Finishing touches: Update W/C 9/10

I was provided with feedback before I submitted my project, which I acted on accordingly.

Overall feedback related to light sensitivity and picture quality.

One photograph was taken with the subject faced to the camera.

I thought that the picture added to the narrative of the story, with the boys entering the tracks, and the relevance being told through the text in the article. I also liked the positioning and even though you could not tell the expression of her face, I felt that the slump in her body language expressed a lot. I also thought that the greyness and shadows in the picture worked well.

Nevertheless, when I thought about the feedback, I recognised that I did not have to use the picture, or could use a better picture somewhere else down the line. I did agree that the back of her clothing was just black, and therefore didn’t contribute to the story. As, of course, photographic journalism will have different requirements than that of, say, artistic photography which is completely different.

Next, I edited a few pictures which I was told could be redeemed were they not so dark.

I felt the image had much detail reclaimed and allowed for a clearer and more informative view for the reader.

I was also told to remove around three pictures as the good-quality pictures included otherwise were enough to narrate the story. I did in fact remove these pictures, and decided to upload another instead, which was perhaps a slightly risky move as I would have no feedback before submission:

I focused on the praise my photographs received. I made sure that the picture I included then, went off the back of that feedback.

For example, I was told that I am good at composition. Pictures which added detail to the story were also impressive.

I used abstraction and realism to be creative with this photograph. I felt it worked well because of the composition, David’s involvement, the TBC logo on the bike frame, and the muck of the ground. It also balanced well with the other pictures I had taken, and ensured that I was not being repetitive in my photo narrative.

Overall, I am very happy with the outcome of the article. I always felt that I was severely bad at taking pictures. Through the project, I have begun to understand my capabilities in photography, and how pictures can truly contribute to journalism. Photography is a lot more complex than what I previously thought when it comes to journalism. I had to continuously remind myself not to experiment too much; to be too abstract, and to not be too artistic in my expression.

I realise I am much more capable of producing those factors which make a good picture.

My strengths and weaknesses in photography can now be honed in on, and is very relative to the climate of today which is technology-focused.