Oakham Market

My Comments on feedback from my peers

My comments on feedback from my peers

I found this a very useful and interesting task. Some of the comments were things that I have already intended on producing / creating e.g. “Variety, many different types of stalls and people”, “try foreign markets that some to some towns to capture different kinds of markets holders”. Yet some ideas have helped me to progress and expand e.g. “experiment with distance from subjects, some closer shots, different backgrounds and objects perhaps”, Maybe you could take images whilst they are selling so you saw their relationship with customer”, “They look posed and managed, try action shots. Maybe get them talking maybe to see their expressions more”. These comments above I think I have dismissed too quickly prior to this activity, therefore narrowing my work very early on in the project. I am going to go away and experiment further with some of these ideas, in order to determine the angle on this project. Along with these comments, were comments such as “I really like the idea of this; I think you should travel to other small markets”, “Colour & Brightness works well, I like the different sale signs features in the images”. These comments were encouraging whilst in agreement with my own.

Peers Feedback 19-11-09

During an open seminar, I laid the previous 3 images on the table along side the following project concept and questions for my peers to answer, to help me progress further.

Project Concept

The concept is for environmental portraiture. Specifically, I want to focus on the characters connected with markets stalls. I want to depict their relationship with the stalls using vivid colours for impact. Also to portray individual characters, the atmosphere at different markets, as well as culture and class if applicable.

From viewing the 3 preliminary images -

1) How well do you think I have achieved my aim (see above)?

2) How could I improve these images?

3) Any further comments?

4) Any markets that you know of?

Below are the answer I got to the above questions –

1)

· Colour & brightness works well, I like the different sale signs featured in the images.

· The top left (Man veg stall) is good and has lots of colour; the other two lack the vibrant colours.

· Maybe create a bigger depth of field might be more exciting.

· The colour and lighting is very interesting and the characters are really interesting.

· The colours work really well and there is a lot of visual info about what their stalls which is interesting to see. There is good light and shade in all.

· The vivid colours have worked, and catches your eye straight away.

· The colours draw you into the images.

· Top right (Women) looks good. You said her friend’s were making her laugh but I’m sure this is how she serves her customers (with a smile).

2)

· Experiment with distance from subjects, some closer shots, different backgrounds and objects perhaps.

· Maybe you could take images whist they are selling so you saw their relationship with customers.

· They look posed and managed, try action shots. Maybe get them talking maybe to see their expressions more.

· Variety, many different types of stalls and people?

· I think characters; culture has come through the image slightly but could more. By asking them questions, if you didn’t already, few questions about them and take photos while they are honestly answering.

· Shoot the people working not as posed.

· Would make it a bit easier to photograph them if you told them what it is for maybe? Because they kind of just stand there.

3)

· I really like the idea of this; I think you should travel to other small markets.

· Nottingham *very similar to Leicester), small town marks? Villages.

4)

· Try the foreign markets that come to some towns to capture different kinds of market holders.

· Spittle fields in London and around Brick Lane, London

· Lincoln, March, Peterborough – they are small little ones.

· Lincoln Christmas market, that’s international market that comes to Leicester sometimes.

· Melbourne – Australian Victorian huge market. Very popular there locals love it, lots of traveller go.

· Beaumont leys market.

First mini shoot

This was my first mini shoot. I went to the general market in the centre of Leicester. From this experience I found that it was possibly too busy as people didn’t have any time for you, many said you can take photographs of my stall, but not of me! Therefore in the future I will also be attending smaller markets. These three images were the best of the shoot. When I approached the stall holders, I told them a brief description of what I was doing, and what for, along with a quick chat to relax them, whilst not affecting their trading. I didn’t tell them to pose; I wanted to see what their own individual reactions were to the camera, as they might portray their personalities, rather than false poses.

The photo of the man with his veg stall is my favourite out of the three. I gained the bright vibrant colours in the foreground, the proportion of the stall of the overall images is correct. The sign the background helps to add context.

The image of the women I find interesting due to her facial expression, yet I feel it lacks the vibrant colours of that of the previous image. In all of my images I have tried to fill approximately ⅓ – ½ of the frame with the stall itself. Also I have included a variety of signs / notices to add context and interest.

Finally, the gentleman above is a bit to rigid, although I am relatively happy with the overall composition of the image. Again I would say it is lacking the vivid colours I want to produce.