Evaluation

To start with I was exploring two different avenues for this project -
 

- Band Photography – Focusing on underground metal bands

- Car Sports Photography – Focusing on Off Road cars

Quite quickly the band photography idea was abandoned as I explored this option it became increasingly obvious that everyone does band photography to some degree, making it especially difficult to end up with a piece of unique work, or at least something different to the norm.

Whereas Off Road Car Photography is definitely different to the norm and created an interesting project for me. It has given me a chance to explore a different side of action style photography especially working without any real idea of what I could photograph at the shoot.

The biggest issue I faced throughout this project was reliability of the Pay & Play sites around the UK since many of them are owned/heavily used by the MOD & Police for training there was always a chance an event could be called off last minute. Luckily for this project the weather was not a key issue, as rain and mud would only add to the ‘off road experience’ however none the less some of the shoots had excellent light which gave some incredibly vibrant and bright images.

There was a continual air of danger when on location considering I am photographing large 4x4s off road where their movements and actions can sometimes be unpredictable. Some locations forbid pedestrian/foot access which meant I had to shoot from within my car, an interesting obstacle but yet one overcome with ease. 

I did not feel a QP Card was necessary or particularly usable within this project as I was constantly surround by mud, rain, water and god knows what else. It can be seen in some images mud on my lens… Also considering that 90% of the photographs taken where fast action shots, a QP card could not be used.

Presented in a ‘Cover & Twelve’ format through my website does work however I believe it would have been far better to have presented it as an advertising campaign very similar to what I did for my FMP. What I was afraid of was not getting to enough locations in order to build a solid body of work – this is due to their nature, one site one day per month – luckily I found a location that ran events every other weekend giving far more shooting opportunities.

Overall it was an interesting project and taught me much about photographing outside, on location with limited equipment on a tight timeframe.

 

Off Road Cont.

I have found this project to be most interesting. Owning a Land Rover Defender myself I already had limited knowledge of off road cars and the like. However this project has given me a real chance to speak to other drivers, (owning far more extreme cars than mine) learning much more very quickly. Not to mention the photographs I have taken and how much other drivers have enjoyed having semi-professional photographs of their pride and joy.

 

As mentioned previously in this blog the final photographs will be represented though my website in the editoral method of 'Cover & Twelve'.

 

One aspect that was pleasing, the owner of 4x4 Solutions asked for a selection of photographs from me to be used for advertising for the site. I personally came up with a novel/unique way of ensuring he remembers me. By passing on a memory stick laser engraved with my details, along with a selection of my best photographs from the site. Hopefully this could lead to some paid work with them.

4x4 Solutions

After visiting Mud Monsters several times, it was time for a change. I travelled to 4x4 Solutions in Tonbridge.

 

A very open and easy to navigate site which meant getting photographs was much easier.

 

 

 

One bonus was that the sun was shining creating some exellent light. Was also a decent turn out both times I went which led to some decent photographs of the various cars.

 

Breif - Second Draft

I have decided to present this work in a magazine-esque way by using the 'Cover and Twelve' method presented on a website.

 

Next Shoot/Plan

This weekend I am travelling to Tonbridge, Hop Farm to 4x4 Solutions to photograph their weekend event.

 

This should give me some real oppertunities to get quite deep into the action as the site has just been referbished, making it easy to get around.

 

From some previous research into this site I know there will be a few extreme off roaders aswell. With any luck I should be able to jump in with one of them a photograph from inside.

Breif - First Draft

What - Will you do?

Photographing Off Road vehicles competing in challenges/competitions and general off roading 

Where - Will you do it?

East Grinstead – Mud Monsters

Essex – Essex 4x4

West Sussex – Piccadilly Wood

Tonbridge – 4x4 Solutions

Possible Greenlaning - Too many locations to list

When - When will you do it?

Over the upcoming weekends - Events only take place on weekends

Greenlaning - Anytime between now and hand in

How – Will You Achieve it?

By travelling to the locations listed above. Using my Land Rover to get into hard to reach locations, speaking to other drivers to get up close shots of their cars

 

 

Who - Will get involved?

Myself as the photographer, other drivers

Why – Are you doing this?

To get some quality photographs of serious off road vehicles

 

To show photographs of a type of motorsport that most people never see

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off Road - Continued - Mud Monsters - East Grinstead

While I do run the risk of major events know as 'Pay & Plays' being called off last minute it is far more interesting and should yeild a better series of work.

 

On Sunday I traveled to Mud Monsters, an Off Road Pay & Play site in East Grinstead, luckily the weather was bright and sunny which gave some good light. The enitre day was productive and filled with many very serious off road trucks. Which provided very interesting subjects to photograph, lots of action and recovery shots.

 

 

 

Some preliminary shots fom MM. Next events are 28th April & 5th May.

Band Photography - The End

After looking into the idea of band photography for my SIP I found that it would be difficult to create a series of work that would not look generic or samey. In light of this I have decided to continue with the Off Road photography.

Band Photography Expansion

After doing some preliminary work and research into the band photgraphy ideas I photographed a band know as Sepuku. Who I have worked with previously and gave me some exellent access into their band.

f 8 - 1/50 - ISO 6400

f 8 - 1/50 - ISO 6400

f 8 - 1/50 - ISO 6400

 

 

None of the work has been edited (other than switching to b/w) just shot with a very high ISO (3200 - 6400) in order to create a grainy gritty feel to the images, which matches the bands personality and music.

 

The photographs are interesting and so was working with the band. This would be the style in which I would photograph all metal/heavy rock bands as it reflects the style of music.

 

On Weds 10th I will be travelling to The Unicorn, Camden to photograph several other bands -

 

 

The Atrocity Exhibit - Nebukadnezza - Living with Disfigurement - Cavity Search

 

 

Off Road Idea Expansion

On further research into the 'Off Road' idea for this project I have created a list of some up coming events based around Kent. I have contacted all sites listed below for Photography permission, which should not be an issue.

 

Events List –

Mud Monsters – East Grinsted -  07961 315065

Pay and Play -

Sunday 21st April

Sunday 19th May

Challenges –

Sat 13^th & Sun 14th April, Yarwell, Cambridgeshire – Monster Challenge

Sunday 12th May - Piccadilly Wood RH17 5QQ – Winch Challenge

 

Piccadilly Wood –West Sussex - RH17 5QQ

Pay & Play –

Sunday 7^th April

Sunday 5^th May

Sunday 2^nd June

 

Essex Off Road – 07816134699 – CM3 3PZ

Pay & Play –

Sunday 28^th April

Sunday 16^th May

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preliminary Ideas

I have been thinking on some basic preliminary ideas for this project, both a documentary/photojournalism style.

Motorsport -
Off Roading
Winch Challanges
Trailing
All around the country generally around Kent
Time may be an issue as I would only be able to shoot on Weekends only giving around 10 opertunities to shoot
Would be exciting and interesting showing people a different aspect of motorsport
Much information available through various paper magazines & internet forums
A chance of having work published in Land Rover Owners Magazine or Land Rover Monthly

Band Photography -
Underground Metal/Rock bands
'VIP' Access through Zero Tolerance Magazine
Will take place all over London & Greater London
Gigs generally take place every day of the week in different locations, spoilt for choice here
Much information availble through personal knowledge, magazines and forums
Possibilty of having final work published within Zero Tolerance listed above
Could be interesting to shoot, showing people another aspect of an underground music culture


As allways I will be thinking on more ideas that could be used, however in the mean time will explore the two ideas above.