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I decided that I didn't like the idea of a calendar of Staffordshire landscapes after a group crit in Gwen's lesson on thursday. It was pointed out to me that it could be boring and I would need to make it different. Well they didn't say boring but they did say that I'd have to make it different. So I thought about it and couldn't think how to make it different. So I came up with a different idea, inspired by a book I read last Tuesday, Skyscapes by J. Odermatt. It was a simple book, photographs with a bit of text. I decided to create a book of photos of landscapes from the same area, but to make it more unique and interesting, base it on the folklore and stories of the area, for example The Mermaid Pool. Whether I will just write about the story in that particular area or use another way of telling the story I don't know yet, that'll be where I'll experiment within my project.
I will still experiment with how the lighting and weather affects the landscape and use dark room techniques and other experimental techniques such as tape transfer.

Inspiration... Jon Cruttenden

I have posted more of Jon's work than Chris Hepburn and Brett Trafford, because he is the one out of the three that inspires me the most. His photos have good composition, colours, atmosphere and lighting and I will try to apply a similar style to my own photos by photographic locations in different lighting.

Inspiration... Brett Trafford

The composition is my favourite element of Brett's work, he uses the rule of thirds well and produces well composed images. I will try to apply this to my own work and produce well composed images also.

Brief Writing and Initial Ideas

The second talk with Suzanne has really helped my ideas come together. As well as focusing on how the lighting affects the landscape, I have decided to include another focal point to link all the images together and so that when I go out and take the photos I have a clear intention and idea of what I want to come back with. I intend to focus on the key features in different areas/locations around the Staffordshire Moorlands. for example; Leek, the monument and other buildings, the market; Ilam, the hall; Butterton, the buildings, etc.

Inspiration... Chris Hepburn

http://www.chrishepburn.co.uk/photo16173463.html


http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/may/12/mam-tor-derbyshire-walk


http://www.allposters.co.uk/-sp/Sunset-at-the-Roaches-Including-Tittesworth-Reservoir-Staffordshire-Moorlands-Peak-District-Natio-Posters_i8943994_.htm

I am inspired by Chris Hepburn's photography as he has taken photos in the evening where the sun is going down and it gives off a more golden light (the golden hour). I think the orange and golden hues work really well and will try to incorporate this into my own photos.

Brief Writing and Initial Ideas

My first talk with Suzanne about my ideas was really helpful as it gave me something to focus on more. I think that the idea of focusing on how the lighting affects the landscape would be a really good idea. I still don't know if I will just do my project on Leek or the Staffordshire Moorlands. I need to look at a range of calendars and the way they are presented and I need to think about how to do all the 12 months: will the photos correspond to that month? i.e a snowy landscape for December. I don't think I will be able to do that as I only have a short amount of time to complete the project.

Final Major Project Ideas

I have decided to create a calendar using photos from Staffordshire and the surrounding area (Moorlands, parts of Derbyshire). Experiment with town photography, Leek (market, Totally Locally Leek, architecture). I will take photos of landscapes/towns at different times of the day and in different weather conditions to see how the light affects the landscape.