This exercise asked me to set up a still life image with a number of groups of objects.
I had a number of goes at this exercise before I decided on my final set of images.
My first attempt took me to a skating ramp on the beach in Brighton.
I set up a number of stones on the skating ramp (nice metal one) and shot each stone with the old pier in the back ground.
It took me a couple of hours to get the pictures right, mainly due to people walking in he background, but after reviewing the finished product at home I did not feel as though I had completed the exercise to a high enough standard.
I will put the images in my learning log to see what others think.
First Attempt
Second Attempt
This time I decided to forget the back ground and shoot the skate ramp straight on. I did like the contrast between the stones and the rusty metal coloured skate ramp but again I had a change of heart when I got home.
As I said I liked the look of the stones but I did not like the finished result.
After having lunch with some fruit I drove home, my meal gave me an idea, I would use a small table with a white plate as the back ground and arrange fresh fruit on the plate with lines linking each added piece.
The plate would be a clear white back ground but to add interest I would set the table as if it was set for a meal for one.
Two hours later My next exercise was coming together, here is the result, what do you think? I added a small candle to the shot.
First Image.
I was going to scatter the blue berries around the plate but I decided to place them in a round dish and put them in centre of the round plate.
Second Image
Small bunch of grapes placed just to the left, not in a compass position. More circles to add to the first two.
Third Image
Small banana added to make a small triangle.
Fourth Image
Pear added directly opposite the banana. At first I placed it the other way round with the op against the bowl in the centre but this way I think that the eye is drawn down through the centre of the plate to the pear , to the edge of the image.
Fifth Image
Apple added to form a square. It also forms a straight line through the bowl to the grapes.
Sixth Image
1st satsuma added, first of three the reason will become clear, two to go!
Seventh Image
Second added, one to go
Eighth Image
My last piece of fruit making up my image.
I added the three satsuma’s to make a triangle.
The next two images will show the line that I think the image contains.
Ninth Image
After I added the line I saw a further circle, the circle of the plate. Although not really a point line it does add detail to the image.
For me the best line/s are the three that make up the sides of the triangle.
Again this was an exercise that I really enjoyed. The course notes were spot on when they said it would take time to set the scene. Never before have I taken so long to put fruit on a plate. I did teach me one thing, the pictures you see i magazines etc of plates of food must take ages to do and the photographers have a lot more added complications.
I have over the last few days received my images back for my next assignment. I am sorting through them and making drafts of the text. I hope to be ready to submit by the Feb deadline.
Today I also saw an article about a street photographer in the USA. Her pictures have been found years after she died. After I have finished reading it, and viewing the images on line I will add a blog.