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.