Sarah Murray

Unit 57: Photography and Photographic Practice

Research of other photographers work (P1, M1, D1)

Photographer: Callan HammondPhoto 1

Photo 2

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Photo 3

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Photo 4

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Photo 5

Photo 6

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Photo Analysis Photo one is a photo of Chad Ryan, Chad features in most of Callan Hammonds photography work as he is really good friends with him. The picture was taken in the Woods down Irlam Moss a couple of years ago. As you can see it is a Fashion styled image, blatantly trying to make a statement. I love this picture because there is a lot of mystery behind it. Personally I find gas masks creepy and weird so that ads to the overall feel of the image for me. I also love the lighting, all in the entire picture seems pretty dull as though there has been a filter used. And you can also get a feel of the surroundings and that it looks really cold. You can tell it is based around the Autumn/Winter period as the trees have no leaves and it just generally has a cold wintery feel to the picture. This is why I think the photo is clever in the way that Chad is wearing Shorts and not necessarily prepared for the winter weather. That’s why I think it links really well with the fashion side of things. One massive strength I think is the depth of field, I like the fact the background has been made to look really foggy. It adds to the mystery of the overall picture. The lighting within this picture is overexposed but you can only really tell this and feel it through the background the foreground if anything seems darker. So if it was overexposed you wouldn’t be able to see the foreground as clear as you can.

Photo two is a similar looking photo to photo one. I am unaware of the name of the person featuring in this image and not 100% sure on the exact location, however I do know it is in Manchester. It was posted 2 months ago so unlike photo 1 this was taken during the summer period. Again similar to the photo above the depth of field is a massive strength and the way that the background is out of focus and the man is in focus. I do think a weakness is the weather in the way that it looks wet. I love the fact in photo 1 that it looks cold but it doesn’t look wet and miserable like this one does. Considering this one was taken within the summer period, the image doesn’t reflect that. Another thing I absolutely love about the image is the parts of the image which have been turned upside down; it almost makes the image look as though it’s reflecting. I also do think that the man featuring could look or posed slightly differently. I do really love the variety of colour within the image like the funky buildings in the background it’s as though it’s trying to add a happy sort of feel to the overall picture, I like that about it.

Photo Three Photo 3 is one of the main pieces by Callan Hammond that I like. Again like photo 1 Chad Ryan is the main feature of the image. And I know the exact location of this image. It was taken on the Railway line going from Irlam Train Station heading into Flixton. It is a Bridge going over the Manchester Ship Canal. Half of the bridge is discarded it isn’t in use but where Chad is stood is the exact train line which gets used very often. So there was obviously a lot of risk during the capturing of this photo. I like how chilled out the picture looks considering the danger. It’s again a fashion based photo even though you can’t see his whole body. I like how Chad has such a black expression on his face, he doesn’t seem fazed. It makes the photo more serious and a similar style to professional modelling pictures. I have visited this location myself, quite a few times and thought that it would be a really good place for a shoot, and then I found this picture. Similar to the last 2 photos I have analysed, the background is quite dull as though it was Taken during the Autumn/Winter period. Another thing is the exposure, is quite high. If you look into the distance you can slightly see a pylon, usually that would be really defined and obvious looking but because of the exposure it isn’t. I think more could’ve been done with the background. Also because of the exposure it doesn’t really give off a great Depth Of Field because you can’t see an awful lot going on in the back. Despite all of that, I did like the positioning of the photo; Chad is like exactly in the middle of the frame. Callan obviously behind the camera is stood a couple of feet back from him. But they’re both in the centre of the 2 tracks which gives off an even feel to the whole picture. I think Callan likes to include areas, people, objects, buildings... etc in his photos so that other people know the area in which he is based. In near enough every photo he takes and posts holds additional information of where it is shot or special things featuring and if you know of them then it makes it interesting. Also I believe that featuring people within your work in images like this where it is based on fashion it helps to feature someone who others are going to find attractive, that way people will want to see more.

Photo four is a very basic photo again taken by Callan Featuring Chad Ryan. There doesn’t seem to be much editing done to this photo, it’s pretty natural. It features the Hilton Hotel in Manchester, one of the main buildings that signify Manchester. Like I mentioned for Photo 3 Callan likes to add things which may represent the area from which he is from. This photo defiantly expresses that. Obviously there is a good field of depth due to you being able to see the Hilton quite clearly. As well as your attention being taken to the Hilton, Chad is also very significant within this image. He is wearing a good style of clothing just like every other photo he has featured in. He’s wearing clothes which are genuinely fashionable. And by the way he is posed looking away from the camera it’s really professional looking. It’s taken from quite a low angle as well. You can tell this from the way you can see a lot of the surrounding area. Especially the bridge where Chad is sat. Maybe this photo could’ve been improved by maybe an effect, because like I mentioned I think it’s a natural picture. Also maybe because of the style of the photo a Fisheye or Wide angled lenses would’ve been good and effective. Because it isn’t just Chad which is the main feature the background is hugely significant.

Photo Five I feel is similar to Photo 1 with the mystery, you’re left wanting to know why the person featuring is dressed like that. It is unusual, that’s why I really like it. It’s a black and white image and

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I’m unsure of the exact date of which the photo was taken. The picture features a person, male in a fast food shop. It looks really mysterious how it’s just that one person in the room. More the fact that the person looks shifty with no expressions at all and the crazy skull face paint. It’s almost creepy. It’s as though the black and white filter is there to sort of signify death or darkness. It’s relevant to the face paint of the person. Unlike the other images I have analysed the main feature of this image is more in the background rather than the foreground. There is a lot going on within the photo. Like how the “Open” and “Haagen-Dazs” signs are quite vibrant and bold. Obvious representation of it. I genuinely think that if anything was to change about this photo it would ruin it. I like how it is just like mysterious and unusual. If you were to see this in real life it probably would frighten you a little. And there were a few other photos he posted to his Flickr and Website which featured this person with the face paint so it’s almost like a little story.

Photo six Is the last photo by Callan Hammond within this category which I have chosen to analyse. Considering the other photos I have chosen his one is different, quite a lot different. For starters it features a Girl unlike the majority of his other work. The colours seem really enhanced and bright which is what I like. There is hardly any depth of field. The background is blurred out as the foreground is very much in focus. Also I like how the 2 photographs are put together to make one. Even though there is hardly any difference between the 2 photos. It is a very cliché type of fashion photo especially for women, it’s a typical pose. However it works very well. Again I am unsure of the exact location of this or the girl featuring but I do know that the photo works.

In all of these images there is a focus point in more or less every part of the photo. Rather than it just being a main central feature there is a lot going on around the image and not only around the middle. For example Photo 5, your eyes lead to the man in the photo but also on all the electronic signs on the doors and the surroundings of the image. Therefore rule of thirds was taken into consideration to assure that the photo is interesting with more than one main focus point.