composition techniques(further research)

these are a few techniques I've got from http://photography.tutsplus.com/articles/14-composition-techniques-that-will-instantly-improve-your-photos--photo-7978

1. don't try to be perfect-
look at it as an art form, you'll never each the point of complete perfection.
there is such thing as well and badly composed photos.

2. simplicity-
make sure you have a low amount of points of interest.
the shots with fewest points of interest and simplest composition tend to look the most effective.

3. rule of thirds-
divide frame into thirds(vertically and horizontally. this will give 9 sections).
for landscape photography the horizon could be on the lower line and the top of a mountain range for example, be on the top line.
for portrait photography the eyes could be placed on the upper line where the two vertical lines cross the horizontal.

4. landscape composition-
make a decision on what yours shots about. for example, water, mountains, sunset, horizon or rocks in foreground.
make sure theres layers within the image for example, using the rule of thirds make sure one layer has a foreground and background etc. this adds depth and scale to the image.
make sure the focal point is priority.

5. lines-
are used to add drama.
horizontal and vertical lines tend to be strongest when using this technique. curved lines give the photo a more relaxed feel.
using lines as a path way to the focal point of the image add up for great effect. for example, working its way from a bottom corner through the image and up into the opposite back corner.
pathways, railways, rivers, roads are all examples of objects that can be used to create lines.
when working with vertical and horizontal lines make sure the shot is straight!
this can be solved by a spirit level on your camera or post editing software (photoshop).

6. framing-
framing a subject is the basis of a strong composition.
make sure the focal point is to one side because often if you put it in the centre then it look odd.
saying that portraits tend to be most dramatic when the subject is central.
experimentation is key!

7. negative space-
much like making the composition simple this also implements the key aspect of giving the viewer that on or few points of interest.
when photoing a lamp post photograph the sky in the background rather than the sidewalk, road etc.

8. layering-
foreground interest is the easiest way to make layers. for example, using the first candle on a birthday cake as the focal point and the further the candles go the more out of focus they get.

9. symmetry and pattern-
used for powerful architectural photos.
take time to examine the area and notify any patterns or lines of symmetry.
avoid any external distractions that spoil this effect.



  

steps to taking professional photos

http://www.photoventure.com/2014/05/20/10-easy-ways-to-make-your-photos-look-more-professional/

1. lose clutter
keep all shots clean!
remove litter and any other unnecessary objects in your photo.
this is so that the viewer doesn't get distracted.
2. attention to detail
scan eyes around the frame checking for anything thats of centre(thats meant to be central) or horizons thats not level.
cloths ruffled and props placed perfectly.
for still life photos conditions must be perfect, take away damaged petals, foliage etc.
3. lighting
for landscape photographers makes sure suns low so shadows are long and silhouette shots are at their best. when the sun is high the lighting is harsh and shadows are short.
the right light can make huge difference in other types of photography as well.
portraits look best when the lights soft and the conditions are overcast.
you can create light sources by using flashes, studio lights or light guns.
4. remove dust marks
clean sensor and work around each of your photos checking for blur marks and retouch if needed.
5. sharpening and editing
most images look good straight from the camera but 'slightly' boosting the contrast, clarity, brightness, white balance and sharpness.

Final design tests metamorphosis

my portfolio content ideas

1. Mock FMP
2. Brand ID and packaging.
3. Bus station
4. Metamorphosis

these are the 4 project i think id like to include in my portfolio simply because i can talk to most about them and have the most work for. the numbers do not represent any order as of yet i just wanted to list them down first before creating any kind of order.

Mock FMP-has all photography work. From editorial screen shots, pre-production, action photos, lifestyle photos, work criticism and improvements, techniques, settings, research, environmental changes(travel), adaptation, leadership, communication.

Brand ID/Packaging- product and graphic design. initial ideas, general packaging and logo research, first net ideas and tests, worksheets showing mainly my logo and brand development with a little bit of packaging design, concept sheets at key stages of the project, more direct research, refining my logo, well thought through packaging ideas, legal requirements for my product, sketches of packaging both 3D and net views, information graphics, more direct research for my logo, poster design, the building of my packaging, research into poster photography, slight changes in logo, POS tests and finalisations, presentation techniques.

Bus station-graphic design and illustration. work for a client, small and large scale work, working on a project for a long period of time, coping with pressure, abstract and stylised work.

Metamorphosis- 3D/sculpture. working with multiple materials and tools, getting used to the properties of each, safety, altering my idea development to be relevant to 3D work, working from a source, researching into that source, abstract and traditional work, combining and altering materials to make them 3D.

portfolio research (UAL website)

These are segments from the portfolio advice that UAL give you on the website 

'The portfolio should contain examples of research, development of your ideas and final pieces. 

It might include drawings, paintings, sketchbooks, colour studies, materials investigation, design development (2D and 3D), construction, consumer and market information, written notes, design presentation sheets, or any other types of work you choose.

Sketchbooks show your research and help us to understand how you think. They form the background to the more finished work in your portfolio and, together, these tell the whole story of your creative journey.

If you have 3D pieces you should photograph and present these within the portfolio and bring one or two physical examples with you if you have a face-to-face interview/portfolio review.'

This section goes into some of the generic key factors of what they are looking for in a portfolio. In this it gives you some key ideas in how to present certain pieces such as, 3D/sculpture work etc. 

'There is no limit, but you might need to transport the portfolio to an interview (if selected), so be practical.

Five projects, plus sketchbook plans, is a manageable amount of content.'

this was the most relevant point for me as its gave me a exact number to work from. 5 projects and sketch books! this now give me a target and a challenge in war to include because only taking 5 projects will make me critically analyse my work thoroughly. 

Acrurate sculpting using callipers

This is my first attempt at using callipers to create a more accurate sculpture of the vertebrate. To use the callipers effectively you have to place the callipers on either side of a surface and then translate that measurement into the material your working with, in this case clay. Although, the piece isn't 100% accurate as it was my first attempt in happy and continuing to practice with the callipers is only going to make my skills more fluent. Personally, I didn't really like his technique because it basically teaches you how to copy the whole reason I love art is because it doesn't have to be mm perfect to mean something big.

prompt sheet

influences
logos from high end brands (vivian west wood, chanel)
logos from the leaders the audio and tech market (Dre.beats, apple)
brand images and early stages of the leaders in the tech market

colour- the colours correspond with the audience of each of the 3 products. example, kids are primary colours, outdoors are black and dark grey, pro version is all white.
typography-logo connected because my whole brand persona is to connect people with music
logo-is a picrow symbol with an e in it because of my brand name
imagery-took it all myself, made it appropriate for the one product i was advertising.
graphics-
illustrations-sketched out everything before id did it, allowed for multiple changes and alterations until i got to a final piece.

shape and function of packaging-my shapes represent the 3 primary shapes of bauhaus and the packaging itself gets more intricate as the products quality gets better.
infographics and legal info-looked up legal information for earphones and what they need to have on them and illustrated my info graphics to add that none robotic touch to my products packaging
POS and advert-the POS is simple however, I've added photography and my logo and some simple photoshop techniques to add to the whole persona of a high attention to detail I'm aiming for my product to have. my adverts photo also shows off the same traits.