Session 4 - Photo Concepts

Session Aims:
- Research a professional photographer’s portfolio
- Learn important digital photography techniques
- Pitch an idea for a photo composition

The group were asked to respond to the statement
“I can pitch the concept for a striking photography composition”.
The green marks represent how the group felt at the start of the session the blue shows how they felt by the end.


Today we introduced the mighty Jim Poyner to the project. Jim spent some time running through his biography and explaining various examples of his work. He showed the group everything from portraiture to editorial and corporate marketing work.

Next Jim took the group through a demonstration of the skills needed to frame and light different types of pictures to create mood and atmosphere. He also showed the effects different lenses has on the same subjject. It was a really great way of showing the group how they needed to think in order to get the best results for their individual ideas.

Here is Jim showing different framing techniques:
Positioning your subject centre frame can sometimes make for a boring picture. Framing off centre however works well.

Looking towards the edge of the frame can look cramped...


But looking into the space can work really well.

The group worked on individual ideas for striking photo compositions using their life maps and a range of photography books and magazines as inspiration.



















Finally the group pitched their photo concepts to Jim and the rest of the group for feedback. A selection of ideas were taken forward to be captured during the photo shoot next session.

Jim added his comments to the BLOG:

"Excellent session today, great to meet the group and discuss the ideas
and get some really challenging, technically difficult and visually
arresting concepts inline for thursdays meeting. Good to put faces to
the names I've been reading on the blog, so I've attached a few shots,
suitably anonymous that I though would compliment the final images.
Apart from the one of Kev, but thats just his face, he cant be blamed
for that :o) See you all Thursday.

Mint.
Jim"

Boodahdoodah - Session 4

I found it interesting learning about digital photography and different techniques you can use. I enjoyed the demonstration of taking pictures to show us the difference that lighting and framing can have. I also took some pictures for the blog.

The photographer gave instructions that were straight forward and easy to understand, I found it enjoyable but informative.

Some of the group were models and the rest of the group observed.

Coming up with ideas was a process of debate. We all sketched our own ideas and then pitched them to the group. I gave feedback to other members of the group and also received feedback for my own work and found this interesting and helped me to develop my own ideas.

My idea is all about breaking free from addiction, other members of the group inputed to my concept which I liked. I enjoyed listening to other peoples concepts and gave my own views and feedback on their work. I like the way we worked as a team and collaborated to see the ideas through.

I am looking forward to executing my idea I think it will give a powerful message of how difficult it is to break free from addiction.

Dixie Dean - Session 4

During the demonstration today by Jim Poyner, I learned that different pieces of plastic do different effects and if you go too close to the face with a wide lense it would be distorted. Other people were asked to model and Jim gave the instructions. I found it interesting to see how different ways of using the flash could get the maximum out of your picture. On Thursday I'm just going to do as I'm told when we shoot cos I don't want to break anything!
(1.1)

During the pitch, we told how we thought the ideas would work best and gave feedback. I'd like to think i contributed to all the ideas. It was about people's real experiences, even though the ideas were different we could all relate to them through out different experiences of addiction. My idea that went forward was a child looking at her father: The child sees and understands more about whats going on than you think. This idea came from my daughter calling me a 'smackhead'. This is the only time that word has ever hurt me.

I enjoyed the day and I'm now looking forward to Thursday to the shoot.
(4.1, 4.2)

Yogi - Session 4

It was interesting to learn about different lighting and framing and how you can create different moods within images. We learned about shades and shadows lighting and framing I found it enjoyable.

My role was to model while the photographer demonstrated how different techniques deliver various looks to the image. Jim was very good and thorough with instructions I found him easy to understand. I enjoyed experimenting because we could see for ourselves the impact of various lighting approaches and different framing.

We had to look at our own experiences to think up an idea for an image to pitch to the group for the campaign. My ideas focused on alcohol addiction and particularly the isolation and feeling lonely and separated from reality. I sketched my idea on paper and then shared it with the group.

I found everyone ideas interesting as we can learn from each other. We have all had addictions but all have individual experiences and this is enlightening. I gave positive feedback and contributed to the debate.

I am confident my idea will be a powerful image and am looking forward to doing the photoshoot.

Emley - Session 4

I thought the lighting exercise was really interesting. I learned a lot about lighting. I was asked by Jim Poyner to model some poses; we created different moods and effects with different filters and lenses. Jim gave the instructions for me to pose, the other members were encouraged to contribute their ideas. It really showed the power of the camera how it can give a different slant of the same reality. I'd like to get hands-on with the camera during the shoot on Thursday and use the flash and different gel filters.
(1.1)

We went round in a circle as a group pitching our ideas to go forward to the shoot. We listened to other people's pitches. Everyone joined in and had an equal say in what whent forward. We all waited until the person had finished before we gave feedback. I offered my thoughts on the pitches and I had a fair bit of input. My idea was recreating a panic attack and the feelings of isolation and loneliness in a crowd. Its going to be a blurred target figure with a person having an attack with everything going on as normal around them.
(4.1, 4.2)

Tinker - Session 4

I found it interesting that there were so many different lighting techniques to use to get the desired effect. Jim Poyner showed us how to use natural light and artificial light to create a different atmosphere.

Two of the group members were involved as volunteer models. Jim gave the instructions, he asked them to do different poses.

It was interesting.
(1.1)


I listened to the group as they pitched their ideas for a photo composition. I offered different possible scenarios to help. I contributed ideas about the impact dependancy has on family. Looking at current posters around the buildings, there isn't enough reality in them, they normally show the low life stereotype rather than how it works in the real world.
We all had input into the shoot schedule which makes the ideas more workable.
(4.1, 4.2)

My idea was about a person lying in the gutter with an empty bottle of vodka with money looking like its going down the drain. Its like your life going down drain.

Bufflo - Session 4

It was very interesting learning techniques about photography. It was a new experience. We learned about framing, lighting, moods, different styles of lighting to give different feels to a shot.

The photographer was good he delivered the information very well and I found it very interesting to listen to his instructions and the way he presented it made it easy to follow. Some of the group were modeling for the shots then we all reviewed the pictures after on a computer. We also learned how to after touch and how it changes the look of an image.

We had to come up with some ideas for photo compositions. We all chipped in with ideas so as a group we were all involved in helping each concept develop. I was interested in other people's views and had time to listen to what people had to say about my idea and also their own.

I gave feedback and joined in the general debate around the concepts. It was good to hear other peoples stories and how they communicated through their ideas. I am a keen participant in the discussions and found we worked together well.

The course has been very interesting, its twice as good as other courses i have done. I feel i am learning lots, the more I can learn the better.

I am really enjoying the experience.

Session 3 - Canvas Painting

Session Aims:

- Learn stencil and aerosol arts techniques

- Contribute to a range of finished artwork

- Give feedback and reflections on the BLOG

The group were asked to respond to the statement;

“I can contribute to a finished piece of stencil artwork”.

The green marks represent how the group felt at the start of the session the blue shows how they felt by the end.

Today's session saw the return of internationally renowned stencil artist Jim Cereal. Jim had been hard at work preparing the stencils necessary to carry out the group's concepts. The workshop space was lined with paints, canvasses, stencils, materials and protective equipment ready for the session.

Over the course of the session the group worked on their individual pieces and collaborated to help each other create a range of pieces. The quality was very high and the group created some striking visual pieces designed to help motivate adult service users to break the cycle substance misuse.

Check out the process below and the final canvasses as explained by each of the crew.

Emley - Session 3

[Photos of finished canvas to follow]

Boodahdoodah - Session 3

Yogi - Session 3

It was a really enjoyable experience working on the canvasses. I was cautious about doing art work as I felt I had limited ability, but the process enabled me to get really involved and my ideas and feelings across through the work.

I sprayed my own canvas which I found really good and was really excited by the final product. I asked questioned, asked other peoples opinions about the slogan I should use and really valued peoples input.

I was keen to encourage other members and took their opinions with value. I was interested to hear other peoples views and was interested and involved in helping everyone with the outcome for their canvas.

I work for charity and within my role I am confident to give and receive feedback. Also in my work with CRI I give constructive feedback and am open to hear and receive feedback from other people in the group.

I was actively involved in the debate and artistic process regarding the development of all the canvases. I enjoyed supporting other people in the group with their ideas and have founnd that I really get on with the group. Their opinions are very valuable to me and I respect what people have to say and expect the same respect from them.

I have really enjoyed the experience and i have learned a great deal from other peoples experiences. I feel comfortable with the group and I feel happy being part of the experience, it has given me the confidence to be honest and open about my past experiences.

I think the canvases stand out and the messages are strong and provocative.