Website

Finalising my website



I have now purchased my website, so that it is now up and running for anyone across the internet to view. As appose to paying for a monthly plan for my website which was an option by Wix who are my website provider, I chose to pay for 1 years usage. The only reason I would have been drawn toward a monthly plan for paying for my website would be if I was not able to afford to pay a lump sum up front. Fortunately I am in the position currently where I can afford to pay for my website and I know I will defiantly want the use of at least a year from this site. The site cost me a total of £61.88 for a WIX, premium plan. I chose the premium plan despite it being slightly more expensive than other plans because the advantage to this is that I am able to connect my own domain name, e.g 'elle-cain.com', As the cheaper plans do not allow this meaning the word 'Wix' would be a part of the domain as well as some other promotional factors promoting 'wix' as a website provider would appear on my site such as advertisements in the form of a strip across your website. 

e.g

 The last stage I had to complete on my website was the 'About me' or 'Bio' page. I've checked over all the final touches on my site for example checking everything was in place where I would like it to be and most importantly checking the punctuation and grammar are correct, as swell as making sure the fonts and colours used on my site all match each page and match the style used on my business cards. As discussed in a previous post I feel it is very important that everything I produce in order to promote myself follow the same colour schemes and fonts.




Connecting Domain names

 I own two domain names which are 'ellecain.co.uk' and 'elle-cain.com' I purchased both domain names as I wanted to make sure I had the option to be able to use a '.com' or '.co.uk' domain. For this website I am currently using the domain 'elle-cain.com'. Unfortunately the domain I ideally would have liked would have been 'ellecain.com' however this domain was taken, resulting in having to purchase my domain with a '-' in-between my forename and surname. I wanted to use a domain '.com' as this domain is more widely recognised and noticed in the world of the web. 


Home Page

I chose a simple layout for all pages. I used the font 'Georgia' which is the same font I used on my business cards. I've used some images on my home page which are not listed on any particular page on my site. These are images which I am proud to show as some of my best images however they rant my usual documentary style photography as they are more landscape images. Some of these images are also taken on my phone, so I didn't want to fully showcase them on their own page on my website as viewers can easily access more images in this style on my 'tumblr' and 'Instagram' pages which are linked on my 'Contact' page of my site. 


Other pages

Capture One course

PhaseOne Training

I am currently undergoing training before taking part in a 2 day course and exam in May in order to gain a PhaseOne qualification. The course and exam will teach me how to use the CaptureOne software meaning I will be qualified in using capture one which will be something I can put on my CV. Many photographers need skilled retouchers to work along side them in the studio as a lot of photographers are not qualified or experienced in re-touching. 

The course cost roughly £200 and I will be trained for 2 full days by trainers from PhaseOne. 

Although I work in a documentary style I want to gain any qualification or experience that can better me in the world of photography. If I were able to pass this PhaseOne course and therefore be able to put the qualification down on any job applications it would open many doors for me upon leaving university as it would mean I would have a qualification on top of my degree which would hopefully set me apart from many other students with the same degree as myself. 

Regardless of whether I pass the course although I am feeling very hopeful that I will, I will infect receive the CaptureOne software, which of course will be a great piece of software to have in order to enable me to progress in the photographic industry.

Portfolio

Ordering Images


As discussed in a previous post, I have started to create my own portfolio ready for any opportunity or situation in the future where I may need to show my work in a physical form.  I do not feel that at this stage I have a large amount of prints I would like to use that showcase my work to the best of my ability however I definitely will aim to fill my portfolio to roughly to the amount of around 25 prints as I progress through my career and produce new bodies of work.

As documentary photography is what I produce most, I have chosen 3 projects where I have photographer events, and I have chosen around 3-4 prints from each project to give a viewer an insight into how I photograph events. I felt I couldn't just pick 1 image from each event or project I've taken images for as my work is about creating series of images and visual story telling. Therefore a small handful of prints is what work best.

When researching portfolios and while being in class I have come to learn there are several different approaches you can take in terms of what order to place your images. The approach I have come to find I feel I personally agree with most is the approach where a photographer places their best images as the first and last images of their portfolio.


"Put your most impressive piece first to wow them right from the get-go. Put another premier piece at the end of your portfolio to leave a great final impression. Then order the less exciting pieces in the middle."

http://millo.co/how-to-build-a-killer-physical-portfolio-and-win-your-next-account



As this video explains more clearly, the idea of this portfolio layout is to 'Wow' from the beginning, then carry on with images that can support that instant 'Wow' factor. 
It is suggested that during these middle images It is a good idea to include images that can show what you are capable of or give an example of a variety of work or the type of techniques you are capable of, obviously while still being strong and impressive prints. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWSO1mgi-f4

There are many different approaches a photographer can take and the way you lay your portfolio out from my understanding is down to personal preference and through experience you should hopefully start to grasp what works well and what doesn't. 


"I find it useful to make mini-sequences of 2-5 images within a 20 image book, like chapters in a larger story. Vary shot size and vantage point, especially if it's a printed book with facing pages. Don't put two wide shots on facing pages; take a cue from movie editing, and juxtapose complementary colors, tones, and shot sizes. Make the surrounding images strengthen each image by setting up expectations and creating surprise."

http://www.popphoto.com/how-to/2013/03/tips-pro-build-better-photography-portfolio



I feel by placing a brilliant image at the begging of a portfolio will really excite the viewer and for me, I find the first image means a lot when opening anyones portfolio I look at as this gives me my initial impression of the photographer. If the viewer is wow'ed from the first image this should be a good sign. My logic in then leaving another of your best images at the end of the portfolio means the last image they have seen and possibly the last image they remember or that remains in their head once you had gone will be a brilliant image.


Portfolio order

I chose to incorporate two large prints throughout my small selection of images as I wanted to expedient with size and layout to give the viewer a different view to my images as appose to them having to see all the times the exact same size. I feel some images have more of an impact larger while others look better with a border.

As well as making sure I had a strong image placed at the beginning and end of the portfolio I wanted to also make sure the images which would be viewed side by side went together and complimented each other or didn't distract from each other. As can be seen I've carefully chosen images with similar colours or subject matter to be placed next to each other. 

AOP

The Association of Photographers

http://www.the-aop.org/joinus/junior-assistant


I have had a student account with the Association of photographers for a year now and recently I received an email to explain my account has just expired. Being apart of associations such as these are extremely helpful in helping an individual making their way in the industry of photography because they provide opportunities, such as letting you know about competitions or other areas of the market which may be of interest to you to help you get work, get noticed or even just receive advise and guidance off others in the industry.

A new category has been added to the AOP just in time for myself to be graduating from University. In order to help bridge the gap which can often be difficult between leaving university and finding work or experience the AOP have introduced the 'Junior Assistant' category as one of the account options you can sign up to the AOP for. 

Once I have officially graduated which will be in roughly a months time I will sign up for the AOP Junior Assistant, as this may bring possible work experience opportunities for me. I understand that assisting a photographer would be a brilliant opportunity which would help me gain a lot of experience in the industry therefore anything that can help me work towards this is definitely something I would like to consider. 

Documentary Photography

Photoshelter

http://blog.photoshelter.com


The future of Documentary Photography

When researching around documentary photography in todays industry I came across this interesting article on Photoshelter.

The video is of an hour long conference of 4 individuals involved in todays creative industry. They are asked questions all around the subject of the future of documentary photography. They speak of whether documentary photography still has a place in todays industry or market and how it may change in the future. One subject which was brought up throughout the discussion was the emphasis on iPads, technology and social media when it comes to photography today. 

http://blog.photoshelter.com/2011/01/the-future-of-documentary-photography/

A really important factor which was brought up by Bess Greenberg the director of 25CPW about the importance of documentary photographers and how or why they put put their work. She voices that as documentary photographers in todays industry we should really be considering the outcome of our work. As appose to just producing work because its something we are passionate about or something we want to produce, we should be thinking about what the meaning behind our work is, who we want to view or react to our work, who our audience are and what we are trying to say through our work.

This idea links back to a previous post where I produced research surrounding grants and agencies who give funding to documentary photographers who's work have a greater meaning or purpose behind them such as the aftermath project where the aim of the photographers work is to expose those communities rebuilding their lives and communities after war. This is positive work which has a greater meaning and purpose to it than just photographers photographing what they like to photographer because it gives them purpose or satisfaction. 

TIME MagazineDeputy Photo Editor Paul Moakley brings up a point which I find really interesting and surprising. This point is something which is useful to hear when I am about to embark on the joinery of finding a job or career in the industry of documentary photography after leaving university. He actually explains how in todays age he receives so many emails, which is obviously relatable as I know we all do. He explains how if he is sent an email and he doesn't know who the person is, this is one of many emails like this he receives. He says how he remembers a person more or takes more of an interest in a person if they take the time to send him a letter or a print. He said he is more likely to check the persons work out if he is sent something physical like this as it sets the person apart from the rest. 

I am delighted to here this, as although I know this approach may not work with every editor or employer, it is an interesting approach to keep in mind if I thought this may be suitable for a particular job or opportunity I may be going for. 

The whole group explain the importance of physical prints and physical pieces such as photo books. Todays day in age everything is revolving around social media so much that the concept of a physical print means a lot to a viewer as its now more unique or maybe not considered as important anymore.

Funding

Funding


As a documentary photographer it is rare I work in the studio or work towards producing images for commercial use. Despite the fact I would regard my own photographic style as 'Documentary' working in the studio is not something I would rule out as a career prospect upon leaving University, as even my C.V states, I am completely open to working in all fields of the creative industry. 

The work I have recently been producing is documentary style photographs of particular events in the local area where I live. 

Many in the industry say it it is almost impossible to make money off documentary photography alone. By that is meant that if I were to go out and photograph documentary style images of whatever I took an interest in or felt passionate over, It would be rare anyone would then come forward and want to pay money for them, as often, my own personal documentary work will not be of much use to others.

The way the documentary industry would normally work would be I could make money from creating documentary photographs if I had been commissioned by a company or organisation to go and document something in particular, for them to then use my images for whatever purpose. This however is where photojournalism and documentary photography come very close or hard to distinguish from one another.

To gain work in this way, I would have to produce enough work to be able to show to employers or for my work to get noticed.

As a documentary photographer however, there are particular opportunities to make money or gain money to produce you're projects depending upon what it is that you photograph. 


The Aftermath project

Organisations such as 'The Aftermath project' which is an organisation set up to fund photography projects which focus solely upon documenting communities rebuilding their communities after war has took place where they live.

"The Aftermath Project is a non-profit organization committed to telling the other half of the story of conflict — the story of what it takes for individuals to learn to live again, to rebuild destroyed lives and homes, to restore civil societies, to address the lingering wounds of war while struggling to create new avenues for peace. The Aftermath Project holds a yearly grant competition open to working photographers worldwide covering the aftermath of conflict. "

http://theaftermathproject.org/story


This style photography is obviously a type of photography which informs the viewer of things that are happening in the world which not everyone would be able to know about if it wasn't for the use of photography. I can understand why this type of photography is funded by organisations such as these as the work isn't just something which is personal to yourself, it is something which is causing an impact and serving a greater purpose. People in this world need to be informed of things such as this which are happening in the world, so the aftermath project and the power of photography is doing exactly that. 




Emerging Photographer Fund

Other grants which photographs can receive especially as being a documentary photographer include competitions. By entering competitions and hopefully winning, photographers can win cash prizes or it can be a way off getting your work noticed by others in the industry and by the judges who are often professionals in the industry. This is a good way of getting your work seen and possible way of picking up work or commissions along the way.

One photographer fund which I have found while researching is the "Emerging Photographer Fund".

"The Emerging Photographer Grant ($15,000) is provided by the Magnum Foundation, and given to support ongoing work by a young documentary photographer nominated by the burn community." 
https://www.david-campbell.org/photography/grants/

Magnum agency is a photography agency focused upon documentary photography. It is probably the most renowned documentary photography agency in the world with members such as the likes of Robert Capa, Alec Soth and Eve Arnold. This is therefore an amazing opportunity for any young documentary photographer. To apply you must be under the age of 25, which makes the funding slightly different to other organisations. However this would be a brilliant way to then get you started in the industry of documentary photography, being you'd be recognised as a photographer, possibly gain work from this experience alone and have money to then begin your own projects.

Opportunities such as these are something I am very aware I need to keep in mind throughout my career, if documentary photography is field I still aim to work within, upon leaving university and in the years to come. 

Artist Statement

Final Version Artist statement

 I create my work using a digital format. When it comes to taking photographs I tend to find what naturally fascinates me most is people, therefore this is what the majority of my imagery tends to consist of. I aim to capture candid shots of people going about their own business. Because I work in a digital format, all of the work I produce is in colour. I tend not to edit my imagery much as I aim to give an honest representation of the subjects I choose to photograph. I have always taken a great interest in not only people, but the different social classes that exist in society today. I feel my work represents the interest I particularly have in working class people more so than any other group or social class. The most recent work I have produced is the documentation of certain events which are unique to the North East, such as Durham Miners Gala and Sedgefield’s Shrove Tuesday Ball game. These events are again are something I naturally take an interest in and are events which are mainly populated by working class people.

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When researching around writing an artist statement it was made clear that an artist statement should be not much longer than between 150-200 words as the text must be precise and accurate. To begin with I found it quite a struggle to write about myself and my own work. Writing down in bullet points what my work was about then creating draft after draft experimenting with writing my artist statement in different ways really helped me to get to my final draft. I also had one of my peers write about my work and create their own version of my artist statement for me while in university. Although I didn't use this statement as part of any of my drafts due to the fact I didn't feel enough of what I wanted to include was written there, It intact really helped me to get a more clear view and an outside view of how my work comes across to an external viewer. This was very important as seeing as though my artist statement is something which is used to communicate my work and ideas to those who will be viewing my work, I needed to know how other people already view or perceive it.