Flash

Very briefly in groups we had the option to practise with any studio lighting kits of our choice. Megan, Mimi and myself decided to have another go at the Metz Flash, it felt like it had been a while so we thought we would try out some simple portraits. With having some portraits images in mind we attempted to match the same lighting as the photographer/artist did.

It was great to practise again and to work with the settings of the camera and flash simultaneously. To test our abilities and improve on the weaknesses. Throughout as a group we struggled with achieving the image we had in mind, with small hitches holding us back. So the test shoot did not go to plan as we had hoped. Our main problem was simply getting the settings matching with the camera and flash, with added technical camera issues. We could have picked a tricky picture to try and match the lighting off of, making our whole process harder to begin with.  Despite some simple mistakes and issues, it was great practise and a time to work together as a team. When thinking about my project, I mentioned using a flashgun within my brief for possible future portraits. Although I feel there are still weaknesses I would need to improve on fully to feel comfortable and confident alone with the flash.

WEEK ONE

Week One:

Within this week we submitted our proposal, time plan and bibliography. I initially struggled with completing these as I didn't know how my project was going to turn out or lead to, so to plan what or when I was going to shoot was initially difficult for me. I eventually understood these needed to be written in order to refer back to them through the project and evaluate their importance and usefulness. With only deciding on Monday which brief to go with, it gave a limited amount of time to complete all these documents. I feel I do work well to a deadline, so was able to complete in time with ease.

First Steps

Completing the proposal / Action plan / and bibliography was a longer process than originally anticipated. To start with I had made my proposal too brief.. so I struggled to make it short but detailed. After grateful assistance my proposal started to include more specific information that I hope to complete throughout and at the end of my project. I, as previously stated, at the beginning of writing the proposal was worried with the information that I wrote that I'd need to complete. I came to a conclusion, that reflecting and evaluating throughout will balance any changes with a reasonable explanation. (Despite this I hope to try all avenues and test with my weakness especially).

I was solely focusing my time on the proposal that the Action plan and bibliography needed to be finished. With already creating bibliographies for my pitch of my two ideas I had something to lead me from.  And due to the amount it had already contained, any artists/ photographers mentioned from Matt or Lauren were then included also.
I struggled to plan ahead regarding the Action Plan, although 10 weeks is not a very long time, it was the fact that I did not know, this early on, what I was hoping to do. Although I had ideas in my head, I was unsure whether these were certain, with being so early on the project I thought it too hasty to assume the ideas I would be leading to when problems or other directions may occur. On the other hand, reflection on decisions will always be made, so I went with the ideas I felt comfortable with. Creating a brief time plan of 10 weeks, roughly. It is shown in a table, week by week, over viewing what the week my entail.

I felt confident with the plan and bibliography once they were complete, through finishing these and the proposal I have come away with a strong concept which has many different paths to lead into. Many of which I can experiment with.

Proposal

Monday 18th February: We had to pitch our two ideas, this was a great opportunity to hear feedback and advice. I have gained a positive outcome from this session, with now having a list of artists I can look into, as well as being happy and confident in my idea.

From this pitch, we need to write a Final Project Proposal: with the projects we have completed this year they gave us one to lead from. So to create from from scratch with a few hints is a real challenge for me. I am grateful for the tutorials that are taking place on Thursday, just to ensure each of our proposals are Distinction level. 

Writing a review on my progress and achievements at first was hard, like writing a personal statement no one wants to sound boastful! Although this is on a different level with being self evaluative. Looking back over the last 6 units really helped me evaluate what I now know now and what I still need to improve on. 

With writing a project concept paragraph I felt quite hesitant towards, due to what you write you're expected to do, and I know there are a couple of things I should try and step out of my comfort zone for. This would be great to evaluate on and reflect later on in the project; working with my weaknesses that is.

The last paragraph is to explain how you'll reflect and evaluate throughout, with lots of practise from doing a blog through my A-levels, I like the ease and quickness to the process. This is why I shall use this blog to use as my 'learning journal'. Other than this Blog of which I will use throughout, at the end of the project I plan on writing a longer and deeper reflection from the entire project and it's process.



(The danger of doing a Blog is for it to be in a diary form, a very important challenge is to make it as reflective and evaluative as possible.)