I have conducted further research into landscape photography, broadening my search to look into Experimental Landscape photography and contemporary landscape photography! My research has brought me across a photographer called Peter Madsen, he has created a series of experimental landscape images, which uses the idea of detail and photo merging!

Using my image that I had previously turned in HDR, I have duplicated the image and resized them, then merging the images together. I like how it gives the image a sense of movement and mysticism, fitting well with the idea of “The Wizard” and reflecting the story of “The Wizard” in which he opened the mysterious tunnel for the traveller!

For the last few months I have been photographing “The Wizard” location in Alderly edge and I am beginning to develop a steady series of photographs that I am hoping to use for my exhibition. I have noticed from shooting in the location that there is a very dynamic range between the highlights and shadows of my images, and I am hoping to show this in a better way. I have began to look at HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography, this will allow me to show the full range of tones in my images.

I have recently been doing my early research into other photographic practitioners, focusing mainly on black and white landscape photography! I like how the use of black and white photography in landscape photography can somewhat abstract the image that we see, and this can create a more interesting photograph to look at!

The photographer here has used long exposure. This has given the image a smooth, dreamy effect, as anything moving (such as water and clouds) has been caught in motion. I am also very interested in the choice the photographer has made to silhouette the tree against the sky, as this gives the viewer something to look at.

Here the photographer has used the weather to their advantage by choosing to photograph in foggy conditions. The photographer has made good use of leading lines, using the path in the foreground, to lead the eye of the audience through the image.

This image was taken by the famous Ansel Adams! Ansel Adams used what is a called a 5×4 camera or a large format camera! The size of the negative used, allowed Ansel to create incredibly detailed images with a large dynamic range, a way of achieving this digitally would be to investigate how HDR photography is used and how I can apply it to my images.

Silver arts award: Photography

Honey Rae

Identify And Plan An Arts Challenge:

My Arts challenge will be to plan and isolate a photographic project, which will then be able to lead onto a portfolio and photography exhibition. I will explore different techniques, and approaches to my project, which will allow me to explore photography and develop my skills.

Project Title:

The Wizard

Development Plan:

I’m good at putting photos in black and white but I want to try and get better at it.

I will explore different ways in which black and white photography and photography in general can be manipulated.

I want to improve my Photoshop skills, by investigating and learning different techniques for editing.

I’m hoping to improve my knowledge and understanding of nature photography and landscape photography.

Exhibition proposal date: (TBC) – Friday 2^nd August 2019

Brief:

“The Wizard” is an area of Alderley edge that tells of a legend of a druid who purchases horse for the last battle of the world…..

There was once a farmer who had a milk-white mare.

He decided to sell it; so one day, he set off to Macclesfield Fair. As he reached Alderley Edge the horse stopped and refused to move, no matter what the farmer did. He saw an old man standing by the side of the road, holding a staff in his hand. 

On the way to Macclesfield

The old man offered to buy the horse, but the farmer refused, thinking that he would get a better price at the market. 

The farmer went on to Macclesfield; and although everyone praised the mare nobody would buy it. So, at the end of the day, the farmer set off for home.

On the way home

When he arrived at Alderley Edge the old man was waiting for him. This time he did agree to sell; and the old man told the farmer to follow him. 

Through the iron gates 

He led the farmer along many paths until they came to a big rock. He touched the rock with his staff, and the rock split open to show a pair of iron gates. The old man told the farmer not to be afraid, but to come with him. The iron gates, opened, and beyond them a passage went down into the hill.        

The last battle of the world

The farmer followed the old man into the hill, leading the horse, and they came to a cavern. Inside the cavern were 140 knights in silver armour and beside all but one was a white horse. The old man said that the knights were waiting to fight the last battle of the world, and that he was to wake them when that moment came. But there was one horse missing. 

Precious jewels

The old man took the farmer’s mare and laid it down in enchanted sleep; then he showed the farmer into another cavern, which was filled with gold and silver and precious stones. He told the farmer that he was to take as much of the treasure as he could carry, in payment.

The wizard, as the farmer now knew him to be, led him back up the passage to the iron gates. The farmer stepped outside, and when he turned round, the wizard and the gates were gone.

The proposed brief is to follow the “Wizards Route” in Alderley Edge and document it visually, using acquired photographic techniques and post production software i.e. Photoshop and Lightroom! The images will be printed and presented at a public exhibition! Which will be held at Happy memories play centre in Hyde. The images will be supported by a series of text which will tell the legend of the wizard.

Number Of Images:

10 +

Goal:

To tell the legend of the wizard in Alderley edge in a visually striking and compelling way, and to deliver a successful exhibition showing your images and text. The Exhibition will be advertised successfully and documented well, all supporting evidence will be presented on an ongoing and well kept blog.

Photographic Approach:

To look at using black and white imagery, this approach to black and white will give the images a strong mystical aesthetic, I will shoot digitally, paying attention to composition, lighting, and detail.

I will explore various way in which images can be manipulated and edited to I help further develop my ideas and to tell a visual story in an interesting and unique way.

Outcome:

To produce an exhibition with supporting text and research and a portfolio which can be used to show the work on a professional level.

Photographic Inspirations:

Photojournalism

Fine art

The Weird stone of Brisingamen – Alan Garner (Novel)

Research should focus on photographers who capture events after they have happened, and also photographers that can tell visual stories successfully

Alec soth

William Eggleston

Danny Treacy

I like the lighting on this image as it has a great transition between the shadows and the highlights. The lighting makes this image look almost black and white. I like how it’s colours are earthy tones.

I shot this image using a flashgun and a snoot, which helps direct the light to a particular and smaller area. The light has been focused on the flowers to make the colours pop, and I used the camera in manual mode, and a small amount of studio lighting! I am currently interested in still life photography and all the possible ways in which I can light my subjects!