New Statement of Intent: Through the lenses of nature and humanity, I wish to communicate the beauty of bullet shells under the theme of discarded items.

  • This is chosen as my new statement of intent because the advices and feedbacks I have received shaped my decision to focus on the projection of my discarded subjects instead of the theme behind it (though also important).

<Practice 1>

Best 3

  • This is an image taken in the studios with the subject being a group of bullets being placed vertically in the center and shot with a blurry frame on purpose. I used depth of field in this image combined with framing as I purposely centered the subjects to create a sense of focus in contrast with the blurry frame alongside placing them backs to create a difference in distance. I also purposely used warm lighting to enhance the copper texture which has a original color of bronze/yellow. These techniques allow the subjects to glow in the dark and create a warm imagery simulating night lights. To improve, I should consider how the background could be changed more to strengthen the contrast and imagery of the subjects and light bulb.

  • This is an image taken in the studios of the subjects being dropped onto the ground and bouncing up simulating the ejection process of bullet shells. I used a high to low angle in order to project the difference of size between the bullet shells and the floor. I also had my camera focus at a point on the ground (also a queue) before the bullets were dropped to capture this half focused framing on the bullet shells. This make the bullets look very shaky which enhances the image of them falling and bouncing. These techniques allowed the creation of a “lively” imagery full of “action”. To improve, I should consider putting more elements on the ground which could help with bettering the imagery of “lively” and “action”.

  • This is an image taken in the studios of the subjects falling onto the ground behind a gun barrel. I used depth of field explicitly in this image and located the two subjects – the barrel and the bullets – in a fashion that it looks like the barrel is shooting out bullet shells against a way where instead it is just bullets dropping behind a barrel onto the ground. This combination of techniques achieves the effects of abstraction as bullet shells are usually the discarded ones resulted from firing yet the roles has shifted in this image. I should improve by expanding the image to add more elements that can help present this idea.

Set of 45

 

  • This set of photos focuses on the imagery of war under the theme of discarded. The set is taken inside the studio mainly because the requirement for lighting and background (black) to represent the theme of war and discarded. There was also prop safety and convenience considerations. Overall the set turned out to be relatively successful as the first experiment and it also surfaced some issues such as camera focuses/iso and possible errors such as timing and quantity (amounts/size of bullet shells needed). A major point of improvement summarized is to add additional elements, best if nature related, to decorate the background and create contrast by doing so. A side point that needs attention is adjusting the focus properly before taking photos.

<Practice 2>

Best 3

  • This is an image taken outside the studios of two bullets sinked in sand. I used closeup on the subjects to capture the details of the sand around it which enhances the visual aspects of the photo. In addition, the composition of the subjects were intentionally set directly in the center to expand the emptiness around it which is how the theme of discarded is projected. By having the bullets shells thrown in the middle of nowhere, it brings the feeling of vacant and wasted, exactly what the audience needs to feel. The color of the bullet shells blends perfectly with the background because being similar in tone, though just a bit darker makes the bullets stand out while also merged with its surroundings. To improve, I should attempt to add some additional foreground/background to coat the loneliness.

  • This is an image taken outside of the studios of one bullet shell pouring sand into the other. This scenery leans more into the visual presentation and interpretation than the actual intent. Through simulating one shell as the whine bottle and the other as the glass, I intend to express beauty through what is considered waste by people. This slightly abstract idea is inspired by a random video I watched of someone pouring whine in a stylish fashion. Aside from framing and composition, there is not much technique used on this image to specifically enhance the idea, however they do help coat the overall presentation such as using natural lighting and focusing on the subject. To improve, I should take this inside the studio instead because it lies more to civil instead nature.

  • This is an image taken outside of the studios of bullets falling out of someone’s hands alongside with sand. Originally, the bullets is suppose to fallout as well however after many attempts I came to the realization that it is almost impossible to capture that moment since the chances are completely random and moved on. The central focus for this is to represent the lost of time and how time can not be held. Discarded relates to this topic as it is the literal lost of time. I used the closeup technique to capture the dropping sand as its details can illustrate the lost presented in the image. To improve, I should find methods to time the bullet drop perfectly and capture the original intended scenery.

Set of 35

  • This set of photos focuses on the addition of natural elements. Following this, the location of this set has been chosen take place in the ES playground instead of the studio. Aside from feedback that suggests this decision, another major influences is the sand. For many reasons, sand or its larger form deserts always has some sort of relationship with the idea of wasted/discarded. I decided to use this connection because it can significantly increase the work’s relevancy to the topic therefore meaning that I can experiment more freely on ideas that I have planned earlier. A major point of attention overall to improve this set is to be aware of the background/foreground making sure that they are “necessary” and related to the subjects since the location is no longer a studio meaning that there is less control in those aspects.