Task - Using the Locations of Poplar and Blackwall, Create an exhibition using the Theme of Connect within the area given. We started looking at key locations for our first recs and then either for further shoots.

Some of the key locations we found were, Tower Hamlet at New Providence Wharf / DLR Poplar Station / Robin Hood Gardens / Billingsgate Markets / Trafalgar Way / Rivers Thames and Blackwell Tunnel. All the location we have felt that they are key to photography for our Recs or for our Final Shoots.

For the first idea, we thought of taking photos with different types of photographic themes. For example using architecture as the main point of interest t around a certain area, like New Providence Wharf or on the Outer Edge of Canary Wharf.  By using different photgraphics themes in different  areas of Poplar we can gather various views of the area.

For the First Rec as a group we walked around Poplar and Blackwall to try and find possible locations we could take photos. The Map Above shows the Route we took. We found some stops that we could imagine having in our final outcome. We had found a tunnel that is rundown but I liked how the tunnel had the leaves and overgrown plants around it as well as the blue paint which stands out against the stone coloured walls. This would be the place that I could possibly shoot at. For our idea this could be one of the older places on our grid.

Our first idea was for all of us to take different themed photos around Poplar and Blackwall. For example architecture, people and nature. We thought of showing the old and the next new by photographing the older parts of Poplar and the more modern parts. We are then going to put them in a grid and use gradient lighting to highlight the old vs the new. The photos of the newer parts of poplar will be lighter and the photos of the older parts of Poplar will be darker. 

For the Second Idea, we would photograph how people connect through travel using different transportation. We would show all the different emotions using colour. for example red lighting to show road rage. Each of us would have taken a different mode of transport to photograph and then we would put all the photos together to create a sequence of photos.

We have decided to go with the first idea as it would allow us to chose what type of photography we want to photograph. 

After doing our presentation, we were given two sets of feedback. One was we got was to make sure we use the same font throughout the presentation to maintain a professional look. The Second was we have worked well as a Team and that Both ideas were strong.

The exhibition we went to see was called Shot in Soho. The exhibition showed different parts of the Soho area, the photographers shot the area in their own unique way.  The photographer Anders Petersen took different type of photos in one area. The photos stood out to me because of the way they were laid out. I liked how all the photos had a black and white theme. I liked how the photos were shot in black and white and how the frames were also black and white. I also liked how he shot more than one type of photo for example he took portrait photos and street photography.

Another exhibition that was on at the gallery was Feast for the Eyes - The story of Food in Photography. This exhibition contained food photography shot in different ways. There was one piece in the exhibition that stood out to me because it was very different compared to the rest of the photos. This photo was shot by French artist JR. He hosted a picnic across the border of Mexico and America. It stood out to me because it links to our Connect project, it shows the more privileged side next to the less privileged side, but is shows them coming together to share food.

Walking around Poplar and Blackwall this time we went a different direction so we could discover more that is happening in the town. Taking these photos allowed us to see what the buildings would look like on camera and so we could see what type of photos we could take and how we could take them. We found more modern buildings as well as some parks and a few older architecture plus a underpass where the DLR came through. I had a particle interest as I thought could be a interesting photo to capture then thinking especially at night as the O2 was in the background and thought it would supply a lot of light.  After doing this photoshoot, it has made me decide that I want to focus more on unique parts of Poplar and Blackwall with a key interest with the DLR.

For my Second Shot this was a Solo shoot were I just went around reshoot some of the location we did in the first shoot. I was trying to improve so of the focus | angles | lighting | and position to make them better quality photos. I also want to go back and shoot the DLR as I thought it was a interesting photo Opportunity and we spent little time at it before.

Monday 4th Nov: Full Group - 9.30am / Benjy Late – upload photos on to google drive for the group to see.

Tuesday 5th Nov: Poplar at Night? - Fireworks / Day Shoot or Plan for Speech 

Wednesday 6th Nov: James - Market 

Thursday 7th Nov: Solo Shoots

Friday 8th Nov: Final Group Rec - Time to be confirmed later.

We met up as a group in Poplar to go around together and take photos. This worked well as we could see what each other were taking so we didn't have repeats. On this day not everyone turned up which didn't effect what we were doing but could have effected our final outcome.  

The week after we went on our final shoots we met up as a group and printed all our photos as a contact sheet. This allowed up to see each other photos and edit them. We took our all the repeats and similar photos. We also picked out each of our top 10 images. this allowed us to start getting an idea of what layout we want for our exhibition piece.

We then decided as a group that each of us are going to have one A3 image and 4 A4 images, still keeping with the gradient idea. Another thing we did was draw out our final design idea, this is our first plan for our layout.

This piece was taken in Poplar and Blackwall. We based our subject and ideas on the rise and fall of the modernisation throughout London and how the environmental factors play through this. We decided on the gradient design as we wanted to show the different living situations through a single layered view, stereotyping the industry in Poplar and Blackwall. We are showing that the older architecture has be neglected, left in the dark, whereas the new high rises are the ‘clearer’ option to press forward. However, this is a more pollute method of infrastructure to replace the old with the new, therefore contrasting the lighting effect we are presenting.

Due to suddenly becoming ill with glandular fever,  I unfortunately missed the submission and presentation of this Unit. Therefore I was tasked to set out a new submission including a 1500 word report and a Presentation slides that outlined my contribution to the group task / exhibition. For the 1500 Word report it was a word illustrated document that reflected on my own individual experiences within this unit and the contribution I made. I started off by explaining my teams location which was Poplar and Blackwall and what was the given task and how my team set out to begin the project. I explained our first focusing points in photographic themes and key and interesting locations that we thought were available for our project. I explained the value of going to different locations which linked us to artists and photographers who worked in the area. We found valuable exhibitions that we used as key focal points of the project. I discuss the ideas that went into the final poster design and what style and photos I was taking to add to the poster. I included how our design changed over time and how some problems occurred in the group and how they were solved. Finally I talk about my sole contribution which was the construction of the poster.

For the Presentation, the task was to create a number of slides that outlined your contribution to the group task. This would be in terms of the images you produced, your role in the editing and curating of the final work on the wall and your involvement in terms of promoting the exhibition. I presented three slides on what I contributed to the team that included photos / thoughts and ideas. Initially a slide of what inspiration and ideas we had and the affect of this on our posters design. Two slides of the presentation are of my imagery and they are the ones used in the final poster. I explain why I chose them and their significance. Final two slides are about the creating of the poster and what contribution I solely had, and the issues we had with communication within the group. The final slide discusses the advertising of the poster and the role of my imagery within it.