Feedback on assignment 2

I am quite happy with the feedback from my tutor, and I think it will move me in the right direction

Tutors feedback

Overall Comments

Thank you for your submission, which includes a series of 14 uploaded images to your blog and 14 associated prints. The images that you have submitted are very well observed and illustrate some experience and a keen eye for composition.

This is a very good submission - you have taken great care to produce work that is considered, stimulating to look at and that meets the criteria that is laid out in the assignment.

One point I would make is that you need to start expanding the vocabulary of the photography that you are looking at. Although your work is effective, if you want it to be taken seriously, it would benefit from a more contemporary conceptual approach. At the moment the ideas are a bit staid. I have recommended a few artists below for you to look at.

Feedback on assignment

One point

An effective composition that gives the viewer an idea of depth and scale. The image evokes a sense of calm and tranquility reflected in the still water. The rock is positioned well, slightly to the right of the frame so that it is not too obviously central, and this aids the ideas encapsulated in the image.

At the moment there is too much space in the foreground. Would it be worth moving the camera up slightly so that there is less water in the foreground? By shielding the lower ¼ of the image you will see that the composition becomes much stronger with the rock standing out more within the landscape.

Two points

This is a very similar composition to the above image. The sense of calm and tranquility are also in evidence here. The rocks are positioned well within the fame, using the space well with the foreground rock slightly to left of centre and the background rock slightly right of centre.

However in this case there may be not enough space in the foreground. Would it be worth either stepping back slightly or pointing the camera down slightly?

Several points in a deliberate shape

Again an effective composition with your use of space achieved by placing the foreground object well to the left of centre.

Although you have deliberately used a small aperture here it would be worth experimenting with a wider aperture so that you could try a different depth of field. Allowing the background to become softer can be a good way to try to experiment with shapes. Also would be worth placing object on the left slightly further in the frame.

A combination of vertical and horizontal lines

Wonderful photo with a great use of foreground detail. You have placed the sun in a good position and the exposure is finely balanced to capture some detail in the foreground. Well done.

Diagonals 1

Good use of lines in this image. The walkway acts as a good line to draw in the viewer to the image. The use of black and white is effective here and aids the highly geometrical nature of the image. Would recommend perhaps raising the camera slightly to see a bit more of the faces as the crop is a bit too pronounced.

Diagonals 2

An effective use of angles that gives the viewer a dynamic view of the spices. You have used depth of field to  good effect here too – as well as the diagonal lines leading the viewer into the frame, the plane of focus does the same.

Curves 1 and 2

Good use of colour and depth of field. The blue armbands and shorts are an effective echo of the blue water, contrasting well with the red. Again, we have an effective use of depth of field here too that allows the figure to stand out from the background, accentuating the curves.

The detail on the dragonfly is excellent – the head and legs are all in focus but the depth of field is soft enough to allow the leaf to fall gently out of focus to accentuate the curve. Excellent imaging well done.

Distinct, even if irregular, shapes

An obvious choice but it works well within the criteria on the brief.

Implied triangle 1

Great use of lighting and composition.

Implied triangle 2

The close focus works well to form a triangle

Rhythm

Interesting to see the sunflowers in black and white instead of colour – a brave choice that works well. It is worth experimenting more like this to challenge expectations.

Rhythm 2

Like you acknowledge in your blog, its not as strong as the previous sunflower image, but there is a theme that works.

Pattern

Effective use of space, and a well made photo but not sure it really is about pattern?

Learning logs/critical essays

Generally your comments are interesting to read and help inform the work. I would suggest that you try to evaluate your images more in depth – be more self critical and describe how you would improve them.