Statement of Intent - Assignment 208 - Nature

Intentions/purpose of the photography to be undertaken

It is my intention to gain a much better understanding of composition, the use of light, spatial awareness, and generally what constitutes a great photo rather than a good one. In addition to that, understanding the techniques employed to enhance a location and how to identify an interesting location too.
All of this to help me to take great photos too.

Reasons for Selection of theme (including inspiration from the work of others).
I spent much of my life living in the country and have an appreciation for the great outdoors. Today I have a dog and walk for over 1 hour each day in and around the countryside near my home in Lichfield. Hence I have an intense interest in nature and the outdoors.
Having looked at the works of photographers like Paul Forgham I am interested in the use of light and colour to dramatically increase the emphasis on key areas of the image. Also, I have seen that using the natural features of the settings can force you to look at a picture in a certain way and cause you to follow an intended path into the image.


The photo imaging equipment and medium that will be used and why.
I will be using the following:

• Canon 400D Digital SLR Camera
• Canon 18-55mm Lens (f3.5-5.6)
• Sigma 10-20mm wide angle lens (f4-5.6)
• Tamron 55-200mm Zoom Lens (f4-5.6)
• Nissin Di622 Speedlite ETTL Flash
• Camlink TPPRO 028B Tripod with a Manfrotto Pistol Grip head.

With reference to publishing the images, I will be using the internet, in particular this blogsite, as my established medium for distribution. It is widely available for all to access and allows my work to be quickly viewed and commented on.

Techniques that will be used and how they will help convey the visual message

1. The use of different lenses to create different  effects will draw the eye into different aspects of the image. 
2. It is important to get the composition right, so as well as focusing on the subject, get the setting right and  use whatever is available in your surroundings to create emphasis on the subject.
3. Colour or black and white, or even removing certain colours to leave an interesting effect will all be employed to create the right effect.
4. Working in manual, or semi-manual (Aperture priority mode) will give you control of the finished project. So, using combinations of the right aperture and shutter speed combined with an appropriate ISO setting will enable you to control the outcome.
5. You can use flash to increase light or to fill in the foreground on a back-lit situation, but the key thing is to vary the time of day that images are taken to ensure you have the right conditions for what you are trying to achieve. 
6. Finishing the image will also play an important role. The main aim is to have minimum use of software to enhance or adjust the original image, but certain effects will require the use of specific applications (PSE for example) to create the effect that you are trying to achieve.
   

How light quality can be used to help convey the visual message
The effective use of light is critical in delivering the end result. How much? How little? The time of day. The sky, is it bright and sunny, or is it cloudy and grey? The amount of light you have can be helped through increased ISO settings, or by the use of external flash. However, typically the nest times of day will be early in the morning (sunrise) and later in the early evening (sunset). These times of day will give the best results with regard to the golden glow of the sun and the length of shadows. In addition if you are looking to add colour, the sky in the morning and the evening will have a host of golden colours reflecting of any clouds and in the late evening pinks, reds, and purples abound.


Safety considerations
I am sure that the health and safety executive have a number of rules and regulations to cover this topic, but here are some of the things that I think one should consider to help to minimise the risk in outdoor photography:

1. Always keep an eye on where you are and what is around you. Do not stand too close to edges of precipices for example and make sure that you cannot get run down by a car, or tractor perhaps!
2. Think about what you are taking and how that will impact on you and your subject. Getting too close to an animal may startle it, taking your dog into a field of cows will cause mayhem.
3. Look around you. Make sure that you are not in any direct danger from the location - falling debris in a wooded location, falling rocks, or other if you are in a quarry.
4. Avoid climbing into trees or standing on ladders on uneven ground.
5. Take your telephone in case of trouble. 
6. Scope out the location before you take your kit with you. Look at the possible areas of concern and make sure you do not put yourself into obvious danger.
7. Let someone know where you are and when you are likely to be back - just in case.
8. Protect your equipment from danger too and make sure that it is in a secure case or bag.
9. Be aware and respectful of your surroundings and do not drop litter.
10. Do not antagonise the locals (people or animals). Be respectful of your surroundings.
11. If you are on private land, seek permission first before being confronted by land owners.