For this project I have chosen a Documentary pathway meaning my outcome will be a photo essay presented on a double page spread. Through my initial ideas and research I have decided that I want to use medium format film to take portraits against plain backgrounds. I chose to work with 120mm films, as I like the more tactile look to the work. My colouration will be less vibrant with more pastille, muted tones.

The skills needed to produce the work will be use of the medium format camera, light meter, scanning and then finally Photoshop. More editorial layout skills will then be used to finish the work and design the end product. As this is a Documentary project my story will be about people who I don’t know so I will need skills of getting in contact with new people and asking to take their photo.

My original research looked into Spencer Murphy’s body of work, I now plan look at a wider range of contemporary photographers who work in a similar style. Artist who’s work comes to mind are such people as Laura Pannak, Murray Ballard and Ed Burtynsky. I will use the internet and different books to gain information and images in order to produce a comparative essay, a small book and blog work.

I felt that this shoot went well and I was able to capture a range of different people around the 2 locations. I think that the photographs of the people who had been surfing worked well as they were tired and cold so not thinking about posing so much. However it was difficult to get them as there was a short time when they were out of the water. I also found it hard to get the plain background I was aiming for and a good angle on them due the nature of the camera where you view from the top.

For my first shoot I have decided to go out early on a Saturday and drive along the cost towards Rottingdean looking for people to photograph. I have heard that beside the Mariana is a popular place for some surfers so I hope to find them. There should also be some people around the docks working on boats and think that will work well. This first shoot will hopefully give me an idea of whether the project will work and more places to go.

Equipment needed:

Mamyia RB

120 Colour Film

Light meter

Lens cloth

Digital camera

35mm camera

Health and Safety 

After my first mind map I have decided that I would like to create images of people that have a connection to and use the ocean. This idea developed out of my trip to Australia, where there is a real sea culture. I became particularly interested in this concept for a number of reasons, the first being the fact that I have lived so close to the sea all my life but hardly ever use it. Another reason is that the Sea has been such a large factor in the development of Brighton and I would like to research this.

Shooting our own HDR images