shot my photos the only difference is that each photo would have had a different focal length depending on the different dance pose i was shooting at the time. my focal length ranges from 18 to 55.
Test Editing
This is some test editing of how i might edit my images whether they are individually or within the sequence. this is just an example of editing of the one photo that i took from my test shoot 1.
Before
After
With this edit i started out by cropping the image due to the dancer being quite far away from the camera in the composition as you ca see with the before and after versions. i then started editing firstly with the brightness and contrast by increasing the brightness levels to 22 and decreasing the contrast levels to -10. after this i worked on the vibrance by increasing both the vibrance and saturation levels to 15. i did this these to bring out the colouring within the photo and add slightly more light to the photo making it seem less dull and sunk in.
With this edit i wanted to place all the sequence photos from the shoot into one photo these are the same images i used above for the posible narrative
To achieve this i used the help from the website link above from the adobe website.
To start off i went to file - new - document and chose a size i wanted i picked the custom one to the left as shown below. once your happy with your choice you click create and what comes up is the white plain document you see below.
After this i dragged my chosen image from its file onto the document i then resized the image how i wanted it and then repeated this step until all six of my images that are part of my sequence were in the document i also had to resize the document itself making it shorter and longer to how i wanted it and i resized both this and my images using the crop tool. below is my history of creating the finished product.
I think this version of the sequence is okay but i'm not sure about it due to being able to see the lines of the separate images loom as though have been glued together and not part of the same dance which is not how i wanted it to be as i wanted it to look as though it had been apart of the same dance and unfortunately you can clearly see this due to the background not lining up quite right due to the shadows and trees as well as the angles each of the images were taken at is different. i think i might try and find a way of combining the images without the lines as i think apart from that the idea works considering none of these photos have been edited and actually making it was okay once i researched and found a way of doing it.
Here to the right is the process i used for adding each image onto one another. first i uploaded both of these images above into photoshop once i had decided which was going to be the base layer.
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I then selected the magnetic lasso tool and drew al the way around the dancer joining up to the start dot back up.
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Once i did this i selected the move tool and dragged the cut out of the dancer onto the base layer image into the other tab above.
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Once it was placed onto the other image i then moved it to where i wanted it to be positioned within the photo and resized it so it would look more realistic by clicking the show transform controls box to do so.
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I then repeated these steps for the next two dancer images making the total of four dancers within the same image and having a total of four layers each holding a dancer photo.
The next edit i created was combining all the dance images into one photo without having all the separate lines showing that they are all separate images. this is the photo i chose to be the base layer/background due to there being the most green grass background space for the other photos.
Here is the final edit of the photo with the four out of the six photos i used in the narrative sequence above i didn't use all six due to there being not enough space within the photo i also haven't done any editing on the photo in regards to shadows.
This final edit is good as it shows a lot of dancers performing within one photo which i like and what i was aiming to achieve however now that i have done it i am not sure about the finished product as it looks like it doesn't fit right as it has been copied and pasted on and i'm not sure i like this effect of it but this could because it hasn't been blended with the shadows. in making this edit it was alright once i learned how from lee, which i liked as it meant i had learned a new skill within photoshop. one thing i found when i was making this photo was the positioning of the new dancers within the photo making sure they looked at the right scale and right fit for the photo making sure the dancer isn't to small or to big or not proportioned in any way but also not having enough space to place the other two images i had wanted to place within this edit which is a shame and so because of this i have ruled out this edit style and instead decided to use each photo separately in the sequence.
Jan Masny
http://www.janmasny.com/
Jan masny is a fashion and advertising photographer whose based in london after moving to the uk in 2004. he has also done other work in beauty, sport, portrait and other creative projects and themes. jan masny has worked with many clients including the national theatre, sony, virgin records, science muesum and more as well as this he has done editorial work for magazines worldwide.
Jan Masnys photographs have a unique and different style incorporating movement with each project he downs having its own theme of colours such as the light colour of white with a white background, the outdoor night sky and earthy colours and lastly is the project on a black background with the use of primary colours. the photos themselves are minimalistic and depth to them adding meaning as well as showing expressions and emotions to them and at the same time have a lot going on within them due to the creative composition used to create the photos which looks as though it has been don't through long exposure capturing the movement of the person such as a cartwheel and flips, with the other one looks as though each move has been taken singually and then overlapped onto another. i think i would like to try out this idea when i shoot next as unlike any other dance photography and as its different it will stand out more. with part of my idea including a narrative to my photos this could work quite well if its done right and i research the camera techniques that is used to create them. the flowing costumes of the dancers combined with the flowing prop material helps add to the aesthetic and colour scheme. the white themed photos use the style of ballet more specifically pointe, the outdoor looks as though its acro dance and the primary colours looks more contemporary by the arm movements. the compositions of them fit the whole of the frame for the primary colours and white however with the outdoors one there is use of leading lines with the angles and perspective of the acro moves. i think all the photos use some sort of lighting whether it be the studio or an on camera flash to see the precise form. i looked at this photographer as i want to try out this type of photography and thought it would be good to look a photographer who has done this and see examples of how the photos come out as a finished product.
Omar Robles
https://www.omarzrobles.com/
Omar Robles is an american photographer whose based in NYC, he is also an official fujifil x-photographer meAning he is a influencer of the brand. before he decided to become a dance phoTographer he was shooting celebrities, athletes, artists, politicians and city dwellers for the chicago tribunes hoy. know he combines his street photography portfolio and the new york city dancers to capture a whole new composition. his photos have been in the local and international media such as the Huffington post, daily mail and harpers bazar.
The style of dance that has been used looks to be ballet and pointe which coincides and links as the style of ballet was one of the first originated and this combined with the old buildings makes the photos the way they are.
Omar robles photographs are very similar to one another as they show the same tone and style in all of his photographs and this then seems to become apart of his aesthetic and brand. the aesthetic itself is light and airy colours in subtle tones that match with the settings the photographs were taken in. the lighting that has ben used loos to be ambient lighting due to being outdoors and because of this it ads to the aesthetic and colouring. the settings that are used have an archetictual feel and street locations which make his photos more interesting and eye catching to the viewer, especially the photo of the women leaping right in the middle of the building in the background this photo also shows the use of symmetry with the towers either side with the added bonus of the crowd and the range of shades of blue from the sky we can see due to the angle and perspective the photo was taken at and i have never seen this done before and so maybe i should try this out when i photograph next.
The framing and compositions very much focus solely on the dancer you can tell this because in every photo the dancer is in the centre of the frame no matter what dance move they are doing. two photos that are quite similar with two people performing leaps are the while one person is in a huddle underneath the person leaping whereas in the other photo the person is again leaping but this time with a dog underneath him and these photos make you wonder whats going on in them for those events to occur. is the dog afraid or amazed and is the the person hugging her legs for a reason or just for the photo.
Serena Bolton
http://serenabolton.com/
Serena Bolton is a portrait photographer based in London who specialises in children and family portraits as well as this she photographs events such as weddings and parties. she got into photography at 18 after travelling in india. over time her business photographer has grew from portraits to commercial work photographing fro brands such as cartier and hermes as well as this she takes on commission work from clients. serena Bolton photography is a member of the royal photographic society.
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Serena boltons photography uses a range of indoor and outdoor locations as well as a mixture being in colour and black and white. i have chosen specifically the colour and outdoor photos to look at due to them being more relevant towards my theme and idea. it looks as though these photos are taken using ambient/natural lighting de to where they were taken but also the presence of shadows and highlights that would have come from some sort of light source such as the sun. these photos are also different ti have looked at as they have very noticeable use of a shallow depth of field which shows the background of the trees/plants blurred out which looks as though it makes the model stand out more but also feel as though she's very close to the camera and the the foreground and background. the photos bring out all the facial features of the model clear and defined but also natural in regards to the colouring and this is what i would like to achieve on the dancer i will photograph but not just the facial features but the form and position the body is in.
Lift Me Up
Lift me up is a family drama film that was released in 2015. The film stars todd cahoon, sarah frangenberg, shane harper and written and directed by mark cartier. the plot about a young lady whose recently lost her mother and has to find a way to get through the struggles an challenges of high school and living life with her strict step father. as she goes through personal growth and her dedication to the art of dance a surprising connect arises to the surface.
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Throughout the film there are sections of dance where appropriate in the storyline. the dance style used is contemporary as its the best style in the variety of movements that link with the music she's dancing to whether an abstract or narrative is present. the dancing itself is full of emotions and expressions which you can see through the face and body movements as well as this theres an underlying tone of her letting loose and letting go of the pain and grief that had overwhelmed her especially with the quote on the movie poster being 'sometimes you just gotta let go' which is present throughout acting as some kind of theme or slogan. the dance movements are very creative and specific dtowars that style of dance, plot and subject matter with the added effect of dramatic pause in the dance routine. in the end dance rutine at the competiton the stage there is use of props in the rutine such as a chair and table, flowers, vase there are turns, leaps, floor section, extensions, jumps.
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when i watched the movie on netlfix by the end of the film i was crying due to the deep emotion and lyrics of the song that was used in the end dance that engaged the viewer getting them sucked in to the story especially as by the end there is happiness with her letting go of everything that had been holding her back and that dance had got her through it all.
Camera Techniques for shoot 2
https://fstoppers.com/education/how-give-your-dance-photos-sense-motion-74011
https://www.exposureguide.com/long-exposure-photography-tips/
https://www.digitalrev.com/article/how-to-setup-your-camera-for-long-exposure-photography
There are camera techniques that i would need to research for this particular shoot due to never shooting this way before therefoe i have done research which can be found summarised below. i found the following information from the websites linked above.
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the way you can achieve the motion blur is through lights taken through a slow shutter speed. once set the shutter speed you adjust the aperture and ISO getting the desired exposure. a good place to start is at 1/10th of second and adjust up or down.
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when deciding the correct exposure you have to keep in mind both the shadows and highlights
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shoot at the lowest ISO possible so you get the clearest image with little noise and use a high aperture so everything is more in focus
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you should use a manual focus rather auto focus
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shoot in RAW so it helps achieve the best white balance
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​you should minimize movement by using a tripod
I was able to get a lot of information regarding the camera techniques for long exposure however i am not sure it was all relevant for my project due to the information being about night trails, light and landscapes and not necessarily about movement particularly dance movement so instead i will try and use the information that is relevant and of use to me when it comes to shooting.
I think as i will use long exposure it means i will need a slow shutter speed and a tripod which i have to make sure the photo doesn't come out shaky or wonky. you should have a low ISO and a low aperture setting so the photo doesn't turn out over exposed.
Plan for Test Shoot 2
Here is a proposed plan for my second test shoot as this is just a proposed plan its likely things that might change depending on the day.
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The camera techniques that i would use for this test shoot is stated as above summarised information.
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Locations
I have been given permission to shoot in the hazlitt theatre due to my sister going to hazlitt youth theatre however i will not be able to shoot on the actual stage due to a production taking place so instead likely use the fourth wall or the exchange in the hazlitt.
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With outfit wise i have told the model to wear something comfortable and something she can move or dance in otherwise it wont look as effective with half hearted movements and it wont matter as much as whatever she chooses to wear it will link in some way to my theme, project and setting.
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I have decided that its likely that i will use the same style of dance and dance movements as my first test shoot due to the success of them from the first test shoot and know that style is working for me and my project and having experience shooting them. however as well as this i will like to try out more arm and leg movements which will hopefully look good combined with the camera technique i have decided to shoot with for this shoot.
Test Shoot 2
I think my second test shot went okay but i don't think it went as well as the first test shoot which could be because the time i had available due to the dancer needing to leave by a certain time. as well as this i ended up not using the room i had expected to be using to shoot in due to them being in use and with the other being too dark due to not being able to find the light switch and so despite of this i am pleased with them and the experimentation of this new technique. the outcome of my photos is that they are just too dark having enough lighting there but also the framing could be improved upon due me being taller than the dancer it looks as though i am shooting downwards in the photos apposition not the best with the added of the background these photos could be better and i don't think my best. next time i am going to improve this so i achieve a better composition and tryout new angles and perspectives so my photos will have a better outcome. for this shoot i kept to my plan besides this alternate location which was unexpected but this problem was resolved and sorted out a the t was available. the rest of the plan such as the camera techniques which in the end my camera before the main shoot so it was ready to shoot i used some of the tips and information i researched and used the shutter speed, an iso of 100 and a f5.6 aperture i adjusted the camera settings during the shoot as i went. i don't think my photos necessarily look or have the same style as the photographer i looked at omar robles who has used long exposure in his work and instead mine show originality and difference but still inspired by his work. my photos capture the movement faster so you can tell that the dancer is moving and i like different take on the long exposure. i think the photos definitely show and represent my idea of dance and movement which in turn links back to metamorphosis. however even though it was better than expected i am not going to continue on with this technique and idea due to the setting up and mastering the technique would take a lot of time that i don't have. i also would want it to look the best it can be and so i feel more confident shooting the other technique from now on but i am pleased i was able to experiment and see the difference between them as its two different takes on dance photography.
Contact Sheets
Risk Assessment
Model Release Form
This is the camera settings i had my camera set up as to take my photos from the second test shoot. however each photo is likely to have a different focal length but i also changed some of my settings in the middle of the shoot i think.
Favourites from Shoot
These photos from my second test shoot came out the best out of the whole shoot as they clearly show the long exposure combined with movement the most without being to blurry within the background or look as though she's a ghost and not there completely and with these photos you can make out what dance move she was performing which is what makes these photos better than the rest.
Test Editing
Here is some test editing of one of the images i took during my second test shoot. this is just an example of the editing that i could have done if i were to go ahead using this technique however as i have decided against this i thought that i should try some editing and see if this makes a difference to my photos.
Before
After
To edit this photo i firstly cropped the image so she is the centre of the frame and straightened the photo up so its even, straight and no longer wonky. next i adjusted the vibrance levels to plus 14 and the saturation levels to plus 8 to bring out the colours within the photo. following that i adjusted the brightness and contrast increasing the brightness to 38 and the contrast to 15. lastly i increased the exposure levels to 0.29 slightly making the photo more bright and bold to be more eye catching.
I feel like the editing only improved parts of this photo the editing worked on increasing the brightness and contrast tones with the photo making the photo brighter which is a positive and it makes the photo stand out more but on the negative side it highlights how the background is blurry as well as the person dancing which i don't like i also don't like at the top of the photo there is shadows from the fluorescent lighting in the theatre as it doesn't look professional. i also feel as though my photo has a bit of a supernatural or ghost vibe to it before it had been edited due to me capturing the fast movement and this decreases with the added edits.
Idea Development update
so far my idea has developed from my original idea in my project concept. in my project concept i stated i was going to photograph the theme of dance which represents the bigger theme of metamorhosis which is still the case and hasn't changed. however with how i was going to capture this has developed from either being a sequence/series of photos meaning using the fast shutter speed technique or as a single stand alone image meaning the long exposure technique and the idea of combining the sequence into one image have been ruled out after testing and editing and therefore i will be using the idea of a sequence which i have decided upon either five or six images within it for my final product and still to display it in frames hung up on the wall. the aim of my project as stated in my project concept was to show a narrative or story through the form of dance and to show off the movement and positions. this aim for my project hasn't changed but i have decided to focus on the element of portraying the movement and positions so i can produce the best photos i can as well as this aim being more relevant towards my idea. with the narrative aim i will keep it in mind but not focus on it as feel as though every photo you look at could tell a story wether obvious or subtle and i think due to my idea it does this anyway and so this will be a bonus if so. i will still use a single dancer as i think this was best for my idea as well as the resources in me not being able to photograph a group of dancers at one given time.
Plan for Test Shoot 3
Here is a proposed plan for my next test shoot which will be my third test shoot for this project as this is just a proposed plan some of these things might change due to location, weather etc.
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The plan for my next test shoot is to go back to using the same camera techniques as my first test shoot due to the outcome of my photos being better than the second test shoot i did where i experimented with techniques.
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I have decided to try and photograph in the same place as the previous shoot hopefully ending up with better photography results. the risk assessment for this shoot will be the same for the previous shoot due to me using the same location for both shoots. i will also be using the same person due to her being the only person i could photograph due to her association with the Hazlitt youth theatre and therefore i will use the same model release form for her as well.
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I want to try and improve my shots by hopefully getting some more interesting dance positions i can get her to perform and that se is able to do. as well as this i think with shooting within the theatre there could be some old costumes or accessories i could dress the dancer in so i can explore some possible story ideas for my photographs.
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Test Shoot 3
I think the test shoot for my third shoot went alright it wasn't my best but i was still able to get some nice shots from this shoot, due to my framing improving slightly from the previous shoot which is good but still be improved further. i used the same location and dancer as the previous shoot with the additional use of outside the theatre as well, i used what was around me to frame the photo and adding the dancer into the mix completing the composition. the lighting however i had struggles with it being too dark again even outside it was darker than i would have liked but that section of the shot i think was better in general as a whole. i don't think these photos went quite as well as my first test shoot i did for this project even though i was using the same technique. the plan from this shoot went to planned apart from the use of the narrative which didn't go to plan or end up happening as found it hard adjusting my camera settings from being indrros to outside as i had to change them as i went by taing a photo looking back at it and change what needed to be changed which took up some of the time i had to shoot. i think overall these photos are okay but culd be imprved upon which i will work on for my next shoot.
Contact Sheets
Favourites from Test Shoot 3
These are the settings i had my camera set at for when i took my photos during this shoot these were particularly for the outside photos i took.
These photos are my favourites from test shoot 3 as they ave the best camera quality to them with being less blurry and not well lit than the others as well as having better framing in the images that were taken outside with the use of part of the Hazlitt theatre stage door.
Test Editing
Here i have done a test edit using a photo from my favourites of test shoot 3. this is just a practise edit for when it comes to me editing my final shoot images.
Before
For this editing i used the same technique as my first test shoot as i wanted to see if the same editing method could be applied to the different photo that took place in somewhere new and with someone else and i think this was a success as it definitely improved this photo with the editing and has a theatrical feel and style to it and if i were to use this editing technique for my final photos i think it will work just as well which will be good.
After
To create this edit i opened this photo into photoshop and added a new layer. then i increased the brightness levels to 23 and decreased the contrast levels to -12. next i changed the exposure to +0.84 followed by the vibrance increasing it to 39 and saturation to 11. then lastly i a changed the hue slightly to 6. as you can see by the before and after shot that the added changes it makes the picture look more bold and bright and colourful as a theatre is on the inside.
Lighting Techniques
https://www.photocrowd.com/blog/157-9-tips-shooting-portrait-photography-natural-light/
https://digital-photography-school.com/are-you-practicing-these-5-natural-lighting-tips/
https://expertphotography.com/natural-light-photography/
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Ambient
Ambient or natural lighting is any source of light that has not been supplied by the photographer such as flash or use of lights that you would find within the studio, whereas ambient lighting can be the sun, moon or light in a room. i have chosen to shoot my shoots using this lighting technique as i think it best fits within my idea of primarily planning on shooting outdoors. to do this i have done some research into the technique and to fin some tips to use when i shoot so it will go a bit more smoothly. the websites i looked at to this are linked above.
Lightmeter
A light meter is a device used to measure light in the location you choose to photograph. it measures the ISO of the chosen setting as well as the aperture and shutter speed so you are able to match the camera settings to the light meter meaning you are able to achieve the perfect exposed photograph.
Plan for Final Shoot
This is just a proposed plan for my final shoot to take place which will happen this Saturday as this is a proposed plan things may change on the day such as weather or location etc.
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I will use the same camera techniques and similar camera settings i used for test shoot 1 so hopefully i get similar results as that shoot as i think was the most successful shoot so far as well as that i am also photographing the same dancer i used in that shoot so hopefully this time round we both have an idea of what we are doing me with the dance moves and her knowing which ones she can and cant do as well as this i will have already had experience shooting dance so have an idea of what to expect.
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Lighting
For this shoot i was given a lightmeter to help improve the lighting within my photographs. i was shown how the lightmeter worked by lee but when it came to shooting i used it a little bit to begin with but found it a little confusing it worked and i was also too focused within the shoot trying to achieve what i wanted. i think for any future shoots i would be interested in using it again and perhaps practise more so i can get used to using this piece of equipment so i can improve my photography further.
locations
I have an idea of using fremlin walk in maidstone once the shops are shut so nobody is around but position the dancer in the middle with the shop fronts either side of the dancer or i plan to use another outdoor location such as a woods or forest making it more interesting rather than just green grass as i used in the first test shoot.
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With this shoot i also want to focus on more of the idea of using a possible narrative or story to my photos as i liked the sequence i created for the first test shoot and wasn't able to do this for my third test shoot at the theatre which was a shame.
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picking flowers
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walking the dog
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red riding hood
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lost
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shopping
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emotions
I will likely use the same dance style of contemporary and again with similar dance moves and movements such as the leaps, jumps, tricks as well as simpler more elegant dance poses that have a little piece of ballet in them with the arm positioning.
Final Shoot
I think my final shoot went well as i was able to get a range of compositions more so because i took on the things i needed to improve upon from the previous shoots such as the lighting. i found that the lighting was different depending on where i stood and where we photographed meaning in some parts it was better than others which can be seen by the outcome of my photos as well as this in a few of the photos there was a lens glare due to the lens capturing the sunlight and being bounced back onto the dancer in the future i need to be aware of this like where the sun is in the sky as it could effect my images other than that the outcome overall has improved from my last shoot which is good. another thing i could improve on was the angles and framing which were so much better from before as i moved around more and tried to find the best perspective to photograph the dancer from and this shows in my work. i am glad i got a range of different backgrounds to put the dancer in rather than just one plain one for the whole shoot and because of this i thin this has been my best shoot. throughout this project i have looked at several photographers and i think i have tried to take elements from each one or inspiration that then goes towards my project idea, aim and theme. overall i am pleased with my final shoot and will now edit them and create my final outcome for the project.
Contact Sheets
This is the camera settings i used in which to capture my photos for a part of this shoot depending on the different part of the park i was photographing due to the angle of the sun. these settings are for the sequence i have decided to use for my final product.
Risk Assessment
Favourites From Shoot
I have chosen these photos as my favourites as these are the ones that show the movement best with clear and precise dance poses and positions as well as this i chose these photos as each one is different with a new background and positioning as well as gaining a range of creative dance moves for each. i think these ones came out the best out of the whole shoot because of this. i chose the best few from each different background i used during the shoot.
Editing
I have done some testing in which sequence of photographs i shall use and they are displayed below.
Sequence idea 1
Sequence idea 2
Sequence idea 3
I have made three different sequences to test out my idea two have the same background whilst the third i have decided to add another change and that is the background itself, all of these photos that i have used are from my favourites file. i like sequence 1 as i like the consistent background and they use all the same framing while the dancer changes performing different jumps, tricks and leaps but these photos are darker than the rest and so she doesn't stand out as much. with sequence 2 i decided on looking at changing the background as well making it double the metamorphosis thats used but i think it looks as though its very jumpy jumping from one scene to another and i don't think it works as well as i thought it might. lastly with sequence 3 i like how the background is the same but i think with using both landscape and portrait it doesn't work and the moves are very similar to one another. i have decided to go with using sequence 1 because out of all of them together side by side that one looks more appealing, stands out and has an aesthetic which i like and never noticed before, as well as this one of the photographers i looked at Omar Robles has also done this style. another reason i chose this sequence as these photos as my final photos as i like the composition the best with her being underneath the trees dancing but also when the photos are in line in the sequence she is in the air at the exact point in each of the photos which means my framing has improved from the previous shoots i done. i think the sequence i chose is also more interesting and unique and therefore would work best for my target audience which is females roughly of the ages 13 to 30 as well as my aim and theme for this project showing dance and metamorphosis.
To edit my final images i used the techniques i had previously practised throughout my test shoots, that way i know how to edit that way but also have an idea of what the edited versions would look like and so i know what qualities are good and whats not so good.
After
Before
To create this edit i first loaded up photoshop and opened up one of the images from my chosen sequence and created a new layer. to start off with a modified the brightness levels by increasing it to 45 and the contrast to 14. next i changed the exposure slightly by increasing it to 0.16 and lastly i changed the vibrance levels to 18. i did all of these changes to enhance my image to make it seem not as dark and to bring out the colours even more so than the original as you can se the differences here with the before being edited image and the after image that has been edited as well as the steps i took to get to the final product below.
I also asked several people what they thought of the first edit i made for one of my final images as i thought the edited version against the original looked too bright and over exposed making the grass and trees look very green but at the same time i preferred that one due to the dancer standing out more to the viewer. overall i found that the edited version looked a lot better than the original/unedited version but they had similar thoughts to mine but also said that it depended on what vibes or style i wanted to portray.
I think i am going to edit my final images all the same way and to possibly ave all the same settings and changes i made with this photo as that way if they have the same or similar they will look more identical and fit together when they sit next to each other within the sequence.
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Below i have done the editing and shown the process for some of the five more images that are in the sequence some of these have the same settings as this first image i edited so i have just shown the before and after versions side by side rather than repeating myself whilst others have other changes but i have tried to get them all similar so they will look right once in the sequence but also have a accurate representation of my theme and idea.
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After
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Here is the before version and after version so you can clearly see the difference the editing has made.
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To create this edit i loaded the photo into photoshop, added a new layer and started to add changes first i changed the brightness and contrast increasing the brightness to 25 and contrast to 20. next i changed the exposure slightly to 0.16 and lastly the vibrance increasing it to 18.
After
Before
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After
Here is the before edited version next to the after version that has been edited. i think this photo was the hardest to edit due to this one containing more sunlight which you can tell in the before photo but in the end i think i made it look better.
This is the last photo in my sequence in which i edited. again i loaded it into photoshop and added a new layer and started to change the brightness to 26 and contrast to 33. next i changed the vibrance to 24 and the exposure levels to 0.11. wit this edit i also changed the hue and saturation increasing the saturation to 5 and decreasing the lightness to 10.
The editing techniques i used were similar to the way i did earlier through my test editing of my test shoots and in doing this it made the editing of my final photos a little easier which is good. i think overall the editing has improved my photos as it makes them bolder and more vibrant so they stand out more to the viewer as well as the dancer standing our from the setting and i'm happy with the choice i made to use this sequence as my final photos. the thing i found hardest was trying to get the edits of each photo to match which is the reason why i edited the way i did by using similar settings so i was more likely to get the similar results i was after and that is what i think i achieved. when i was editing i tried to keep in mind the different photographers i looked at which were Jordan Matter, Jon Applegate, Omar Robles, Jan Masny and Serena Bolton and how they may have edited there images.
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Below are my finished and edited final images which aren't placed in the right sequence order due to the page not being big enough to fit them all in but i am very pleased with the result of them and they look better than i expected them to.
My Final Images
Final FMP Presentation
Here i have attached my final presentation for this project.
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Here is the feedback i have received from lee about my final fmp presentation. i think the feedback i received is a mixture of positive which was that my work is excellent and that i mentioned the right things and constructive which says that my information should be more detailed and to use a different powerpoint template. i will take the comments on board for next time. unlike before where i received feedback from my peers this time i haven't due to not having enough time beforehand to create the feedback questions as i was to busy focusing on creating the actual presentation so it would be ready by the deadline.
Final Evaluation
The project theme was the word metamorphosis and then from this you could create anything as long as its justified and linked with the theme, i chose to give myself a second theme of dance and movement which links to metamorphosis through the changing of dance move which you can see through a dance routine. i planned to show this through a sequence of photos which i have done and to display it by hanging them on the wall in frames which i still hope to do. i think the project went better than expected considering i didn't know where or how to start but once my idea came after research i found the project easier especially with the theme we had as it meant you could have a wide range of results. the part i found hardest was leaning the different techniques in order to photograph dance well and this was one of the problems and issues i had when it came to my test shoots such as the framing with not being at the right angles or perspective in order to not get the photo i'm looking for and for it it look better to fix this i tried to remember what happened previously and remind myself to be aware of the framing for when it came to shooting my final shoot and that worked out better improving my images, lighting with it either coming out too over exposed or under exposed due to the sunlight or the enclosed settings and so to fix this i researched lighting techniques as well as be given a lightmeter to help determine what camera settings would be best for that time of shooting. the camera settings was another thing to get used to and experimenting using the different shutter speeds and therefore had to do some research for these camera techniques in order to shoot my test shoots. other research i did was look at several photographers Jordan matter, Jon Applegate, Omar Robles, Jan Masny and Serena Bolton. i also did a questionnaire to determine my target audience which i found was mostly females of the ages of 13 to 30, Instagram poll, the history of dance, researched a tv show called dance moms and a film called lift me up. i think all of this research has helped in the development of my project and had an impact on my work and test shoots. my favourite part of the project was taking the photos for each shoot as this was a new style of photography for me which i hadn't done before so i found that it really interesting and i enjoyed it. what i didn't like about my project was trying to get my photos to match up whilst editing them as i wanted them to be the same but also i'm not as confident with my editing. i think my final photos were a success and i was able to learn lots of new techniques like the lighting, camera and photoshop which i hope to develop further for future projects and so i don't have as many issues with these. i think my project could have been better if i had enough time to do another test shoot at least which could have been done if i had planned more perhaps and if i had more time i would have liked to have gone to see a live performance of dance or musical theatre. however i am really pleased with the result of my project and my finished final photo sequence as they represent the theme of metamorphosis and dance and the aim nicely.