Evaluation

In this project I was photographing landscapes around Hartlepool, I have focused on the area around the sea front and found that I enjoyed photographing the details in objects more than the typically seen landscapes of wide-angle views of just land and sky with nothing in the foreground.

Robert Adams had an influence over my work because he shows urban landscapes in an artistic manner and in some of his work he has close ups of objects in the foreground. Another influence was Lewis Baltz as his work shows commonplace sights in a creative way. While I was out photographing I have not focused on trying to imitate the artists work but have used my location scout photographs to guide me.

I feel as though this project has been successful because I have learnt how to setup and use a new type of camera and how to work with a different type of enlarger. The work that I have done for this project has been successful as I have many enlargements that I feel I can use in my portfolio.

I think my work could have been improved by focusing my direction more as my final prints are split between looking at objects and wide-angle views. I could have improved this by going back to my location and photographing some more however I think the final five work together to show the location well.

I have learnt how to use a 5x4 large format camera in both the field an monorail models of the camera. I prefer using the field camera, as it is easier to transport to the location, because it is smaller and lighter. The Devere enlarger that was used to print the enlargements was very easy to use as it is very similar to the enlargers I have previously used.

The only major problem that I encountered was being able to get equipment, as there was only a limited amount available from the department. At first I thought that using the camera would be a problem that I would struggle with however I easily understood how to use it once I started.

During the project I had a contact review in which I received some helpful feedback comments about my developing process as I was getting a different development time on the edges of my negatives. I also received comments about the subject of my image that helped me choose my final images.

I feel as though my skills in film photography have been greatly improved because before this project I did not know how to use the camera and I am now looking forward to being able to use it again. I have also refined my darkroom skills as I can now confidently use both types of enlargers.

This project has challenged me to be able to work on location because I have had to load and change film in a dark slide while I was on location and I have also had to work on location with unfamiliar equipment. At the beginning of the project I was worried about my confidence holding me back however I feel as though I have gained confidence during this project.

If I was to do this project again I think I would take more photographs in a wider area of my location, as my images are concentrated on a specific part of the beachfront. I would also take more care while developing as my images have some marks which could have been easily avoided.

Archival Sleeves

Looking for sleeves for my prints and I have found a few websites that offer sleeves for my size prints:


Process Supplies

12x16" sizing
10 sleeves included
£15.22
( different delivery options ranging around from £2 to £8 )


Secol

12 1/8" x 16 5/8" sizing
50 sleeves included
£55.65



Portfolio Plus

12x16" sizing
10 sleeves included
£13.95
( £4.99 delivery)



Update

I ordered my prints from Process Supplies as I had used their company before, the quality is good and the delivery was next day. Now all I need is some clear labels for the sleeves.

While Printing

While I was printing my work I noticed a few faults on the prints that have come from the negatives, in future I will need to be more careful when handling negatives as some of the marks are very noticeable.

This is on the first lifebuoy image that I have taken, talking to the technician he said it looked as though the negative had been touched with wet fingers and some emulsion had been rubbed off the negative.

This is on my portrait image and I think the finger shaped watermark has happened while I was changing the film in the light tight bag while out on location, this was only the second time I had loaded film. I did not notice this when I was looking at the contact sheet however when inspecting the print I noticed it.

Re-shoot The Prints

These are the prints I have made from the photographs that I have retaken. Now all I need to decide on is my final five.

Re-shoot Image Four - Location Scout

I am taking this image again as the first time I shot it I used a very shallow depth of field and I am going to retake the image using a larger depth of field so more of the railing is sharp and it leads the eye through the image easier. 

Re-shoot Image Three - Location Scout

The first time I photographed in this location there was not a sign attached to the streetlight so for my photograph in this location I am going to composition this image differently so that it looks like the third image.

Re-shoot Image Two - Location Scout

Re-shoot Image One - Location Scout

In this location I like the railings and how they create shapes and lines leading the viewer through the images, however on the stairs is a stencil of a dog reminding their owners to clean the rubbish: I would not like this to be seen in my print however too much of the stairs will be cut out if I do not include it.