In this work record, I would like to experiment with the use of a lightbox with autumn leaves. I want to see what effect the light has on the object in use and how areas of the object are highlighted or hidden.
Research influences
In the above image, although it is not actually an autumn leaf, it is a plant that has been photographed within a light box. It looks as if a macro lens has been used, and is focused on the centre of the object with the remaining areas of the pod blurred. This image contains a lot of detail, the new shoots forming are highlighted, whilst the small, minuscule hairs are captured but are not made to be the main part of the object.
What has drawn me to this image during my research is the fact that although it is so simplistic, it catches the eye immediately. I think that this is due to the vibrant, saturated colours that have been produced. it is my hope that some of my images will turn out like this when I come to shoot.
My Photographs
In this work record (4) I would like to explore the use of a light box within my photography. I want to try and photograph the fallen, autumn leaves. during this shoot, i intend on using a macro lens with my Canon EOS 1000D camera.
Contact sheet
My best images
As I am shooting all of my photos in RAW format all of my images all needed editing and improvement. However, after the editing stage, the are the images that I preferred are highlighted on the contact sheets.
Images that require improvement
Although all images need editing as they were shot in RAW format, these images need improvement due to either the incorrect camera settings, movement of the camera (no tripod used), or the image is not set up correctly.
AO3
My idea for recording the changing of seasons was to photograph the leaves that had fallen of the trees in the autumn season, using a light box as my setting, in order to attempt to create detailed images.
In relation to my best images, I feel that they look better, as final images, in black and white. They add much more emphasis to the photographs, and i think make for a much more ‘pleasing to the eye’ image.
One problem in particular that i came across when completing this shoot was adjusting to the light box itself. As it is something that i have never used before, it took some time to feel comfortable using it and even at the end of the shoot, i am not sure that i am that happy with the final outcome.
AO2
In this shoot, I worked with a digital SLR camera (canon EOS 1000D), a tripod (towards the end of the shoot) and a light box. Eventually using the tripod allowed me use lower ISO settings and slower shutter speeds to capture sharp images.
To develop my technique whilst using a light box, I would like to use it more. the reason that this shoot did not work out how i had expected, in my opinion, was because I was unfamiliar with my equipment.
All camera settings that I used in order to take the photograph can be found below the best images at the bottom of the posts. In regards to the low F-stop used, this created a small aperture. Along with this, I also was very close to the subject, decreasing the magnification. These factors made for less depth of field, more extensive sharpness, making the images crisp, later in photoshop, the blur tool was used to create an artificial blur as I didn’t like the original look.
AO1
How does the work relate to researched photographers?
In regard to my research, I feel that I was initially influenced a lot. This however I do not feel came through however, I do feel that I have learnt a lot from the research of the images and photographers and hope to put it to better use in the future.
Refining my work
when refining my work, I mainly used Photoshop. This allowed me to change the tiniest of details that could effect the whole image.
AO4
Progression
In future work, I would like to redo this shoot, maybe with other objects, and become more confident with the camera settings required for shooting within a light box.
In my next shoot, I plan to move away from the light box photography, and back into the outdoors. My plan is to travel to bushy park in London to photograph the nature that can be found there, such as deer,
Kate Watson - A Level Photography 