Studio practice

Studio Practice

(getting used to the equipment)

After having a tutorial on the basics on how to use some of the studio lights from our tutors, we split into small groups and proceeded to have a play with the lighting kits and get used to handling expensive equipment. We also have now been introduced to lighting ratio at a basic level and using light meters to aid us in creating high standard portraits.

   

An Image from the castle trip 

Northumberland, Featherstone castle

Controversial countryside

By Will Kneeshaw

On one of our many adventures around the castle me and a few friends happened upon dead rats hanging on a farmers fence in a odd manner, this was one of the images i capturing on digital. Really happy with the image, love the depth of field and how the rats are silhouetted by the light behind them. Its a real abrupt pattern on the image and could comment on the farmers in Northumberland.

Guest speaker Peter Mitchell

A documentary photographer based in leeds Pete had a great personality and didn't take himself serious and admitted to not fully knowing what he's doing when snapping his images. This point just makes his work more impressive, his obvious talent just comes naturally to him with his creative skill being expressed in his images. The talk gave me ideas for photographing in Leeds, which was the point of the talk as well listening to someone who is both successful and a nice guy who you"d want to go for a pint with in the local boozer, great first speaker to have and only reassures me that i'm in the right place to study photography, Peter deserves the recognition he gets in Britain.

Featherstone castle Northumberland

During out first week of study we went an a short trip to Featherstone castle in Northumberland. The purpose of the trip was to use various kit as well as get to know the people on our course and develop working relationships with peers and tutors. The castle was rich with history and ghost stories making it a unique experience. During the three days we completed various mini briefs and workshops that helped me to progress in both film and digital photography on a degree level. Also one of the smaller tasks was to create a camera obscura using black paper to block out the light and cut a small 5 cm hole. The effect produced was the scenery outside being projected flipped and upside down in our room. Our task was to photograph this using a long exposure of around 30 seconds. We then presented these images the following day along with our own images from the specific brief given to us where we had to capture images that were eerie, unpleasant and spooky reflecting the history of the castle focusing on a ghosting technique using flash guns, tripods and long exposure. The trip was eventful as well as helpful. Developing friendships as well as basic skills, below is two images that I took from the trip.  

Camera obscura

Ghosting effect (flash gun)

Introduction

My name is Will Kneeshaw, I have just enrolled at Leeds college of art. I am currently studying a BA(Hons) degree in Photography. One of our first tasks was to setup this blog with the aim to record our progress during my three years as well as talk about my past experiences within photography and interests that I have developed through studying the subject.

 My father showed an interest in the subject when I was growing up but never took it as far as buying a camera until a cheap point and shoot camera came with a bundle when purchasing a printer, we began taking photos and from then on the interest grew to the point where we shared a pass time. As I began secondary school the option to take photography became available giving me the perfect chance to develop my skills and become obsessed with the subject 

Prior to studying and Leeds college of art I completed two years studying A levels one of them being photography. My interests grew during this period to the point where I wanted to make a living from photography. At the moment all I know is that a career in photography is what I desire, however my current aim is to keep an open mind to any form of photography practice and during these three years I would like to sample all areas of the subject, this way I will get the most out of the years I spend studying here and help me to judge where I want to take the skills I will acquire during my study.