In this 'Being Atget' project I am to capture my local environment in the style of my key-photographer through photographs. I will also be looking at cityscape photography/photographers during this project as part of my research to widen my understanding of the 6 rules of photography.
Prep work
To help me with my final pieces of work I have done some prep work which includes a brainstorm of what pictures I can take that represents Heston/Hounslow and what rules they can be used for.
Final Photographs
Filling the Frame
This picture is part of the Heston Memorial statue in Heston. I thought if I were to fill the frame with a certain part of the statue the image will appear to look more interesting. However the purpose of filling the frame is to eliminate any distractions and only photograph the importance of the object. I think the gun and the foot of the soldier statue is quite important in comparison to other parts of the statue. I think this part is important because to me the foot symbolises the soldier standing their ground in battle and the gun represents them fighting for their town. This is one of my strongest photographs because the camera has captured which I think is to be one of the important parts of the subject as well as filling the rules requirements.
Framing the Subject
I also decided to use the memorial statue in Heston for framing the subject because I think it plays an important part in this town. As it is a recognisable figurine in Heston I thought this would fit the rule perfectly because this object takes centre stage in this picture. At first i took this photograph from the front but then decided it was a bit boring so I shot this picture from a low side angle which makes it more interesting to look at. I decided to take it from this angle because the black stuff on the statue and the slight discolouring of the hat adds character to the picture as it shows that it is quite old. Overall I think this photograph is a success because I think this image fills the requirement of framing the subject very well as all possible distractions are disregarded from the image and it has been taken from a different point of view.
Use of Line
I found use of line the most challenging rule as I didn't understand this as much as some of the other rules but I think this photograph is a good example of the rule in use. This photograph was taken in an alley way which photographs the rule use of line well. I think this photograph was a success because this photograph uses many lines that follow through one to another. I think what makes the use of lines effective in this picture and more interesting to look at is that the alley becomes narrower further along which is different to look at and more intriguing to the eye.
Rule of Thirds
I like this photograph because I think this picture worked out well for the rule of thirds. Even though there are people in this image it is still a cityscape photograph because Hounslow West Station is the subject of the picture whereas the people in the image are like extras and still form part of the image. I like that there is a clear blue sky which gives the picture a warmer feeling.
Depth of Field
I think this is one of my weakest pictures as it doesn't interact with the audience. It was taken near my house in Heston which is of a closed down pub. The image looks plain and boring. Even though this image fulfills the depth of field description with the use of the 3 layers it could of been improved by placing the camera closer to the pub so the building would appear to look a lot larger and the other building would appear smaller in comparison to the pub. This way the image would interact more with the audience as they would feel a lot more part of the photograph.
Vantage Point
This is a picture is of one of the oldest buildings in Heston which is a church. I like this photograph of the church because I have taken this photo from a low angle to emphasise how tall the church is. I also like that the picture has been taken in such an angle that I haven't just photographed a church that looks two dimensional but by showing the side of the church as well as the front I have created a three dimensional image. The blue sky adds a nice warm feeling to this image which shows the church as a warm and welcoming place. I think the weather sets the mood in this picture.
Capturing the Subject
The reason I chose road works as my image for capturing the subject was because I wanted to show that there are always road works in Hounslow/Heston so roads tend to close. I think this rule also uses the use of line as the stands link with each other and follow through the image and the bricks are paved in a straight line ahead. I think this image worked out well as I personally think road works and piles of bricks captures Hounlsow.