On receiving feedback on my assignment from my tutor, I was relatively happy with the comments. It seemed my tutor had recognised my intended context and the narrative I wanted to portray within the assignment well, which I am most pleased with. I am now looking at ways to improve my black and white editing skills and I have been watching some videos on Amazon Prime which primarily use photoshop to edit, whilst my final images were edited in Lightroom. I have decided to take onboard my tutors comments which mentioned perhaps the final image could be closer, which I have done by cropping in slightly and adding an adjustment brush to highlight the bread further. I also agree that the action shots have more dynamism but I do feel that having a landscape image within the set detracts from the flow of the series. For this reason I am leaving the image of me holding the prepared bread in the tray, I like what the image represents in terms of meaning and feel it compliments the series. Perhaps not as dynamic initially, but is there to suggest and signify the “offering” of food which is so prevalent in so many cultures, particularly humble in context and narrative. Overall fairly happy with the end assignment which perhaps could have been better executed with more careful planning.

On further consideration of the images I have decided to crop in the shot of clapping hands and flour again to add some dynamism to the final images.

Final images (reworked)

Fellow student feedback

Also on my tutors advice I am trying to interact more with fellow students and therefore asked for some feedback on my work. Initially the first feedback the student did not understand my topic and thought I had not grasped the brief. This did make me think initially but after rethinking about my images, I do believe they capture the unseen. The narrative Is more about mans relationship with such simple ingredients, I wanted to showcase this raw emotion without colour or words such as image headings. After I explained my train of thought to the student she agreed that she initially did not understand the images, but after my putting them into context she further understood my story. I do think they are quite a bold and brave set of images and perhaps this has made me realise this. Not everyone may understand your work and this can be a bitter pill, but one that makes me more secure in the knowledge that creativity should not necessarily conform. The second set of feedback echoed the thoughts of the first, but upon seeing my email response she found it easier to understand what I was I was trying too portray. I’ve also began to realise just how difficult it is to photograph food in a coherent and illustrative manner. I have decided to put down my food photography for the current period while I focus on editing skills and the upcoming coursework. I seem to think sometimes it is worth taking a step back before readdressing these situations, coming backwash a fresher set of eyes, which can become tuned into to only seeing the negative parts of an image, rather than the successes. Ultimately with this assignment I set out to come out of my comforts zone and challenge myself artistically and I believe I have done this, if not perhaps creating a perfect set of images.

Potential image

I do like this image and it could work with the set. I would need to reshoot the image in portrait fashion to sit with the set and add the negative space required. Upon further reflection I have decided to take the decision to stay with the initial set of images which have been slightly reworked. I do feel that the message of myself holding the tray of prepared bread compliments the unseen narrative better and with more poignancy. I also feel that it completes the overall context of the images, the humble preparation and offering of such a simple product, photographed in a way that suggests the emotional meaning behind the subject.

Further Reflection

Create images that demonstrate a practical and conceptual understanding of techniques, and the importance of context in creating meaning and narrative.

I wanted to create a set of images that had a clear narrative yet where slightly ambiguous in nature and execution. I feel that I have largely done this, the images capture a sense of humbleness, affinity, emotional connection whilst having a clear start and end to the series of images. I feel the use of a speed light for the set has worked well and the use of lighting in this instance has largely been a success. If there is anything with the lighting I would alter it would be the quality of light in terms of a professional look and finish to the series.

Demonstrate an emerging critical awareness and an ability to articulate ideas into imagery through appropriate use of technique.

Again here I feel that my use of lighting to isolate my subjects in the scene has worked well. I wanted to create a series of images that had an aesthetic of “coming out” of the light, with the rest of the subject being underexposed in the final image. I feel that the use of light in this way has been used to good effect to articulate my idea for the project. I believe that I have been able to narrate an unseen story within this short body of photographic work.

Conduct research, development and production of photographic work in response to the themes explored in this unit and show a developing understanding of contemporary imagery in relation to historical practice and theory.

I feel that the production of this set of images shows a clear response to my research and planning that I undertook before I approached the final execution of the images. I have always approached the course with an open mind and have endeavoured to work in a reflective manner before, during and after all of my projects. I continue to look back thoroughly at my work and throughout the evaluative process I have made alterations to my final edits and put into context how I came to the end results. The themes I explored leading up to the execution of the project have had helped me to understand the nature of portraying context and narrative within the photographic medium.

Show an ability to critique your own imagery and reflect upon your learning experience, and developing sophistication of your assessment of the work of other practitioners.

Throughout the build up to the final execution of this assignment I continued with a varied set of research which looked at contemporary and historical practitioners. I feel that the work of Daido Moriyama and Joanie Simon both had a direct influence on where I went with my series of images along with the constructive feedback and advice I received from my tutor. During the assignment process I also continued to research the work of Robert Mapplethorpe and Sally Mann, and I feel that some of their work has lead to my warning an ambiguous feel to my final images.