Selective processing and prominence

So far no consideration has been given to post processing techniques and how they fit in with making people or place less or more prominent in an image.

I chose a photograph I took on one of my many photowalks for this section of the course and set about making the figures seem either more or less prominent in the frame.

For the post processing I used a Photoshop software and some very basic tools.  Firstly I selected the background and made adjustments to only that.  I increased the exposure and brightness of the background which made the figures stand out more.

I have read about the controversial opinions of post processing and purists believe it’s not part of the art of photography but if it makes the difference between a good photo and a great photo then surely the end result is what matters regardless of the process.

Balancing figure and space

I chose these photographs from two previous exercises to demonstrate how to control the balance of attention between figure and space.

In this photograph 1 the eye is drawn to the figure but in Photograph two the eye is focussed more on the landscape.  Both figures are in similar positions and both facing away from the camera although the balance of attention is different.

Photograph 1:

Photograph 2:

What makes the figure in photograph one hold more attention it’s his contrast in colours making git stand out more than the space around it.  However, the figure in photograph 2, struggles to take attention away from the landscape with its more muted tones.

Making figures anonymous

Anonymous figures can be used in an otherwise static image of subjects such as landscapes.  Using a figure that doesn’t stand out as the main part of the image can do one of two things, bring the place to life and give an idea of the scale of the landscape.

There are many ways to make a figure anonymous, that is unrecognisable as an individual, by using silhouettes, using many small figures, facing away, partly obscured or even blurring the motion of the person.

In this image, most of the persons face is obscured but also the clothing colours are neutral making the landscape the main feature of the image.  If the figure had been wearing red, for instance, the viewers eye would be drawn straight to the person.

Busy Traffic

Trying to find a scenario where there is busy foot traffic in a place that allows photography isn’t as easy as first thought.  I went out into town but I looked odd with my camera and felt uneasy as people were staring and being confrontational.  I didn’t have time to think about what I was shooting and ended up with a very unsatisfying set of images.

I then decided to try a local event where it wouldn’t seem odd to be pointing a camera at a group of people and despite the fact it was a children’s event I was able to give thought and consideration to what I wanted to achieve.

I found a composition I was happy with which showed a lot of children competing in a sports day which also had the Ironbridge pots in the background to give a sense of where we were.

Although you can see parents scattered about and children lined up, this particular image doesn’t clearly show the activity taking place.  When I found this pleasing composition it was the last race and I was adjacent to the start but the children have raced to the finish line away from me.  If I’d known it was the last race I would have been more prepared!

What I like about this image is the formation of parents changing, one mum is getting up others are heading for their children, and you can see a line of parents has formed.

A Single small figure

After reading the section on quiet places busy places, I had in mind to look for opportunity whilst out with my camera rather than stage this shot.  By chance on my first outing I was walking along the river and saw someone in a place people don’t usual venture to.  This was the perfect setting and even the composition was how I’d imagined with the figure being far off centre but with something to balance it out on the other side.

Heres what I found:

Part Four – People Interacting with Place

I’m leaving a note here to say despite carrying out the exercises in this section I’m yet to write them up.  I’m concentrating on writing up the section assignment to meet the deadline and then I’ll be writing up the exercises.

See you soon………