Exam Shoot Three - Work Record

What I plan to do: Within this shoot I will again be focusing on a single individual with their pet dog, this shoot is progression from my preparatory shoot number seven, and exam shoot numbers one and two. When creating my final series of images I want comparisons to be draw between the different way individual's live, with their different dogs; therefore, I have photographed the same objects in each shoot (e.g. dog bed, treats, toys...) in order for the viewer to explore these differences- this is significant as although people may own the same pet (dog), their treatment and set up for the animal is very different. Moreover, the dog's personalities too differ, and I hope to explore this within the shoot, as well as exploring the different personalities of the owner's too. 
When editing my images in photoshop I used vignettes in order to progress on from my exam shoot number two, by using various editing techniques to better my images, instead of just using curves and levels all the time. I believe the use of a vignette brings the viewers attention into the image, and that I can control where I want the focus to be. 

Inspiration: Elliott Erwitt's photographs of dogs are the inspiration behind my project and this shoot, as his images of dogs and their owners are captivating, and interesting- something which I hope my images will also be. Erwitt's images may not explore differences in the way owner's live with their dogs, but they do explore differences in how different dogs can be. Sebastian Magnani is also another inspiration behind this shoot, as his photographs of owner's and their dogs create links between us and our canine companions being similar, therefore within my shoots I too hope I will explore this. 

Best image:

This image is one of my best from my shoot number three, the endearing action of the dog holding his paw up is captured in this image creates emotion in the viewer. Moreover, within this image the viewer can deduce a substantial amount of information, from both the dog and the settings around it. The dog isn't jumping and running around the garden, suggesting that it is not as active as some of the other dogs which I have photographed, therefore this allows the viewer to estimate at what type of personality this dog may have, corresponding with the questioning of what type of personality the owner may also have. This link follows my inspiration from this shoot, as Sebastian Magnani also compares how owner's and their dogs are similar through their appearance, whereas I am exploring this through their personalities- whilst also comparing these traits with other dog owners. 

When editing this image in photoshop I cropped the photograph slightly, in order to bring the viewer closer to the dog, furthermore I also changed the levels in order to slightly lighten the image. In order to also create a slight vignette I used the curves tool, and then the gradient tool in order to darken the edges of the image slightly. 

I photographed this image on the camera settings of ISO 200, F 9 and a shutter speed of 1/320, if I wanted to create a shallower depth of field I should have got closer to the dog, whilst also making my F setting higher. 

Worst image:

I believe this photograph is the worst from this shoot, due to the cluttered background confusing the viewer about what it is they're meant to be focusing on. The lead and the harness which are on the door handle are the main subjects of this image; however, other objects around this detract attention away and confuse the viewer- meaning my aims for this shoot are not clear. If I was to reshoot this photograph I would get closer to the object's I wanted to focus on, and use a shallower depth of field in order to blur any other objects in the background, unlike the wide depth of field explored within this image. 

The lack of connotation which is also attached to this image is negative, as this image alone doesn't allow the viewer to clearly know what I am photographing, or what my aims for the entire shoot are, therefore this makes the image confusing as a whole.

The camera settings which I photographed this image on are the following: ISO 400, F 4, and a shutter speed of 1/60, my low aperture setting of 4 should have allowed me to obtain a shallower depth of field- however, as I was far away from the object this wasn't maximised, therefore if I was to photograph this again I would ensure I was closer to the object, in order to maximise the effects of a shallow depth of field. 

What I have learned:  From this project I have learned how vast the differences are between the way people live, moreover despite all the owner's featured in my shoot sharing the same pet (dogs), they all live and treat them extremely differently from one another, whilst also having varying personalities. I have enjoyed exploring the different lifestyles people live throughout the entirety of my project. 

Exam Shoot Three - Straight Images

This photograph of the dog and the owner allows comparisons to be explored between their possible similar personalities or appearances, this links to me research I conducted on sebastian Magnani where he explores face-swaps between dogs and their owners. The framing of this image is effective as it captures both the dog and owner looking in the same direction, despite the owner looking down at the dog. The owner appears slightly stiff, this may suggest that she isn't as affectionate towards her dog as some of the other subject's I have photographed. 

I used a vignette to edit this image in order to bring the viewer's focus solely onto the dog, the innocent look on the dogs face combined with it's calm composure suggests this dog isn't as excitable as some of my other proviso subjects- this allows comparisons between the dog's personalities. 

Again, in this image the dog appears to be calm and innocent, the fact that it's rolling over implies it wants to be stroked on its belly, this suggests that it likes to have a bit of fuss, something which it's owner may not always give it. 

This photograph of the dog's paw is interesting as it's almost showing us the dog's identity, by displaying the pup's paw, which is almost like our fingerprints. Fingerprints and paws can be considered the same, as they are both linked to the 'hands' of the person/dog, therefore by exploring this dogs paw I believe that this will allow further comparisons to be made between this dog, and the ones I will photograph in my following shoots. 

The dog is outside in what appears to be a well-kept garden, this may imply that the dog is not allowed to do much out here, incase it messes up it's owner's work, therefore this dog may be well trained and calm due to this fact. The dogs paw being lifted creates emotion in the viewer and makes the dog appear 'cute', this can be contrasted with some of my other shoots of the dog's playing. 

Again, this image shows the dog to be innocently sitting on the grass, this is significant as the dog is not running about, suggesting it's a calmer dog, this can be contrasted with some of my other previous shoots, to explore the dogs personalities, and similarly the owner's personalities, which may be similar to those of the dogs. 

The glass-like eyes of the dog are starring innocently into the camera, this creates emotion in the viewer. 

This image demonstrates whereabouts the dog's bed is in this house, this image will allow comparisons to be made between my other previous shoots of other dogs in their beds. In this image the dog almost appears lonely, as the room looks large with the dogs bed in the middle, this may show how the dog is not wanted in the front room, showing how this owner may be slightly more strict than some others I have visited. 

This image of the dog's bed and where it's situated will allow comparisons to be made between my other shoots of similar items, in order to show how different owner's live differently despite having the same pet (a dog.)

This image of the dog's toys and where they're situated will allow comparisons to be made between my other shoots of similar items, in order to show how different owner's live differently despite having the same pet (a dog.)

This image of the dog's food and treats, and where they are situated will allow comparisons to be made between my other shoots of similar items, in order to show how different owner's live differently despite having the same pet (a dog.)

This image of the dog's lead and where it's situated will allow comparisons to be made between my other shoots of similar items, in order to show how different owner's live differently despite having the same pet (a dog.)

Exam Shoot Three - Contact Sheet

Exam Shoot Two - Work Record

What I plan to do: Within this shoot I plan to progress on from my exam shoot number one, and my preparatory shoot number seven whereby my focus has been on pets. In this shoot I will photograph my young neighbour with his dog; the subject of this image is seven years old and I will be capturing his interactions with his dog, whilst also photographing different objects involved with the dog around the home. I believe the fact that the subject is young is extremely intriguing, due to the fact the other subjects in my other shoots are all older, therefore by photographing a younger child with his dog this will explore not only how different people live with their pets, but how different ages do also. 
Additionally, the dog which is the subject of this shoot is a pit-bull, these dogs are often considered violent, therefore by investigating the interactions this animal shares with it's young owner, this will allow exploration to occur surrounding their relationship and the dogs character/personality. 
Within this shoot I will use a tripod, in order to reduce any shake/blur within my images, as dogs and young children are commonly known for not sitting still, therefore by using a tripod I will minimise any movement that this may cause in the image. Moreover, a camera and lens will be needed in order to physically take, and store the images.
In this shoot I plan to progress on from my shoot number one by photographing with a wider angle, in order to allow the viewer to deduce whereabouts the dog's objects may be in the room, and not just focusing on the actual objects themselves. 
Inspiration: Sebastian Magnani is the inspiration behind this shoot, he face-swaps owners and their dogs to create humorous images; links are created in his photographs between owner's and their dogs being similar, this is something which has inspired me to explore this within my shoot, by photographing owner's and their dogs next to one another. Dogs and children can be considered to be very alike, as they're both playful and entertaining, therefore I would like to explore this link within my work. 

Best image:

This photograph is my best from this shoot as the owner and dog are simultaneously running in unison, this creates links in the viewer's mind of how similar both the owner and dog are, consequently linking my work to Sebastian Magnani. Both the owner and dog are carrying balls; however the difference in which they carry these balls is intriguing, as the dog carries it in her mouth, whereas the boy carries it in his hands- this explores the differences between how humans and dogs live. From this photograph the viewer can gage how active this owner and dog are together, in comparison to my previous exam shoot number one, whereby it was evident the owner and dog were not as active. 

However, the only aspect of this photograph which I dislike is the slight overexposure on the boys face, I attempted to darken this in photoshop by using the burn tool, and the curves tool which made the image have a more effective appearance than previous. 

The slight blur in this image demonstrates to the viewer how the dog and owner are in movement, normally this blur would be a negative aspect of the image, however in this case it allows the viewer to gain more information about the movement of the boy, and his dog. 

I photographed this image on the following camera settings: ISO 320, F 8, and a shutter speed of 1/250. My shutter speed of 1/250 is quick, consequently reducing the amount of blur in my photograph, compared to a quicker shutter speed of 1/80, which would cause more blur, and allow more light into the image. The high ISO would allow more light into the lens, subsequently lightening the image, this also combined with a low aperture setting of 8 would have both allowed more light into the image to contradict the little amount of light being let into the lens by the quick shutter speed. 

Worst image:

This photograph is my worst image from this shoot, due to the harsh blur on the subject's hands, and both dogs being in the way of one another. I would have preferred this image if it was photographed from another angle, in order to include both of the dog's full faces; moreover the blur in this image covers one of the dog's heads which makes this framing ineffective. If I was to reshoot this image I believe it would be more effective in the garden, with natural lighting, meaning that I could have had a quicker shutter speed as more light would have naturally been entering the lens. 

The camera settings which I photographed this image on are the following: ISO 1100, shutter speed 1/60 and an F 4.5. The slow shutter speed of 1/60 means that the shutter would have been open for longer, and subsequently capturing more blur (the subject's hand), a quicker shutter speed (e.g. 1/250) would have reduced this. Additionally, the low aperture setting of 4.5 and high ISO of 1100 means that the camera was trying to allow more light into the lens, due to the setting being dark, the slow shutter speed would have aided this also, however then this also caused the blur. 

What I have learned/will do next:  
Within this shoot I have expanded my knowledge of how to capture fast moving objects by using the correct camera settings (aperture, ISO and shutter speed.) Within my next shoot I will progress by focusing more on the way in which I edit my images, I would like to use some vignettes in my images, in order to focus in on the subject's in the frame. 

Exam Shoot Two - Straight Images

This image shows the interaction between dog and owner, the boy appears to be dotingly looking at his dog, with his arms around it, this may show how the dog is hard to keep still as it's playful, or the fact that the boy is attempting to hug his dog. The colourful background in this image also allows deductions to occur about how many children may live in this home, and how they too may encourage the dog's to be playful and fun, much like the personality of the children who live here (this links to my photographer's research of Sebastian Magnani.)

The dog here is shown to be jumping up at the fence, this shows the animal is excitable and keen to be fussed over and played with, this again links the animals to the people they live with (children) as children are often citable and playful. Despite this the dog appears to have a stern expression held on its face, this contrasts it's playful personality into one that may be vicious, however in the later images of the dog and owner playing it's evident this is not the case. 

This photograph explores the dog's playful side, as it can be seen interacting with its owner in a fun manor, by tugging over a football. The landscape frame of this image allows more information to be detained about the setting of this photograph, it's evident this is in the back garden due to the fencing. This image contrasts my previous shoot as the dog seemed more calm, whereas this dog is clearly more excitable. 

This portrait image of the dog exploits the dog's beauty, contrary to what many people may assume appears to be a vicious dog- therefore this image allows the viewer to challenge their own judgements about dog's and their personalities, as if this image was of a chihuahua then I'm positive that the feelings towards this dog would be different. This image will allow me to contrast the appearance of the dog, with the others that I have already photographed (exam shoot one) and those I will photograph (exam shoot three.)

In this image the dog and owner appear to be mirroring one another, this links to my research by Sebastian Magnani whereby owner's and their dog's similarities are explored. Both the dog and owner are holding a ball, however the way in which they're doing this differs as the boy is holding this in his hands, whilst the dog is doing this in his mouth; this creates a personal link between us and dogs. 

The dog is jumping high in this image aiming to reach a ball, this shows the athleticism of this dog, which some may find scary due to the fact that this dog is allowed alone around the children; however as shown in the other images this dog is not vicious. Moreover, this image will allow me to contrast the personalities of the dogs/owners effectively. 

This image shows the relationship between the dog and owner again, showing that the boy is in charge, despite the dog being much stronger than the young boy, this image therefore explores the personality of the dog and owner, and again creates links between this further linking my work to Sebastian Magnani.

Again, this image shows who is in charge and control in the relationship between dog and owner, this explores how although the dog may be playful and excitable, the owner is still in charge- this image also reflects how the dog's are well trained and subsequently well looked after. 

This photograph of the dog's paw is interesting as it's almost showing us the dog's identity, by displaying the pup's paw, which is almost like our fingerprints. Fingerprints and paws can be considered the same, as they are both linked to the 'hands' of the person/dog, therefore by exploring this dogs paw I believe that this will allow further comparisons to be made between this dog, and the ones I will photograph in my following shoots. 

The image of the dog in it's bed creates a different image of the dog's personality showing that it can be relaxed, as well as playful and fun. 

This photograph shows whereabouts the dog's bed is located in the room, giving the viewer more of a chance to gather information about the type of home this dog lives in, and the personality of the owner's also, this will allow me to create further links and comparisons in my final series of images. 

This image of the dog's lead will allow comparisons to be made between my other shoots of similar items, in order to show how different owner's live differently despite having the same pet (a dog.)

Likewise, this image of the dog's lead will allow comparisons to be made between my other shoots of similar items, in order to show how different owner's live differently despite having the same pet (a dog.)

Again, this image of the dog's bowles will allow comparisons to be made between my other shoots of similar items, in order to show how different owner's live differently despite having the same pet (a dog.)

This image of the dog's treats will allow comparisons to be made between my other shoots of similar items, in order to show how different owner's live differently despite having the same pet (a dog.)

This image links to the size of the dogs as well as exploring whereabouts their food's kept, the huge size of this feeding tub shows how much food these growing dog's must eat. Moreover, it's evident whereabouts this is kept in the kitchen, meaning the viewer can deduce that the dogs clearly play a big role in their owner's lives as they take up a lot of room!