Theme 1: Reportage - Green Park, London

Statement of Intent:

My aim was to utilise the opportunity of being in London, having a spare hour before attending a meeting and being presented with an opportunity of having what felt like half of London moving past you. From my early research on photographers involved in Street Photography and Reportage, several images took my interest. These were:

• Thomas Sullivan - Images of a wide range of sport; often portrayed in full colour but capturing the feeling of the moment.
• Ian Tindale - Reportage images of individuals or small groups and real-time events; capturing the moment and the mood of the event.
• Danny Santos - In particular his work on "The Street is a Catwalk" theme where his photographs caught individuals, often women, looking like they were on the Red Carpet. Many of his images have been adjusted using a variety of methods to emphasis the focus on the women.
• Martin Parr - Images that capture the unusual. Some of his photographs were aimed at portraying the event through only capturing part of the event eg. a couples arms interlocked.
• Patrick Lichfield - Photograph of Jacqueline Bissett leaning against a wall providing a contrast of texture.

My aim was to capitalise on the moment and capture a number of photographs of individuals, couples or small groups making the most of a warm and sunny lunch period away from the office and in the fresh air.

Health and Safety:

I positioned myself by some low railings at the side of one of the entrances to Green Park. Some of the people noticed me taking photographs but simply continued about their business. Health and safety turned out to be a minor matter but my initial concern was whether someone would challenge what I was doing. This did not happen.

My photographs are divided into the two themes that duplicate the work of the three photographers noted above.

Record of Image Capture:
My objectives and range of images were captured in my notebook along with the camera settings.

Image of notes recorded at Green Park.

Running Activity:

The opportunity of capturing images of people jogging during their lunch break allowed me to mimic the sporting photographs of Thomas Sullivan. His objective to "capture the emotions of the present as they happen" provides the opportunity to portray the feeling of energy, tiredness and determination. An example of one of the sporting images found during my research is below to use in comparison.

Thomas Sullivan sporting image

 Thomas Sullivan's image captures the flow of the runners, the movement of each runner and the energy being expended. My photographs taken in Green Park, London also captures this movement and energy as well the effort being expended by the runner.                                                   

Having the line of bollards provides a sense of distance with those in the foreground being out of focus, progressing through focus in line with the predominant subject and then returning to a blurring of the background.

The next four photographs concentrate on the actual runners to capture the determination, the effort being expended and the tiredness. The single male runner captures all of these factors and again the line of bollards along the grass edge allows for the distance perspective through the use of a restricted focal distance.

The sequence of three images of a pair of ladies running together captures the movement of the individuals. They are exercising but also conducting a conversation depicting the friendly relationship between the two.

Runners slightly out of focus to depict distance.

Runners in focus capturing the motion.
Background blurred to accentuate distance.

Close up of runners to capture determination  and the conversation.

"The Street is a Catwalk":
The images below by Danny Santos and Ian Tindale are examples of the Reportage photographs that I am striving towards. Danny Santos's photograph below has been adjusted to exaggerate the focus on the lady. The subject is central within the image, the background has been blurred and the side edges have been darkened thereby making the central portion appear as though additional lighting has been used.

Danny Santos - "The Street is a Catwalk"

The example taken from Ian Tindale captures a group of young people squatting on a pavement area talking. The photograph is in black and white and captures the mood of the intimate conversation.

Ian Tindale - Black & White Image

Ian Tindale - Queuing Image

Martin Parr - Interlocked arms.

Patrick Lichfield - Jacqueline Bissett

My photographs below were taken over a lunch period at the entrance to Green Park in London. The weather was warm and sunny and people were making the most of getting out into the park for lunch. My photographs attempt to capture the images of both Ian Tindale and Danny Santos; although my focus was very much on the individual which is more in line with those images of Danny Santos. His theme of "The Street is a Catwalk" was very much alive. Having high light levels allowed the use of high shutter speeds (between 1/250 and 1/400 with ISO 100) thereby allowing the subjects and the moment to be captured.
Many of the images have been rejected as they were either slightly out of focus or did not capture the moment. The camera was hand-held to enable rapid movement and manual focus was used to provide the means for specific focus on individuals. Some of the subjects were aware of my camera being pointed in their direction but nothing was said. This did however ensure the capture of individuals looking straight at the camera. The images capture the flow of people through the park, couples talking, individuals making phone calls or grabbing lunch on the move or simply waiting for friends.
Focusing on the fashion aspects, a couple of my photographs captured the clothing and in particular what is being worn on the legs and feet. The dress code of the individual has been captured in these photographs; by looking at the clothing and footwear you have a picture of the individual.

These photographs capture the moment!

My image of the crowd
(Reference Ian Tindale's queuing image)
Blurred foreground and background emphasising distance

"Old Navy 94" - Brother and Sister

Couple in conversation
Blurred background to emphasis focus on the couple

Enjoying the experience!
Colour image
B&W image reference Ian Tindale's young group squatting

"The Street is a Catwalk"
Movement, focused and fashion

"The Street is a Catwalk"
Couple in conversation

"Sharing the joke."
Laughter captured; pair framed by the background.

"Something has captured his attention."
Lady in foreground is blurred to emphasis the focus on the man.

"Catching up on the reading."
Focus is reversed; crisp foreground and blurred background.

"The Street is a Catwalk." - Mamma Alta

"The Street is a Catwalk." - Mamma Alta
Focus this time is on the lady behind.
Photograph contrasts differing fashion and colour.

"The Street is a Catwalk" - Close-up to capture the moment.
Image is framed by the actual cropping by the camera.
Colour suits the image providing life and energy.

"The Street is a Catwalk" - Close-up to capture the fashion .
Blurred foreground to emphasis the bright colour of the fashion.
Background is blurred and dark again emphasising the individual.

"The Street is a Catwalk" - Coffee on the move.

The following two photographs are a variance of the theme "The Street is a Catwalk"; looking at legs and fashion. From these photographs you can create an image of the individual. 

"The Street is a Catwalk" - Fashion Jeans
(Reference to the images of Martin Parr)

"The Street is a Catwalk"
Fashionable footwear depicts the subject.
(Reference to the images of Martin Parr)

There were options to capture images of executives at lunch either catching up on the mobile or grabbing a quick sandwich whilst on the move.

A slave to the mobile.
Captured against a brick wall to provide an opposing surface.
Well groomed clothing v's a regimented wall that has seen better days.
(Reference to Lichfield's image of Jacqueline Bissett)

Lunch on the move.
Smart fashionable dress code of an executive with a pack of sandwiches in hand.
Background blurred to emphasis 

Lunch on the move.
Close up of executive.
Short focal distance blurring the background to emphasis the image.
People in the background provides an alternative image.

An alternative option was provided by people waiting for friends or partners. The following photographs portray the "waiting".

"Anticipation"
On tip toe looking for her friend; drinks in hand.
Large focal distance to capture a crisp image throughout.
Subject is in the distance emphasised by the other people passing.

"Anticipation" (2).
Close up of subject peering for her friend.
Large focal distance to capture the depth of the imaGE.

These images capture a young lady waiting for a message on her mobile. Leaning against a lamp post in line with a series of bollards provided an opportunity to use a reduced focal distance to emphasis the scenario. The intense light and shadow also provided a complex foreground that adds atmosphere.

By zooming in on the subject a different image is produced. Positioning myself low and in line with the tops of the bollards offered a different perspective and draws the line of sight onto the subject. The background is out of focus intentionally to keep attention on the subject.

Review:
My objective was to capture the atmosphere of individuals, couples and groups in a variety of situations as portrayed in researched photographs by Thomas Sullivan, Ian Tindale, Danny Santos, Martin Parr and Patrick Lichfield. Their images captured real time situations in a way that provided the on-looker with a sense of atmosphere. In the space of an hour I was able to use the range of events unfolding around me as "Londoner's" capitalised on a warm sunny lunch period. I was able to capture a similar range of images as those found during my research.

Theme 2: RAF Cosford & the Aircraft.

Statement of Intent:
My objective for Theme 2 is to capture images of aircraft on the ground in hangers and an exhibition setting. My aim is to produce close up/detailed images of the aircraft that portrayed them in unusual and atypical ways; to take a novel approach to viewing them.
My initial blog produced photographs of planes portraying the character of the exhibition and aircraft; showing them as portraits. It is this theme that I am continuing using different aircraft and different means of capturing that "image". For this blog I have focused on two jet aircraft, namely:

• English Electric Jet Fighter
• Hawker Siddeley Gnat T1

There were no issues concerning health and safety as the planes are within hangers. Access was limited, especially in the case of the English Electric as it was suspended from the roof of the Cold War Hanger. The Gnat was standing on the floor of one of the hangers but access to the aircraft was granted by the Security Guards allowing me to position my camera as required. The flooring and footing was flat and even allowing perfect positioning of myself and my tripod.

English Electric:
Positioned within the Cold War Hanger, this plane is suspended vertically from the roof structure with a suspended walkway immediately below. This allowed access directly underneath the plane looking directly upwards through the twin exhaust outlets.
The hanger has been specially designed allowing a great deal of natural lighting and a background of steel structures.

Exterior of Cold War Hanger, RAF Cosford (1/100; F11; ISO100)

With the plane suspended nose upwards offers limited camera positions. All of these photographs were taken with the camera mounted on a tripod to allow me the option of crisp images. The English Electric has a highly polished steel fuselage offering a great deal of reflection and lines of light that could be used to enhance the photograph. The cluster of three photographs were taken at ISO 100 and F3.9. Adjustment was made to the shutter speed between 1/10 and 1/14 thereby creating different images. For my eye, the right-hand image offers the more powerful image being slightly darker. This produces a feeling of weight and power.

The two images above show the plane against the roof structure offering a contrast of materials and lines. This is similar to Patrick Lichfield's photograph of Jacqueline Bisset (Shown Left) leaning against a brick wall. There is a contrast of materials and lines drawing your line of sight around the photograph.







Using a single support to the suspended walk-way in the foreground offered further contrast. By positioning the camera further away from the plane allowed more of the aircraft to be captured and offer a different perspective of the whole body. Using a limited focal distance (F3.9) kept the plane crisp and in contrast the suspension member blurred lower down but crisp towards the top; enhancing the feel of distance.









I next positioned myself directly below the plane looking vertically upwards. The image appears as though the plane is in flight travelling away from you towards the strip of light at the ridge of the roof. This strip of light is useful as it offers lines of reflection down the swept back wings.

Close-up of twin exhaust outlets

Further experimentation produced the image to the left. By setting the camera at 6" shutter speed and F22 this allowed me to maintain a depth of focus and time to alter the focus of the photograph mid-way through the time period; 3 seconds focused on the entire plane followed by 3 seconds at maximum zoom capturing mainly the exhaust outlets. This double image provides a different image.










My final experimentation involved simple coloured filters. My first photograph is without filter introducing a dark blue and then gold/orange filter. With the camera mounted on a tripod the overall image was maintained to show contrast. For me the blue filter does not enhance the image but the gold/orange filter captures and enhances the light reflection on the wings and down the spin of the plane.

Hawker Siddeley Gnat T1:
This aircraft is used by the RAF Red Arrows and offers a deep pillar-box red body. It is positioned on the ground standing on it's wheels. My main focus for photographs was positioned at the front of the nose on the same level as the nose probe.
Light levels in the hanger were again high allowing for a range of shutter speeds around 1/30 and 1/40 and focal distance settings of F3.9 to F5.4.



Initial photographs were sighted directly along the nose probe with the fuselage, air intakes and wings in harmony producing a balanced image. The balance was also enhanced by the lines of light reflected on the fuselage producing the line of sight.

 

 By lowering the position of the camera the image changes pushing the line of sight down the photograph producing a back heavy plane rather than the aerodynamic design of the initial photograph.

In both of these photographs the structure of the hanger provides a detailed, but non-intrusive background.










Altering the shape of the photograph also produced different images! The photographs below are virtually identical with the exception that one is landscape format whilst the other is portrait. The landscape version shows more of the fuselage and air intakes; your line of sight being drawn along the white strip on the fuselage down the right side of the plane. The portrait option displays the oval cross section of the fuselage; your line of sight being drawn vertically across the image.

Scarlet Red Filter Experiment

Working with the use of simple coloured filters, I attempted to enhance the pillar-box red colour of the Gnat using an additional scarlet red filter. The experiment produced an image that was opposite to what I had expected in that the two colours worked against each other. The photograph looses the detail and clarity of the plane and surroundings.
Further experimentation was undertaken by altering the tones of the photograph using PhotoShop. By cutting out the minor extreme tones and then sliding the mid-tone range in preference to the darker tones, a heavy almost threatening image may be produced. As the original image was limited in clarity so this technique results in a "low detail" photograph. Interestingly, by challenging the contrast element of the image there is a degree of enhancement in detail.

Mid-tones altered through Levels Adjustment.

I have left my favourite photographs to the end! The Gnat is positioned on the floor standing on its wheels but behind a rope cordon thereby restricting access. By asking I managed to gain access within the restricted area. My final images were taken using a tripod mounted camera so that I could concentrate on focus thereby gaining crisp images. My camera was positioned directly in front of the plane and by using the 40-150mm lens I could capture the core section of the nose and cockpit window. Limiting the focal distance produced a sense of depth allowing the light reflection on the nose and cockpit window to be captured. The probe mounted on the front of the nose is almost lost through the limited depth of field.
The photograph below has been taken with the camera moved marginally to the right of centre throwing out the mirror symmetry.

Gnat T1 Nose and Cockpit Window.

Using PhotoShop, I then proceeded to adjust the tones using the Levels Adjustment option. This produced the images below which appear more crisp, a much deeper tone of red, a sharper and deeper contrast of the red paint against the white light reflection, but interestingly introducing vivid blue tones in the reflection of the cockpit window. The difference between the final two images is purely the degree of adjustment made in the mid-tone range.

Original photograph adjusted using PhotoShop Levels.

Gnat T1 - Extreme  mid-tone range adjustment

Summary:
I challenged myself to collect, and further create, more extreme and unusual images of planes that captured the "nature" of the aircraft. By choosing the English Electric and Gnat T1, I feel it offered the scope to produce powerful images through the natural shape of the jet body, the colour and the high level of light reflection. I feel that if I had chosen alternative aircraft, from WW2 for instance, the scope would not have been as great. By using a few basic techniques within PhotoShop, some of these images have been further enhanced.