Final Image Selection for My Emulation Project

I have found the process of selecting my final images to be incredibly difficult and somewhat frustrating !

It was my initial intention to show three images in my final selection. As I have 2 main subject types, people and deserted cars. I feel that two shots from each subject group gives a much more balanced feel to my final image selection.



The Dictionary Definition of Emulation

From The Collins Concise English Dictionary.


The dictionary definition of emulation is :


To attempt to equal or surpass, especially by imitation.


To rival or compete with.

More images from a completely deserted Blackpool at dusk.

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70 f 2.8

1 sec - f-4 - ISO 100

Manfrotto Tripod

Maglite LED Torch

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70 f 2.8

2 sec - f-2.8 - ISO 100

Manfrotto Tripod

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70 f 2.8

2sec - f-2.8 - ISO 100

Manfrotto Tripod

Maglite LED Torch



Images from the 4th Jan 2011.

Here are some more of the night-shots that I have taken as part of my Gregory Crewdson Emulation Project.

These images were taken on the evening of Tuesday the 4th January 2011 at Dovestone Reservoir.

For this series of shots, I was assisted by my coursemate Melanie who has really helped me to develop the concept of this shot both in terms of the lighting and overall composition. 

It was Melanie's idea to trigger the flash unit inside the car to give this striking lighting effect seen in the final four images.

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70mm f 2.8

Manfrotto Tripod

Hahnel Giga-T Pro Remote Shutter Release

Nikon SB 900 Speedlite

Maglite LED Torch

30 sec - f 3.5 - ISO 100

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70mm f 2.8

Manfrotto Tripod

Hahnel Giga-T Pro Remote Shutter Release

Nikon SB 900 Speedlite

Maglite LED Torch

30 sec - f 4.5 - ISO 100

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70mm f 2.8

Manfrotto Tripod

Hahnel Giga-T Pro Remote Shutter Release

Nikon SB 900 Speedlite

Maglite LED Torch

30 sec - f 4.5 - ISO 100

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70mm f 2.8

Manfrotto Tripod

Hahnel Giga-T Pro Remote Shutter Release

Nikon SB 900 Speedlite

Maglite LED Torch

30 sec - f 5.6 - ISO 100

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70mm f 2.8

Manfrotto Tripod

Hahnel Giga-T Pro Remote Shutter Release

Nikon SB 900 Speedlite

Maglite LED Torch

30 sec - f 5.6 - ISO 100

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70mm f 2.8

Manfrotto Tripod

Hahnel Giga-T Pro Remote Shutter Release

Nikon SB 900 Speedlite

Maglite LED Torch

50.5 sec - f 5.6 - ISO 100

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70mm f 2.8

Manfrotto Tripod

Hahnel Giga-T Pro Remote Shutter Release

Nikon SB 900 Speedlite

Maglite LED Torch

26.1 sec - f 5.6 - ISO 100

Alternate Ideas And Locations For Emulation Project

After spending just over a month shooting images for this assignment in Manchester, my mind has become a little clouded in the search for new locations. So I decided to look a little further a' field and after flicking through some of my old work and looking on Google Images, I decided to take a drive over to Blackpool and try some shots around the seafront which I thought would be extremely quiet at this time of the year.

I parked up on the seafront and Blackpool was utterly deserted, not a single soul on the streets.

Even the illuminations and Blackpool Tower itself were in total darkness.

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70 f 2.8

30 sec - f-10 - ISO 100

Manfrotto Tripod

Although this shot is not technically as a Crewdson shot would be taken, I feel that if this were shot at dusk, it would have a much stronger impact and the empty beach immediately on the left could also be used to replicate Crewdsons' sense of isolation.

 Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70 f 2.8

30 sec - f-10 - ISO 100

Manfrotto Tripod

I was drawn to this single bright-light above the South Pier and like the way that it illuminates the beach. The tide was still fully out at 11pm so it should be possible to re-visit this location in the next few days with a model/assistant and try to set up a shot here.

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70 f 2.8

30 sec - f-10 - ISO 100

D90 Camera-Mounted Pop-Up Flash

Manfrotto Tripod

Whilst I was setting up the shot of the South Pier above, I noticed this shot which is to the left-hand side of the pier. I really liked the lighting and went for a closer inspection.

I feel that this shot has a good likeness to one of Crewdsons' images both in terms of the lighting and the awkwardness of the subject. 

Nikon D90- Sigma 17-70 f 2.8

30 sec - f-10 - ISO 100

Manfrotto Tripod

On my way into Blackpool, I noticed this shot on the approach to the seafront. I tried to shoot it on my way home but I was cold and tired and rushed the shot a little. I still like the way that it is lit and it would be a fairly easy shot to reproduce should I return to Blackpool again this week.

Ideas for Gregory Crewdson Emulation Project.

New Years Day 2011

Here are some of the images that I shot tonight with the Nikon D90 on the car-park of Dovestone Reservoir and on Thursday night around the back-streets of Dukinfield.

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70mm f 2.8

Hahnel Giga T Pro Remote Shutter Release

Manfrotto Tripod

Maglite LED Torch

127 sec - f 2.8 - ISO 100

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70mm f 2.8

Hahnel Giga T Pro Remote Shutter Release

Manfrotto Tripod

Maglite LED Torch

110 sec - f 2.8 - ISO 100

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70mm f 2.8

Hahnel Giga T Pro Remote Shutter Release

Manfrotto Tripod

Maglite LED Torch

54 sec - f 2.8 - ISO 100

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70mm f 2.8

Hahnel Giga T Pro Remote Shutter Release

Manfrotto Tripod

Maglite LED Torch

92 sec - f 2.8 - ISO 100

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70mm f 2.8

Hahnel Giga T Pro Remote Shutter Release

Manfrotto Tripod

Maglite LED Torch

23 sec - f 2.8 - ISO 100

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70mm f 2.8

Hahnel Giga T Pro Remote Shutter Release

Manfrotto Tripod

Nikon SB 900 Flash Gun

1 sec - f 5.0 - ISO 100

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70mm f 2.8

Hahnel Giga T Pro Remote Shutter Release

Manfrotto Tripod

Nikon SB 900 Flash Gun

1 sec - f 5.0 - ISO 100

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70mm f 2.8

Hahnel Giga T Pro Remote Shutter Release

Manfrotto Tripod

Nikon SB 900 Flash Gun

20 sec - f 10 - ISO 100

Nikon D90 - Sigma 17-70mm f 2.8

Hahnel Giga T Pro Remote Shutter Release

Manfrotto Tripod

Nikon SB 900 Flash Gun

15 sec - f 7.1 - ISO 100

Exploring Photographic Practice. Assignment 1. Emulation Brief.

For this assignment, we have all randomly chosen a photographer from a pre-determined selection of photographic practitioners to study and learn about with the intention of recreating a series of three to six images in a style/technique inline with our chosen photographer.

I have selected an American photographer by the name of Gregory Crewdson.


I started my research with a search of the University library and only found one book by Gregory Crewdson. This title is called Beneath the Roses. 

 

Beneath the Roses

Crewdson, G: 2008. Abrams. (Harry N. Abrams Inc. New York)
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/kbenfield/beneath_the_roses_unsentimenta.html



Some of the images from the book.

None of the images in the book are labelled with titles which I personally find very unusual.

Maybe, Crewdson wants the viewer to make up their own mind with regards to the title about of  his images.

http://www.naivecinema.com/2009/10/nyff09-poster-gregory-crewdson.html

http://www.naivecinema.com/2009/10/nyff09-poster-gregory-crewdson.html 

http://www.naivecinema.com/2009/10/nyff09-poster-gregory-crewdson.html 

 http://www.naivecinema.com/2009/10/nyff09-poster-gregory-crewdson.html

 

Gregory Crewdson with Hasselblad Sinar 8×10 camera on location.

http://rogerllonch.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/gregory-crewdson-1-million-photo-shoot/

After looking through this book several times and doing some initial research on the internet, I have drawn the following conclusions with regards to Crewdsons' collection of images in this book.

The images are composites of many other images which are incredibly well ''stiched'' together.

Many of the shots contain reflections of his subjects in mirrors.

Some of the shots only contain reflections in the mirrors, the subject sometimes cannot be seen in the actual shot.

His use of lighting is stunning.

None of the models in any of the shots are smiling.

None of the models are beautiful people  as you would generally expect a model to be.

A lot of the models are naked.

All of his human subjects have a very vacant and aimless look about them, almost as if something from an old zombie film.

His images are exeptionally moody, none of them are really warm and bright. Always stark and in derelict areas.

He always uses a 10' x 8' plate camera to produce his final images.

He uses a special tripod that is permanently locked in place and cannot be moved once the shoot has commenced.

He utilises an enormous production cast to produce his work including assistance from the local Police, Fire and Government authoritites.

All of his shots are ''staged'' like Hollywood productions.