shoot seven

Shoot seven

Plans for shoot: 

my aim for this shoot was to take images up against a plain background in order to physically edit them by using needle and thread as a more abstract and physical way to edit and manipulate images

Research influence

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Melissa Zexter is a Brooklyn-based artist who creates embroidered photography, her work consists of printed an already taken image and hand stitching a layer of embroidery, which often fits the context of the scene's theme, she uses various styles within her work which ranges from random multicoloured stitches to patterns and complimentary hues. I intend to edit my images in this kind of style. 
Contact sheet

Image bank (containing 5 images)

My Best images (target 4 - 6),

original images:

Edited images (scanned in) to scan the images in, I took an image of the physical edits on my camera as the actual scanner available had bad shadows from the raised elements on the images, due to this the scans are darker that the original images 

Images that require improvement

i felt that the below images required improvement as they were too exposed and in some cases, the positioning of the subjects were what i hoped they would look like, to improve this i could've taken multiple images of each and changed my positioning slightly each time to get my desired outcome.

AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.

My idea for recording this shoot was to mix embroidery with floral photography in order to create an experimental take on botanical photography and physical editing.

      With reference to my best images, I feel that although I could not create photographs exactly like my image bank photos, I did create a set that was in the style of the work i portrayed in my image bank . I am happy with the overall outcome of my images and feel that they all show the ways that flowers and their intricate details can be manipulated within an image. i decided to edit my images to make them sharper and isolate them from the background  in order to eventually reflect my artist influences work on the different elements of the style of photography.

With regards to some of the images that did not come out as I expected, I struggled to adapt my  positioning the get the light on the right parts of the flowers and their petals, as well as struggling with the composition of the subjects of the images , that's why some of my images contained aspects that i didn't want, or simply didn't conform to my expectations.

AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.

All images were taken in a studio setting, soft boxes and tripods were also used.

camera settings:
(for all images)
1/125 sec shutter speed
f/11
ISO 200.


the use of soft-boxes ensured that the camera flash wasn't too harsh and didn't effect the outcome of my final images, the soft-boxes diffuses the lights into a soft and even light, they also reduce harsh shadows and due to the closeness of the soft-boxes to the subjects, the softer lights accentuated the details of the flowers, the use of the tripod reduced camera shake and ensured that my pictures were crisp and well detailed.

Studio setup for photo shoot.

~editing process~

The editing process involved printing the raw images and using needle and embroidery thread to create patterns and add a 3D effect to my images 

AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.
(Here you will discuss how you developed your work based on your research of e.g. artists/photographers, etc).

The artist research was very useful during these shoots as I had some inspiration on how to tackle the more surreal element of photography , as well as photographing the subjects and their intricate details. My research of  Melissa Zexter's  work helped me to focus on the intricate details of the embroidery aspect and the placement of the components within my images. I found this helpful because i could easily create this within my studio location.

AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements. 

i feel i have created a unique set of images that links surrealism, botany and embroidery/physical elements. Yet I am not entirely happy with the final outcomes as the cane out darker than expected when scanned in.

Progression: you must refer to what you will do next to improve on either the shoot you have done or how you will develop your project in the next shoot.  

for my next shoot i aim to experiment more with how i position my subjects and mix in a form of portraiture as well.