My final selection of photographs

Choosing my final six images was a real challenge because I had taken some photographs which I felt I favoured in very personal ways. But I had to make sure that the ones I put forward in my essay were most appropriate and effective in communicating the narrative, comments and comparisons I was trying to make overall. I generally believe that the selection I have made is effective and successful in engaging my audience and communicating a real sense of the kind of impact technology has on our lives. 

Working on this project has definitely helped to develop a sharp eye when it comes to decoding and really finding a message and photographer-audience relationship in images. I have also become much more confident in my story telling through my photography 

 IMAGE 1:
This image was my starting point, it is perfectly expectable for any member of society to be using their phones in their bedroom when alone. This image is a perfect starting point for my essay to begin with, it allows for development throughout and acts to really set the scene. The soft lighting in this photograph gives a really familiar mood and I have roughly composed this image using the rule of thirds. The medium aperture and depth of field brings attention to my subject- Mollie, but also adds a sense of punctum as we catch an additional feel of identity through the elements surrounding her.

IMAGE 2:

The second photograph is key in starting to develop the narrative/story telling element to this essay. The concept of technology is a repeating element. Again I have used the rule of thirds and also the golden rule to compose this image, keeping consistent with the previous image. The lighting is still soft, portraying a comfortable environment along with other elements such as the fact Mollie is wearing a dressing gown. The subject has not broken the fourth wall, which gives the photo an observatory feel.   

 

IMAGE 3:

Again the soft lighting reflects an inside setting. Another daily task is presented whilst still on her phone. The phone becoming a consistent element in the photos. The rule of thirds and the golden rule are still in use. I really like how she is in focus but her finger isn't which really helps to depict her concentration on her phone and how engrossed she is. 

 IMAGE 4:
Despite this photo breaking the consistent lighting throughout so far, I think it helps to highlight a development, Mollie is now using two devices at once, whilst eating. All these elements fit really nicely into the rule of thirds and the golden rule in this photograph. Consistency can be found in her lack of emotion facially. I also really like how she is captured eating in her room.

IMAGE 5:

I chose this image because I really liked the use of reflection, the focus being on the 'real' verson of Mollie who is focused on her phone whilst getting ready  to go out, she seems not interested in self image at all because technology comes first. Soft lighting continues along with the blue/white glow of the phone outlining Mollie's face in an unnatural way.

IMAGE 6: 

This photograph is most significant, it gives us comparison. Finally we are taken outdoors into a new environment. All composition rules still applied. Still not in the moment, still on the phone. This photograph is crucial in completing the narrative. The change from artificial lighting to natural lighting plays a key part in this. Consistency in these photographs can also be found in colours used; pink being a main theme, giving rise to representation of young females in our society and the impacts of social connectivity through technology. 

Shoot 6

I also wanted to show some outdoor contrast, and felt that the outdoor atmosphere posed an even deeper thought into the concept of being lost from and not living in 'the moment'. 

 I try to keep consistency with previous shoots by aiming to use the rule of thirds and a rough idea of the golden rule in these images. This helps to keep Mollie's phone centre stage!

 I like how the lighting will contrast in comparison to the rest of my photographs which I will use in the essay, its natural qualities against the yellow tone of the artificial lighting again showing the differences between digital reality and nature.

I really liked how this photo came out  because it is focused nicely and it is different to the rest because she is actually looking up- I wonder what caught her attention. But since she wasn't engrossed in her phone use it doesn't fit with the main focal point of the project

Shoot 5

In another shoot, I photographed Mollie completing normal tasks half heartedly whilst on her phone, the aim was to compare the impact of technology on our everyday lives in simple daily tasks such as cooking and brushing our teeth.

 In my composition I have considered the golden rule and the rule of thirds carefully, to try and capture the attention of my viewers on the most important elements of the photograph.

 I think these photos are effective in demonstrating the invasion of tech in the lives of people, young adults in particular who have grown up indulged in connection and satisfaction from online interactions.

I made sure that the synthetic lighting in these photographs wasn't too bright because I didn't want to take away from the light of the phone, lighting up parts of Mollie's face. I really like the way this shows up in some photos more than others in particular.

Shoot 4

I asked my subject, if I could photograph her whilst she was eating dinner. She asked what room and I told her I had no preference and that she should just eat whereever she usually does. Interesting that it turned out to be in her bedroom. She has turned out to be a great multi-tasker- watching gossip girl, eating and social 'media-ing'.

 I experimented through these images, trying to roughly use the rule of thirds to capture the three key elements; the human, the technology and the day to day task being interrupted/sculpted by the technology (in this case eating dinner).

 I used a medium shutter speed to shoot these photos as there was no fast movements being captured. I used a medium aperture as well to try and keep detail from the background but also giving some focus to the key elements of the photograph.

 As sad as it sounds I think these pictures perfectly capture the loss of enjoying the moment. She was constantly trying to focus on all these different things instead of just enjoying her pizza. This communicates really well through these photographs.

I have chosen to capture her from a slightly heightened angle to highlight the negative and shocking message which I am trying to convey with these photos. The subject is lost amongst her technology. I am trying to show her in a vulnerable light which I feel the angles I chose to shoot from were appropriate and effective.

Black and white

Without taking away from the key message at the forefront of my project, I'm trying to experiment with simple ways to enhance the structure and content of my photographic essay. So I've experimented with a few forms of black and white using photoshop. 

I really like this outcome, it sits simply with the theme, and contrasts against the whole idea of technological advancement and brings us back to a more simple form of photography. On the other hand I am concerned that with this change in editing we lose attention to some details which are crucial in to be recognised with the points I am trying to explore and communicate clearly. I don't think I will end up using any black and white editing in my work as it takes away from the highlight and attention to the aspects of technology in the image.

Visual plan

Using reflections in photographs

I am looking into using reflections and mirrors possibly for my project to add punctum element to it. So I have look in more depth at how photographer have used this in the past to help decide whether this is something I want to pursue in my photographs.

In particular I looked more closely at an artist called Toni Frissel who has previously worked with reflection.

The composition of this photograph is lovely to the eye, using the rule of thirds. The use of reflection in this image, makes a strong addition to composition, filling a third of the image, adding to the contrast between dark and light in this black and white photograph.