14) Flash Shoot 1, Liz Banks - 29/1/18

Early on in the module Liz set us our first flash shoot, and the brief of the task can be seen below.

My strategy for engaging with random strangers was to try and find pairs of people to take photographs of, after being inspired by Niall McDiarmid's guest talk. I felt this would be a bit more challenging than just asking one person, and would make for a more interesting image.

My contact sheet from the flash shoot can be seen below:

As you can see from the images above, I took a mixture of pairs shots and then some individual portraits, and I based the shoot around Castle Park in the city centre. I started off the conversation with most individuals by saying that I was interested in taking portraits of pairs of people, and from this people seemed willing to be in the photograph. I was pleased that on the flash shoot no one said no to me taking their photograph, so I feel my skill of talking to strangers is improving.

Below are my 4 most successful images from the shoot:

I really like the composition of this image, with the subjects placed in the middle while also being able to see the surrounding environment. The subjects look relaxed and engaged with the camera, and I like how they have a similar body language from sitting on the ledge of the wall. This is why I think this is one of my most successful images.

I think this second image is my favourite out of the four, because this environmental portrait tells more of a story. As you can see from the dustpan and brush both subjects are carrying, it shows that they are cleaners for Castle Park. I like how there's two people in the image, because it reinforces this narrative, and I feel the blue gloves they're wearing draws you into the photograph. Again I feel the subjects have quite a relaxed body language, and I think this pairs well with how they're engaged with the camera.

As much as I'm pleased with the composition of this environmental portrait, I was a little annoyed that the second individual was smiling in the image as it looks more like a tourist shot, however I still feel the image is successful in terms of me wanting to take photographs of pairs of people. I do like how both individuals are stood closer together in this image, portraying a sense of companionship and friendship.

Although this final image doesn't fit with my theme of taking photographs of people in pairs, I still feel the image is successful. This is because I took the shot under the bandstand in Castle Park so the lighting was more tricky to combat, as I had to balance the shadows on the subject with the surrounding environment which is lighter. I feel this was undertaken well, and I again like the composition of the image, with it just showing just the upper body of the individual, because I wanted to focus on the environment around him, and I feel a full body shot would have looked a bit messy in this environment.

Overall I feel the flash shoot went really well and I'm happy with the images I've produced. I definitely feel this task has improved my skill of talking to people further, and I tried to speak to them while setting up the shot like Niall McDiarmid suggested in his recent guest talk.

#flashshoot #creativeinteractions