Evaluation

Darran Milburn

BA(Hons) Photography – Fine Art Path

Level 6

Minor Project

Evaluation

My original concept was to photograph trees, in close proximity to buildings, that may over time effect the foundations and concrete slabs of these structures due to the root zone influence of the said tree desiccating the substrata beneath. The initial photographs were taken at Teesside Airport and Teesside Park, but with the influence of Lewis Baltz and Stephen Shore, the concept evolved in to photographing Teesside Industrial Estate in Thornaby, still with the initial idea of including trees in a number of the compositions.

This subject matter is closely linked to my profession and where I started out when I was 16, the design of industrial units on a specifically built estate.

My initial thoughts were to combine black and white analogue images with colour analogue images, with a mixture of large and medium format, printed at 20”x24” and 16”x12”. During the project, comparing the prints, I felt the colour gave the project an added dimension and proceeded to continue with just colour film. I was also trying to capture the compositions in bright sunshine, again to add another aspect to the images.

After driving around the industrial estate, taking reconnaissance images with my digital camera and noting the location of the sun at certain times of day, I wrote myself a shooting list, things I wanted to capture. I thought this would help save time and organise my shoot a little more professionally, rather than walking around blindly and just shooting. This helped considerably and over a couple of sunny weekends I had got to know the industrial estate quite well, knowing exactly where I needed to be and what I wanted to shoot.

The major problem I encountered, along with one of my cameras not working correctly, subsequently ruining a full 5 rolls of medium format film, was the good old British weather. I had to check the weather in advance and have my cameras loaded, bags ready and be prepared to just go as soon as the clouds cleared.

Due to the evolution of the project I believe my compositions captured the essence of my concept and for the first time I feel I put everything I could into the project, I have done everything to the best of my ability and feel a sense of achievement.

The project has improved my technique with my 5x4 field camera and medium format cameras, slowing me down and spending more time in setting the compositions up. I feel this will benefit all future projects and help to develop my individual style. I also believe I have improved my printing skills and gained a slightly better eye for colour, although this will only get better with practice.

Editing your own images is still one of the trickier aspects of any project, trying not to be influenced by your favourite images and rather what images work with each other and why. This was done over a number of evenings, with re-printing carried out as and when necessary.

On reflection if I could restart and carry out the project again, I do not think I would do anything differently. If I had to be critical, I would have liked to look further into presentation, but due to the inclusion of computer aided drawings of an industrial unit on white paper, the traditional black frame and non-reflective glass was the obvious choice for presenting the compositions in a gallery.

Overall I am very proud of my final images and know I have carried out this self-initiated project to the best of my ability. Bearing this in mind I am looking forward to continuing the project and adding to my collection of presentation prints.