At the start of the project I spent a lot of time thinking I
was going to create something mythological, but I was spending too long trying
to think of things I knew of. Being that I had never heard of the mythological
story of Arachne, this gave me the wider scope and openness to ideas that I
needed. In previous projects I have followed the path of thinking of a clear
idea and then creating my artist research from that. However I found that that
was only narrowing my source of influence and I was just taking all my
influence from one or two photographers. Creating a wider scope has helped me
to look more in-depth into photographers’ work, at their use of body language
or emotion, or setting, rather than the whole frame. Although I have obvious
influences from Gregory Crewdson and Annie Leibovitz, this style of research
has led me onto taking research from artists such as Francesca Woodman, Martin
Bell and Diane Arbus. These are artists I wouldn’t have previously looked at if
I had gone through with my usual narrowed research.
Time management has been a crucial element that I have had
to keep full control of throughout this project. In my other projects I have
stumbled because I have underestimated how long photography shoots were going
to take or leaving my models/location choice till last minute. Whilst securing
my models in the first couple of week of getting the project, I also visited a
large range of locations to ensure that my final location is perfect. Although
I had some issues with one of my models being busy last minute for my first
practice shoot, I was able to quickly resolve it and push it all back a week. I
also ensured that my equipment was booked two weeks before a shoot was planned
to take place, this not only gave me the ability to cancel it in enough time,
but it also helped me to be able to book any additional equipment if needed.
Because the project was a visual representation of a
non-lens based narrative, this meant that I already had all the information
given to me in terms of story, costume and props. I however feel that I have
been extremely thorough with my deconstruction of the story to ensure that I
have packed as much visual information into each shot as I could. I used the
story of Arachne that I had photocopied to highlight props and elements that I
felt would be important to each scene, this gave every prop in my shots a
purpose, rather than them just being unnecessary fillers. I then made sure I
brought them in well enough time for the shoot.
The location itself was very hard to light due to its
natural darkness of the room combined with the garishly overpowering light
coming from the large barred windows. My use of lighting has overcome the
difficulties of the room and shown the effective and cohesive skill that I have
learnt during the lectures I have attended.
I was slightly hesitant about the post-production phase of
the project, as I knew that my project was quite ambitious. However because of
my thorough work to ensure that most of my effort was in-camera, I used this
program for the majority of my editing as it was largely to do with areas of
exposure or adding the slight vignette effect. I did however use Photoshop
intensely on my final image of the narrative to layer mask over other version
of the image to give Arachne the legs that is needed to have her representation
the transformation from her human life into the spider.
To evaluate this project I would say I’m very proud of what
I have created. Because I have come from a background that is largely
videography, I feel I have produced work that has surpassed my expectations of
my own photographic ability. I have not only created crisp clear photographs
that I feel I am confident in displaying, but also am much more knowledgeable
about other aspects such as lighting arrangements, the best photography
equipment to use in certain locations and also which software I should use to
produce the outcome that I want. More personally I have adapted my skills in time
management, professional liaison, feedback response and also the style that works
best for me when it comes to getting given a brief to complete.
