REFLECTIONS AND SUMMARY

REFLECTION AND SUMMARY

As I expected this has been a challenging project for me.  I needed to investigate how best to achieve the images that I had as cognitive representations prior to shooting.  Researching Photomacrography was a simple task, although I could have selected many images as examples in my blog.  

I received much advice from my tutor and the technician, all of which was helpful to experiment with in early shoots.  I experimented with a cropped lens camera with a 60mm macro lens, and extension tubes.  However, I did find that while I was achieving macro images, I wanted my images to have more magnification, so needed to research Micro Photography, where I not only found the technical advice I needed to achieve my intended images, but also examples of macro images.  I experimented with LED lighting, but found flash lighting worked better. 

There were problems with my model moving, albeit very slightly, and this was resolved in the final shoot by placing her on a flat surface.  The shots of the model's eyes were difficult for her as the light was very bright and disconcerting, and the lens was in very close proximity to her eye (almost touching).  I did achieve an eye shot similar to an image in my research, but like this one it did not fill the frame and there was a reflection of my thumb which was distracting, so it was not used as a final image.  

Hiring the 5x magnifying lens (Canon MP-E 65 mm) from Calumet allowed me to achieve the images I hoped for, although there were difficulties with both focussing and composition.  The problem with composition was resolved by cropping those images with only partial good composition, and so all of the final images were cropped into square format.   

I usually present my work in a sketch book and found I could build this up regularly and 

add to it, but producing a blog for the very first time proved problematic.  Having made several posts on a Page "Body Landscapes" I found that parts were disappearing (pages seemed to be divided right down the middle, leaving only half of the text and half of the images).  I did not know how to resolve this problem, so have rewritten it on the Home Page, and now the posts can be read, although they are not as extensive as the sketch book would have been.

I chose the final images as a set, within the same colour palette as one would for exhibition, and am presenting them as 5x5 inch squares, as this size is easily hand-held in a therapist-client situation. I am very pleased with them, although I feel they would work better in exhibition in a large size.  I have learned a great deal throughout this project. 

With grateful thanks to: 

Emma, my model for her patience and cooperation in spite of much discomfort; Richard and Andy, my tutors for their advice and support; and Kevin for his advice and support. 


For Tumblr blog on other part of Professional Practice module please Link to: http://myraboylephotography.tumblr.com