Theme 2 - Branston Water park

Preparation and planning

This shoot was the same day that I had planned to come to the water park to take photographs for theme 1. Because my partner was coming with me to help carry my equipment it seemed logical to try and take some shots for theme 2 as well and encorporate the two with my partner being the model.

It was a cold day so I made sure that the clothes he was modelling was also practical for the weather conditions as well as the shoot itself. I wanted to keep the images quite simple and natural so the clothes my partner was modelling reflected this.

Equipment used

For this shoot I borrowed a camera and tripod from the college. It was a standard tripod and a Canon EOS 400D Digital camera which I have used previously.

Health & Safety

Before heading out to the location I had to take into account any health and safety implications. Like I mentioned above it was very cold so I had to make sure I was wrapped up warm as well as my model. I also checked out the park map to make sure that access was possible to all areas and that it was safe. Because I had used the same equipment before there was no issues where that was concerned so knew how to operate and look after the equipment.

Log of images

Below are some images that I took on the day at Branston water park for my fashion on location theme. I have advised the settings used on each image and also a short description on what was successful in the image overall and what wasn't as successful. I will also compare some of the images I have taken to the research I have done on photographers.

ISO - 500, f/5, Shutter Speed - 1/400

Because it was a dull dark day I had to increase the ISO settings accordingly. With this first image I wanted my model to be quite natural in his pose and at the same time I wanted to show off the background - the greenery and the colours of the fallen leaves. I like the overall composition of this image and how the path is central.

ISO - 800, f/5, Shutter Speed - 1/500

I wanted this next image to be off centre and to still be very natural. Having my model look into the distance makes you wonder what he is looking at and adds the mystery to the image.

ISO - 800, f/5, Shutter Speed - 1/500

This is a similar composition to the previous image but this time I captured it in portrait mode instead of landscape. This time the model is looking behind the camera into the distance and your eyes follow down the path into the back of the image as well as on the model. It also clearly shows what the model is wearing which is what this theme is about.

ISO - 800, f/5, Shutter Speed - 1/500

I like the composition of this image and how the path sweeps around to the back. I think the light works well here and the way it reflects off the surface of the leaves and on the models clothing.

ISO - 800, f/5, Shutter Speed - 1/500

I like this composition and the natural pose of the model and I wanted the bench to be deliberately slanted and not straight to add more of an edgy feel. However, I felt that the bench needed to be more central to the whole image.

ISO - 800, f/5, Shutter Speed - 1/500

This is similar to the image before but the bench is more central and it makes the composition and image look better overall. This is probably one of my favourite images of this shoot because I like it as a whole. I like the fashion element of it because the clothes work well with the location and weather and it still has the natural beauty from the fallen leaves and the trees in the background.

ISO - 800, f/5, Shutter Speed - 1/200

Although I think the light may be too direct and bright in this image it has helped to pick out the texture of the clothes the model is wearing. I like the straight lines in this image, the horizontal lines of the wooden bridge against the vertical lines of the trees in the background which also contrasts against the winding pathway into the distance.

ISO - 800, f/5, Shutter Speed - 1/500

This image is the same as the previous photograph but slightly darker and the expression of the model is different which adds a different mood to the image. I prefer the lighter image for the fact that there is more texture and the colour of the leaves and greenery stands out more.

ISO - 800, f/5, Shutter Speed - 1/400

The composition works well here with the path winding down into the distance which is one of the main focal points. I like the fact that the model is looking into the distance and the angle of his body.

ISO - 800, f/5, Shutter Speed - 1/320

The shutter speed is set lower than before which has lifted the light in the image slightly but the models expression doesn't really work.

ISO - 800, f/5, Shutter Speed - 1/320

This is another favourite image of this shoot due to the composition and rule of thirds and it was taken from eye level perspective. I like the angle of the models body and it is very relaxed and natural. This image has also picked up on the texture of the clothes and I like the movement in the fabric.

ISO - 800, f/5, Shutter Speed - 1/320

This is similar to the shot before but the image is tighter and more focused on the model. The angle of the model is more upright here but it still has a slight slant which mirrors the tree slanting in the other direction in the background which adds symmetry.

Comparing my images to my research

For this shoot I wanted to use David Burton's work as inspiration and to capture the same feel that he does in his photography. My images have a similar backdrop and natural energy but because of the time of year I haven't been able to use the same light techniques that he has with the use of sunlight to create the shadows.

I still feel that the shoot went well and that I have shown the inspiration gained from my research. Not only this but the clothes worn by the model fits the location and backdrop well and overall I am happy with the outcome.