My Evaluation

Research

When we were first given our brief, I felt rather thrown. The idea of basing a project around anything I desired, was rather overwhelming. My head was filled with so many ideas, but I struggled to put my finger on what I wanted to work towards over the 14 weeks. When I arrived home after college one day, I was scrolling through Instagram and I came across Lightmark's work. Lightmark are a light painting photography duo, their images include organic light forms that compliment the beautiful landscapes they travel great distances to discover. Therefore Lightmark was my starting point! I had briefly touched on light trails when I was studying Photography A-Level. However it was something out of my comfort zone and I wanted to push myself in this project, instead of sticking with something safe, such as fashion and beauty.

From looking at the work by Lightmark, I looked at car trails, light painting, which I did alot of research into. I found it incredibly interesting, discovering how such amazing patterns can be created, just from a strobe of light.When researching I discovered the work of Dana Maltby,who is one of today’s most well-known and highly respected light painting artist. He is widely thought of by his peers to be on the forefront of the light painting photography movement. Dana’s body of work is astounding; he creates new images on a daily basis and is one of the most creative individuals in the light painting world. The use of colour in Maltby's work is incredible and I think that is why I appreciate his work so much.

I used the internet mainly for my research, I found Pinterest was brilliant for ideas and inspiration throughout my project. However I did use the library to look at slightly older photographers, although I did not find what I was looking for. The research I carried out greatly influenced the development of my work as my final pieces are based on techniques I have researched and images I have analysed by other photographers. I think I researched into enough topics, although I possibly could have done shoots based around the work of certain photographers.

Concept

When we were first set the task of capturing a day in our life, I really struggled to come up with ideas as my day was spent at work. I work in the fast food industry, so I thought I could possibly work with food. However, I did not get the excitement I wanted. Considering the project was 14 weeks long, I wanted to make sure I was going to enjoy what I was doing, so that I was always inspired and motivated. So I then thought about what I enjoy, which is when I thought about fashion. Although I felt if I went with fashion, it would be a safe option and I would not be pushing myself to my full ability. I also thought about relationships and wondered what paths I could take if I was to go down that route.However I had done work very similar to that before and I wanted a challenge. So stumbling across Lightmark's work excited me, knowing I would be doing something completely different! Having done alot of research and thinking, I decided my concept was going to be 'Exploring the colour, detail and movement produced by light.' When sat in college one morning I suddenly thought about playing with my Kaleidoscope when I was little. I thought about creating my own patterns by using light paintings and then turning them into mirrored images in Photoshop.I was looking forward to seeing what I was able to produce throughout the project with help from inspiration from photographers and artists.

Core Skills

Throughout this project I used my Maths skills to calculate how long of an exposure to use to capture movement. When creating my final images on Photoshop, I had to use my maths skills in order to work out the dimensions of my kaleidoscope images. I used my English skills to carry out all of my coursework from researching to evaluating.

Technique

During the project I used different techniques which I had not touched on before, such as flipping, mirroring and creating patterns in Photoshop. I love learning new skills and building myself so I thoroughly enjoyed this technique, which helped me to create my final image. As my work was based around capturing light, I had to use long exposures, which again, was something I had not done alot of work with before, I thought I picked it up rather quickly and I could now talk about long exposures and feel confident about what I was saying.

Personal Development

This project made me discover my love for working with light and discovering what amazing things it can be used for. When I started shooting I felt very much out of my comfort zone and a little bit unsure if I had gone down the wrong path. However, by doing alot of research and experimenting with my camera, I soon felt alot more confident and I very quickly began to love what I was doing. Throughout the project I did struggle with stress and worried about how I was managing my time, as I was still working four days a week. However, I told myself that worrying was the worst thing I could do and just to focus on pushing myself to create the best work I could.

Professionalism

I felt like I worked well with the deadlines, I find it easier when I have a certain date to work towards. I am a very punctual student and I feel like I have put alot of hard work and effort into this project. Due to the fact I needed to take my images in the dark, I would come home from a nine hour shift at work and then head out to photograph, so I was very committed to the project.Although I am thoroughly pleased with my photoshoots and put so much time and effort into them. I feel I could of possibly had the time to take a few more shoots, just to show an ever bigger range of work to do with light. However, I feel the images I did create were to a very high standard. I am very proud of my final pieces and think they are presented to a professional standard.

Problem Solving

The only problem which I struggled with was the light. When choosing my concept, I did not think about how at this time of year, it stays light until almost 11pm. I struggled with this, as I had to wait up all evening until it was completely dark before I could go out and shoot. If I was to redo my project, I would only work with light if it was darker alot earlier as it just made it difficult for myself and I found myself constantly tired. However, I do not regret basing my project around light, as I thoroughly enjoyed working with something totally different.

Meeting the Brief/Proposal

I think my work met the brief and my proposal, as I stuck to my concept. Although at times I debated whether to change to something I felt more familiar with. However, looking at it now, I am so pleased that I pushed myself and stuck to my original idea.

Enjoyment/Engagement

I thoroughly enjoyed researching for my project, I came across artists and photographers work which I adore and will always be inspired by. I learnt a whole new chapter of photography, working with long exposures and night photography. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, something which I hate doing, but I am so proud of my work and my final piece. The photographers that I researched definitely helped me to engage with the project and that is where most of my inspiration has come from.

Progression

I got on very well with researching my progression to higher education and what opportunities are going to be available to me this time next year. I enjoyed looking at the different choices and I thoroughly enjoyed researching more into a Gap Year. I learnt alot from working on the progression area of the project and it has helped me massively in deciding what I want to do with my future, whether that be higher education or taking a Gap Year.

Grades

Although I would like to attain a Merit grade I think this body of work is a Pass as I think I could have gone in to more detail in certain areas.

High Points and Low Points

Overall, I am so pleased with my final image. It has made me realize that pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is a good thing and I have really benefited from it. I am proud of myself for doing something different, I think experimenting with Photography is so important as you discover your love for certain things. However, I am least proud of the amount of shoots I did. I have a huge amount of research, analysis. Although I think my blog lacks practical work. This is something I am going to work on next year, making sure my blog is oozing with photographs taken by myself!