OCA Learning Log - People & Place: Exercises Part 3

Exercise; How space changes with light

This image taken at The Collection Museum in Lincoln, where I intend to re-visit in to see how different it looks in different lighting conditions, on this occasion it was a sunny day, this, along with the design of the roof made for interesting shadows cast across he floor and walls which joined the line of the wall to the left creating a nice curved diagonal across the image.

This exercise has now become problematic for me to complete as I am now immobile for several more weeks following surgery on both my feet, so have continued the exercise from my chair, not quite the same as the image I started with, but I do intend to re-visit The Collection as my earliest opportunity.

The sunlight lights up the blinds and casts a shadow behind the tree and underneath the window sill which I don't want in this image, it doesn't add anything to the image

There is clear difference in the colour of the light but as the sun wasn't shining there was less shadow both across the blinds, behind the tree and under the window sill.

This was a challenging image to take due to the high dynamic range, I experimented with quite a few options to see which gave the best result. I tried HDR backlight control which produced an evenly lit image but was out of focus, I switched between aperture and shutter priority. I used exposure bracketing +1 stop, and exposure compensation +2 which really seemed to make the difference. I also used point metering to deal with the high dynamic range along with a raised ISO of 1000 in order to get enough light into the sensor. ISO1000 aperture priority f/10, 1/320, 31mm.

Exercise: The user's viewpoint

For this exercise, I need to choose two or three buildings or spaces designed for a particular activity that is undertaken from a specific, distinctive position. An exotic example would be a traditional Japanese tatami room, where people kneel or sit cross-legged and are therefore much lower than in a regular western style room.

For each location, I am to take one or more photographs that attempt to capture the user's point of view. Consider height, orientation and lens focal length (which controls the angle of view). The important element of this exercise is to take an image from the user's point of view, this, along with a wide angle would make the viewer feel 'in' the image adding to the realism.

Ideas to consider: I will be admitted to hospital for surgery in a few days time, an image from my hospital bed with a wide angle might be interesting, I would need to be aware of third parties in the image, unfortunately for reasons of confidentiality may not be able to take a photo.

For the next couple of weeks or so, I will be a 'wheelchair user', I think it might be interesting to take some photo's from this point of view. Thinking of buildings or spaces designed for a particular activity brings to mind the following, and also considering my current restriction:

The Odeon Cinema on the Brayford Waterfront
One of the many coffee shops in the area

Update: 11th June - two and half weeks post surgery and will be a 'wheelchair user' for a further 3 weeks, so aim to take images from this viewpoint.

This image expresses my current situation, from the viewpoint of the back of the car, looking out on the sunshine from within the confined space, taken with my iPhone.

This image expresses quite nicely how I feel, the light of the landscape, contrasting with the dark of the inside of the car, my little legs looking quite forlorn and redundant resting on the pillows, the viewpoint is clearly of the owner of the legs looking longingly out toward the sunshine.

Exercise: Exploring function

This exercise aims to teach, first, a way of approaching a space and thinking about it that focuses on how it was intended to be used and whether or not its design was successful, and second, translating this thought process into an image. I need to choose any interior space, either domestic or public, and consider it from the point of view of its function. Who uses it or will use it? What is it intended to be used for? And how many different aspects are there to that activity? You are analysing the purpose of the room/space, and the process of doing this is the same for a dining room as for a more complex large area such as a public space such as a public library.

First I need to note what I think the space ought to be used for - a short list. Then consider how well I think it succeeds. This is all before attempting to take any photo's, and it hinges on my own, personal point of view. This is important, because it will influence how I decide to photograph the space.

After I've made my analysis, I need to make a carefully considered photograph of the space in order to put across the way it works - or should work - for the people who use it. The rest of this section will help me consider different techniques of approach and composition.

My initial thoughts on suitable internal spaces lead me to think of a dis-used ward at the hospital where I work, the space is made up of the entrance to the ward, the nurses station and several bays off. The area is littered with equipment, bedside cabinets and general clinical bits & bobs. I love the abandoned look it has, as though everyone left in a hurry and definitely evidence of use. I will seek permission of the relevant person and see if I can use this space.

Unfortunately I was unable to get the pictures of the dis-used hospital ward.

The building I am using for this exercise is Leigh Pemberton House, a half timbered, 16th century grade II listed Tudor building situated between the cathedral and castle in the historic cathedral quarter of Lincoln. Built for a merchant in 1543, and was a bank from 1899-1979, given to Lincolnshire County Council by the chairman of Nat West Bank Sir Robin Leigh-Pemberton. The second and third floors have had many uses over the years but have recently been restored for self catering accommodation. The ground floor being used as a tourist information centre.

I couldn't access the accommodation on the second and third floors to take any photo's, but considering the location of the building, this is a wonderful location for tourists seeking a historic and cultured visit located between the cathedral and castle, and a entirely suitable use of the space. The use of the public space on the ground floor, the tourist information centre is not only useful for guests in the upper floors but for the visiting public to obtain information from a building located in a prime location. The gentleman seated on the bench is a local character, beautifully playing his clarinet asking for requests from passers by.