For this assignment I am to choose five or six buildings and for each produce between two and four images that describe effectively and attractively the way in which the spaces used. I can either include people or not. I need to research the buildings so that I have a good understanding of how and why it was designed in the way it is, with an opinion on its effectiveness as a usable space. I need to encompass variety in my choice of buildings, including size and purpose.
My initial thoughts around this assignment are that my approach to photography of building is definitely architectural in nature but when I consider earlier in the course, I discovered that images with people in or evidence of people in stir an almost unconscious curiosity that makes these images more interesting, it seems obvious that photo's of buildings would evoke the same interest when people or evidence of people are part of the composition, for this reason it seems I have changed my view and approach to the photography of buildings. The building types I am focusing on are:
- Windmill - Ellis's mill
- Place of worship - Lincoln Cathedral
- Gallery - The Collection
- Coffee shop - The Angel
- Museum - National Media Museum
Windmill – Ellis’s mill
Nine
windmills formerly graced the Lincoln Edge, now only one remains – Ellis
Mill. The present mill can be dated back to 1798 but the name links it
back to 1894 when John Ellis purchased the mill and his wife and son who owned
the mill up until 1973. The
mill has been in working order continually since the 19th century,
in fact it fell into disrepair in the 1940s and almost didn’t survive a fire in
1974. However, soon after this fire, in 1977, Lincoln Civic Trust set
about restoring Ellis Mill. It took over 3 years to complete this work
but in 1981 the mill started producing flour again after a 40 year hiatus. Lincolnshire
County Council now has responsibility for the mill, which is run by a dedicated
group of volunteers.
I thought this would be an
unusual addition to my selection of buildings as not many towns have their own
windmill, there are a variety in Lincolnshire including a newly refurbished
eight sailed windmill which is one of only two of this type in the world,
unfortunately this was opened too late for my assignment.
I visited the mill before taking
my images in order to establish if I was allowed to take pictures and to assess
the size available, which turned out to be very little, I aimed to give an idea
of the small space in my second image. As seen in image two, the mill uses up
every inch of space for the task it was built for but also for tourist
information with artefacts and informative pictures on the walls.
The mill is open to the whole
family, with the challenge of a climb to each level using steep wooden ladders,
my third image show a child emerging from one of the ladders.
Informative talks are given on
the function of the mill, I hope to have portrayed this in image four where one
of the tour guides gives a talk on the wheat beginning its journey through the
mill.
Image 1: It was a little awkward getting the angle I preferred as I wanted to exclude the full car park to the edge of the frame with this composition, especially as there was a red car which would lead the eye away from my subject. The light was good, I waited until the sparse clouds filtered the sun a little. Using Lightroom I increased the contrast, reduced the highlights and lifted the shadows.
The image is a simple one, showing the built for purpose building which, having now been lovingly restored, still works as a mill. The mill has a 'compact' feel with effective use of space, demonstrating it's only intention of milling the wheat. The windmill now contrasts with the local area with housing built around it over the time that has passed. It draws many tourists being only a short walk from the castle and cathedral. The mill, not designed with tourism in mind, is quite tricky to navigate, which I intended to show with my images along with the compact space. Taking photo's within the mill was very restricted due to the lack of space.
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Image 1
Canon 700d, RAW, exposure Tv - bracketed 1/60 , ISO 200, f/22,
wb daylight, 17-70mm lens at 17mm, hand held |
Image 2: I stood at the back of the mill to take this image with a wide angle to capture how little space there was in the building, the image is taken from the opposite door and shows the entire ground floor. I wanted to include as much detail in the image as I could given the restriction in movement, the bags of flour for sale can be seen on the counter to the left, the two shoots in the centre of the frame where the flour is dispensed directly into large bags with the stairs up to the next level just on the edge of the frame.
I increased the ISO to 800 to deal with the dynamic range with the doorway in the frame and bracketed the shot by 1 stop. I waited until the tourists came through the door who welcomed them to the mill by the volunteer to include people using the space. In Lightroom I selected the best exposure from the bracketed images, increased the contrast, and reduced the highlights to deal with the light from the door and lifted the shadows a little to reveal more detail.
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| Image 2 Canon 700d, RAW, exposure Tv - bracketed 1/60, ISO 800, f/10, wb daylight, 17-70mm lens at 17mm, hand held |
Image 3: Children love the novelty of climbing the steep ladders to each level, with she space getting smaller with each climb. It was quite tricky to get an image of the space I was standing in as there was a window in every direction, and of course the mechanics of the mill creating shadows in all directions.
I felt I needed some images including people to demonstrate the use of the space and to make the images interesting, this image of the child climbing up the ladder was bracketed, still with a wide angle, shows the lack of space and head height for people using the mill.
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| Image 3 Canon 700d, RAW, exposure Tv - bracketed 1/60, ISO 800, f/3.5, wb daylight, 17-70mm lens at 17mm, hand held. |
Image 4: Talks are given on all aspects of the mill, with visitors seeing the grain leave the bag at the top of the mill and come out as flour at the bottom. Again the light from the window causing a few issues with dynamic range, I bracketed the exposure and selected spot metering. I wanted to show the 'realness' of the use of the building by showing someone handling the wheat that they actually mill flour from.
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| Image 4 Canon 700d, RAW, exposure Tv - bracketed 1/60, ISO 800, f/3.5, wb daylight, 17-70mm lens at 46mm, hand held. |
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Commissioned by William the Conqueror, building commenced in 1088 and continued in several phases throughout the medieval period. Lincoln Cathedral, standing at 83m, the cathedral was reputedly the tallest building in the world for 238 years (1311-1549). It is highly regarded by architectural scholars; the eminent Victorian writer John Ruskin declared: "I have always held that the cathedral of Lincoln is out and out the most previous piece of architecture in the British Isles and roughly speaking worth any two other cathedrals we have".
Image 5: I commenced the shooting this
image early in the morning but discovered the light at the front of the
Cathedral throwing the front completely into shadow, I waited until later in
the afternoon for a more attractive light.
The Cathedral was too large to
get a pleasant composition from outside the building. I needed to get some
distance and as there is a walled castle across the square with high towers
from where to take photo's I took several from this vantage point. The images
were of the Cathedral and the roof tops of the surrounding streets, although a
good impression is gained of the size of the Cathedral, the image just wasn't
interesting enough. I took this image from outside the castle gates and waited
for an interesting scene to appear. The horse drawn carriage tour came into the
frame just as three people walked past me in the direction of the Cathedral,
initially I was a little annoyed that they had walked into frame as I'd just
wanted the horse & carriage, but when reviewing the image afterwards the
figures add to the scene, they are walking in the direction of my main subject
of the Cathedral.
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| Image 5 Canon 700d, RAW, exposure Tv - bracketed 1/60, ISO 200, f/22 wb daylight 17 -70mm lens at 21mm, hand held |
Image 6: I wanted to give the viewer
the feeling of the overwhelming expanse of space when first walking into the
Cathedral and looking down the nave. I selected ISO 400 as the light was a little low, I also selected a wide angle and waited for the lady to walk from behind the pillar to the
left in order to give the image perspective and adding to my intention of
showing the size of the building, children can also be seen further into the
frame but are very small. Using Lightroom 5, I changed the white balance to
daylight as this gave a truer colour, I also reduced the white balance
saturation as previous photos the colour balance had been too warm.
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| Image 6 Canon 700d, RAW, exposure Tv - bracketed 1/60, ISO 400, f/2.8, wb daylight, 17-70mm lens at 17mm, hand held |
Image 7: The Cathedral is often a venue for school trips where children attend a variety of workshops, this image shows children at a bell ringing demonstration watched in the background by Edward King, Bishop of Lincoln (1885-1910).
I increased my ISO to 800 as the light levels changed depending on the area of the Cathedral also selecting exposure bracketing. I've noticed on taking photo's in the past, the stone can often look yellow no matter what white balance is selected, as I now photograph in RAW this just requires a reduction in the temperature to get to the natural colour. I waited for some engagement between the woman and child to the left of the image to emplasise the interaction of the activity.
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| Image 7 Canon 700d, exposure Tv - bracketed 1/60, ISO 800, f/3.5, wb daylight, 17-70mm lens at 34mm, hand held |
Image 8: Lincoln Cathedral has the most incredible sense of peace, felt more so in the areas set aside for people to light candles, to pray and reflect. This is one of those areas, the candles gently flicker whilst those who light them place them gently in the sand and dedicate them to loved ones, situations in daily life and the world. My intention behind this image was to represent dedication, peace and thoughtfulness of what has passed and what is happening now, the young man placing the candle looking thoughtfully on as the candle is lowered.
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| Image 8 Canon 700d, exposure Tv - bracketed 1/60, ISO 1600, f/3.5, wb daylight, 17-70mm lens at 46mm, hand held |
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Museum - The Collection
The
Collection brings together an award winning archaeology museum and the region’s
premier art gallery, the Usher Gallery, in the heart of historic Lincoln. The
museum chosen for my assignment was The Collection, although I initially
preferred the art gallery ‘space’ for my images but permission wasn’t granted,
I like the archaeological design of the new building, it contrast and
compliments the historic sister building The Usher Gallery. The name ‘The
Collection’ has only been in existence since 2005, when the museum merged with
the Usher Gallery and moved to its current home, previously it was known as The
City and County Museum founded in 1906, at a time when many towns and cities
were beginning to recognise the importance of having a local museum as a focal
point for both preserving local heritage and as an educational centre for the
population.
The
largest mosaic to be discovered in Lincoln for over 100 years was unearthed
during construction work on The Collection, which turned out to be a section of
2,000 year old pavement and was carefully removed. Now it forms the centrepiece
of the Roman displays at the new museum. I intended to include an image of this
floor in this selection, but the images obtained didn't fit with the two
selected, preferring to show the geometry and shape, it simply didn't fit with an image of a
Roman floor, for this reason the image was excluded.
As the building certainly has a certain wow factor about it’s design with clean lines and almost a ‘blocky’ stalinistic look about it. I wanted to capture this in my images, of the outside to show the shape of the building and the geometrical qualities within.
Image 9: The aim of this image was to show the shape created by the design of the building, complimented by the shadows, which extend the pointed corner of the building, extending it within the frame. I waited until some people left the building and included the tree to the left of the image, by a bicycle rack, to add an element of ‘people’ using the building, and also to include the rest of the building in the frame as this shows only the entrance to the museum. I converted the image to black and white as this better conveys shape and texture.
As the building certainly has a certain wow factor about it’s design with clean lines and almost a ‘blocky’ stalinistic look about it. I wanted to capture this in my images, of the outside to show the shape of the building and the geometrical qualities within.
Image 9: The aim of this image was to show the shape created by the design of the building, complimented by the shadows, which extend the pointed corner of the building, extending it within the frame. I waited until some people left the building and included the tree to the left of the image, by a bicycle rack, to add an element of ‘people’ using the building, and also to include the rest of the building in the frame as this shows only the entrance to the museum. I converted the image to black and white as this better conveys shape and texture.
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| Image 9 Canon 700d, exposure Tv - bracketed 1/60, ISO 800, f/22, wb daylight, 17-70mm lens at 17mm, hand held |
Image 10: I waited for the sun to shine for this image
as it created ‘brick’ shapes across the floor, I converted the image to black
and white to better show the lines and texture and tilted the image slightly in
lightroom to emphasise the diagonal created by the edge of the roof and the
shadow across the floor. There is a bicycle below centre of the image, which
had some colour, converting to black and white detracted from the bicycle
somewhat, but the geometry of the image is what I wanted to maintain.
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| Image 10 Canon 700d, exposure Tv - bracketed 1/25, ISO 800, f/22, wb daylight, 17-70mm lens at 17mm, hand held |
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Coffee Shop - The Angel
St Swithens Vestry Hall was built in 1869 alongside the Church which displays a Roman Altar, discovered during the construction. Historically vestries were responsible not only for the ecclesiastical affairs of the parish but for all the administrative requirements of lay business. Today the vestry is the highly rated Angel Coffee Shop and home to the Lincoln Philosophy Cafe, who meet for monthly topical discussion.
Image 11: The old vestry built in 1869,
has been built up against in the decades since it’s construction, there is a
contrast in this image between the ornate beauty of the vestry and the red
brick ‘block’ attached to the rear.
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| Image 11 Canon 70d, exposure Tv - bracketed 1/60, ISO 200, f/9.0, wb daylight, 17-70mm lens at 21mm, hand held |
Image 12: The coffee shop boasts ‘the
best coffee in Lincoln’ along with a range of homemade cakes which are much
revered according to their face-book page. I considered focussing solely on the
cakes in the glass domes for this image, but wanted to concentrate on the
barista with his selection of syrups behind him.
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| Image 12 Canon 70d, exposure Tv - bracketed 1/60, ISO 640, f/3.5, wb daylight, 17-70mm lens at 28mm, hand held |
Image 13: I wanted to capture an
image of the coffee itself, using a 50mm lens, I focused on the edge of the
coffee cup and bracketed the exposure. The candle in the background was a very
deep red which I felt detracted from the orange of the coffee cup and clashed a
little, I wanted it to blend more into the background so using the colour
sliders in Light room, reduced the colour to compliment the coffee cup.
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| Image 13 Canon 70d, exposure Tv - bracketed 1/25, ISO 500, f/1.8, wb daylight, 50mm prime lens, hand held |
Image 14: I wanted to convey the relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. I chose this image not only for the evidence of people recently having coffee and food but also for the sunlight shining through the leaded light windows casting their shadow across the wall which adds to the relaxed feel to this image.
National Media Museum - The National Media Museum is situated in the heart of Bradford, aims to be the best museum in world for inspiring people to learn about, engage with and create media. The Museum is home to over 3.5 million items of historical significance including looking after the National Photography, National Cinematography, National Television and National New Media.
Image 15: This image captures the shape of the building, my first attempts at this image were much closer with the intention of including the name of the building with an abstract section of the glass panels, this didn't really work as the image seemed too flat, after moving right back I noticed the curves of the top and bottom of the building and also the road leading to the door with it's curving curb and also the circular edge of the roundabout. In Light room I increased the contrast, reduced highlights and blacks and to define the glass and thus emphasise the shape of the building I increase the colour saturation.
Image 16: I included this image taken in the Kodak exhibition, to show the contrast between technology past and present, the past depicted by the old photographs, secured with care and precision to the photograph albums and the display cards. In particular I am drawn to the image of the young boy who is posing for his photograph, in what looks like a rather unnatural pose, all the same he is dressed in what looks like 'best' clothes including a smart hat, by comparison the lap top is contrast alone of how modern technology has evolved, the images on the laptop screen depicting that change in how we view photography sometimes as the disposable, throw away media taken with very little care or interest, mostly just for fun, but the contrast between the two is enormous.
Image 17: I had to remember to focus on the brief when taking images around the National Media Museum as there was so much choice of what to photograph, I took a huge number but needed to bring my mind back to the purpose of the assignment, to consider space, the space in this building was divided into sections relating to the type of media. This image taken in the games section again is a sign of how evolution of how people enjoying leisure time has changed. The timeline of the various gaming equipment is displayed around the room with seating for people to sit, play and appreciate the rapid changing world of gaming. These boys were sat in the corner, transfixed by the game they were playing, they were there for what seemed like a very long time, hardly moving a muscle, apart from their fingers, I felt this image depicts modern life for many youngsters today.
Image 18: Again focusing on how the space in the building was used, I took this image in the television area where sets were assembled, where people can 'have a go' in front and behind the camera, this was hugely popular with young and old waiting for their turn. My intention was to keep the subject 'actress' in focus, whilst keeping the camera and cameraman in the frame to explain the situation.
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| Image 14 Canon 70d, exposure TV |
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National Media Museum - The National Media Museum is situated in the heart of Bradford, aims to be the best museum in world for inspiring people to learn about, engage with and create media. The Museum is home to over 3.5 million items of historical significance including looking after the National Photography, National Cinematography, National Television and National New Media.
Image 15: This image captures the shape of the building, my first attempts at this image were much closer with the intention of including the name of the building with an abstract section of the glass panels, this didn't really work as the image seemed too flat, after moving right back I noticed the curves of the top and bottom of the building and also the road leading to the door with it's curving curb and also the circular edge of the roundabout. In Light room I increased the contrast, reduced highlights and blacks and to define the glass and thus emphasise the shape of the building I increase the colour saturation.
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| Image 15 Canon 70d, exposure Av f/2.8, shutter 1/3200, ISO 400 wb daylight, 17-70mm lens at 17mm, hand held |
Image 16: I included this image taken in the Kodak exhibition, to show the contrast between technology past and present, the past depicted by the old photographs, secured with care and precision to the photograph albums and the display cards. In particular I am drawn to the image of the young boy who is posing for his photograph, in what looks like a rather unnatural pose, all the same he is dressed in what looks like 'best' clothes including a smart hat, by comparison the lap top is contrast alone of how modern technology has evolved, the images on the laptop screen depicting that change in how we view photography sometimes as the disposable, throw away media taken with very little care or interest, mostly just for fun, but the contrast between the two is enormous.
 |
| Image 16 Canon 70d, exposure Av f/4.0, shutter 1/3200, ISO 400 wb fluorescent, 50mm prime lens, hand held |
Image 17: I had to remember to focus on the brief when taking images around the National Media Museum as there was so much choice of what to photograph, I took a huge number but needed to bring my mind back to the purpose of the assignment, to consider space, the space in this building was divided into sections relating to the type of media. This image taken in the games section again is a sign of how evolution of how people enjoying leisure time has changed. The timeline of the various gaming equipment is displayed around the room with seating for people to sit, play and appreciate the rapid changing world of gaming. These boys were sat in the corner, transfixed by the game they were playing, they were there for what seemed like a very long time, hardly moving a muscle, apart from their fingers, I felt this image depicts modern life for many youngsters today.
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| Image 17 Canon 70d, exposure Av f/4.0, shutter 1/10, ISO 1000 wb fluorescent, 50mm prime lens, hand held |
Image 18: Again focusing on how the space in the building was used, I took this image in the television area where sets were assembled, where people can 'have a go' in front and behind the camera, this was hugely popular with young and old waiting for their turn. My intention was to keep the subject 'actress' in focus, whilst keeping the camera and cameraman in the frame to explain the situation.
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| Image 18 Canon 70d, exposure Av f/5.6, shutter 1/15, ISO 1600 wb fluorescent, 50mm prime lens, hand held |
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