Studio Practice 3 Specialist

Finalised imagery

I have created my finalised imagery and have included the sequencing of the imagery, this is how I have intended the imagery to be presented for a physical print. I feel that these images are visually strong and eye-catching, I also think that I have kept my imagery to the message I am trying to get across throughout my work, the question I have been asking is “Why are there no older aged models within the sportswear industry”. This imagery shows that an older aged model can promote and be within the sportswear industry. I will be uploading my high res images to Microsoft Teams due to having little storage on WordPress.

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Studio Practice 3 Specalist

Joshua Dryden – Ageism within the sportswear industry

Personal Statement

I am an advertising and product photographer that specialises in studio and location photography, where my work creates strong and creative visuals. I strive to create professional and commercial imagery that has a purpose. I have been interested working within the advertising industry since I finished my level 3 art & design course. I feel that the industry is fast pacing and creative something I try to excel myself in. I work fully in digital format using industry standard software such as Capture one, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premier Pro. I am keen to learn new techniques and postproduction skills. For one of my professional experiences I had the opportunity to work for a production company called Rockerdale Studios that created a comedy pilot show called Brad Boyz that was produced for Channel 4. This was a great experience to get a hands on working within a fast paced industry and to have my work featured on a large corporation. When I first started my Ba Honours degree I had a small knowledge of how to use camera equipment and zero knowledge of how to use studio lighting. Throughout my degree I have enjoyed learning how to use the camera equipment, different techniques and how to use studio lighting, I feel that I have gained a large amount of knowledge within these subject areas and have become a more confident studio photographer.

Project narrative

The project explores the age diversity within the sportswear industry and the lack of older aged models within the industry. I have researched into brands such as Athleta that are aware of the issue within the industry and are creating promotional imagery that includes older aged models. I wanted to explore this project due to being a consumer of sportswear. I felt that when being a consumer and seeing how little age diversity there was within the industry I could try and create the question of why there isn’t and show throughout my work that they should be.

The aim behind my photography was to remove the stigmas within the industry “The message that those companies communicate is that you don’t count if you are over 60. At that age, they assume, you can’t exercise. You can’t be fit. You are no longer a real athlete and therefore you don’t deserve to wear their stylish clothing.” (Raffelock, 2019, online).

Research and management of project

I organised to have my photoshoots initially all on location. I decided that I would keep an outdoor theme within my work and that the locations would be in the countryside giving the imagery a theme and so the imagery correlated when exhibiting. Due to Covid-19 I was only able to use one model at the start of the project due to lockdown restrictions. Once lockdown was lifted, I had the option to work with different models but chose not too as when reflecting on my work I thought that I would only include one model as the collection of imagery shows a storyline and a running theme throughout my photography. I thought including different models may confuse the viewer and makes the imagery have less of a meaning due to not having the connection with the model through the imagery. I also came to the conclusion of including studio-based imagery as I thought of ways to try and create variety within my work. So, using the same model I created a set of studio-based imagery that came out really well and I was pleased with the outcome of the imagery. I decided that I would also try to create a panning effect image that would go into my finalised imagery. All of the photoshoots were safely created and the models signed a model release form and was informed of the health and safety when entering the studio and also working on location.

To plan my work and days throughout this semester I have used a planner app, this gives me organisation and understanding of what I need to complete for that day. I planned to work on photoshoots twice a week but as I got closer to the deadline, I prioritised my time on photoshoots more. The use of a planner has been really useful this semester as I think without, I would have felt unsure about my work and wondering if I have had everything completed.

Key points or events that occurred during this semester

I have found this semester to be challenging but I have overalled enjoyed creating this project I feel that my imagery creates a message and more of an awareness to older aged models within the sportswear industry. Throughout this semester has been difficult I have been doubting my work and been concerned if I have created a high set of imagery to the standard I want to be working at. One of the issues I occurred throughout this semester was the use of the panning technique, I seriously struggled with this technique and couldn’t seem to get a pin sharp image of my model, this was discouraging being not able to create this technique as I felt that to create variety within my work I needed at least one panning image as it showed a sense of speed and movement within my photography.

I had to alter my proposal to include that I would now be using the studio as well as previously in my initial proposal I didn’t want to include an studio based imagery as in my previous semester I only focused on studio based photography. But while creating my project I came to the conclusion that it would be best if I did include studio based imagery.

Once lockdown was lifted and I was allowed back into university I worked alongside a vary of different media make up and fashion students, this was  a great relief with being able to collaborate with students again after not being able to collaborate for so long. We created a vary of looks using different techniques from high key and low key lighting.

Image curation and final major show

I have created a final set of 12 images that I feel represents the question I have been asking throughout my project. I felt that I have achieved a high set of images that represent me as a photographer, I think that I have kept my imagery to the route of what I want my career path to be working within fashion advertising. My main goal that I am working towards is to work in the industry of advertising. I would like to either work in product or fashion advertising. This could be done by working for a fashion company such as gymshark, boohoo or asos, an alternative could be working with an agency that would be able to get me work in these genres. I have also considered teaching as well for a profession. It wasn’t something I considered when first starting my degree but as I have developed my throughout the course I thought it is something I would like to work in as I feel that the job can be really rewarding.

For my final major show I have finalised my studio based imagery and my techniques and processes imagery down to three images from each module, I will be presenting my work on A2 prints in a row of 3 each. I felt that having my imagery like this will show off my best work and will have a simplistic and minimalist look. Overall, throughout this semester I have enjoyed the project and have created a variety of imagery.  

Studio Practice 3 Specialist

Sequencing and finalising imagery

Context and Outcome

I have decided that these images will be my finalised imagery for my Studio Practice module. I have also sequenced the imagery to how I will be presenting my work within the portfolio box I will be using to present my prints. The way I have sequenced them is so throughout my imagery I have variety within my work. I didn’t want my portfolio having too much similarity so I decided that including the gym imagery and also the panning technique would be able to create a diverse range of imagery and would be able to separate the running in action imagery. For the first image I wanted the image to be eye catching and would be memorable, I feel that having this image as the first image is impactful and invites the viewer to see the collection of imagery, I think having the model looking directly down the lens and looking at the viewer helps makes this point within my work. I have also chose the final image as an action shot as I feel that this image is one of my strongest images. I think having a strong final image will benefit my portfolio as this is the final image the viewer will see and I want the viewer to remember the final image being the strongest image.

Skills Learned

Overall I feel that my finalised imagery is a strong set of imagery that has a variety of techniques within the project. I have also used a variety of locations within my finalised imagery. Speaking to my lecturer and creating my finalised imagery has been really useful as I have been able to get second opinions of my work.

Reflection and Action Plan

I am now going to be planning for my finalised conclusion and also planning my portfolio for my finalised collection. I will be concluding what I have achieved throughout this semester and how I could of potentially improved my project and also what has gone well throughout my project.

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Studio Practice 3 Specialist

Collaboration with MMA students

Context and Outcome

I have worked alongside three Media Make Up students to create a variety of imagery. The first set of images was based on a bearded lady look. I decided the most appropriate lighting would be to use a low key lighting set up and a black background. I wanted the imagery to look dated so with having the textured background I thought it would help instead of having a plane white background. When in post production I altered the colour grading to more of a green toning as the dress the model was wearing was slightly green. I thought slightly enhancing this will give an overall colour theme throughout the photography. I gave the client 3 different colour variations, I produced the dark black background images, the green images that are visible here and also a colour toning of a light brown. I chose a light brown and rustic look to the image as I wanted the image to look dated as the theme of make up look was a historical look.

I have also worked alongside two 1st year media make up students. The theme of the make up was based up 1990’s and bright coloured make up. The students were new to collaborating with photography students, so they the were slightly unprepared when it came to the photoshoot compared to the previous images. I tried to work alongside them and give them potential ideas. As a group we came to the decision that it would be best to try and bring colour within the background so it could correlate with the make up.

Skills Learned

I feel that I have become more prepared for when working within the industry, as working with clients, working alongside the media make up students benefits me as I become more confident within the studio and also I feel that I have been able to produce a range of work for my portfolio. I will be networking with these fellow students within the future for more photoshoots if needed.

Conclusion and Action Plan

I am planning my final major show and also my finalised conclusion of my studio practice module. I will be preparing for how I will be presenting my work. I will also be taking into consideration my cv and business cards for the final major show.

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Studio Practice 3 Specalist

Studio gym imagery

Context and outcome

I have decided that I would create a variety of imagery within the studio as when I reviewing my imagery from my previous photoshoots I was seeing too much similarity within the photoshoots. I was trying to figure out ways of trying to give my portfolio variety but I was struggling to create that on the location photoshoots. I came to the conclusion that I would alter my proposal so I included that to create the variety within my work. I decided to use a high key lighting set up as I thought that it would be more appropriate for the photoshoot. I thought that this would be able to make the clothing easily visible and the photoshoot would look more like product photography. For the High key lighting set up I used a three light set up. I used two softboxes for the background to give a solid white background, I then also used a large octagon softbox to create a subtle lighting on the model, I think that using the octagon softbox was able to spread the lighting evenly.

I thought that I would try to use a variety of poses and use of different gym equipment so when it came to finalising my imagery I would have a variety of poses that could represent sportswear’s and my theme of imagery. I have also tried a new technique called recurrent sync, this technique created motion within my photography as you can see within the bottom 3 images. The technique is using a slower shutter speed of 3/1, I would press the trigger for the camera opening the shutter, then at the end of the 3 seconds the flash would then trigger therefore making the flash would make the model in focus and without any motion blur. This technique I found interesting and a different technique of photography that I have not previously tried before.

Skills learned

The technique of recurrent sync has been really useful within my photography as this shows a variety within my work. I think if I have had more time to perfect this technique I could have used more of this within my work. I also think having the high key studio imagery clearly shows the clothing in an commercial way.

Reflection and action plan

My action plan now is to create my finalised imagery, I will be looking into print sizes and taking into consideration my final major show, I will also be creating my 1500 word conclusion stating what I have completed throughout this semester. I will be going over the challenges of this year and what has been successful throughout this year.

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Studio Practice 3 Specialist

Finalised panning technique

Context and outcome

I have been retrying the panning technique and have created these 2 images that I feel that the panning technique has worked on. I used Adobe Photoshop to slightly enhance the motion within using the masking tool it created a mask that could slightly feather the motion blur around my models body. This created a subtle but effective effect within the image. From the screenshots below this is a step by step of how I created the technique. I used the inverse tool so I when I created the mask motion blur would use the technique work around the mask therefore the model was staying within focus and the motion blurred feathered around the model. The panning technique I have found difficult throughout this semester. I feel that the technique could have been easier if my model may have been riding a bike as I would capture the torso in focus but then the legs would be blurred due to the movement. My camera settings that I used to create this imagery was 1/60 F.11 and ISO 100. Using a slow shutter speed helped create the motion blur.

Skills learned

The technique has been difficult to create but I feel that this imagery has been my most successful throughout this semester. I have been able to successfully use this technique, I plan to use this technique in the future to develop my skills.

Reflection and action plan

I plan to finalise my imagery and also to create my final exhibition. I will be also be working with Media Make Up and Fashion students to create finalised imagery for their final major shows.

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Studio Practice 3 Specialist

Preparing and planning for exhibition

Throughout this semester I have been trying to organise and plan for a physical exhibition. I have took into consideration how I could potentially present my work. I took into consideration the amount of images that I would be able to hang for the exhibition. When speaking to my lecturer we came to the decision that my prints need to be larger to stand out so I have decided that A2 prints would be the most suitable for the exhibition as I will be able to use six images throughout my final year. I have decided I will use three images from Techniques and Processes and three images for Studio Practice. When creating my final exhibition I thought it would be appropriate to create business cards so viewers of the exhibition will be able take contact information. I have decided to have the finalised prints in a row of 3 and a column of 2 this will create a evenly divided set of images, I will be having my techniques and processes module on the top row and my studio practice module will be on the second row.

I will be presenting my work to my peers and lecturer for my finalised imagery to review which imagery would be the best for the exhibition show. I will also be mentioning how I will be presenting my work with the size of the prints and how A2 Prints will be the most suitable for me.

Studio Practice 3 Specialist

Commercial context behind my work

Context and Outcome

Throughout this semester I have been trying to focus my photography within advertising. I tried to make my imagery suitable so it could potentially be used for an advertising image. I have decided to mock up an advertisement. I wanted to go for a simplistic text advertisement but with the positioning of the model I feel that the text fits easily within the advertisement. This is something I took into consideration when it came to my photographing my imagery. I wanted to leave enough empty space so I could use a potential strapline to show a concept. When looking at my finalised imagery I feel that this image is the most suitable with having the hair in motion and the model running I felt that this image would work the best for this concept.

Skills Learned

I feel that creating a concept like this benefits my work as I can clearly show how my work could fit within the industry. It can also show that I can keep to the concept of what my project has been based upon with creating advertising imagery within the sportswear industry with the use of an older model.

Reflection and Action Plan

I am going to be collaborating with the media make up and fashion students to create their promotional imagery for their final year exhibition. This will include a vary of make up looks and also a vary of fashion looks. This will be beneficial for me as I can use the imagery for my portfolio.

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Studio Practice Specialist

Fashion collaboration

Context and Outcome

I have worked alongside a fashion final year student to create promotional imagery for their final major show. The client requested if we could have studio imagery and also a location shoot. The photoshoot involved a variety of different looks. I used a two light set up with a softbox modifier to create a evenly exposed image. The photoshoot was challenging as I was having to change the lighting quite often due to model changes.

Skills Learned

This is the first time I have collaborated with a fashion student, I feel that I have been able to create simplistic and advertising imagery for the fashion student. I wanted to keep the poses and lighting simplistic to draw the attention to the clothing.

Reflection and Action Plan

I am going to be planning for my final exhibition. I will be finalising my imagery and creating my sequencing within my imagery. I will be deciding how I will be presenting my work as well for the final year exhibition.

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Studio Practice 3 Specalist

Working alongside mentor

Context and outcome

Throughout this semester I have been working alongside my lecturer Ceri Lewis to create a professional looking cv, I originally had a cv created within Microsoft Word, the design was simple and clearly showed my skills, education and work experience within the cv. When speaking to my mentor Matt Dickerson he mentioned how important the design of my cv needed to be for a creative job role as this is the first impression the employer receives from me. Taking in the advice I decided to look online at current designs of cv’s and see how I could potentially create my new design. I wanted to keep the colour scheme similar to the design of my business card, this kept similarity within my branding when it comes to the final year show. I plan to print my cv and business cards as viewers of the exhibition will be able to take one and potentially able to network with people within the industry.

Skills learned

Working alongside my mentor has been really useful with creating the design of my cv and also getting advice of how to get into the industry. I feel that working alongside Matt has been really useful as the design of my cv looks a lot more professional and eye catching.

Reflection and action plan

I plan to finalise my imagery and get them printed for the final year exhibition show. I am also looking at working within the studio to try and create a variety within my work. I am also working alongside the media make up students as well for a collaboration for their final year project.

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