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Experimental Photography

Aby Jones

Out of Focus

We first worked on our Out of Focus technique, this included moving and changing the focus ring on the lens manually, enabling us to create this blurred effect, it also helps when trying to create the desired end result, to move the camera or the image which enhances the effect and makes it look more aesthetically pleasing. It’s a very easy technique and it would definitely be worth using when it comes to picking a certain theme, I think it would do very well in the fear theme and I am thinking about incorporating this photographic technique in to my actual project.

Depending on how much you move the focus ring, it always blurs the whole picture but if it’s focused on a person or a certain object it will keep some of the distinct features, as we can see in the top photograph, it’s kept some focus, allowing the viewer to realise that the photograph is of people, although it is still very blurred and out of focus.

The middle image is slightly more in focus than the other two in my opinion, although it’s still hard to make out some aspects – such as features and scenery/the background. I still think it’s a good image, it’s kind of up to the viewer to decide exactly what is going on in each image and I like that idea – I like telling a story and I think this is what the image portrays.

It’s quite a strange technique to make a photograph out of focus on purpose as opposed to an image usually being in full focus – I do like the end result though, in the bottom picture it’s blurry but the viewer is still able to make out what is going on in the image and the scenery around, for example the open windows behind the main object of the photograph – the model.

AnnotationsUsing the out of focus method I’ve managed to make a pretty standard set of windows look quite aesthetically pleasing – it looks like quite a professional photograph in my opinion.

I feel this is the strongest image because of it’s aesthetical qualities, I think, comparing this image to the others I have taken for the out of focus method, it’s the most professional and the best example of the method.

I think I have effectively managed to show what the method is using this photograph.

It also shows that I know how to effectively work the camera and I know I can and will use this to create this effect.

Nothing in the image is in focus yet it still remains nice to look at.

The object nor the camera was moving during the capture of this image.

You can still clearly tell that it’s windows, even though the whole thing is blurred – certain aspects are still visible i.e. the window panes.

Even though it all looks blurred, the camera has clearly locked on and focused on the window nearest to the lens, you can tell because the windows at the Right of the image are noticeably more blurred than the rest of the image.

Manually changing aperture, shutter speed and the focus ring has enabled me to create this effect.

Close to Subject

This method was called ‘Close to Subject’ – this meant taking multiple photographs that altogether contributed to one image – it’s covering an entire scene in a few photographs and at the end of the process it comes out with something a little like this, so here, the first image is 2 of 3 photographs taken of the same scene with different angles, the second image is 3 of 3 images taken of this particular scene. I actually really enjoyed this method and I think the end result is good – I would definitely consider using this method in my final project.

The top image is of one model – Jack – as previously explained, this is only one of three photographs actually taken, so is the second image, except it’s of a different model – Robin – the bottom image is actually the final product created with both of these images – it’s quite an abstract and interesting photograph, it’s actually quite terrifying, I do like the end result.

It’s very unique and it’s quite easy to do and with more photographs it would look very abstract and different and I think that would appeal to more people – I would definitely enjoy using this method, even though they’re normal photographs, it makes the whole image have a fear factor, it’s not even particularly aesthetically pleasing and there are definitely some things I can and will improve when it comes to the real thing but for now I think it has that certain look or style that makes me interested in trying it out again.

Annotations

Using multiple pictures that has covered the models from Left to Right, I’ve managed to create this final photograph.

The image is quite abstract and different, it doesn’t conform to the norm. Using Photoshop to

Photomerge these images together is how I ended up with this final piece.

I like the way the images have been shaped together, it makes the whole image look more abstract, which adds on top of the original effect/method that is Close to Subject.

I think I have successfully managed to re create the method, I therefore find this my strongest image as it’s aesthetically pleasing and quite frankly, not as terrifying as the other images I have made using this method.

The model stayed completely still whilst I photographed them from the Left, to the Middle and then the right.

I would get rid of the white background and make it transparent or make it black so that the photograph stands out more against it as it’s quite eye catching at first glance, even if it’s blank.

It shows I can effectively utilise this method, I would definitely consider it for my future photographs in my project.

Everything in this photograph is in focus, there is no blur or sign of other techniques.

Movement

This experiment was movement – this meant we had to manually control the shutter speed and aperture which gave us this end effect – it meant that we had to have an object in motion or move the camera during the camera lens exposure which gave the object moving a blurred effect – I really like this technique and I personally think we had the most success/fun with it, I would definitely consider using this technique in my project – I think it’s a really good technique.

As we can see, I got some very good effect from this method – the top image is supposed to induce fear from the viewer, I like how I’ve managed to capture the object in motion and it shows thanks to one of my object being still during the exposure time – this gives of this effect, I think it’s very interesting and unique and quite chilling when it comes down to fitting the theme.

The middle image is one of my favourites, it was captured whilst the object was in motion, it kept the lighting behind the actual object which gave this effect that the objects arm has merged in with the background – it’s a very odd effect but it’s also quite artistic in a way – I like the end result of this picture, its intricate and unique – it makes me like this method even more.

The last image is again one of my favourites, if humour was one of the themes I think this would fit right in, I like how some of the photograph is in full focus whereas the parts in full motion are the only things blurred – I think this is a really nice effect and I find this whole method quite aesthetically pleasing – I would definitely use this in my project, when taking my actual photographs.

Annotations

This is my strongest image because it best shows movement within the photograph – plus it induces fear.

I must have moved the camera at the same time as the object moved because even objects that are not in motion seem to be showing signs of movement and they are not supposed to.

I like how the thing that stands out the most is the object in the image that isn’t supposed to capture the immediate attention of the viewer, yet it does.

It shows that I can effectively use this method to my advantage and make aesthetically pleasing photographs.

I think it’s interesting and unique and I would probably use this image as one of my final products.

I really enjoyed the movement method and I will definitely incorporate it in to my own work – it comes out with some really great photographs.

I like the fact that I haven’t had to edit these photographs or particularly put much effort in to creating it, yet it still retains that certain aesthetical quality.

Manually adjusting the shutter, aperture and focus ring really helped me create this image.

It’s basically two models running past another model who stood completely still and stared in to the camera.

ReflectionThis method is reflection, it’s using shiny objects to create a mirrored image, things like puddles, bins, windows and so on, can be utilised for this type of method. I found this quite a challenging method because I had to physically find objects that allowed a reflection, I also had to manually adjust the shutter speed and exposure to the right settings to make sure that the viewer could actually see the reflection, this meant playing about with the settings to create perfect light, perfect resolution and make sure none of the images were blurred, or that the photograph was focused on the main object of the photograph.

The top image is one of my favourites, I used one of the windows in a cafeteria to capture the image of my friend – it looks quite scary and daunting and I’m considering using it as one of my final pieces – I like how it induces fear in to the viewer, I also like how it takes a moment or two to actually realise the main object of the photograph.

The middle image is one of the first photographs actually taken, I think in a different pose it could be seen as daunting or fear inducing – but it kind of seems neutral thanks to the pose. I still like how an everyday object such as the door has been utilised to make something like this seem quite artistic and intricate. If I was going to re-do this image, I’d definitely focus on a more sinister pose, maybe play about with the lighting as well.

The last image is a lot more sinister than the second, however, I feel like it focuses more on the background rather than on the main object of the photograph which was supposed to be the reflection, I have successfully managed to still capture this, I just think it needs to be a little better. I again like how the door has been incorporated in to the picture, the way I see it is, because it’s an inanimate object that is potentially harmless, it will induce more fear from the viewer because it’s a challenge against the norm, meaning, it makes something that is completely harmless seem absolutely terrifying.

Annotations

From first glance, this photograph induces fear from the viewer.

I think this image is by far one of the strongest I have taken, it really shows the use of the method, reflections.

I like how there is a double reflection, I think it actually induces more fear, especially with the face the model is pulling.

I like how I have unintentionally created symbolism, the fact that one of the models is wearing white which symbolises purity and the other model is wearing darker colours which symbolises danger and death – emphasises the fear.

It shows I can definitely utilise the effect.

I also like how the image is taken in an area that looks public – which puts across the sort of message: You’re not safe anywhere.

I like how I’ve managed to use lighting and aperture to create this image.

I like how it looks like the photograph has been edited but it actually hasn’t.

It was basically just one model stood behind the other pulling a serious face, it wasn’t meant to turn out as creepy as it actually did.

I like how even though it’s dark it’s easy to see what is going on and even if it takes the viewer a few moments to properly understand and see, it’s quite shocking, which is what I would go for.

I would definitely use this effect for my final images.