Evaluation

This assignment has changed quite considerable through out the course of 12 weeks. It began as a social observation in which I was looking at the social dynamic between power station and the communities around them. There have been a few sub projects e.g. looking at how the agriculture around the stations disguise/try to disguise the large towers.

Although these ideas were all interesting and would have worked I decide to change the focus of the project. Instead of looking at all types of power sources I decide to focus on power stations. I fell in love with their baron beauty and the huge looming towers protruding from the intensely lit stations.

The after my first shoot at Ratcliffe power station I decide that I would refine the project further. I decide that I would revert to night photography. Although this may seem like a cop out, as I took a similar approach to my previous project but to be honest I don’t really care. There is just something about night photography/long exposures and its not just the final images, it’s the process the calm process. Having to get your positioning, settings and everything else perfect before giving up or moving on. It’s a way of creating image that I love and the aesthetic is something I’m really drawn to.

I have ended up with the theme of ‘power station by night’. A collection of long exposures exploring the beauty of power station.

While shooting the long exposures I always use a Manfrotto tripod and a high quality camera such as a 5D mark ii or iii (In this case I used a mark ii more the entire project). I experimented with different lenses at the start of the assignment looking at wide angles and short 50mm’s but in the end I decided the classic 24-105 was the one for me. It’s a very true lens with little interference e.g. not horrible fish eye distortion etc.

Well the first problem was with the theme. I had been shooting in the day time traveling to different power stations scoping out locations. The images I had been getting were interesting but just weren’t quite right they just didn’t have the impact I needed. Certain types of shots worked well, such as the ones with the trees covering the towers, this is something I will be experimenting with in the future. After deliberating and wondering what neede to be done to add that umphh to the images I realized. I realized that they needed to be long exposures. I even have photographic proof that this works as at Rugeley there were a collection of shots that looked interesting in the daylight but once they were shot at night it took them into another dimension. (see the images bellow) 

Another problem I had to face was the first shoot I did at Ratcliffe. Although this was the catalyst for me to start shooting long exposures the setting for the camera were wrong. Once I looked at the work after the shoot I realized that I had shot with a very high ISO which made the images noisy which in turn (well for me at least) means the are unusable. This was all fixed by a week later going a back to reshoot.

The last major problem I encountered was after all the shooting had finished. Like always I had left sorting out/ordering the frame and print to the last minute. I ordered the print paying extra for next day delivery, the print then to 5 day to come (first problem). Then once the print came I opened it up to see how it looked. On inspection I realized most of the top of the print was crumpled, there were marks from the runners of the print machine and specks of crap all over the print. This was not on so I called print space and told them the problem. They were very understanding and helpful, all I had to do was send of images of the damaged work and they then send me a fresh print. This time the print was wrapped up within an inch of its life (I think they were trying to prove a point to be honest) but the print looked pristine so that’s all that matters.

Throughout this assignment I looked at various artist/pieces of work for inspiration. For example while searching for locations I found an absoulatly beautiful of Newton Abbot power station. The shot was taken in the 70’s. The whole composition of the image worked perfectly, with each different element of the image working with of juxtaposing against each other. All together a beautiful image and the main inspiration for my final image.

I also looked at the photographer Murry Ballard. His photographic series ‘The prospect of immortality’ was the main influence for how my final image was presented (format festival 14’). His hyper realistic almost 3-D aesthetic was also a huge influence on this assignment. I love the intensity and odd stillness and try to incorporate his cutting sharp approach when I can. Murrys work has been a huge influence through out this project.

I am over the moon with this assignment. I feel it has worked out extremely well and my final image is something I can look back on with pride not only for this assignment but also for my whole time spent at college. I have really enjoyed the last 2 year and I fell they have propelled me and prepared me for the next three year spent at University, bring on Bristol.

Overall I couldn’t be happier with the outcome of my FMP. It has been interesting, challenging and rewarding as I was awarded the principles award at the end of year show. Meaning the work will be bought by the college and exhibited.