#bmarket

Overall I found the introduction to studio photography project rewarding because the project criteria encouraged me to experiment capturing natural, genuine outdoor documentation where I had no control of lighting, only choice of equipment and time of day I choose to visit the location. This is an area of photography I have never experienced and was unfamilar with incorporating & developing a natural conversation to a photographic opportunity. Regardless I found these circumstances exciting and a possible potential for future project responses by exploring a similar approach.

I felt rather comfortable whilst working within the studio because my group consisted of a model and an assistant which resulted in little communication required for lighting arrangments which was simply communicated through my lighting diagram, which was understood fluently by my assistant.

I am grateful for the experience using professional equipment and feel comfortable using again to achieve my own ideas. It was beneficial gaining experience using a diverse range of equipment such as a 404powerpack and studio flash and applying them to our ideas.

Overall the project was beneficial for my portfolio and personal development for my overall studio awareness and what is necessary to achieve a successful fluent shoot through the support of minor needs such as your intended shot list, pre revised lighting diagrams and qp cards.

My Borough Market visit has been a great learning experience because I have grew confident approaching strangers and asking to take pictures of them which is a situation I have not necessarily been in before. 

I understand why this project is necessary and how this experience can benefit me as a photographer because we must understand the potential of photography outside the studio and through observation of genuine human behaviour and how this can be transcribed to the studio for effective, original, natural ideas. Also this project allows you to capture raw emotion through interacting with people within their working environment, so regardless of the image outcomes or the moods they convey, there is truth within the photographs.

The difficulties I encountered consist of interacting personally with a few sellers, for example, you can confidently ask to take photographs of their displays of buyable items but not as strongly confident as of asking to take photographs of them. Every opportunity to take photographs of them that occurred was through a process of asking and talking to them by initially shooting their stools and later asking to shoot them proudly amongst their display. I feel this was mostly achieved through arriving at opening time because few have just finished preparing hot food and displays so were confident in presenting their work to a photographer. I was even asked by sellers if I like there presentation skills which also lead to opportunities.

The benefits of carrying a shot list with me of my intended shots influenced by my research was useful to understand how to adapt and evolve them ideas whilst on location, also it helped me consider how to narrate a progression through the magazine and which shots are being fulfilled.

The satisfying moments was reviewing the photographs and knowing that these outcomes will fulfil the template assigned to me, although it is a place I would like to revisit regardless.

Through post production I was able to enrich the colours seen throughout the shot which is valuable reflection of the market because of its vibrant feel.

I very much enjoy documentary photography. Being able to communicate a story to an audience through image appeals to me, you can capture people moods and expressions, the surrounding atmosphere and so much more. The Borough Market task allowed me to do exactly that.

My first visit to the market was a great turn out and the weather was definitely on my side. The sky was bright and the perfect flow of people started to explore the market from the moment it opened at 11am. The wide range of people and the amazing produce of freshly cooked food immediately created an amazing buzzing atmosphere just right for me to capture in image. I kept my camera on me from the moment I arrived at the market in the hopes not to miss a thing.  I began to capture the vibrant colours of the fresh fruit and vegetables in the market and of the people as they purchased their fresh produce.

By trying out what some of the traders had to offer enabled me to take pictures of them however some preferred I didn’t.  With my 17-85mm lens I had to stand fairly close to my subject in order to get a good shot. Remembering this on my second visit I brought with me my 75-300m lens so I could stand back from a distance and still capture the trades in action without them realising.

My second and third visits were much busier and the weather was wet and dull making it hard to achieve a well-lit image. Having to continuously change my camera settings also made it harder to capture some spontaneous trader and customer moments.

Overall I benefited from this experience and was able to advance my skills in street photography to produce images I was quite happy with.