Connecting Essay 5

In the image that I have taken in shoot 3 of a dustbin spray painted with graffiti, the backdrop in the image is a carpark, which is very normal suburban setting, at the top of the shot you can see the bottom of walls in the distance with grafitti on, therefore you can see that it is a heavily painted area. The colours in the image are really vibrant because of the painting they contrast with the blank backdrop, however the over all image is quite similar in tones and colour, which creates a cool effect.

This image is also of a painted dustbin, the contrasts in this image is much stronger, the backdrop is of a wall, the strong white lines on the wall contrast really well with all the dark colour, and the yellow and red drawing really draws in the viewers attention as it is the most captivating and aesthetically pleasing part of the composition. The frame of the shot is efficient in showing off the most important parts of the image being the way that the bin looks against the setting that it's in. The tonality of the piece is very similar throughout the shot, as the only light tones are the lighter colours.

Both images are in similar settings also surrounded by other painted areas, both images have the same ideas and concepts; dustbins are very boring, dull, unexciting things to look at, and so by painting them they become colourful and fun, despite the fact the drawings often no meaning. The tonality of both images are very different. Both images are full of colour and are aesthetically pleasing,

Connecting Essay 4

In my image, it is of the a sound technician and the studio equipment and deck that is used to produce the music that my band recorded that day. The image has strange lighting as because it is in a studio there are no windows in the processing part of the building, there are just lights from the ceiling, this gives a really cool effect because it illuminates only certain parts of the image, creating depth of tone and an overall interesting image. The angle of the shot is very effective in showing the processes of what is happening,  along side the technicality of it. 

The angle of the image means you get a head on view of what the sound technician sees and does, this gives a creates a cool perspective to the viewer. The window through to the band gives an interesting look into how the music starts off from another room full of mics and equipment that records the audio and then transports it to the technician to process and mix. The lighting in this picture is quite dim and varies less than my image. In terms of process and insight in to recording the second image gives greater understanding to what it's all about.

Both images are in black and white, this both clearly maximizes tone because in a studio the lighting is very low and changing therefore all the soundboards etc look better and more clear and contrasting when in black and white.The images are also very similar in terms of where the lighter parts of the image both exist, they also show very similar processes, in image 2 you can also see a band playing, this gives more scope to what goes on in the studio.

Connecting Essay 3

In this image that I have taken, it is off the drummer in my band playing his instrument, his arms are raised and in mid-flight about to hit a part of his drum-kit. The image is taken in a member of my bands garage, as you can see lots of different random domestic objects. I chose to put a black and white filter on the shot to make it more dramatic, it also helps to show variety in tone better in quite a dull colourless setting, it therefore brings some life to the shot.

In the second image, it is of members of a band one on drums and the other singing, the angle of the shot is looking straight on horizontally  in to the path of the drummer, whereas my picture was from above looking down. The lines are strong in this image because there are a range of different things to look at and consider, for example the singer makes a line by standing up turned to the camera holding on to his mic and so does the drummer and the blackboard in the backdrop.

Both images are quite bleak and somber in mood, the tonality in both are strong because of the filter used in the shots. They are also taken in both very similar settings, quite unappealing, basic environments, that people generally get together to just have fun with their art form, of making music. There is more clarity in my shot as there seems to be higher levels in contrast,  also in the second image there is nothing particularly dynamic however I like how blank, dull and less in tonality it is.

Connecting Essay 2

In this image from shoot 1 that I  have taken of a group of students in art, they are all being productive; drawing and painting etc. The frame of the image is effective because the image is full of different things to look at, because it is an art room there is art on the wall and therefore there is more colour, the backdrop of the shot is just as interesting as the other parts of the image, therefore because of the different content such as texture, it is a really interesting shot. 

In this shot, the angle gives more insight into the art that is being created, the colours are very much in blocks, the orange surface of the table really contrasts well with the more dull black and white colours, there is little variation of tone in this image because it is very bright. The clarity of the shot is efficient in giving a realistic portrayal of a group of young people creating art. 

The backdrop is black and white, blank and very different to the image that I took in terms of different things going on, the lighting is also very varying, because in the second picture the whole image is quite and a positive feel, whereas in the one I took it is darker and has more contrast. Both images depict a group of youth making art and so both contain the same message, of creativity.

Both images are also very much in the style of a documentary piece.

Connecting Essay 1

In the image that I have taken from shoot 2, the image is very overexposed and bright, the flash is on and so mean the whole composition is very intense and ethereal. I took the image close up to just show the just the action of smoking and nothing else, the colours of the jumper and cigarette contrast really well against the overbearing brightness of the subjects skin. The close-up shows how youthful the subject is and almost as though the cigarette is self-destroying and unhealthy.

This image that has been taken is of a young woman with a cigarette in hand blowing out smoke. The photograph has been taken to capture only the action of smoking and the exhaling of smoke. The image is in black and white, which maximizes the tonal contrast. The composition of the shot is very effective as the woman's body takes up the majority of the space. The angle of the shot is looking up which is very effective.

Both images are of young women smoking indoors, smoke is visibly drifting off into the air in both images. The black and white in the second image is very effective as it makes the smoke contrast greatly with the surroundings making it more visible. The first image is quite saturated in light and therefore shadow is cast and the environment is unsure and as it is very unnatural and the second image is very clear and realistic in a low level lighting house. Both images show addiction and the appeal in youth.

Shoot 5 - Work Record

When taking pictures for shoot 5, I wanted to focus on recording music and trying to market music for people to listen on a wider scale, such as a record label, as every bands big dream is to get their music out to a larger audience and for it to be acclaimed and enjoyed. This is a massive subculture that all bands aspire to and aim for. In these images it is of my band in a recording studio, waiting for the process of the songs to be made on software in the studio and actively performing the material to be recorded.

I have used similar ideas as Simon Wheatley in this shoot as he tends to capture images of gangs of youth doing whatever they do in their culture and in context with their lives, in some of his images the gang of kids make music in the studio, he captures not only the processes of music but the waiting and the vision of youth spending time together in  one another's company in the studio, I feel I have used the influence to develop this shoot.

In this image, it is of the singer in my band laying down his vocals on top of the bands instrumental parts, he is close to the mic with headphones on. As he is the main subject of the shot, I wanted to capture the shot of him and his surroundings, as guitar cases and the studio walls are visible. The image wasn't edited as I wanted to capture a natural, realistic portrayal of procedure of recording, as the image is quite neutral and melancholy, the lighting is warm and ethereal, this makes the light and airy space contrast really well with Stan's dark clothing, the contrast is dynamic and makes the main subject stand even more, against the surroundings. The image captures the quite laborious and routined job of recording, as it has to be repeated many times before perfection, this shows the reality of what it actually entails.

This image is of, The lead guitarist head in hands watching the computer screens showing the software that is used to edit our songs on it, in the image I took it from an angle which shows all the analog dials and switches used to convert audio into the computer programme, the glass window is also visible that shows through to where the recordings take place. The waiting process is captured here as apart from giving creative ideas to the technician all we can do is record, sit and wait for the finished product of the songs, this is a very daunting yet exciting process. I like the use of space in the image as there a the main leading lines of the mixing desk, this makes ones eyes follow to the top of the picture being the window, in the composition of the shot there is a lot going on as Jack is on the far right and the technician is near centre of the image, therefore it is a very aesthetically pleasing image with a lots of different things going on.

Progression: When further shooting Youth culture, I must develop and broaden my ideas about different important youth subcultures, I must continue to mimic and use different styles of photographers that I have studied in personal opinions, that make an eclectic project of different techniques and styles. I feel that I have captured different moods and atmospheres in this shoot.

Shoot 5 - Straight Images

Shoot 5 - Contact Sheet

Shoot 4 - Work Record

For shoot 4, I wanted to focus on bands purely playing together, practicing and writing songs, this is a band that I'm apart of , in which I play bass. In these images I wanted to focus on the spirit and DIY feel of getting an instrument and playing with other musicians. I was drawn to taking images of my band because, bands have always been such a massive part of youth culture and so I wanted to show how easy and accessible making music is and therefore the appeal of it, these images were taken in one of my band mates garages.

In this shoot I used ideas from Don McCullin as he often photographs music related shots like bands, I used this influence to help create the ideas I used for this shoot.

In this image, it is of the lead guitarist in the centre of the image taking up most of the picture. The form of his body mass creates an interesting shape, the dark colours of his jacket and guitar contrast with the light airy colours of the garage wall, door and other more varied colours. The image seems to capture the appeal of bands, as it depicts a couple of boys communicating through their love of music, feeding off one another's performance, the garage shows how cheap and easy it is to get together and play music. The composition of the shot is interesting, as the angle means the shot looks up in the same direction of the guitarist, no-ones face is visible which only strengthens the importance of what the image is showing, as an important youth culture.

This picture, is of the lead guitarist crouching down on the floor, in a power stance, the image effectively captures the spirit of youth, the freedom of playing music and displaying your art. The image is blurred, however I like the effect that it gives to the composition of the shot as it shows movement. When editing this image I turned up the contrast and lowered the brightness a little, to make the image more of a dramatic effect, as well as creating more variation in tone.

Progression: I need to continue to show different subcultures within youth. I will use varied techniques and convey feelings and emotions in different shoots. I have continued to shoot in different environments.

Shoot 4 - Straight Images

Shoot 4 - Contact Sheet

Don McCullin

is a British photojournalist, particularly recognized for his war photography and images of urban strife. His career, which began in 1959, has specialised in examining the underside of society, and his photographs have depicted the unemployed, downtrodden and the impoverished.

This image is of Don McCullin's group of friends, a local gang he knew called the Guv'nors in 1958, In terms of youth culture this image shows the importance of taking pictures of people you know because itt often reflects the things you do, and how the place you've grown up in has shaped the dynamic of what cultures you're apart of, this is a true reflection because McCullin was from Finsbury park which was very rough and he knew and accossiated with  a lot of gangsters. The image connotes; rebellion, gangsterism and illegality. The black and white means that the image contrasts really well as the tones are very distinctive and varying, the image almost looks ethereal. The image shows the reality of post-war life and gangs.

This image is of a catholic in Northern Ireland 1971 stoning British troops, the fact that the young man looks so happy connotes pride for his country, rebellion and hatred towards the British. McCullin shows how youth culture is the belief and passion in something political and and a current issue to you, and fighting for something that effects your economic position. The main subject being in the centre of the image means that we are drawn to him straight away, he is also the darkest tone on the screen, therefore this contrast greatly against the background of the image, in the backdrop you can see the police- blurry and in the distance this shows good depth of field.

This shot is of the Beatles, the cultural significance of youth in this image is the fact that they are the embodiment of youth because they have orchestrated a generations music and continue to, they carved out their own niche, changing with the times, evolving, therefore they symbolise the music, fashion and spirit of youth. I like the way space is used in this shot, as their is  lot of unused (negative) space in this picture, all the members are grouped together leaving space on either side creating an interesting composition in the way they are bunched together in a strange formation.

This shot is of Bradford in the 1970s, the image depicts two black children staring solemnly in to the lens, standing in front of a wall saying 'No nazi's in Bradford', the image connotes problems with race, conflict and hatred. The links with youth culture is the stand against injustice and this is clearly visible here. The image is very eerie and bleak, the black and white makes the composition of the image contrast greatly, the words are cryptic and the brightest toned part of the image this stands out massively against all the dark houses and walls. The image shows how economically depraved bradford is and what a dismal place it is.

When shooting I have used and exhibited some of the ideas that Don McCullin has shot in his images, for example the way in which he shoots his friends and people that he knows and associates with, this is an idea I have used because often it is a great reflection of the culture that you're apart of because generally your friends are into similar things as you and can often show what sort of a person you are. Also the content of rebellion and music in Youth as these are all massive parts of what form and makeup different youth-subcultures.

Simon Wheatley

Photographer Simon Wheatley spent 12 years documenting grime culture. The shots are from his book, Don’t Call Me Urban! The Time of Grime, which spanned 1998 through to 2010, started as a reaction to the term “urban” – a phrase which became shorthand to describe groups of young men from the black community. I chose to study Wheatley because he seems to capture 

In this image, a woman is laying down on her back, smoking a joint. Wheatley captures the habits and pastimes, that form the subcultures of youth. The significance of the image shows how race and class often forms youths outlets and routines, the image connotes that because of the colour of her skin,  and her ethnicity smoking cannabis is a apart of her culture and heritage, and is generally associated with the poorer parts of society. The image is bright and rich in colour, the angle is very effective as it shows how stoned and out of touch with reality she is because it is from the perspective of her as the subject. She is really well in focus, against the backdrop and what she is wearing.

In tis image, Wheatley shows the significance of making music, the photo denotes a group of boys sitting next to each other looking at sheets of music and one with headphones on listening to music with his eyes closed. Most of the box are wearing snap hats, what they are wearing tells the viewer what sort of music they may make, and from this it connotes rap/grime. The image is rich and clear because of the lighting in the image, because the light bounces on only the main subjects face, meaning that they are the first thing we look at.

In this image, one boy is on a moped and the other is running, they both look like they are in trouble and fleeing from something such as a crime. The image connotes rule breaking, rebellion in youth and illegality. The moped could be stolen as in the context of the image they look poor and desperate, mopeds are a symbol of youth subcultures as it is very popular. I like how the image is very dark because of how the shot is not outside and yet the light from outside, makes a shadow cast from the boy running giving a cool effect.

This image is of a young man jumping over a fence next to a police woman on a walk talky, the image connotes law breaking and petty crime, the onward battle between police and the people. The context of the image shows from what he is wearing and how desperate he appears to get away from the police and therefore we gather he is guilty and of a low class, thieving or doing whatever to get by and stay alive. The image is very airy and light because of the bright lighting, the colours in the image contrast really well for example there is a lot of white in this image, in the police officers shirt on the door and window frames, this contrasts with the black in what he is eating and the black bars of the fence he is jumping over, all the colours really stand out well.


From these images I would like to use some of the contextual ideas of Wheatley's shoots, for example I would like to present the link between how the class or society you grow up in effects the subcultures that youth tends to be involved in. The bright, realistic, documentary style of the shots is definitely something I wish to capture in my own photography.