Preston Utley

Preston Utley is a photographer who specialises in wedding photography based in Denver. He uses both colour and black and white when capturing photographs, varying his work. However Utley doesn't just focus on wedding photograph he has also captured a number of photographs elsewhere focusing on a different subject matter, e.g. New York. 

The aim of this photograph is to capture the natural environment by not alarming people that the photographer is actually taking that photograph of them. Therefore this photograph captures different expressions and movement which the photographer aimed to do. As well as this the photographer is always able to capture the surrounding environment and portray peoples day to day routine. This photograph makes use of the different lighting options such as the natural light from the sun, traffic lights and lights found within the buildings. The colour palette for the photograph is very broad as the photograph contains a variety of different colours  such as yellow, blue, red, green, orange, white and black. Therefore contrast can be found within this photograph due to the light and dark colours used. The light within the photograph helps to create shadows which makes use of the white space available and also gives the photograph more depth.The photograph not only captures the people within the area but also captures the urban setting which contains buildings, cars, signs and advertisements. 

James Maher

James Maher is a studio photographer situated in New York and this is where he focuses on capturing photographers. His passion for photography has also given him the opportunity to write about street photography, portraiture as well as the business of photography. 

This photograph captures the movement within the street due to the cars and the people included within the scene. Due to the amount of people within the street the photograph is very busy and there is very little white space. The photograph portrays the atmosphere of the street by showing the amount people, making the street busy. The majority of the white space included is located in the foreground where there is hardly any people. The colour palette for this photograph is also very broad and this is due to the amount of content included such as people, buildings and objects. The different colours provides contrast between the light and dark colours an example of this being the green found on the bin against the grey pavement. There are several different lines found within the photograph, the main on being the lines found on the buildings which eventually turn into a vanishing point. 

Exploring Urban/Street Photography - Markus Hartel

After exploring rural landscapes for a reasonable amount of time I decided to explore urban landscapes to further my research. When researching I realised that this type of photography incorporates street photography but this depends on the location such as New York. 

Source: http://www.markushartel.com

This black and white photograph incorporates street photography due to the people included within the photograph. Even though the colour palette for this photograph is very limited it has tonal values which gives the photograph a sense of depth. The light within this photograph highlights different areas of the photograph and due to the weather conditions this gives a reflective glare. This photograph does capture slight movement due to the people walking, especially on the right side. 

Source: http://www.markushartel.com

This photograph captures the reflection of the buildings window in which the photographer captured the photograph. This reflection creates a sense of movement, even though there is already movement due to the traffic the reflection gives a false sense of movement as it appears faster than it is. There is a lack of colour due to the photograph being captured in black and white. However I think that black and white suits this photograph due to the reflection, I think that if it was captured in colour then perhaps this wouldn't be as effective as it being captured in black and white. As well as this I think the use of black and white gives the photograph a dynamic feel and appearance. The photograph contains tonal values within the photograph and due to the light this helps creates shadows which can be found on the road. 

Editing

Original Photograph

This photograph was taken during the early hours of the morning which allowed me to capture the mist, and this was the aim of the photograph. Due to the photograph being captured during the morning there wasn't much light therefore the photograph is very dark and dull. However the mist captured brings out the trees due to the contrast in colour.

Edited Photograph

This photograph is the edited version of the previous one shown above. By editing this photograph it has made the overall photograph more vivid by altering the exposure. This makes the photograph more dynamic especially in the grass area due to the shadows and tones. As the exposure has been altered this allows more contrast within the photograph due to the different colours. This also gives more depth to the photograph. The aim of this photograph is to capture the trees with the mist behind them while capturing the rest of the scenery which has been achieved by capturing the photograph central. The photograph also captures track marks within the grass which suggests movement but also gives the photograph detail.

Black and White Photograph

I decided to use black and white for this photograph as I think it is appropriate due to the location. This photograph may be very limited in terms of colour however due to the tones and shadows used within the photograph this allows the photograph to stand out and have a dynamic effect. The aim of the photograph is to capture the mist from behind the trees and due to the limited colour this helps the mist to stand out. The background of the photograph isn't in focus which overall works due to the mist cover the majority of the background scenery.

Own Photograph - Alex Nail Emulation

The purpose of this photograph is to capture the mist in the background while capturing the tree in the foreground. I used Alex Nail's work as a reference in order to try and emulate his work by changing the scene but incorporating the same style, capturing the mist. When capturing this photograph I decided to capture the sun behind the tree in order to highlight the mist in the background and overall I think this works well. The position of sun and the mist suggests that the photograph was taken early in the morning. Due to capturing the sun behind the tree this allows it to highlight parts of the tree and the mist as well as creating shadows within the photograph. The darkness of the foreground also allows the colour in the background to stand out and allow the parts it has highlighted to stand out. This also allows for contrast to appear within the photograph due to the dark foreground and the light background.The colour palette within this photograph is very limited due to the overall lighting. If more light was provided then the colour palette would be widened.

This shows the contact sheet with all the photos which were taken in order to achieve the final result. 

Alex Nail - Mist

Alex Nail is a landscape photographer who began photography in 2006 by capturing different photographs in Dartmoor. Alex travels to different location to capture new scenes and uses the light in their photographs to get the best outcome. As well as capturing photographs Alex also produces articles based on photography for magazines.

When researching Alex's work I noticed that some photographs they have captured includes mist and thought that this would be a good experiment to try out. Therefore I have used the images below as a reference when producing my own photographs and will consider the composition in which Alex has used. 

This photograph has a limited colour palette due as the only colours used are green, blue and white and this is due to the amount of natural light within the photograph. However the limited colour palette helps to capture the mist within the photograph and this is the aim of the photograph. The aim of this photograph is to capture the mist amongst the scenery. The mist gives a sense of movement due to the positioning of the mist as it is captured in different locations.

This photograph uses a restricted colour palette due to the photographer choosing to capture it in black and white. The aim of this photograph is to capture the mist which appears mainly in the background. Due to the amount of light this has produced soft tones  within the photograph and almost giving the photograph a painting appearance. Even though the photograph has a restricted colour palette there is a variety of tones used within the photograph. Lines are an important feature within this photograph as this helps give the photograph depth and also helps the mist to stand out as this is a prominent feature.

Own Photograph - Board

To capture this photograph the camera settings have been adjusted to advanced effects as this enables the dark edges to be created. The colour palette is very subtle and the colours are repeated constantly throughout the photograph this is mainly due to the subject matter. This photograph has also been taken during the early hours of the morning and the lightning provided helps to create shadows. The main focus of this photograph is to capture the board and the surrounding area. The board is the feature which is in focus the most whereas the background which contains the trees isn't in focus. This photograph also portrays the atmosphere within the area due to the space which suggests quietness and the movement of the water portrays stillness.

This shows the contact sheet for this photograph and indicates which photographs which will be used and which will not be used. The photograph with a * next to it indicates that this photograph will be used however it will need further editing in order for it to be suitable for this project. This is due to the lighting however once the exposure levels have been adjusted this shouldn't be a problem.

Polar Panorama Effect

For this experiment I have used my own photographs then experiments with using the polar panorama effect. These photographs were produced by editing the original photographs in Photoshop in order to get the panorama effect which was simple to do and no editing to the photographs was done. The colour palette for this photograph is limited due to the surrounding area however the colours used make the stone arch stand out. The detail in the arch is also sharper as this effect shows the significance of the stone arch due to the size comparison. The lighter and darker tones of the photograph also help with the detail of the arch I also think it gives a different effect compared to a static image with no effects.

I feel that this photograph worked the best when experimenting with the polar panorama effect. The reason for this is probably due to the angle at which the photograph was taken, taken directly. When a photograph is taken at certain angle e.g. from the right it is more difficult for the photographs to match up together properly. I think due to the lack of colour and using HDR this also works well with using this experiment. Again in this photograph the stone arches are the most important features and I think the lightness of the sky helps to highlight this.

This photograph also worked relatively well when using this experiment due to the angle at which the photograph was taken. The foreground of this photograph is relatively bright compared to the background and I think this helps to highlight the foreground. The photograph itself is relatively dull due to the light and the brightness and because of this the detail within the photograph is reduced. The colour palette is also very limited as the colours are often repeated such as green and grey.

Panoramic Reference

By researching panorama photography this enabled me to further experiment and develop different photographs rather repeating techniques or using similar techniques. 

http://www.incrediblethings.com/art-design/a-new-spin-on-landscape-photography/.

To further experiment with photographs I started by looking at panoramic which will enable me to use my theme landscape.  This will involve taking landscape photographs and then transforming them into panoramas. The photograph shown above uses a range of subtle colours due to the photograph capturing a wide view of the location.

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/11/01/polar-panoramas-shoot-and-stitch-360-degree-pictures/3/

Again this is another example of a panorama photograph which has been created by taking and landscape photograph and then transforming this into a panorama. The colour palette is often repeated throughout the photograph and due to this it is very limited in terms of a variety of colour. The photograph itself is slightly distorted in the middle as it expands. Light has been captured within this photograph which can be found on the buildings which creates different tones.

Filters

I started experimenting with filters as this gives different effects on the overall image as show in these photographs. The filters have given a darker feel to the photograph by changing the colour of the lightening such as the sky. The main focus of this photograph is to capture the arch and by trying to capture it in the centre. The colour palette used within the photograph is minimal and this is mainly due to using filters as this filters out the colour. However despite this I feel that it gives a dusky effect and overall works well due to the location of the photograph. The background isn't focused therefore this helps to show the importance of the arch and allows it to stand out from the background. 

This photograph has also used a filter which also gives the photograph as dusky effect. The composition of this photograph is poor due to the position it was taken at, which I think does impact the overall photograph in terms of framing. However the photograph was taken on a slope which also effects the composition. The photograph isn't as clear as it could be but I think the filter has impacted this.

Double Exposure

This photograph uses a range of different colours and tones which is mainly due to the double exposure effect has it captures multiple photographs. Due to the location I think that the double exposure works well as it provides the mist captures in one photograph to be placed behind the tree. The main focus of this photograph is the tree which is also more focused compared to the rest of the objects within the photographs. The aim of the experiment is to combine the photographs to create a different effect and with more content this is easily achieved. The photographs combined allow more mist to be included. Overall I think this photograph works the best out of the three images shown within the post. 

Double exposure has been used to create this photograph and overall it works well due to the objects combined. The colour palette is very subtle which is due to the photographs being combined as well as the location they were took. The tree is the most prominent object within the photograph due to the colour which contrasts with the arch and the tree being in the foreground. 

This photograph also used the same technique of combine two images together to create double exposure. Combining the two images allows the castle to be included within the photograph as well as including the tree and the scenery from the other photograph. The colour palette is very limited and the colours used are subdued due to the filters used one on of the photographs. The double exposure almost creates a silhouette of the tree and this helps to create different tones. The tones used allow the tree to be highlighted when overlapping the castle. 

Adam Burton

Adam began photography in 2001, where he self taught himself by reading from numerous of magazines and trying different techniques he had discovered from these magazines. Thus allowing him to further develop his own style, standing out from other photographers. Adam's photographers are frequently published in newspapers, magazines, books and calendars, giving him more recognition for his work. Adam specialises in landscape photograph and travels frequently in order to capture a variety of photographs. Adam focuses on capturing natural light during the early hours or golden hour as he prefers to capture the light rather than enhancing the photographs digitally. 

Source: http://www.adamburtonphotography.com

The colour palette within this photograph is limited due to the surrounding area therefore the colours within the photograph are constantly repeated e.g. green. The foreground acts as a frame to view the background and I think this is the aim of the photograph. The light captured within the photograph creates highlights in different areas of the photograph as well as creating shadows. There are several colours used within this photograph, most of them being repeated such as green and brown. Due to the composition and the positioning this allows the photographer to capture the detail of the shapes found within the foreground such as the wooden fence and the tree. 

Source: http://www.adamburtonphotography.com

This is a representational landscape photograph as it shows recognisable objects such as trees, mountains and water. The colour palette within this photograph is broad as it uses a variety of different colours which are often repeated throughout due to the objects repeated. The water creates space within the photograph as this creates a reflection on the clouds and splits the image up from being too busy. The mist captured within the background is able to stand out due to the contrast within the light and dark colours. The mist suggests that the photograph was captured during early hours of the morning. There is a variety of different tones within the photograph due to the colours and lighting used. This also gives a soft appearance, especially the trees which are located in front of the mist. There are a variety of lines found within the photograph especially the outline of the mountains. 

Source: http://www.adamburtonphotography.com

Source: http://www.adamburtonphotography.com

Own Photographs

The positioning of the sun suggests that the photograph was captured during the morning. The positing of the sun helps give the photograph more detail due to the lighting provided and this has also allowed me to capture the glare from the sun as well as highlighting different parts of the photograph such as the grass. The lighting also provides shadows which helps to create different tones, this can be seen especially in the grass. The colour palette used is broad due to the mixture of different colours used. Soft tones can been seen in this photograph such as the grass area, especially on the bottom right hand side which gives the impression of a painting. The trees in the foreground also appear to have a soft appearance and this is mainly due to the lighting and the positioning of the camera. The aim of the photograph is to capture the glare from the sun from behind the tree as well as capturing the tree and the surrounding area. The photograph could be improved in terms of positioning as the tree is cut off and this may look better if the whole of the tree was captured. 

This photograph contains various lightening throughout such as the sun being captured behind the tree and different parts of the grass being highlighted. The light provided helps to create shadows on the grass which gives more depth to the photograph. The main focus in this photograph is to capture the tree with the sun behind it. The photograph has been taken in a natural environment and the colour palette within the photograph is very subtle, however the light from the sun helps to create different colours due to the glare e.g. red and green.

Black and White

After researching the history of landscape photography I noted that black and white photography was often used in the early years. The colour of the photograph impacted the overall outcome of the photograph and changed the viewers opinion on a photograph. Therefore I decided to incorporate the use of black and white photography as this allowed me to compare the difference between photographs in colour and photographs in black and white. 

This photograph contains a range of different tones which highlights the different areas within the stones on the arches. The photograph was originally captured in colour and a HDR effect was then added within Photoshop. Due to the HDR effect, I felt that this would work relatively well in black and white therefore the black and white option was transferred to the photograph. Overall I think this works well, mainly due to the HDR effect which gives the photograph a high dynamic range, producing a high quality photograph. The HDR effect outlines the texture within the stones on the arch, evidencing the harsh and sharp texture. The photograph also works well in terms of composition, the arches located within the foreground act as guide, leading to the arch in the background which acts as a frame, framing the background scene. I feel that the arches within the foreground are an important aspect of this photograph as this guides the view to the arch within the background, blocking out the rest of the scenes to focus on the scene within the background.

This photograph uses black and white effect which helps to create different tones throughout the photograph. This allows the contour of the photograph to stand out as well as highlighting the different areas of the photograph such as the bricks. The texture of the bricks contrast the texture of the grass, the bricks are harsh and contain rigid edges whereas the grass appears to be smooth, this is suggested due to how short the grass appears. The photograph focuses on capturing only the building and restricting the other elements by considering the composition of the photograph.

Further HDR - Own Photograph

Photograph Copy - Continuing HDR

Original 

In order to continue experimenting and exploring capturing photographs I decided to look at landscape photographs which have been captured nearby. The photograph shown above is a reference and below is the copy of the photograph which I captured. The photograph shown above has a very limited colour palette and this creates a very static photograph. The reason for the limited colour palette is due to the lack of different elements, thus resulting in colours being repeated throughout the photograph. There isn't a mass amount of light within the photograph and this effects the overall photograph as there is a lack of different tones. However due to the photograph being taken close up this allows the detail within the stones to be seen, which allows the texture to be seen such as the sharpness of the stones used within the arches. The photograph focuses on using the arch as a frame to capture the elements within the background, such as the rest of the buildings within the area.

Copy

This is my version of the photograph shown above, my version is slightly different to the original as it captures more of the surrounding compared to the original. A different technique and has also been used, giving the photograph a different feel. HDR has been used when producing this photograph and this provides a high dynamic effect which overall works well due the location and the colours. I decided to use this when referencing the original photograph to continue to expand on experimenting with photographs. The colour palette is limited as there isn't a range of objects however this works well with the HDR as it isn't too overpowering. This stone arches within this photograph are very detailed as you can see the different colours and textures within them. HDR has allowed the photograph to stand out in terms of the tones used which helps to creates outlines within the photograph. Scenery hasn't been captured within the background therefore this allows the foreground of the stone arches to further stand out as there are no distractions in the background. When capturing the photograph I considered the composition therefore I felt that it was best to capture this in the centre as well as capturing the photograph from kneeling down rather than standing. This allows me to capture the shape and the slopes which appear in the foreground. I decided to continue experimenting with HDR as the last results turned out better than expected, as well as this I thought due to the subject matter this would be suitable and would work relatively well. 

Photoshop Exposure and HDR

After researching Ansel Adams background and work, I decided to experiment with HDR, a technique which Adams often experimented with through the use of the Zone System. The outcome was expected to be differently as this would be carried out differently, through the use of a digital camera and Photoshop to combine the layers. The technique would involve taking 3 different photographs in the exact same position, these would be different due to the exposure levels, exposed, overexposed and underexposed.This would allow me to adjust the outcomes by altering the levels of brightness and exposure. Whereas Adams was unable to do this and was unable to predict how the final outcome would appear.

Exposed

The photographs brightness is very subtle therefore the shadows created within the photograph are also very subtle. Due to the quality of the photograph being average the detail within the photograph is very low such as the grass and the different tones within the photograph. Lines can be found within the photograph such as the outline of the grass, the wooden fence and the grass. The lines also allow to capture the vanishing point of the scene. The photograph focuses on capturing the lines within the scene such as the grass area and wooden fence, to show a sense of direction and depth within the location and as a result I felt that this would be a suitable location to experiment with HDR.

Under Exposed

This version is an under exposed photograph due to too much light being captured within the photograph which decreased the detail of the photograph. The detail within this photograph is also very low due to too much light within the photograph. The colour palette is also very limited and this is also because there is too much light in the photograph therefore the colours are often repeated. Due to the lack of detail and colour this decreases the amount of tones used within the photograph for example on the fence. The amount of light captured also impacts the shadows found within the photograph and the light gives the photograph a hazy appearance. 

Over Exposed

This is an overexposed photograph due to the colours being dark and hardly any light being captured. Most areas of the photograph is dark however some shadows can be seen within the photograph. The detail of the photograph is again low and this is due to not enough light being let in within the photograph. Therefore the colour palette is also restricted due to not enough light being captured and gives a dark appearance. Due to the photograph being extremely dark this has resulted in a lack of detail and makes the grass area have a soft texture. 

When editing this photograph I wanted to create a dark tones and shadows to highlight different areas of the photograph. Therefore the brightness of this photograph was slightly low to create the shadows within the photograph. The shadows captured within the photograph allow the photograph to have a sense of depth within the grass areas. There is contrast found within the photograph due to the light captured which is mixed with the darkness from editing the photograph. The balance of light and colour allows the photograph to have a variety of tones and highlighted areas which creates depth within the photograph. This effect gives a dynamic feel to the photograph and allows the photograph to stand out rather being a static photograph. 

This show the development in experimenting with editing different photographs taken at different exposures within Photoshop. This involved combining the photographs together and changing the levels and exposure to create different outcome.

The photograph shown above has a high amount of brightness levels which gives the viewer the impression that the photography was taken in early hours. The photograph captures the distance as it shows the field getting narrow towards the end. The colour palette within this photograph is very limited however not as limited as the previous photograph. The colours are often repeated especially green and different shades can be found due to the angle and light captured within the photograph. As well as focussing on capture the scenery and the vanishing point the aim of this is to focus on the use of colour and how this impacts the overall outcome. The exposure and the brightness levels give the photograph a soft contour and this gives it a painting like appearance.