Overall Evaluation

In this evaluation I will talk about the values within my work in regards to artists influences/research, experimenting with techniques and methods, eventually resulting in my final outcome. Our projects are divided up into four different assessment objectives.

Firstly, AO1 consists of the initial ideas and responses to the starting point as well contextual research. To achieve high marks in this assessment objective I decided to research and investigate the chosen starting point of a journey. Initially I began to explore the topic in the literal sense after creating a mind map and proposal, paying attention to transport and movement. This evidences my initial response and continuous, orderly thinking which in turn allows me to show development and influences and progression, illustrating a clear 'journey' within my work. When conducting contextual research I analysed the work of established historic photographers as well as some contemporary in order to gain variety in my work and demonstrating how photography styles have developed/changed as well as stayed the same. By carrying out this research it allowed me to understand the photographer's intentions and styles, therefore allowing me to use similar techniques and methods. I believe that I was effective in demonstrating clear inspiration from Henri Cartier Bresson, Dyrden Goodwin, Ben Gold, Ronya Galka and Brassai. Through studying these artists' work I was introduced to the Candid style of photography which I then began to use through the majority of my project. Ultimately developing my initial response into going on a journey myself, using the technique in order to gain very natural responses of people on their own journey, as well as exploring social groups. 

Additionally, AO2 is associated with experimenting with appropriate methods, resources, media, techniques and material as well as showing an ability to refine my work. Through being introduced to the Candid style of photography that I discovered in my contextual research I spent a lot of time developing and improving my style. This consisted of aiming to be un-noticed by the subjects, therefore creating very natural outcomes as well as experimenting with a variety of lenses such as 25-55mm, 55-200mm as well as using a lens with a focal point ranging up to 300mm. This allowed me to take photographs of subject from a much further distance with less chance of being noticed. I also attempted with using selective colour and saturation in order to alter the overall outcome and atmosphere. Due to travelling a lot and photographing on location a had to constantly alter my camera settings due to the change in lighting. I aimed to keep my F stop levels low in order to gain a shallow depth of field and allow the subject to stand out from the blurred background. I experimented with compositions to show an influence of Ben Gold, etching into photographs on photoshop as well as physically to relate to the work of Dyrden Goodwin, photographing at night to relate my work to Brassai and visiting similar locations to Ronya Galka and exploring social demographics, visiting different locations and investigating the type of people present. I have constantly demonstrated a fluent ability to refine my work as ideas develop by introducing artists’ styles into my own. My third shoot was the turning point for the project as this was the first instance where I experimented with Candid photograph. I further developed this style into investigating social groups and even photographing at night, exploring the city that never sleeps.

Moreover I also believe I have demonstrated a highly effective command of the formal elements in order to create successful photography. The formal elements of depth, light and form are most dominant in my work as well as colour. I feel that I have also shown an in depth subject knowledge which is evident through the annotations of my work where I have used critical vocabulary in order to discuss values, intentions and connotations. My work diaries from each shoot were very successful in allowing me to demonstrate an ability to reflect on my work and progress. In these work diaries I explained the process and equipment that I used as well as the camera settings. Then picking two or more pieces from each shoot and analysed them, explaining my view on whether they are successful or not, explaining how they were produced and my intention and thought behind them. Also I included a progression section in each work diary which illustrated what I would like to do in my next shoot, allowing me to demonstrate a clear journey. 

Ultimately, I believe that my work is very effective and deemed as exciting due to its originality. From the start of the project to the final outcome I have demonstrated a consistent high standard of work. I feel that my final outcomes are very effective in illustrating the influences of Henri Cartier Bresson, Dyrden Goodwin, Ronya Galka and Brassai through he use of their techniques in my own work. Overall, I feel that I have displayed a constant ability to produce very original work at a high standard, simultaneously refining it, showing the influences of my photographers and resulting in creating very personal response to the starting point of colour.