Photography Cert. 2014 -

KILL me NOW!!!.... times ticking and i'm still trying to figure out my portfolio final edits.  This week i decided to cancel any further photo shoots i had in mind (i had about five people lined up!).  I have a good body of portraits to work with, so now its just a matter of what's going to go up and whats not. After going to the wall and seeing the possibilities, I've been milling over whether i want to present six photos or more.  Money is the main player in this game so i have to be very considered as to what i want to do.  The last thing i want is to produce work that looks and feels unfinished or lacking in something.  I remember seeing the work from last semester and being really inspired to produce a solid body of work.  At the end of the day, i want to be proud of the work i do and i want people to see the effort that I've gone through to present it.  It's not just a tribute to me but to all those who have participated in this project with me...

I've been asked to consider how i would like to present my portfolio.  If i had the time and finances i would present my final work as an A3 embossed book.  The reason for this is because my photos are personal pieces.  I think that having the photos in a book provides a sense of intimacy and personalize each portrait.  The book requires the viewer to get up close to the portraits; while also giving them the opportunity to reflect over the images at their own pace. Framing was another option.  I really liked how Allan McDonald's photo were framed.  The framing allowed people to get close up to the works, it was consistent and reinforced the lines which appeared throughout the photos. Research: Cost of printing at MIT ranges from $60 - 1 metre of double weight matte, glossy or photo paper or $100 - 1m for Hammulher paper (Fine Art print paper) Binders - University Binders Cost for binding is about $66 however as i was binding under 10 prints they were...

Aaron K - Commercial fashion photographer Research : Aaron K is an advocate for photographers to maintain copyright of their images.  As executive director of AIPA he shared some important information regarding our rights and various resources we can access to ensure that we retain control over how and where our images used.  Here is a link to the AIPA website . Cecilia and I put together an invoice for a job we did photography food for MIT School of hospitality.  Prior to the job, we did not get any formal agreement on paper, which Aaron say's should be the first port of call.  This job was done before our meeting with Aaron K, so the invoice was just an indication of what we did and what the school had offered us. I think that as a student having these precautionary measures outlined early on will ensure that you are not taken advantage of or that your work is not used in ways which may compromise your values or ethics. Experimentation : In terms of my po...

My plan for printing this week has been halted because i have two options in mind.  Last week i was really pushing to get some tests prints done so that i could make a decision on which paper to print on.  The four images i chose were ones that i thought signified the vision of my work.  This is to produce images which showed the nature of my subjects.  An embodiment of their personality, from my perspective.  These four images were strong edits i thought, and captured a side to my subjects well, these came out of a natural flow and connection in the studio.  In terms of paper i have chosen the Hammulher paper, mainly because i like the warm tones that it gives to the black and white images.  I also like the defined details in the textures which elevate the photos when they're viewed up close.  The test printing was valuable because i was able to see the images on the prints, which gives me a better perspective as to how the work will be viewed cl...

McDonald is interested in the role of photography as an archival tool, and believes it is important for photographers to chronicle their specific time and place. This idea "goes back to photographers like Eugene Atget, a Parisian photographer of the late 19th and early 20th century. He was the model of a particular type of photographer who records and documents things about to disappear because of the forces of change. I align myself with that role and feel a part of that tradition." From the article A cry for protection from The NZ Herald. Allan McDonald Talk Genre : Documentary photography, Street photography and Fine Art. Ideas which are present in his work s: The Unstable City - The theme of these works came out of the Christchurch earthquakes and the issues which arose during 2010 and 2011.   His aim is to document or shoot images which are quite historic.   Using this as narratives to develop thinking about what may have been or is to come  The freedo...

My plan is to do tests prints next week.  I have completed shooting four models. Selecting images which reflect my vision: The direction of my photography continues to follow the same ideas that i expressed in my earlier blog regarding showcasing the "essence" of my subjects; through my eyes.  The photos above show off the special traits of each of my models. Pela - Is the reflection of beauty, creativity and vulnerability.  People who don't know her think that shes intense or stand offish, but to those who know her well, theirs something about her which sets her apart.  This photo celebrates happiness and life. Paris - Is a blooming flower.  She's still very young, and is facing a lot of real world challenges.  She's part of the social media generation, who are constantly engulfed in the cyber world.  She has a long road ahead of her and i am excited and hopeful for her.  This photo celebrates the coming of age. Pata - Epitomiz...

Sara Orme Commercial photographer Photography influences - Art history referencing paintings Passion for sociology, documenting and narratives Always looking for the unconventional Advice Don't be complacent Collaborate (learning and working with others) Never let gear stop you from moving forward Think about your concepts (reference to history, classical paintings or portraits etc...) Challenge yourself and your subjects (push out of the comfort zone) You're the boss, its your vision take ownership of your shoots Be aware with whats happening in the world Try to stay relevant, keep reinventing How Sara's advice relates to my photography The thing that really struck a chord in me is her commitment to challenge herself.  I really admire her commitment to understanding what's going on around her.  Especially as she works within an ever changing environment (fashion photography).  From my end what i would practise is to reflect as much of my subject a...