Post One: Finding Inspiration
http://www.paulaheelanphotojournalism.com...Paula Heelan's website itself does not appeal aesthetically to me, but I do like many of her photographs, in particular her head shots of people living on outback properties. These range from young children, adults and older people and a lot of them are very attractive images. I particularly liked the young boy with his prize winning chook, such a look of delight on his face, and that of a clear eyed young girl, her face shaded with her hat...I like candid photography of everyday life, especially if it has a naturally whimsical element.
In reading through her journaling about the stories behind her photos, she writes with clarity and focus. It seems she only uses one photograph for each story, so she really needs to pack a lot of visual information into the accompanying shot. She has also written a couple of books, I think the writing, for her, is of equal importance to the photography.
I also love the images on the Curious Nomad Instagram site ...the square Instagram display is instantly appealing to me, and her fairly monochromatic images are well composted but simple and casual looking...while they are composed to promote her store, the images of journaling items and supplies do give me lots of inspiration for my own artistic exploits, and I must say I have never been tempted to actually purchase anything, just admire the images and consider them for points of composition and design. Maybe utilising one's artistic photography skills is counter-productive in regard to sales generation? Or that might just be me!
Another wonderful site I visit from time to time for inspiration, especially of a botanical nature, is for me a constant source of colour, texture and sheer visual pleasure...another I visit as a special treat is an artist who works with wax...a process and technique I am trying so hard to resist at present due to the need for different equipment and also accessing a different environment where making a bit of a mess is not such an issue as it is for me at the moment, working as I do in a room with a carpeted floor!
But, there are so many of these talented folk to watch and discover, I am thankful that developments in technology over my lifetime gives me such immediate access to so much inspiration.
One photographer I just keep returning to time after time, despite his Facebook portal, is Andy Prokh...such wonderfully intimate and candid images. His young model will have a wealth of memories in the future, and what a lucky girl to have a parent so engaged with her young childhood.
When I was reading and thinking about the "Visual Language" of photographers, I wasn't sure I fully understood just what that meant, especially in relation to my own photographs, but then I saw Andy's work and knew instantly...I also understand that a personal visual language is something that simply develops over time, as one develops one's own style and becomes confident about the processes involved.
In reading through her journaling about the stories behind her photos, she writes with clarity and focus. It seems she only uses one photograph for each story, so she really needs to pack a lot of visual information into the accompanying shot. She has also written a couple of books, I think the writing, for her, is of equal importance to the photography.
I also love the images on the Curious Nomad Instagram site ...the square Instagram display is instantly appealing to me, and her fairly monochromatic images are well composted but simple and casual looking...while they are composed to promote her store, the images of journaling items and supplies do give me lots of inspiration for my own artistic exploits, and I must say I have never been tempted to actually purchase anything, just admire the images and consider them for points of composition and design. Maybe utilising one's artistic photography skills is counter-productive in regard to sales generation? Or that might just be me!
Another wonderful site I visit from time to time for inspiration, especially of a botanical nature, is for me a constant source of colour, texture and sheer visual pleasure...another I visit as a special treat is an artist who works with wax...a process and technique I am trying so hard to resist at present due to the need for different equipment and also accessing a different environment where making a bit of a mess is not such an issue as it is for me at the moment, working as I do in a room with a carpeted floor!
But, there are so many of these talented folk to watch and discover, I am thankful that developments in technology over my lifetime gives me such immediate access to so much inspiration.
One photographer I just keep returning to time after time, despite his Facebook portal, is Andy Prokh...such wonderfully intimate and candid images. His young model will have a wealth of memories in the future, and what a lucky girl to have a parent so engaged with her young childhood.
When I was reading and thinking about the "Visual Language" of photographers, I wasn't sure I fully understood just what that meant, especially in relation to my own photographs, but then I saw Andy's work and knew instantly...I also understand that a personal visual language is something that simply develops over time, as one develops one's own style and becomes confident about the processes involved.
Post Two: Thinking Through The Process
What makes a visual theme? What have I in my rather constrained life that I could use that would provide enough interest? For whom? Well, that is easy, my few followers on YouTube, and mainly family and friends on my blog and those who visit my Face Book page...on the whole these are similar groups.
Sadly, my constant companions and subjects of happy photographs over many years, Pig and Bob are now both gone, my three uber cute grandsons are living on the mainland and well out of lens range and although I constantly try to photograph the birds that visit my garden, I don't have a lot of success...they are too fast for my simple equipment.
But, I do have my small garden, and that is a constant source of photographic interest to me and is a reliable source of inspiration as long as I focus in on the minutia.
Also my crafting exploits are another source of interest but as I am so focused on videoing my projects, so much easier than endless photographing of a technique when I have such issues with lighting, that I would need to rethink how to provide a photographic record of my work, should I use that for my assignment.
I have a choice of platforms for sharing, via my blog, twitter and Instagram, and for this assignment I intend to utilise my blog once again...I also have a Facebook account but do not like that platform for my personal use despite it's obvious attraction to many...I only activated my account to participate in some crafting design teams as a requirement for shared posts and information...I now use it as an additional portal to share blog posts and YouTube uploads with many who would never think to access them through other venues.
The question of what I could/should develop as a theme for this assignment again puzzled me. As it did in the previous assignment, until I realised that (almost) every little thing that occurs during the course of the day could be construed as a theme if photographed and presented in the right way.
Just get on with it I thought, the tutors have actually been saying this since day one. The story does not need to be earth-shattering, mind-blowing or fantastic...sometimes the simple things are the best to reflect on and appreciate.
Certainly for the purposes of this exercise, the content is almost irrelevant, it is what is made of it and the process of arriving at that point which is important.
Sadly, my constant companions and subjects of happy photographs over many years, Pig and Bob are now both gone, my three uber cute grandsons are living on the mainland and well out of lens range and although I constantly try to photograph the birds that visit my garden, I don't have a lot of success...they are too fast for my simple equipment.
But, I do have my small garden, and that is a constant source of photographic interest to me and is a reliable source of inspiration as long as I focus in on the minutia.
Also my crafting exploits are another source of interest but as I am so focused on videoing my projects, so much easier than endless photographing of a technique when I have such issues with lighting, that I would need to rethink how to provide a photographic record of my work, should I use that for my assignment.
I have a choice of platforms for sharing, via my blog, twitter and Instagram, and for this assignment I intend to utilise my blog once again...I also have a Facebook account but do not like that platform for my personal use despite it's obvious attraction to many...I only activated my account to participate in some crafting design teams as a requirement for shared posts and information...I now use it as an additional portal to share blog posts and YouTube uploads with many who would never think to access them through other venues.
The question of what I could/should develop as a theme for this assignment again puzzled me. As it did in the previous assignment, until I realised that (almost) every little thing that occurs during the course of the day could be construed as a theme if photographed and presented in the right way.
Just get on with it I thought, the tutors have actually been saying this since day one. The story does not need to be earth-shattering, mind-blowing or fantastic...sometimes the simple things are the best to reflect on and appreciate.
Certainly for the purposes of this exercise, the content is almost irrelevant, it is what is made of it and the process of arriving at that point which is important.
 |  Pattern or appeal? |  |
 These two knitting images were taken on different days, so the lighting is different... |  |
 |  Different sized images taken at different times even with the same background do not display aesthetically... |  |
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I loaded these photographs to give myself a visual prompt, sometimes it is quicker and easier for me to do this than simply trying to think through an issue.
In the case of these photographs I can see that lighting and background are obvious components of enabling cohesive theme-building. Also, (and I hadn't ever thought of this before even though I have been using photographs on my blog for several years now), so is the importance of the size of the image. I will need to work more on understanding how to photograph and resize in Photoshop to get consistency. Once I get the sizing issues sorted I am sure I will achieve better display outcomes.
On my blog previously I have only added single images that can simply be resized on the page to look near enough the same and so have not really bothered too much about this aspect. Once I have those basic aspects of my shots fully under my control, I will be able to concentrate more on the subject matter.
I like to use natural daylight as I find I get better colouring in my images. Anyway, I simply don't have the special lighting apparatus required to allow me to be more precious about lighting issues. With the variations in the weather, getting consistency in a series of photographs that cannot all be taken at the same time, such as when making a journal or knitting an object, can be problematical for me. At the moment I have objects piled near my photography bench waiting for a cloud to obscure the sun, then I whip open the window covers and get cracking on the photos I want to take while the sunlight is obscured...you can't guess how much I wish for an overcast day sometimes, when making a project and need still photographs to add the the end of the video!
Revisiting the key areas of composition and design was a good refresher for me, as I had learned a lot from these parameters in a previous unit...I now find myself unconsciously, (almost), considering these before I take a photo, not trying to incorporate them during the editing phase, which is nice...I have found several images taken during this unit that I really have not got to mess with, apart from the very basic adjustments such as size and brightness.
Gradually as I think through all these issues, I am focusing my mind towards what might become a successful series of photographs...not only to satisfy the requirements of the assessment three rubric, but also as an ongoing strategy to enable me to post more interesting and engaging images in my blog.
In the case of these photographs I can see that lighting and background are obvious components of enabling cohesive theme-building. Also, (and I hadn't ever thought of this before even though I have been using photographs on my blog for several years now), so is the importance of the size of the image. I will need to work more on understanding how to photograph and resize in Photoshop to get consistency. Once I get the sizing issues sorted I am sure I will achieve better display outcomes.
On my blog previously I have only added single images that can simply be resized on the page to look near enough the same and so have not really bothered too much about this aspect. Once I have those basic aspects of my shots fully under my control, I will be able to concentrate more on the subject matter.
I like to use natural daylight as I find I get better colouring in my images. Anyway, I simply don't have the special lighting apparatus required to allow me to be more precious about lighting issues. With the variations in the weather, getting consistency in a series of photographs that cannot all be taken at the same time, such as when making a journal or knitting an object, can be problematical for me. At the moment I have objects piled near my photography bench waiting for a cloud to obscure the sun, then I whip open the window covers and get cracking on the photos I want to take while the sunlight is obscured...you can't guess how much I wish for an overcast day sometimes, when making a project and need still photographs to add the the end of the video!
Revisiting the key areas of composition and design was a good refresher for me, as I had learned a lot from these parameters in a previous unit...I now find myself unconsciously, (almost), considering these before I take a photo, not trying to incorporate them during the editing phase, which is nice...I have found several images taken during this unit that I really have not got to mess with, apart from the very basic adjustments such as size and brightness.
Gradually as I think through all these issues, I am focusing my mind towards what might become a successful series of photographs...not only to satisfy the requirements of the assessment three rubric, but also as an ongoing strategy to enable me to post more interesting and engaging images in my blog.
Post Three: A Theme Or A Story...
Getting out is not often easy for me, if I have pain levels under control enough to organise a trip out I also need to check the weather, availability of a driver, prior engagements et al...once I get those stars all aligned off we go. Mind you...I still do have to get my husband to actually stop driving when I want him to...you would be surprised if you knew just how many of my photographs have been taken from the open window of a speeding car! I have learned not to include the blurred verge in the shot...
A couple of recent outings though have enabled me to collect quite a few images to play with...the first area of interest I thought I'd explore was texture...I had toyed with the thought of Autumn leaves, colours etc...but it was almost all over before I could get out there...so bark, trees and leaves have become my focus...I have a good understanding of my own nature though, and know that something will eventually percolate to the surface of my mind as I work through the images and ideas I have, so, my present mantra, (along with Lance Corporal Jones), is "don't panic"!
A couple of recent outings though have enabled me to collect quite a few images to play with...the first area of interest I thought I'd explore was texture...I had toyed with the thought of Autumn leaves, colours etc...but it was almost all over before I could get out there...so bark, trees and leaves have become my focus...I have a good understanding of my own nature though, and know that something will eventually percolate to the surface of my mind as I work through the images and ideas I have, so, my present mantra, (along with Lance Corporal Jones), is "don't panic"!
 Melaleuca bark in early morning light |  Oak bark on an overcast, chilly day |  Eucalyptus bark in dull afternoon light |
 Oak leaves |  Pittostrum undulatum berries |
Melaleuca leaves and capsules
The endless options inherent with taking images of tree bark, leaves, seed pods or flowers, (things readily available to me and also interesting in various ways), do not leap at me in regard to Assessment 3...they can be manipulated and altered in many ways if required, although I find that I really do prefer the results of natural light more with these natural objects.
What about my "brand"...my crafting exploits, my diversionary tactics now required by my reduced and humdrum existence? Mmm...whether anyone else is interested or not isn't really the point I think...so the following images are looking at just that topic...seeing what evolves.
What about my "brand"...my crafting exploits, my diversionary tactics now required by my reduced and humdrum existence? Mmm...whether anyone else is interested or not isn't really the point I think...so the following images are looking at just that topic...seeing what evolves.
I think this collection of images does tell a story about some of the broader aspects of my way of making a simple journal from mostly recycled and "found" objects...not by any means a tutorial, but just a very general idea.
Looking at them however, it does not give any indication of the recycling aspect...that is something I need to think about, how to indicate that within the photographs, if I decide to make more of my tutorials as a photographic story. The papers and old books found at the local tip recycling store, the textiles reclaimed from discarded clothing, recycled discarded jewelry findings, the cereal box used as cover material et al. This is all very much easier during a video as one can include the information about the materials during the conversation that ensues throughout the tutorial.
I am also reminded here of the need to group my images more succinctly...maybe back to the photo board look? Maybe the collaging tools chapter will broaden my mindset. Remember sizing and background lighting...so much to consider...but I am sure things will drop into place...eventually.
Looking at them however, it does not give any indication of the recycling aspect...that is something I need to think about, how to indicate that within the photographs, if I decide to make more of my tutorials as a photographic story. The papers and old books found at the local tip recycling store, the textiles reclaimed from discarded clothing, recycled discarded jewelry findings, the cereal box used as cover material et al. This is all very much easier during a video as one can include the information about the materials during the conversation that ensues throughout the tutorial.
I am also reminded here of the need to group my images more succinctly...maybe back to the photo board look? Maybe the collaging tools chapter will broaden my mindset. Remember sizing and background lighting...so much to consider...but I am sure things will drop into place...eventually.
Post Four: Using Instagram And Twitter More...
I really like Instagram, also Twitter, because of the brevity, both in the speed of upload and the minimisation of necessary text...I always want to get too wordy for my own good. If that trait irritates me, then it must really irritate others! Both Instagram and Twitter almost obliterate the need for works, letting the images speak for themselves...so why don't I use them more? Mmm...
Also, I have joined the 365 Project, adding my photographs daily...I am enjoying that process because it makes me think less about the "perfect" quality of the image and more about just getting it done...every day!
I need to think in the same way about Instagram.
Also, I have joined the 365 Project, adding my photographs daily...I am enjoying that process because it makes me think less about the "perfect" quality of the image and more about just getting it done...every day!
I need to think in the same way about Instagram.
Post Five: Collaging, Grouping, Sequencing Images
Well, the collage chapter really did help! I enjoyed playing with PhotoJoiner...see the collage of images above, and the Fotor site will speed up my YouTube video thumbnails, Facebook headers...many interesting applications there...such fun, but I must not get too distracted...besides, there is a cost involved with Fotor which is a consideration for me now...
Post Five - Manipulating And Editing Images
Oh what fun PS6 is...I have little fiddles among the range of Photoshop parameters, particularly the filters, from time to time with varying results.
Until now though, I have usually only altered an image that I want to use in an art project.
I rarely go back to apply what I have learned to photographs I take to share simply as images...I think I am too process orientated, too fixated on the "truthfulness" in the imagery...maybe I have just lost my sense of fun over the many years I have had to spend being an adult, parent, responsible, frugal and realistic...maybe if all I gain from this unit is a little reclaimed childish fun, than I will be one happy little snapper! I have the time for it now, after all.
Until now though, I have usually only altered an image that I want to use in an art project.
I rarely go back to apply what I have learned to photographs I take to share simply as images...I think I am too process orientated, too fixated on the "truthfulness" in the imagery...maybe I have just lost my sense of fun over the many years I have had to spend being an adult, parent, responsible, frugal and realistic...maybe if all I gain from this unit is a little reclaimed childish fun, than I will be one happy little snapper! I have the time for it now, after all.
 Original |  Colour Balance |  Hue & Saturation |
 Gradient Map |  Colour Invert |
 Vibrance |  Low contract, high brightness |  Exposure |  Curves |
Black & White
 A "sketch" image I have used for colouring and using on a greeting card... | The inbuilt phone editing processes are simpler to remember, more immediate regarding access, but also fun...I tend to use these rather more frequently due to expediency and my familiarisation with them. I particularly like the sketch feature, as I sometimes use a "sketch" image of a photograph, such as these fuchsia flowers, for using on a card front, adding colour through paint, pencils etc. where I think best placed. |
One thing I have realised during this unit is the sheer enormity of the number of apps available, particularly for my phone, and the huge range of processes for editing that are available...but, being a simple soul, I prefer to not get too bogged down with multiple layers of complexity. I am frequently advised by kind friends and relations that I "must" try an app that they use...that I don't know what I am missing...yaddayadda. Kindly meant but one can't try all the available flavours of icecream in one sitting and expect to stay calm!
Being older too, I do need to work a bit harder to retain so much variation, so I really need to use something I am comfortable with. After all the information available in this unit (thank you all so much for that, I have really learned a lot), I have played amongst those I was unfamiliar with and as a result have now downloaded SnapSeed onto my phone. I am very impressed with it's ease and range of functionality and am so enjoying getting familiar with the possibilities I now have, even if it did take me a puzzled hour or two to work out how to access them and download them off my phone so I could add them to my blog posts!
Being older too, I do need to work a bit harder to retain so much variation, so I really need to use something I am comfortable with. After all the information available in this unit (thank you all so much for that, I have really learned a lot), I have played amongst those I was unfamiliar with and as a result have now downloaded SnapSeed onto my phone. I am very impressed with it's ease and range of functionality and am so enjoying getting familiar with the possibilities I now have, even if it did take me a puzzled hour or two to work out how to access them and download them off my phone so I could add them to my blog posts!
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The three images above have been SS'd...albeit somewhat tentatively, but what fun it is.
The only downer for me is the size of the phone screen, I could use the Note but I find that clumsy for taking photos...so I will just need to get used to it. The immediacy and range of options is simply wonderful, especially when you consider I am someone who started taking photographs on my sister's borrowed Box Brownie and had to wait weeks to see the finished images...that is, when they came out at all.
I also like to play with the filters in PS6, I frequently use these images for card fronts, journal pages and other unique projects...colourful images such as the pointilism leaf below can look uber spiffy as a background image, whereas the original leaf image is dull and uninspiring.
The only downer for me is the size of the phone screen, I could use the Note but I find that clumsy for taking photos...so I will just need to get used to it. The immediacy and range of options is simply wonderful, especially when you consider I am someone who started taking photographs on my sister's borrowed Box Brownie and had to wait weeks to see the finished images...that is, when they came out at all.
I also like to play with the filters in PS6, I frequently use these images for card fronts, journal pages and other unique projects...colourful images such as the pointilism leaf below can look uber spiffy as a background image, whereas the original leaf image is dull and uninspiring.
 Original |  Pointilised |
 Original |  Brightness and contrast adjusted |
 Original |  Crystalised |
 Original |  With Gradient mapping |
Post Six - Privacy and Copyright
Having worked all my life in an environment where both issues are fundamental to everyday activity, and being a very private person myself, I fully understand these concepts and their intricacies and ramifications.
Within the crafting community I engage with, I am often shocked by the number of persons I see copying images from Pintrest and other online sources and using them in all sorts of commercial ways, without attribution of any sort. Most folk do seem to think that if an image is "available" then it is free to utilise, but I guess that holds good of music, videos and other types of media too.
For the most part, when making art and craft projects, the techniques I use that I have not seen anywhere else, I share freely in my blog and videos. After all, it can be hard to know if this really is an original idea especially when a quick search simply does not find other similar items. I do not worry if there are some folk who do not mention my video when posting similar ideas as their own...who cares...but I really appreciate the vast majority who do refer to my work when they use it as the source of their own inspiration. I would never knowingly use another's ideas and present them as my own, in particular images, these seem very personal to me. I have a couple of memberships to suppliers of digital images that I use when I need something I cannot produce for myself.
Ever since setting up my blog I have added my watermark to most images I post there, but primarily as a directive link back to my blog rather than as a security intervention. I rarely bother anymore, for a couple of reasons. My blog is so low profile and my photographs are not a source of income for me. Watermarks can be easily removed if someone is determined to do so. Another safeguard is that I would never post anything of a sensitive or personal nature.
There is so much interesting information available about these issues in Week 10 that I have enjoyed reading...it is certainly a complex area and one to be very savvy about if aiming to make a living with photography.
Within the crafting community I engage with, I am often shocked by the number of persons I see copying images from Pintrest and other online sources and using them in all sorts of commercial ways, without attribution of any sort. Most folk do seem to think that if an image is "available" then it is free to utilise, but I guess that holds good of music, videos and other types of media too.
For the most part, when making art and craft projects, the techniques I use that I have not seen anywhere else, I share freely in my blog and videos. After all, it can be hard to know if this really is an original idea especially when a quick search simply does not find other similar items. I do not worry if there are some folk who do not mention my video when posting similar ideas as their own...who cares...but I really appreciate the vast majority who do refer to my work when they use it as the source of their own inspiration. I would never knowingly use another's ideas and present them as my own, in particular images, these seem very personal to me. I have a couple of memberships to suppliers of digital images that I use when I need something I cannot produce for myself.
Ever since setting up my blog I have added my watermark to most images I post there, but primarily as a directive link back to my blog rather than as a security intervention. I rarely bother anymore, for a couple of reasons. My blog is so low profile and my photographs are not a source of income for me. Watermarks can be easily removed if someone is determined to do so. Another safeguard is that I would never post anything of a sensitive or personal nature.
There is so much interesting information available about these issues in Week 10 that I have enjoyed reading...it is certainly a complex area and one to be very savvy about if aiming to make a living with photography.
Post Seven - Working On my Photographs
So much to read, so much inspirational work to view, I keep getting distracted from what is rapidly becoming the primary focus...which of my "groups" of images am I going to run with...the beach, sky, flowers, herbs, trees, leaves, windows...Which is it to be...?
I started some years ago when living for a couple of years in Pyrmont, Sydney, and also visiting Melbourne, photographing interesting windows. Battery Point in Hobart is also a former favourite place, when I could get about more easily than now, with some interesting architecture and one can get nice and close to the buildings without leaving the footpath and no-one seems to mind someone snapping away at architectural detail.
I went on over time to make a collection of windows with cats in them, working away from home and missing my own pets as I was. I did pull these older images out and was tempted to use some of them, then thought that I had better stick to more recent shots for this exercise. I will play with them later...it rather surprised me how many nice shots I had taken, but they really do need editing and getting rid of all the detritus...
Meanwhile, some before and after experiments I have been making...I usually run all my images through Photoshop if for nothing else than to crop and adjust the image size. I also almost always click on the auto contrast and brightness button and then adjust the sliders to a point where the image suits my eyes best.
I started some years ago when living for a couple of years in Pyrmont, Sydney, and also visiting Melbourne, photographing interesting windows. Battery Point in Hobart is also a former favourite place, when I could get about more easily than now, with some interesting architecture and one can get nice and close to the buildings without leaving the footpath and no-one seems to mind someone snapping away at architectural detail.
I went on over time to make a collection of windows with cats in them, working away from home and missing my own pets as I was. I did pull these older images out and was tempted to use some of them, then thought that I had better stick to more recent shots for this exercise. I will play with them later...it rather surprised me how many nice shots I had taken, but they really do need editing and getting rid of all the detritus...
Meanwhile, some before and after experiments I have been making...I usually run all my images through Photoshop if for nothing else than to crop and adjust the image size. I also almost always click on the auto contrast and brightness button and then adjust the sliders to a point where the image suits my eyes best.
 The original photograph of a small crafting project before any fiddling about... |  This is the end result...a little resizing, cropping, brightness and contrast adjustment and removal of a brand name from the bottom of this old recycled piece of graph paper in Photoshop...I then added some local areas of highlight over the thread spools and the little stitched inchie... |
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On the left is the original photo. It has a couple of small graphite marks on the upper left and lower right corners and a shows a rather raggy trimming of the fabric on the lower left corner. I corrected the brightness and contrast of the image in Photoshop, then went on to use the clone stamp tool to copy a clean area of the fabric and "paste" it over the marked areas and slightly adjust the roughly trimmed edge.
It is still a mess, but I am simply using these images to show where I adjusted things. I usually delete the original once I have adjusted it, I keep forgetting that I need to post some examples onto this journal...I would take much more care if I was actually posting this image onto my blog...
It is still a mess, but I am simply using these images to show where I adjusted things. I usually delete the original once I have adjusted it, I keep forgetting that I need to post some examples onto this journal...I would take much more care if I was actually posting this image onto my blog...
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Having worked on getting the photo sizing correct it is a pleasure to drop them into the blog now...for this random collection, I did not need to collage them together, as long as I group the sizes appropriately, they display quite nicely.
The lighting and editing functions are becoming much easier as I grow in familiarity with them and I have been beavering away at a great rate with all sorts photographs. I really want to display my arty crafty projects as tutorials, as that is my focus, predominantly, during my normal day with my YouTube channel. But also, I want to do something a bit more challenging, as the limit of ten photographs for the final assessment would indicate a fairly simple project...also, do something different while I have the chance.
It was about now in my cogitating that I realised that I have really set myself up with another difficulty...
Which theme (and theme it is, rather than story), should I choose? I have been galumphing about with beach and sea themes, trees, leaves, flowers, herbs, bark, seed cases, and finally old buildings...to the point where I have an embarrassment of riches to select from...
Decisions, decisions!
The lighting and editing functions are becoming much easier as I grow in familiarity with them and I have been beavering away at a great rate with all sorts photographs. I really want to display my arty crafty projects as tutorials, as that is my focus, predominantly, during my normal day with my YouTube channel. But also, I want to do something a bit more challenging, as the limit of ten photographs for the final assessment would indicate a fairly simple project...also, do something different while I have the chance.
It was about now in my cogitating that I realised that I have really set myself up with another difficulty...
Which theme (and theme it is, rather than story), should I choose? I have been galumphing about with beach and sea themes, trees, leaves, flowers, herbs, bark, seed cases, and finally old buildings...to the point where I have an embarrassment of riches to select from...
Decisions, decisions!
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Post Eight - The final Countdown
A very recent drive to the old Buckland church of St John the Baptist, built in the 1840's, on a rather cloudy afternoon allowed me access to another source of photographs which I have decided to use for this assignment, mainly because they take me away from all my other preoccupations and give me a clean slate, as it were, to apply my newly acquired knowledge of how I want to manipulate and present my images.
I last visited the church many years ago with my young brood of four while on an East Coast holiday trip. Exploring old buildings was a wonderful way of spurring their interest in the history of Tasmania, architecture, trees and plants introduced by early settlers, family history, all that good stuff. The graveyards, in particular were a wonderfully emotive source of discussion about all sorts of aspects of life, and still hold a contemplative attraction for us although we are now all much older and mostly gone our own ways.
On this one little recent excursion I was able, despite the light starting to fade, collect three main themes, the graves and headstones still standing amongst the rough lawns and lovely old trees, the interior lovely windows and the exterior of the building itself. I think the rather subdued light helped bring texture and form into better contrast, and I am reasonably pleased with the outcomes.
I have included all three groupings here, rather unnecessarily I know. I have decided that the exterior photographs of the building itself will be the collection I submit for my assignment. They are strong in form and colour and are very different from my usual images.
I like how cohesively the collection of nine images looks together although they display different aspects of the one little building. The colours and texture of the stone, and the age of the building shows through quite well.
Although this is a collection displayed as a theme, I have thought about and made my selection of images carefully, choosing an image of the main door to start, and a dear little weathered blue chancel door to finish.
The quiet walled enclave surrounding the church itself is attended nightly by wallabies, possums, bandicoots and rabbits, as they had all left evidence of their frequent and recent visitings. I am sure help they keep the grassed areas neat. If given a choice I'd like to end my days somewhere so quietly rural and peaceful, with the wind in the trees and the wild life visitors so numerous and frequent.
I last visited the church many years ago with my young brood of four while on an East Coast holiday trip. Exploring old buildings was a wonderful way of spurring their interest in the history of Tasmania, architecture, trees and plants introduced by early settlers, family history, all that good stuff. The graveyards, in particular were a wonderfully emotive source of discussion about all sorts of aspects of life, and still hold a contemplative attraction for us although we are now all much older and mostly gone our own ways.
On this one little recent excursion I was able, despite the light starting to fade, collect three main themes, the graves and headstones still standing amongst the rough lawns and lovely old trees, the interior lovely windows and the exterior of the building itself. I think the rather subdued light helped bring texture and form into better contrast, and I am reasonably pleased with the outcomes.
I have included all three groupings here, rather unnecessarily I know. I have decided that the exterior photographs of the building itself will be the collection I submit for my assignment. They are strong in form and colour and are very different from my usual images.
I like how cohesively the collection of nine images looks together although they display different aspects of the one little building. The colours and texture of the stone, and the age of the building shows through quite well.
Although this is a collection displayed as a theme, I have thought about and made my selection of images carefully, choosing an image of the main door to start, and a dear little weathered blue chancel door to finish.
The quiet walled enclave surrounding the church itself is attended nightly by wallabies, possums, bandicoots and rabbits, as they had all left evidence of their frequent and recent visitings. I am sure help they keep the grassed areas neat. If given a choice I'd like to end my days somewhere so quietly rural and peaceful, with the wind in the trees and the wild life visitors so numerous and frequent.
St. John The Baptist Church, Buckland Tasmania June 2017 - Part 1. The Headstones And Graves
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This group of images have all been simply resized and the brightness and contract adjusted. I wanted to bring out the aged appearance with the colours of the stones used, the aggregation of lichens and mosses apparent, the worn, almost illegible stonework engraving and the remaining visible signs of the varying degrees of ceremony which had been applied to the memorials.
From a large rectangular sarcophagus at the Western end of the church with many family names added, to the very modest little stone in the last image, tucked away by the church wall. This last looked as if it had been engraved by someone who was not very familiar with the stone engraver's art...maybe the lad's dad or an apprentice, as the words are a trifle wonky...but that is just me, being fanciful.
All the older graves and headstones in the enclosed churchyard face the East, and they are very tightly packed with little space to walk between them.
From a large rectangular sarcophagus at the Western end of the church with many family names added, to the very modest little stone in the last image, tucked away by the church wall. This last looked as if it had been engraved by someone who was not very familiar with the stone engraver's art...maybe the lad's dad or an apprentice, as the words are a trifle wonky...but that is just me, being fanciful.
All the older graves and headstones in the enclosed churchyard face the East, and they are very tightly packed with little space to walk between them.
St. John The Baptist Church, Buckland Tasmania June 2017 - Part 2. The Church Interior
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There is much contention about the history and origin of the Chancel windows, but regardless, they are wonderfully coloured and glowed on this rather dull day. I think that to not have the details recorded somewhere is a tad strange, as the building of the church is fairly well documented and local well-to-do- landowners and families were so involved, but the details do seem to have been lost.
An interesting article about the myths and conjectures surrounding the aetiology of the windows is available here.
A bell still hangs in the little bell tower, with the rope hanging (rather tantelisingly, but I resisted!) down past the glass window on the Western end of the building.
I felt I really did not do these windows proper justice, I was concerned that the lighting levels were too low, which it wasn't and I simply did not take enough care when photographing...I think I will need to go back another day and finish the job properly.
An interesting article about the myths and conjectures surrounding the aetiology of the windows is available here.
A bell still hangs in the little bell tower, with the rope hanging (rather tantelisingly, but I resisted!) down past the glass window on the Western end of the building.
I felt I really did not do these windows proper justice, I was concerned that the lighting levels were too low, which it wasn't and I simply did not take enough care when photographing...I think I will need to go back another day and finish the job properly.
Assessment Three Images.
St. John The Baptist Church, Buckland Tasmania June 2017 - Part 3. The Building Exterior
St. John The Baptist Church, Buckland Tasmania June 2017 - Part 3. The Building Exterior
Image One
Image Two
Image Three
Image Four
Image Five
Image Six
Image Seven
Image Eight
Image Nine
The building itself, commenced in August 1846, with the wonderful colours and textures in the ageing stone, still in remarkably good shape...much of Tasmania's sandstone is very soft and weathers away gently. There is much more lichen and discolouration on the walls and roof tiles on the South side of the building, where less sun falls.
I am posting these images here as well as submitting them as separate files as required, simply to keep them all together.
I hope you like these images too.
Di Ayers.
I am posting these images here as well as submitting them as separate files as required, simply to keep them all together.
I hope you like these images too.
Di Ayers.
Written Reflection Regarding My Selected Group Of Images.
In the nine images I have chosen to represent this building, I have aimed to present the age and solid structure of this mid-nineteenth century church. It solidly represents a cultural thread winding through the community which has been involved in its development and ongoing maintenance through all the disasters, losses and joys of the human experience in a remote rural community through one hundred and seventy years. The fact that it remains open in an environment when many small rural churches have become redundant is rather astonishing.
Despite all I have learned about the manipulation of photographic images during this unit, I have done very little to the images in the way of editing or altering them, except to resize and adjust each just slightly regarding contrast and brightness. I do this to a point where I am visually content with the outcome.
I have shared my images and discussed them with others more experienced in photography than I, as well as in some of the Discussion Boards and have absorbed the comments and suggestions that have arisen.
I am becoming more interested now in managing focus, so I still have many things to find out about and hopefully will continue to improve the images I share through Instagram, Facebook and my blog.
Many thanks to you, our so supportive tutors,
Dianne Ayers
334262
Despite all I have learned about the manipulation of photographic images during this unit, I have done very little to the images in the way of editing or altering them, except to resize and adjust each just slightly regarding contrast and brightness. I do this to a point where I am visually content with the outcome.
I have shared my images and discussed them with others more experienced in photography than I, as well as in some of the Discussion Boards and have absorbed the comments and suggestions that have arisen.
I am becoming more interested now in managing focus, so I still have many things to find out about and hopefully will continue to improve the images I share through Instagram, Facebook and my blog.
Many thanks to you, our so supportive tutors,
Dianne Ayers
334262
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