University course update.

It is one day shy of a month before I have to hand in my research paper, visual project and and verbal presentation. So I thought I would put some thoughts down on paper (or written on the internet), about how the second semester has gone. What I had done and more importantly what I have learnt.

So, knowing that I am not the best when it comes to doing stuff. I didn’t take a break between semester 1 and semester 2. which was probably a mistake in hindsight. Most days I was in university, doing work and coming up with the idea for my visual project.

The reason, I think I needed a break was because, I had put a lot of effort into the previous unit. With the added issues of moving house, and dealing with medication issues and finally the small matter of having a heart attack (which sound much worse than it really was). I really needed a weeks break, to just unwind and to try to relax (not something I am good at).

So, very early on I came up with an idea for my main project at university. It was based upon telling the story of Sweeney Todd the barber, but in a cyber/steampunk England and it was going to be huge. Whilst loved the concept, what brought it down was the practicality of putting the project together. I imagined building huge sets, hiring lots of people to be in the images and really making something special. Of course, at some point, reality steps in and I decided that I was probably biting off much more than I could chew.

This is not to say, my idea was bad. I could picture lots of different images but really the cost, was a bit prohibitive but I may well explore this again in the future (funding willing).

After, that I came up with another idea, based around Greek gods, which morphed into ancient gods in general, and finally into the project I am working on now (You will have to wait for a while for that).

With the project, I also have to do a research paper that should be related to my visual project. This initially, was going to look at the work of Kirsty Mitchell but on time has morphed into a paper revolving around how to create a large photo project. With Kirsty Mitchell as the focus of the work, though I am bringing in many other photographers to support my ideas, which is backed up by my experiences during the creation of my visual project.

At the beginning of this unit, I would be lying if I said I thought I would learn a lot, but the reality is this experience and completely changed how I think about photography and how I think of myself as a photographer.

Of course, things haven’t all gone to plan. Unfortunately, I have made a lot of mistakes and I spent much of the project suffering from depression. Of course, then there is the loss of Reggie. On a personal level, it has been terrible but from a work point of view, I have been far more committed. Early on, I couldn’t really bare being at home, so I spend most of my time at the university and whilst I am not as ahead as I would like to be with my paper, I am not nearly as behind as I would have been, had Reggie been with me still.

One of the issues, I have had is motivation, particularly when I was suffering from depression badly. I was spending hours trying to do stuff but nothing would come. Photoshoots were just depressing and things were not going well.

I am someone, who works best when I am confident and there is a massive difference between when I am at my best and at my worst. Unfortunately, my early test shoots, just didn’t go well, and I failed at pretty much everything I tried. This had the effect of making me more depressed and again my work went down hill. Fortunately, things have improved and whilst, I am not sure that my work is quite where I would like it to be. It isn’t bad.

Taken whilst I was in the early stages of my depression. Really, I was finding it hard to be inspired and my work really suffered.

One of the reasons, I was having so many mental issues was I just wasn’t happy with the images I was creating and one of the main issues was because I was finding the Westcott Optical Spot, a nightmare to use. With this bit of equipment, it took several shoot for it to work properly and even now, I still have some mixed feeling about it, though I do acknowledge at its best, it can help create some really interesting images (this isn’t one).

One of the things, I have been testing is light painting brushes. The first test didn’t go as planned, with issues with the lights pulsing (due to not being on full power). This test was done at 4:30am in my living room, to see if I could get them to work.

I have been experimenting a lot with lighting. This was an image from one of the later test shoots. With test shoots, I am not really worried about taking good photos. It is more about trying different things and seeing what works and what doesn’t.

Just a bit of fun, where I inserted myself into the image.

Again this is testing out the light painting brushes. See where I didn’t have the flash turned on full power and who the light pulses.

Happy accidents. This is something I have been looking to achieve more. Putting myself into situations where I can create something interesting. This image was created, when the main light didn’t trigger but the two back lights did.

Attempting to use light painting to create a magical effect. Something I have used in the final photos.

Another image where I was light painting. As you can see, with the right hand, you have to be very careful where you shine the flash. I have worked on this and whilst I haven’t got perfect yet, I will be putting in place a couple of ideas, where I remove the hands whilst I am light painting.

Another happy accident. Skins was just mucking around with a light whip and I took the photo.