Editing and Post- Production

I realise that this post is a bit out of sync, as it comes after the printing post...

I used Lightroom for the majority of my editing and post processing.  I has taken me a while to get used to it, but I have found that it has speeded up my workflow.

I made all of my main adjustments in Lightroom, and then used Photoshop to format my book pages.

Tools I use frequently in Lightroom are the gradient tool and adjustment brush,  so I have started to create custom presets for these tools.

I have found the following websites helpful in teaching lightroom:  Adobe TV,

http://tv.adobe.com/show/the-complete-picture-with-julieanne-kost/

and Creative Live

http://www.creativelive.com/

Creative Live courses are free if you watch them as they are being broadcast live, and they are really informative.

Book Production

My Hahnemuhle fine art inkjet album arrived.  Printing it is turning out to be more time consuming than I had anticipated.  I have spent a long time researching ICC profiles for various papers/printers, and how to soft proof.  When I actually came to download the specific profile I needed, I became slightly unstuck as Hahnemuhle only provide the paper profiles for professional standard Canon inkjet printers.  Mine is a Canon Pixma MP560.
This led me back to the internet to search on forums/discussions for any other users who had come across a similar issue.  The consensus was, to use the setting "Matt Photo Paper", in absence of the correct specific profile.

I had already created a "mock-up" book, to help me with layout and ordering, I then did some test prints of my pages onto plain paper to make sure that the formatting looked OK and that I could print onto 2 sides correctly.

I think the prints look ok using the Matte paper setting, and the colours have been accurately reproduced.

Here are the settings I used:

A4 (borderless)
Matte photo paper
RIGHT HAND PAGES - need reverse orientation checking in "Layout" section of printer dialogue.  This needs to be unchecked when printing the Left pages.

Printing the individual pages

                                                           drying the prints

mock-up of book

The book is assembled with brass screws, and so will assemble later when the prints have had time to settle.

Book making

Over the last few weeks I have been doing fairly extensive research into book making. If I had had enough time, I probably would have gone with a Blurb, or Bob books book as these are well known and respected companies, whose results come out well in several reviews. However, as the turnaround time is 7-11 days for these services , it wasn't going to work for this particular project. I do have presentation methods already at home, (cardboard portfolio box with archival sleeves, leather "book" portfolio, but I just feel that this series is best suited to a book format. I carried on my investigations, looking at (amongst other things), DS colour labs, and independent book binding services. DS have a quick turnaround of 1-5 days, but when I started the process of making a book, I encountered issues:- the advanced software that they ask you to download is for pc only, which seems crazy to me, as so many photographers are mac users.  Another issue I encountered on the DS site was lack of choice available.  For instance, they advertise books 12" x 16" in a choice of colours, but when you actually come to order the book, they only have white available.

I extended my research into self-print inkjet fine art albums, and decided that I would try this method.  I feel that I am taking a risk with this, as the albums are pretty expensive,
Hahnemuhle inkjet album


I have purchased the Hahnemuhle book shown, so will print the images and then assemble the book.  I have made books before in previous modules so am comfortable with page layout, gutter allowances etc.

This will be a good opportunity to try this method out, with the potential of using it again in my final project next year.

Katie

This was an enjoyable shoot with Katie and her dog, Alfie.  Alfie is a sweet natured and sensitive yorkshire terrier, and he was a perfect model, as was Katie.  She was easy to direct, had a very natural look, and was comfortable in front of the camera.  I started with OCF, and then moved to natural light, to give me plenty of images from which to choose.


'


Contacts

a successful shoot which gave me lots of choice of images to use.

Lightroom plug in

I have been using Adobe Lightroom a lot more recently.  I used to always use Bridge ->camera raw ACR)->Photoshop, but the more I use lightroom, the more I like it.  It makes workflow much quicker, and all the edits are non-destructive.

Anyway, I have just purchased a plug-in called LR/Blog, which enables you to export images directly to your blog.  A trial version is available, and the full version is about £9.

I haven't worked out how to paste images into an existing post (I've just emailed the creator to ask why), but can successfully start anew post with images straight from LR.

Get it here


The trial version limits image size to 300px, which I found frustrating, so I upgraded and now the images on the post entitled "Katie" came straight from LR with the long edge at 1000px.

Ruth

I had arranged to photograph Ruth and her dog, but when I arrived she asked me if I wanted to photograph her daughter with the dog instead.  I can't post the images here due to legal implications (my blog is public), but the contact sheets will be submitted with my final piece.

I used natural lighting indoors, and took as many shots as I could within the limited time of a two-year olds attention span.  I was pleased with the results, and feel like these images constitute some of the strongest so far.

My workbook that supplements this blog will contain more details of this shoot.

Sharon

' '
' '
' '

Sharon is a photographer friend, who is always very helpful with ideas and knowledge.  She was very patient as I experimented with lighting, umbrellas, reflectors etc., even when her dog became spooked by a bang, and wanted to flee.  I like the lighting that achieved in the final image I selected, as I think Sharon and Poppy "pop" out of the background nicely. Sharon's website

Helen

Contacts

This was a family shoot with dog as I thought of incorporating a family into my final project, however, in retrospect I prefer the images where it is just the couple with their dog.  I think it has a greater feeling of intimacy, and bonding which fits in better with my theme of "health".

Charlotte

Another shoot with a high energy dog.. The owner didn't want the dog to get dirty paws, and so I did the shoot just on a tarmac road.  I am finding these (my own opinion) under-exercised dogs a challenge, and for the future I will be suggesting that the dogs arrive for the shoot tired.  On a side note, I have a keen interest in dog behaviour, and believe that many issues that dogs have are caused, or made worse by, insufficient exercise, but don't get me started on dog behaviour!

Back to the point...I am seeing the same poses emerging time after time, as the owner has no option other than to crouch and restrain the dog, in order to get him in shot.  This really takes any control or direction away from me.  The contact sheets I end up with are all variations of exactly the same shot, and, to be honest, I am willing the shoot to be over because it's stressful for the owner, as they perceive their dog to be "naughty", or not doing as it's told.

Sorry if this post sounds like a rant.

Ok, so now I have a confession....several of the people who have volunteered to be photographed have also asked for a photo "for their Mum", so of course I've ended up doing loads of shots which are absolutely nothing to do with my project, as you will see from these contacts...

The Writing Bit

Within my final project presentation, I intend to document what the benefits (proven or anecdotal) of owning a dog actually are.  For this I have been looking at articles published online.
The ones that are talked about most frequently include;

1) Lowered blood pressure

2) Lower cholesterol

3) Reduction in stress

4)Help with depression

5) Reduced allergies and asthma

Further research uncovers studies that have found that children who families own pets have better attendance at school. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/3731058.stm), and that pets help people in coming to terms with bereavement. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3702923.stm)

Researchers in Japan have found that pet owners who are bonded with their dog experience a spike in oxytocin (a neurotransmitter that helps us deal with stress), just by making eye contact with them. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/21/health-benefits-dogs_n_1421573.html)

Dogs also help with social interactions, as dog walking can be a very social pastime as people, who would otherwise be strangers, stop to chat to dog walkers.

The researchers are not not certain why owning a dog provides these benefits, and suggest it may have something to do with the walking involved in owning a dog.  Walking certainly can help with weight management and  general mobility, and my personal opinion is that it also can be helpful in the prevention of Seasonal Affective Disorder, due to exposure to light when walking.

In addition to the benefits I have listed above, there are also medical assistance dogs, who are trained to detect changes in blood sugar in diabetics, to alert epileptic patients to an impending seizure, and even to detect cancer.      http://medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk
This is something I may investigate further for my final project next year.


Whilst speaking to the people who have taken part in my project, I have been asking them for their view on how owning a dog benefits them.  The responses I have received have included;

"When no-one else is home, he's good company, and makes me feel more secure" (Katie, 15)

and

"He can tell when I'm feeling really down..."  (A manic depression sufferer)

Exhibition visit - Charlie Meecham

People's History Museum, Manchester.

Charlie Meecham made a series of photographs in the mid-1980's documenting Oldham Road, that runs between Oldham and Manchester. In the last couple of years (images on display taken 2010 and 2011) he has revisited the road and made a new series of images, which are displayed each with one of the original photographs. The exhibition is a simple one in terms of display methodology - the images have been printed on to (?fine art) card, and are pinned to display boards in the centre of the gallery. A free brochure is available at the museum reception, and this gives a fairly comprehensive insight not only into Meecham's work, but also into the history of the Oldham Road and industry in Oldham through the centuries, and how the changes seen in this industry consequently shaped the landscapes and lifestyles of the residents and business owners who call this road home.

Travelling home, I noticed this old fashioned shop in the Padgate area of Warrington so I took a quick snap with my iphone through the rainy car window! It reminded me of Meecham's Oldham Road series.

To see more of Meecham's work visit his website.

Bev

This was the trickiest shoot to date.  Used OCF but struggled to get exposure correct, without reflections off the wardrobe doors.

Took owner and dog outside, but as dog hadn't been exercised, it was hard to get her still enough to get in shot with owner.




Unedited images

 '

' '

' '


This project is teaching me something though - this type of photography is very difficult to undertake on high energy dogs that have not been exercised, and therefore I need to be more assertive about when the sessions take place.. I think this will be easier when and if I have paying clients.

The other lesson I am learning is that when people book a shoot with me, I intend to take a deposit at the time of booking, because I have been cancelled, postponed, rebooked several times already during the course of this project.

My heart wants to ditch the flash and stick to beautiful, natural light...but my head says if I keep on with flash I might master it someday!!...which reminds me, a friend sent me this link which I must go and check out to brush up my flash skills.

Julie

unedited images: shortlist





 '
' '
' '
' '
' '
' '
' '

I shot these images with natural light as i) Julie has a conservatory which is decorated in her taste, and reflects her personality and values and ii) the dog, Pippa, is quite literally camera shy, and I didn't want to make her more uncomfortable with flash.  She didn't like the lens pointing at her, and turned her head accordingly each time.   The images to me represent the need for companionship and the importance of family.

Amy

This shoot was with a "stranger" that contacted me through Facebook to volunteer for my shoot.  Amy has manic depression and curvature of the spine, and is registered disabled.  I arrived at her house and despite knocking (loudly) for about 15 minutes, nobody answered.  (I had travelled about 50mins by car to get to her house).  I felt really disappointed, as sitting in the front window was a beautiful siberian husky.  I took a sneaky snap with my phone.




.

After 40 mins of waiting in my car, and just about to leave, Amy arrived, full of apologies. By this time I only had 30 minutes before I had to go to collect kids from school, so we went to the local park and I took some images of Amy and Rain.  Natural light only.

Here are some images with minimal Lightroom adjustments.

 I like this one.  I have placed her at the foot of the steps, which could signify an uphill battle with depression and/or mobility.  (Her spine problem can keep her bedridden for days at a time). Desaturated slightly.

Overlooking Accrington.

The dog was young and energetic, and this made the shoot harder as the dog was obsessing about looking at everything else happening on the park and not a me, despite my best cat, bird and mouse noises.

Another factor which made this shoot less than ideal was the limited time in which I had to work.  However, Amy was a lovely girl to meet and did as directed.