leeds digital portfolio (identity)

Perception. In this photo I've used lines from the architectural structure of a building, curb and hazard pole along side some car park space makings as multiple points of focus which don't actually lead the viewer to anywhere in specific. This whole photo is based around perception and how people see this area differently. For me it a place to ride, although its one of the more boring places to ride it really makes you think outside of the box. The simple fact that you have to think creatively to enjoy your session here is one of, if not the best thing about riding this setup and is probably why i have this addiction to spots that are simplistic. Its as if the simpler it is the more possibilities it has. 

 Education. Here I'm using a 8mm fisheye lens with f/5.6, shutter speed around 80-100 and ISO 3200. This photo highlights the main focus in my own and the foundation years lives at the moment, which is UCAS. Its took over our lives and for me not being in the foundation group makes it that bit harder because I'm constantly back and forth between years groups. Comparing my work to theirs and trying to implement their work ethics into my own whilst at the same time not completely distancing myself from my own year. On the left theres a second year student (my year) and on the right theres a foundation student, with me juggling between both years.   

The obsession. Ive been riding BMX pretty much all my life and its hard to capture the emotion in a single photo. All the preproduction, motivation, frustration, excitement and adrenaline that compiles action photos equates to high pressure with minimal reward. Although, its justifiable when you do. The easiest way i can bond both photography and BMX is the fact that its not the equipment you use its the way you use it. i almost use BMX to motivate myself when taking photos because even when it doesn't go right first time its noting your mistake, learning from it then perusing thats key.
In the photo above I've tried to implement the advertising techniques of some high end energy drinks such as, red bull, monster and rockstar. all of these use extreme sports as their branding. However, they all do it in a different way. Monster for example use darker, weathered, high contrast photos which I've tried to implement here. I chose Monster because i personally liked the style of their advertising and the whole persona the brand has in the BMX industry. Less colourful, rough but very raw is the best way i can describe it.      

My home. A small pit village on the boarder between derbyshire and nottinghamshire. most people my age here goes to school till the age of 16 and then gets a job in a trade of some sort. I'm slightly out of the ordinary with regards to being creative and having that mindset. Here I'm sat looking in from a distance. This because its easy to get caught up in my own life and be very selfish without ever intending to be. Simply overviewing everyones lives from a far really allows me to clear my head, re-motivate and start over. I also found its a great cure for artist block and its a good way to practice self evaluation. Looking from a far also gives me that bit of extra confidence when i need it because as silly as it sounds its almost as if I'm looking down on people as almost a godly figure and notifying areas in which i could make a change whether that be physical or mental.

The techniques I've used are pretty basic as I've tried to make the horizon as parallel as possible with the horizontal edge and I've used a MACRO lens to get the focus on the foreground. The reason I've decided to focus on the foreground is because although id like to sit back and think about everyone else's lives before mine, its just not practical. 

Humans as a raise strive for change. This can only be achieved by putting yourself and your beliefs forward. Which is the reason I've gone down the creative career rather than a more industrial one. Being creative has not only made me accept change but push for it.