Shooting Without Looking

After the last folio feedback session, I have been taking a slightly different, more experimental approach to my project. The feedback that I received was to shoot in a looser style, to counterbalance the more stylised images that I had already gathered. I initially wanted to use a disposable film camera to do this, but I decided to use a digital camera to retain the connection to digital / online communication. I did also consider using other types of cameras (phone camera, point and shoot camera, etc) but the camera on my phone does not create that ‘crappy’ anti-aesthetic that I wanted, and all of the old point and shoot cameras that I found laying around the house are not functioning at all. 

So, I decided to use my DSLR, but to add to the loose feel of the shots, I have been experimenting with shooting without looking. Instead of looking through the viewfinder, I have just been aiming the camera in the general direction of the subject and then pressing the shutter. I deliberately used autofocus, and put the camera’s mode to AUTO (which I swore I would never again use in my life.) I have actually been surprised at how well framed some of the shots came out, considering I was literally using a ‘point and shoot’ technique. That’s what 3 years of study at photography college gives you I suppose. Below are some of the initial shots.

I also thought about using pop up flash for the images, to give them that harsh, stark feel. But I decided that it would make them stand out too much in comparison to the rest of the images. Also, my camera has no pop up flash.

I don’t intend for these to be hero shots, but rather used as supporting images to fill in the gaps in the series and give the work a more ‘diarised’ feel. I also hope that they replicate the snapshot feel, which is a nod to the way that Shinya and I take random photos of anything that is happening throughout our day to text to each other.

Below are some of the ‘better’ shots, which I think I may actually feature as slightly larger images in the book (I am not sure yet and will have to experiment with layout.)

Speaking of layout, I had a little play around with some of the images in mock layouts. I think I like the idea of them being smaller, as if they are little text messages. I added some text to a few, and I quite like this idea as it makes the snapshot images feel as if they are part of a message feed.

I think that these actually have some potential, and could add depth to the series that I am already starting to put together.