Initial thoughts
This was a bit of meandering journey for me. My first reaction was to take the concept of the "Square Mile" very literally. I contemplated taking photographs of the countryside in the vicinity of where I live, alongside photographs near my work place - they are not quite technically within a mile of each other but it was close enough I had no qualms.
On a glorious sunny Saturday morning I went for a walk and took a selection of photos with the assignment in mind. This was the first time I had taken photos with a pre-conceived aim. My photos tend to be on the whim of the moment, I see something, I snap it. So the idea of having a topic, which I then had to work within and around was a new concept for me. I then went back and read the brief again:
Make a series of six to twelve photographs in response to the concept of "the Square Mile" Use this as an opportunity to take a fresh and experimental look at your surroundings.
You should try to make your final set of photographs "sit" together as a series.
However you choose to approach this assignment, it should communicate something about you: your interest, motivations, and your ambitions for your photography.
I knew my initial photos did not fulfil this brief, certainly the middle point above, so I decided to try again.
This was a bit of meandering journey for me. My first reaction was to take the concept of the "Square Mile" very literally. I contemplated taking photographs of the countryside in the vicinity of where I live, alongside photographs near my work place - they are not quite technically within a mile of each other but it was close enough I had no qualms.
On a glorious sunny Saturday morning I went for a walk and took a selection of photos with the assignment in mind. This was the first time I had taken photos with a pre-conceived aim. My photos tend to be on the whim of the moment, I see something, I snap it. So the idea of having a topic, which I then had to work within and around was a new concept for me. I then went back and read the brief again:
Make a series of six to twelve photographs in response to the concept of "the Square Mile" Use this as an opportunity to take a fresh and experimental look at your surroundings.
You should try to make your final set of photographs "sit" together as a series.
However you choose to approach this assignment, it should communicate something about you: your interest, motivations, and your ambitions for your photography.
I knew my initial photos did not fulfil this brief, certainly the middle point above, so I decided to try again.
Research and Planning
I decided to research the concept of the Square Mile a bit further. An internet search provided many links to online blogs of other OCA students, but not too much of a scholarly or explanatory nature, however I then came across an article on Wales Online which discussed the subject.
www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/what-make-us-all-welsh-2299244
"Y Filltir Sgwar" is all about the core influences on our doorsteps - in other words, the influences that shape our core identities. It is a particularly Welsh concept and we have clung on to the idea because it embodies far more than physical locality.
Our "Milltir Sgwar" represents deeply felt ties of familiarity, identification and belonging. It is literally our heritage packaged up into a manageable size.
The phrase "the influences that shape our core identities" instantly got me thinking. I have moved a lot, at the age of 39, I am currently on house number 19. I am used to carrying the key elements of "home" with me, in the past I have felt a living embodiment of the Paul Young song "Wherever I lay my hat, that's my home".
I considered what where the influences and elements that are core to me, that are always carried with me and complied the below list:
1) Blanket
The only constant from childhood, it is now barely more than a ball of wool, but the texture and smell instantly transport me back to reassuring childhood days.
2) Work
I will admit I am bit of workaholic, it forms an intrinsic part of who I am.
3) Passport
I work hard so that I can travel. Travelling takes precedence above all else. I don't own a house, car or any furniture, instead I'd much rather spend my money exploring the world.
4) Country lanes
My childhood was split between rural Hertfordshire and Ireland. I now live in Jersey. The smells and sounds are reassuring, familiar, reaffirming.
5) Friends
My friends are my family.
6) Water
Being near a sea or a lake, some form of body of water that I can see daily is very important to me, it gives me solace and comfort.
7) Notebooks
A notebook is always to hand to play therapist to the thoughts causing mayhem in my mind. The act of capturing them in words on a page never fails to provide a cathartic calm.
8) Photography
A love that makes me smile like a small happy child.
9) The Cottage
I have lived in my current place for the longest period of time since I left home. It is my sanctuary, I can happily hermit here for days.
I decided to research the concept of the Square Mile a bit further. An internet search provided many links to online blogs of other OCA students, but not too much of a scholarly or explanatory nature, however I then came across an article on Wales Online which discussed the subject.
www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/what-make-us-all-welsh-2299244
"Y Filltir Sgwar" is all about the core influences on our doorsteps - in other words, the influences that shape our core identities. It is a particularly Welsh concept and we have clung on to the idea because it embodies far more than physical locality.
Our "Milltir Sgwar" represents deeply felt ties of familiarity, identification and belonging. It is literally our heritage packaged up into a manageable size.
The phrase "the influences that shape our core identities" instantly got me thinking. I have moved a lot, at the age of 39, I am currently on house number 19. I am used to carrying the key elements of "home" with me, in the past I have felt a living embodiment of the Paul Young song "Wherever I lay my hat, that's my home".
I considered what where the influences and elements that are core to me, that are always carried with me and complied the below list:
1) Blanket
The only constant from childhood, it is now barely more than a ball of wool, but the texture and smell instantly transport me back to reassuring childhood days.
2) Work
I will admit I am bit of workaholic, it forms an intrinsic part of who I am.
3) Passport
I work hard so that I can travel. Travelling takes precedence above all else. I don't own a house, car or any furniture, instead I'd much rather spend my money exploring the world.
4) Country lanes
My childhood was split between rural Hertfordshire and Ireland. I now live in Jersey. The smells and sounds are reassuring, familiar, reaffirming.
5) Friends
My friends are my family.
6) Water
Being near a sea or a lake, some form of body of water that I can see daily is very important to me, it gives me solace and comfort.
7) Notebooks
A notebook is always to hand to play therapist to the thoughts causing mayhem in my mind. The act of capturing them in words on a page never fails to provide a cathartic calm.
8) Photography
A love that makes me smile like a small happy child.
9) The Cottage
I have lived in my current place for the longest period of time since I left home. It is my sanctuary, I can happily hermit here for days.
Contact Sheet
A link to the contact sheet is below, please note it will open in a new window: square_mile_contact_sheet.pdf
A link to the contact sheet is below, please note it will open in a new window: square_mile_contact_sheet.pdf
:My thoughts on reviewing the contact sheet:
Image 4549
It was the contrasts which struck me to take this photo. The white buildings against the blue sky, the green shrubs against the dry dusty soil, the countryside overlooked by the town. The framing of the photo is not right, the housing blocks are off kilter, the shrubbery at the front is out of focus.
Image 4550
Again the contrasts appealed, however the image would need cropping.
Image 4551
The early morning country lane. Would need cropping to remove the out of focus plant in the top right hand corner, the sky looks very washed out.
Image 4552
The aim was to capture the bright blue bin against the natural shrubbery and the juxtaposition this caused. The plants behind the bin are out of focus, am not convinced by the framing of the photo either.
Image 4553
I like this image. I was trying to make the first small boat the focal point, however I think I should have centred the image between the two benches instead.
Image 4554
I like the centering however the boats are out of focus. (Note to self, I need to learn about depth of field and focussing!)
Image 4555
It is a similar image to 4553 but appears to be better focused and positioned, although it would still need to be worked on.
Image 4556
I like the colours of the foreground and the boat, however the distance is too washed out. Might look better after cropping.
Image 4557
Again, focussing is an issue! I like the colours and the sharpness of the first boat, and the texture of the ground surrounding it.
Image 4558
Focussing. The colours and the textures of the foreground are nice.
Image 4559
The blurriness of the background ruins the image.
Image 4560
I was trying to line up the three sail boats, however I think the sail boat on the horizon is too fait and too far away.
Image 4561
I was attempting to catch the seagulls and caught the wrong moment.
Image 4562
Better poses from the seagulls but out of focus.
Images 4563/4564 - Postbox
I like these images. I think it conveys a lot of just how much times have changed. Letters are no longer the primary source of communication. I prefer image 4564 as it is straighter and more aligned.
Image 4565
The distance is too faint, could be salvageable by cropping.
Image 4566
I like the steps and the handrail.
Image 4567
I love the reflection of the light, needs cropping though.
Image 4568
The centering is off. The boots are too dark and the subject matter is too twee.
Image 4569
I like this image, although it needs straightening. The reflection on the bus timetable is not ideal. The flowers in the foreground need to be cropped. The sky is very washed out, however I was shooting into the sun.
Images 4570/4571
My love of lines arising in nature caused me to take these photos. Compositionally I prefer image 4571 as it is a better proportion of light and dark, however focus wise 4570 is better.
Images 4572/4573
Twee tat. No.
Then I restarted the assignment again.
Images 4574/4581 - Blanket
Under duvet - image 4576 is the best one as there no other background noise. Focussing is still an issue.
Close up - I like the image and would like to retake it to be properly in focus.
Up above - image 4580 is the best, as I like the shadow, however would need to be cropped.
Images 4528/4587 - Cottage windows
None of these really work, the shadows are too dark. I do like the reflection of the rose in the window.
Images 4588/4592 - Passport
Image 4590 is the best, but need to crop.
Images 4593/4598 - Work
Outside - image 4594 is best. Needs cropping and straightening.
Inside - Due to the brightness outside, it feels overexposed, changing it to black and white may assist. Images 4598/4599 are best.
Images 4600/4614 - The country lane I live on
Image 4600 - overexposed
Image 4601 - ok ish, would need cropping
Trees - images 4604 and 4606 are the best, although the later would need cropping.
Lavender, bees and butterflies - image 4607 would work if cropped. Image 4612 the butterfly is beautifully in focus but would need cropping.
Images 4615/4616 - Notebook
Image 4616 is preferable, the gecko in image 4615 is a distraction.
Images 4617/4624 - Collage of photos
Images 4622 and 4624 are my preferables.
Images 4627/4620 - Photos of friends
None of these work.
After undertaking the above review, I decided to reshoot some of the photos
Images 4632/4635 - Blanket
I don't think the close ups worked as hoped. Image 4635 is ok.
Images 4636/4637 - Passport
Image 4637 is the clearer, better picture.
Images 4638/4640 - Cottage garden
Recomposing the cottage shot. I like image 4639 but the background is very dark. I think image 4640 gives a better mix of the light on the stone table and the clearly loved plants in the background.
Image 4641 - Notebook
Prefer the earlier shots.
Images 4642/4649 - Preciouses
I like images 4643 and 4647, although I think image 4649 better conveys the message.
Image 4549
It was the contrasts which struck me to take this photo. The white buildings against the blue sky, the green shrubs against the dry dusty soil, the countryside overlooked by the town. The framing of the photo is not right, the housing blocks are off kilter, the shrubbery at the front is out of focus.
Image 4550
Again the contrasts appealed, however the image would need cropping.
Image 4551
The early morning country lane. Would need cropping to remove the out of focus plant in the top right hand corner, the sky looks very washed out.
Image 4552
The aim was to capture the bright blue bin against the natural shrubbery and the juxtaposition this caused. The plants behind the bin are out of focus, am not convinced by the framing of the photo either.
Image 4553
I like this image. I was trying to make the first small boat the focal point, however I think I should have centred the image between the two benches instead.
Image 4554
I like the centering however the boats are out of focus. (Note to self, I need to learn about depth of field and focussing!)
Image 4555
It is a similar image to 4553 but appears to be better focused and positioned, although it would still need to be worked on.
Image 4556
I like the colours of the foreground and the boat, however the distance is too washed out. Might look better after cropping.
Image 4557
Again, focussing is an issue! I like the colours and the sharpness of the first boat, and the texture of the ground surrounding it.
Image 4558
Focussing. The colours and the textures of the foreground are nice.
Image 4559
The blurriness of the background ruins the image.
Image 4560
I was trying to line up the three sail boats, however I think the sail boat on the horizon is too fait and too far away.
Image 4561
I was attempting to catch the seagulls and caught the wrong moment.
Image 4562
Better poses from the seagulls but out of focus.
Images 4563/4564 - Postbox
I like these images. I think it conveys a lot of just how much times have changed. Letters are no longer the primary source of communication. I prefer image 4564 as it is straighter and more aligned.
Image 4565
The distance is too faint, could be salvageable by cropping.
Image 4566
I like the steps and the handrail.
Image 4567
I love the reflection of the light, needs cropping though.
Image 4568
The centering is off. The boots are too dark and the subject matter is too twee.
Image 4569
I like this image, although it needs straightening. The reflection on the bus timetable is not ideal. The flowers in the foreground need to be cropped. The sky is very washed out, however I was shooting into the sun.
Images 4570/4571
My love of lines arising in nature caused me to take these photos. Compositionally I prefer image 4571 as it is a better proportion of light and dark, however focus wise 4570 is better.
Images 4572/4573
Twee tat. No.
Then I restarted the assignment again.
Images 4574/4581 - Blanket
Under duvet - image 4576 is the best one as there no other background noise. Focussing is still an issue.
Close up - I like the image and would like to retake it to be properly in focus.
Up above - image 4580 is the best, as I like the shadow, however would need to be cropped.
Images 4528/4587 - Cottage windows
None of these really work, the shadows are too dark. I do like the reflection of the rose in the window.
Images 4588/4592 - Passport
Image 4590 is the best, but need to crop.
Images 4593/4598 - Work
Outside - image 4594 is best. Needs cropping and straightening.
Inside - Due to the brightness outside, it feels overexposed, changing it to black and white may assist. Images 4598/4599 are best.
Images 4600/4614 - The country lane I live on
Image 4600 - overexposed
Image 4601 - ok ish, would need cropping
Trees - images 4604 and 4606 are the best, although the later would need cropping.
Lavender, bees and butterflies - image 4607 would work if cropped. Image 4612 the butterfly is beautifully in focus but would need cropping.
Images 4615/4616 - Notebook
Image 4616 is preferable, the gecko in image 4615 is a distraction.
Images 4617/4624 - Collage of photos
Images 4622 and 4624 are my preferables.
Images 4627/4620 - Photos of friends
None of these work.
After undertaking the above review, I decided to reshoot some of the photos
Images 4632/4635 - Blanket
I don't think the close ups worked as hoped. Image 4635 is ok.
Images 4636/4637 - Passport
Image 4637 is the clearer, better picture.
Images 4638/4640 - Cottage garden
Recomposing the cottage shot. I like image 4639 but the background is very dark. I think image 4640 gives a better mix of the light on the stone table and the clearly loved plants in the background.
Image 4641 - Notebook
Prefer the earlier shots.
Images 4642/4649 - Preciouses
I like images 4643 and 4647, although I think image 4649 better conveys the message.
Final Submission
In an article by Wales Online (www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/what-make-us-all-welsh-2299244) they stated that:
"Y Filltir Sgwar" is all about the core influences on our doorsteps - in other words, the influences that shape our core identities. It is a particularly Welsh concept and we have clung on to the idea because it embodies far more than physical locality.
Our "Milltir Sgwar" represents deeply felt ties of familiarity, identification and belonging. It is literally our heritage packaged up into a manageable size.
I have moved home 19 times in my 39 year life, I have learned to travel and live light. The influences that have shaped my core, who I am, have been carried with me from destination to destination, wherever they are present, I am home.
In an article by Wales Online (www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/what-make-us-all-welsh-2299244) they stated that:
"Y Filltir Sgwar" is all about the core influences on our doorsteps - in other words, the influences that shape our core identities. It is a particularly Welsh concept and we have clung on to the idea because it embodies far more than physical locality.
Our "Milltir Sgwar" represents deeply felt ties of familiarity, identification and belonging. It is literally our heritage packaged up into a manageable size.
I have moved home 19 times in my 39 year life, I have learned to travel and live light. The influences that have shaped my core, who I am, have been carried with me from destination to destination, wherever they are present, I am home.
Faithful Childhood Friend
A blanket slowly being deconstructed into a tangle of wool but whose smell and touch evokes powerful reassuring memories. |
Preciouses
I have an eclectic selection of carvings, they are all small and transportable. Wherever they are, is my home. |
The Office
I have an intrinsic drive to work hard, to strive as far as possible, however at times it can drain all from me. |
Freedom
I work hard, so that I can travel. I do not own a house, a car or furniture, instead all is spent in pursuit of adventures as far afield as possible. For me a battered passport is a sign of a life well lived. |
Notebook
A notebook is always to hand to play therapist to the thoughts causing mayhem in my mind. The act of capturing them in words on a page never fails to provide a cathartic calm. |
Photography
A love that cannot help but make me smile like a happy carefree child. |
Smells of home
I moved to a country having never visited it before, however the evocative smells of hedgerows from my childhood instantly made me feel I had returned to the comfort of a home I never knew. |
View for the hermit
On occasion I have a need to hermit from the world, my home provides the protection and solace to allow this. |
Reflections - pre final submission
This assignment has been a steep learning curve, primarily as a result of attempting to very quickly learn the skills that will be essential to progressing with this course but which I had not even considered when I first embarked on this journey.
I am now a dab hand at website design which has been the biggest challenge. A massive shout out to Alan Fletcher and his blog "what if I am wrong" which whilst brilliant in its own right, also showed me there was an alternative to Wordpress, which I could not get to grips with.
I have learned to ensure I take the time to consider, cogitate, revisit and redo if necessary. I have staged a setting for photos by moving/removing items to allow for a better composition.
I have finally opened up the manual for my camera in an attempt to solve my focussing issues - this was one of my main reasons for signing up to this course, to learn how to use my camera properly.
I am mildly content with the final submission photos. I have certainly put time, effort and thought into them. The concept I finally choose I like, if I am brutally honest with myself the photos themselves are of exceptionally basic quality. This assignment has highlighted just how much I have to learn to take the type of high quality photos I want to. It has clarified for me that the photos I am proud of that I have taken in the past have been due to their subject matter and luck, not due to any technical skills on my part. This has not put me off, instead it has encouraged me to continue.
This assignment has been a steep learning curve, primarily as a result of attempting to very quickly learn the skills that will be essential to progressing with this course but which I had not even considered when I first embarked on this journey.
I am now a dab hand at website design which has been the biggest challenge. A massive shout out to Alan Fletcher and his blog "what if I am wrong" which whilst brilliant in its own right, also showed me there was an alternative to Wordpress, which I could not get to grips with.
I have learned to ensure I take the time to consider, cogitate, revisit and redo if necessary. I have staged a setting for photos by moving/removing items to allow for a better composition.
I have finally opened up the manual for my camera in an attempt to solve my focussing issues - this was one of my main reasons for signing up to this course, to learn how to use my camera properly.
I am mildly content with the final submission photos. I have certainly put time, effort and thought into them. The concept I finally choose I like, if I am brutally honest with myself the photos themselves are of exceptionally basic quality. This assignment has highlighted just how much I have to learn to take the type of high quality photos I want to. It has clarified for me that the photos I am proud of that I have taken in the past have been due to their subject matter and luck, not due to any technical skills on my part. This has not put me off, instead it has encouraged me to continue.