FMP  critical review

I am so proud of the features I have been receiving on Instagram. I have a personal target to reach 1000 followers. I love all the feedback I get from my followers which give me encouragement. I think my biggest achievement so far is getting over 1000 likes on one of my images.

Featured photographer!

Wow I’m over the moon, I have been a featured photography twice on Instagram! I do few I’m slowing getting my own since of style and it’s funny how each image I have posted that’s been featured I was actually very happy with.

GREnchantment with Nature- Up Close and Personal Research Project- Proposal Positions and Practice PHO701 .edited

Write a brief reflective account in your research journal that considers how interdisciplinary practice is already present in your practice. Consider how you think you might expand your practice through the greater use of other disciplines, media and critical contexts.

Still life Art and Photography.

I’m an artist and photographer who teaches both and I am frequently reminded how closely connected they are. As a photographer who takes images mainly of flowers, I can’t avoid the topic of still life. Still life can be used to study in a control environment and objects can be used to symbolize different meaning: an area I would like to research more into. I also feel there is a strong connection to my practice with the study of organic forms in science.

The earliest photographers would take images of still life to be accepted as a form of art, like a painting. I come across views from people that photography is for people who can’t draw and I was once told photography is the easiest option out of the two, I clearly disagree I feel both areas are equal to each other. I really like the idea of a photograph trying to look more like a painting and painting trying to look more like photograph. Tom Baril digital images are a great example, which looks like early 15th and 16th century paintings of still life. I have included two pieces of his work.

Images by Tom Baril:

Left: Peonies 2007          Right: Peonies 2008

I have started to experiment with my own work and trying out a new style with my images. I never take pictures of flowers in black and white mainly because the colour is so beautiful I feel guilty not showing that off. Surprising I did like the outcome; instead of exploring colour I feel I had to focus more on the composition of the flower. I like the grungy look in the black and white image of the Tom Baril Peonies 2007 toned silver gelatin photograph.

Today I visited a beautiful place called Mount Ephraim Gardens in Faversham Kent. In the back of mind I kept thinking about Tom Baril work more pacifically the image of the flowers in a vase which look like a oil painting. I couldn’t help myself but try this technique. I have included a image taken on my phone.

Flowers in fireplace:

I have to talk about one of my favourite photographers Edward Weston. Edward Weston was a 20th century American photographers, who took pictures of beautiful organic forms. His black and white photos are breathtaking and the magic he creates within his photos is stunning. I love how he uses the elements of photography, line, shape, size, space, size space, colour, value and texture. Key elements I try to use within my photography. I have included a image taken today, it’s not black and white but I was focusing on the shapes without the flower, which remind me of hearts.

Redhearts Flower 

I’m fascinated with the world of macro and capturing moments that have gone in a blink of an eye, so I decided to ‘re-make’ a global image by Harold Edgerton, Milk Drop Coronet 1957. This image freezes the impact of a drop of liquid using new high-tech strobe lights and camera shutter motors, to capture moments which the naked eye couldn’t see. This image, not only beautiful but also proves that photography can advantage human understanding of the physical world. Harold Edgerton was the father of the modern electronic flash which I believe makes it a global image. Harold Edgerton image is on the right.

The first task of the course: to take a picture from your window and to think about what it might say about you – your situation; your photography; or your interests more generally. So….this is my reaction to the activity, more a metaphor to my life, I’m reaching out for freedom or a new world!

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“Its not the Destination, It’s the journey.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

I have started to think about which direction I would like to take my studies and development as a photographer. There are many aspects of photography I could consider, its hard to know where to start.

Start with what you know and research!

So what do I know, it doesn’t feel like I know much right now but that’s why I’m doing this, to develop my passion and profession. I know I love nature and macro photography, it’s like seeing something for the first time. I want my research to hold my attention and develop me as a photographer. When I was studying my BA (Hons) I always started by looking at other artists who I found inspirational and try and imagine how I could do something different, which hasn’t been done before. I love the quote “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey” Ralph Waldo.

So how do I start this journey?

I need to reflect on what I have learned so far and how to take it and make it into something unique. I do know I want to find my own unique style of photography and to be able to share my ideas and vision through my photos.

Ideas so far……..

1. Is photography an art or a craft?
2. How have women influenced photography from both sides of the lens?
3. The effect of lighting in the photography.
4. How to produce the best photography – angles, and approaches.
5. Photography verses painting – emphasizing the natural aspect of the view.
6. How has macro photography evolved in the world?
7. What is the importance of nature photography?
8. How can photography be used to educate people who have a negative attitude towards nature?

Input Welcome.

Thanks for joining me and following me on my journey of discovery and development my passion for photography.

I am a self-taught photographer who would now be lost without my camera!

I fell in love with photography back when I was at school. I am now an Art and Photography teacher myself and inspiring others to pick up a camera. I am really excited for the new adventure ahead of me, studying for my MA in Photography.