Evaluation

For this assignment there was two parts to it, the first deadline was to capture one image that tells a story on its own and show it in a group critique. The second one was to create a series of images that again told a story but this time it had to be a presentation shown in front of both groups.

When we had first been given this brief I automatically started to panic, as I had never concentrated on anything like this before. I began to think of random things that I could do and this is where I went wrong. I should have started by looking at other peoples work, got inspiration and develop ideas that I would want to do. Rather than starting something then changing ideas every other day. I ended up starting three different ideas; by going from one to the other I didn’t allow myself enough time to make one of them really good. So instead I rushed the final idea of taking photos of the train station with the highest suicide rate in the Northeast. Even though I had something to hand in I wasn’t happy with it. If I had a chance to do it again I would have done more research and stuck with one idea that I was interested in, even if it wasn’t a great idea I would stick with and make it something worth presenting.

When it came to the second part I decided this time I would stay with one idea. That was to take photos of the fishermen in Hartlepool. I made myself a rule that I wasn’t allowed to change it and I had to just go and take as many photos as possible. So for two weeks I went to the marina to take photos, for the first couple of visits I couldn’t find anyone working there to take photos of, but by the end of the couple of weeks I had managed to take a couple of photos of some of the skippers (owners of the boats). But I had still mainly just got pretty pictures of boats on the water and I wanted more documentary photos. So by talking to a few people about how I wasn’t getting very far with taking photos of fishermen they suggested I went and asked at a local fish shop where they get there produce from. I made a visit to a fish shop called Hodgson’s and asked about the fishing boats and that is when the lady behind the counter gave me the number of her boss who was in charge of Hartlepool fishing co. I gave him a ring and he was more than happy for me to pay a visit and take some photos.

I made my way over to the fishing key and met the guys who ran it. They were very busy so they said that I could just have a wonder around and please myself. I got to talk to a few of the men working on their boats; it felt that some of them were a bit unsure of me being there but once I started to make conversation about what it was they were doing they change there tune and were more than happy for me to take there photo.

Once I had put my presentation together I felt like I appreciated the photos in the series more because I had taken time in getting them and I had enjoyed finally getting the right pictures. Rather than taking an image for the sake of it, like I had done for the signal image task.

Hartlepool Fishing Co

I finally got to the right place to take photos of the fishermen. After hanging around the marina for a couple of weeks then ending up at the huge high security docks, I eventually got to south end where Hartlepool fishing co is based. When I arrived I had a small induction with the manager and then I could go and take pictures of whatever I wanted.

I was amazed at how much stuff there was laying around and in between all the lobster pots and rope all the bits of fish that would get cough up in it all would be chucked onto the floor and left. This created the strongest fish smell I had ever smelt!

Once I was done with taking photos of the mounds of equipment, I walked down onto the pontoon where the fishermen that hadn't gone out to sea were working on their boats. Some of them were more friendly that others, but by being polite I got photos of them all.

These are all the photos from the fishing key.

When I got back to have a look at the photos, I decided I only wanted to use the ones I had just taken in my presentation and to end with a couple from the fish shop. I couldn't decide if I wanted to have them in colour or black and white because I had been thinking I wanted to do it in a documentary style and keep them all in black and white but some of the colours are a bit of a shame not to show so I have done a mix of both.

These are my final images for my presentation.

The Fish Shop

As I wasn't getting very far taking photos of any fishermen I thought that a bit more research was needed so I went to a recommended local fish shop called 'Hodgson's'. I went in and asked if I could take a few pictures of the fish counter and they were fine with me doing so. We then got chatting about my assignment and why I was taking photos, so I asked where they get there fish from and the lady behind the counter said they have boats in Hartlepool docks. Bingo. I explained that I wanted to take photos of the fishermen and she explained where I needed to go as I had been going to the wrong place, she than handed me the number for her manager as he could tell me when they’re coming in. 

I wasn't sure between these photos because I like the black and white as it's more of a documentary form, but then I think it's a shame to not show all the different colours of the seafood.

I was a bit exited that I finally had the right information to getting the right pictures that I have been searching for, so asked if I could The lovely ladies picture behind the counter. I was quite nervous and didn't relies till I uploaded the photos onto the computer that the counter was in focus and the ladies weren't. So when I go down to the right docks I will be aware of this and make sure the camera is focused on the right subject.

A touch of film

As I have been going down to the dock for a while now, I can't always guarantee seeing the fishermen so today I have taken a few pictures of the arena but I thought I would try a little bit of film so here is just a small couple of clips of what I saw today.  

A sailers announcement to me.

I didn't expect the second wave.

I think for my presentation I might at the sound from the second video in the background for the pictures to run along with.

Just a few more photos as it was such a clear day the reflections were almost flawless.