Hidden worlds
Brainstorm
moodboard
Matthew dartford
Matthew Dartford is a trained illustrator and photographer based in Norfolk. Dartford works with CGI illustration and visualisation in a studio that he part owns. Dartford currently produces his work for a variety of clients, his work has been published by numerous businesses and clients. His work has included album covers for the ministry of sound and Lily Allen. Dartford has taken advantage his love of nature, as it features in the majority of his work. The main subject of his images are the Norfolk countryside, but anything unusual that piques his interest features in his photography. Dartford has many accolades, and has won the Photocrowd 'hidden worlds' competition, out of 576 entries. He also won the Wex photographer of the year competition 2015
Top 2
These are my favourite two images by Dartford. In the first image he uses a depth of field camera technique, this in turn creates a bohkeh effect that is pleasing for the viewer. The light in this image brings a sense of warmth to this image, that harmonises with the orange of the leaf. The natural light reflects the droplets of water well which is also pleasing for the viewer. This photograph links to the theme of natural worlds because it is something not seen often, the use of a macro lens creates an inclusiveness that then translates with the viewer. In the second image Dartford has taken the image at a later time in the day, with the light coming from behind this creates a shadowy effect, which brings a mood of mysteriousness.
JIm zuckerman
Jim Zuckerman's images and articles on photography have been featured in hundreds of publications, and he has taught at many institutions, as well as through his own workshops. He is the author of 15 books on photography. Zuckerman left a career in medicine, to pursue his dream of becoming a professional photographer. He has taught photography in many institutions, like ucla and the hallmark school of photography. . He currently leads many photographic projects, in Namibia, Indonesia and France. His photographic interests span from the beautiful to the unusual in one of his many photographic series. He has worked with breathe taking landscapes to people and their cultures.
Zuckerman has had many photographic exhibitions in renowned art galleries across the world, most notably in Palm Springs, Delray Beach and Los Angeles. Zuckerman has also contributed to many photographic publications, and actually worked as editor to a photographic magazine for forty years. His images and articles have featured in magazines and publications, such as National Geographic, National Wildlife and Outdoor Photographer. He has written 15 books on photography, he also teaches online courses.
Zuckerman has had many photographic exhibitions in renowned art galleries across the world, most notably in Palm Springs, Delray Beach and Los Angeles. Zuckerman has also contributed to many photographic publications, and actually worked as editor to a photographic magazine for forty years. His images and articles have featured in magazines and publications, such as National Geographic, National Wildlife and Outdoor Photographer. He has written 15 books on photography, he also teaches online courses.
top 2
These are my favourite two images by Zuckerman. In the first he has used a slow shutter speed to isolate the movement of the Cheetah. This image of the cheetah in mid run alludes to this idea of caught in the moment and once in a life time, this then links to the idea of hidden worlds as this event is rare. The colours of the Cheetah are harmonious with its surroundings. In the second Zuckerman has used light and reflective surfaces to create a colourful effect with water. The way in which the light fills the water is interesting and is something I would like to experiment with.
Photo-shoot 1 Rock pool
The aim of this photo-shoot, was to use a macro lens to capture the hidden worlds that you cannot see with the naked eye. I have taken photographs of a rock pool, as I feel as I have captures the hidden world I am trying to convey. Using the macro lens you can capture more detail, that you would not be able to using a standard lens.
Top 2
These are my favourite two photographs from this photo-shoot. In the first photograph I have used a fast shutter speed, so you can see the drips moving. I used a macro lens, but have taken the photograph from further away to capture these drips. I have obviously used the natural light, but I made sure the weather was bright to ensure the water sparkled. As well as the drips of water, I focused on what was actually in the water as well. In the second photograph, I took the photograph more zoomed in. This was to focus on what was actually in the water. I wanted to focus on the seaweed and the rocks, as I feel they would be usually overlooked .
photoshop experimentation
In photoshop I adjusted the brightness and contrast. I also sharpened these images so the markings and groves of the rocks stand out and to maximise how in focus the image is . I also adjusted the colour balance to make the green stand out more against the beige sand.
photo-shoot 2 - markings in sand/ sea
The aim of this photo-shoot was to take photographs of the hidden worlds not seen by the human eye. These photographs were taken in Findhorn beach in Scotland. I used a maco lens to get this effect.
Top 2
These are my two favourite photographs from this photo-shoot. I feel I have use the macro lens well and have captured the hidden detail I wanted to. I feel I have taken photographs of parts of the sea and sand that would be overlooked otherwise. Until using the macro lens I didn't realise the sea creates these markings and groves in the sand. I have used natural light to create shadow and depth. You can also see the individual sand particles, and the dents in the sand. In the second photograph, I have taken an image of the tide going in . Upon taking these photographs, I noticed the there were grains of sand, and bubbles, that the macro lens captures well.
photo-shoot 3
These photographs were taken in Scotland. The aim of this photoshoot was to get photographs of things not seen often or that are rare. I have focused on tings that are usually overlooked but are beautiful or unusual in their own right. In this photoshoot I foucsed on water and things that are underwater.
top 2
These are my favourite two photographs from this photoshoot. In the first I have focused on the rocks, underneath the water. Some of the water is covering the rocks, whereas some of the rock is dry. I have used a faster shutter speed to capture the fast paced movement of the water. In the second photograph I have focused on the sea foam and the natural movement and pattern it creates. I also focused on what was actually underneath the water, the stones and pebbles. I have also focused focused on the ripples of the sea.
photoshop experimentation
photo-shoot 4 - clootie well, fairy glen
I have taken these photographs In the Black Isle in Scotland. I have gone to a 'Clootie Well' which is a sacred celtic area. They are usually located next to springs or rivers, with trees growing beside them. As part of a healing ritual rags or cloths have been tied to a tree to bring good luck to or health to the recipient. I have taken these photographs as I feel they display the hidden world element I was trying to capture, as they are rare or out of place. This also brings a sense of the mystical and unusual.
top 2
These are my favourite two photographs from this photoshoot. This because I feel they convey the sense of mystery I was trying to capture . I have focused on this because I feel it is rare, and not seen often. In the first I have used a depth of field camera technique I feel this creates a false sense of perspective and this feel like it is aesthectically pleasing to the viewer. I have used the macro lens to zoom in closer to focus on just the rags rather than the surrounding environment. I have obviously used natural lighting as I felt it looked better being naturally lit and high lights the surroundings. I have also focused on the background as well as the trees as you get a background that suits the photograph as well.
photoshop experimentation
In this photoshop experimentaion, I have focused on the natural colours of the landscape and forrest. This is because my theme primarily focuses on the beauty of nature and how this can come across in through photography. In this photographs I have used natural lighting, in photoshop I adjusted the brightness and contrast, and the colour balance. I feel I do not want to adjust these photographs too much from their original state as I feel too much photoshop adjustment clouds the idea of natural beauty and makes the photographs look fake.
photo-shoot 5
This photoshoot was taken in Scotland, on a secret beach, . I have done this because I feel I want to explore places that are not visited often or are out of place, that only a few know about it. I have also captured the flight of a flock of birds, I feel this also, in a way exemplifies the theme of hidden worlds as It is a rare experience that few see.
Top 2
These are my favourite photographs from this photo-shoot. This is because in both of these I have focused on the theme I am trying to convey, hidden worlds. I have gone to a place that is hard to reach, and out of sight. I have used a filling he frame camera technique. I feel this removes out any unwanted information from the frame, and forces the viewer to focus on what is actually in the image. In the second image I have focused on the landscape, birds and abandoned house. In a way I feel the decay as well as the birds creates a sense of rarity and the unknown, as this is not usually all coupled together in one photograph.
photoshop experimentation
photoshop tutorial
Final Outcome