Create a personal independent project within the board theme of 'everyday'. This 'project' should become a developed, evolved cohesive piece of work. This 'project' you need to have access and the ability to build and develop the work over the project.

Your development will be evidenced through your Reflective Journal documenting shoots, research and reflection along the way.

You must produce 20 final images, alongside your images you need to write a 200 word artist statement discussing your project.

Deadline: 8th March 2024

Aims and Objectives

For my project I want to challenge myself through the discovery of 'everyday'. I am confident photographing strangers in everyday situations and enjoy 'street photography'. Street photography can be challenging in itself so my idea is to name my project 'Everyday emotion'. 

My objective is to photograph people in various situations and, through my images, capture their 'everyday emotions'.

I did not wish to use any flash for my images. Reasons for this was to avoid the flat light and shadows a flash can create. I wanted the focus to be on the subjects face. 

All images, at all locations, were taken focusing on the three Manual settings: aperture, shutter speed and ISO.

I decided to use only a 35mm lens in order to give a street view of my subjects,

I wanted to use 36 images utilising colour film and then scan them into my project. These images have been highlighted

Plan of Action

It is important for me to understand where I can find people and where they will show their emotions. My experience of photographing strangers is that when asking them if I can take their picture, their first response is to pose with a smile and in a similar way to them taking a family or friendly photo. This is not what I am looking for. My process, therefore would be as follows:

1. Look the part. Carry an SLR or DSLR camera rather than use the camera on my mobile.
2. Walk and understand the area of the shoot. Watch where potential subjects walk, where they stop, where they express emotion, consider the light and dark, look at the background for the image and where would be a good place to take a picture.
3. Consider issues relevant to the location. For example security in an airport.
4. Carry my student card as ID in case I am asked to explain what I am doing.
5. Identify a subject showing emotion or who would be an interesting subject. For child protection reasons, I chose not to take pictures of any children, not unless I had the permission of the parent(s)
6. Approach them in a polite manner. If possible, try to chat with them. Ask them their name and introduce myself.
7. Introduce myself, show them my student card and explain I am doing a photographic project for my University.
8. Always ask, do you mind if I can take your picture. Answer any questions honestly. e.g. They will not go onto social media.
9. If the answer is no, thank them and retreat politely.
10. If the answer is yes, ask them to go back to the pose I saw them in originally. If they can't remember explain how I saw them.
11. Direct them in the pose you require with courtesy and try to take 5 or 6 photographs. 
12. If they wish to see the images, show them and be positive about the image.
13. Continue the chat and get to know them better.
14. Thank the person and move on.

Location I feel is vitally important and these are the places I have considered in order to find 'people with emotion':

Liverpool Cathedral                                        Manchester Airport Arrivals Hall

Manchester Airport Depart hall                    Liverpool City Centre

Preston City Centre                                        Preston Bus Station

Southport Town centre                                  Southport Prom

Manchester Canal Street (Night life)           Ormskirk Civic hall (Glam Rockerz Concert)

Chinese New Year celebrations                    Liverpool Albert Dock

Liverpool Waterfront                                       Liverpool Football Club (Match day)

To find my 20 images, I have visited all of the above locations apart from Southport Town Centre, Southport Prom and Manchester Canal Street. I remain open minded to visit the final three, especially Manchester Canal Street where I feel I may find some interesting images.

The plan is to visit a total of 14 locations. Important to plan my diary bearing in mind I have other commitments in my life. It is also important to look at the weather and possible traffic. Consideration of when people will be at the location and the best time of day for the shoot. i.e. pointless going to Liverpool Football Club when there isn't a game being played.

 Learning points from previous 'Portrait project'

• Consider the lighting whilst looking through the viewfinder. Some of my images showed over exposure when pointing towards a background light.
• Take your time.
• Set the camera up before you start shooting. All images would be taken without flash and so settings are important.
• Take a few sample shots to make sure the camera and settings are ready.
• Stay calm and relax

Everyday emotion - Research

My objectives are to develop my interest in portrait photography and, for this reason, have researched a number of photographers/artists in order to generate ideas and further develop my own style of photography. It seems very simple to just take a photograph of somebody. Every photographer has his/her own style of composition for the viewer to study and enjoy and it is my objective to achieve the same.

This document represents some of my research demonstrating how each photographer presents his/her work and to give me ideas going forward.

Ref. On Understanding emotion: Norman K. Denzin

I wanted to try and understand 'what is emotion'? How do we identify it? How do we recognise it? and what does it mean? 

Denzin talks about the complexity of emotion and how it is a 'communication tool' used by human beings to express a feeling to gain attention, communicate or to manipulate. It is a communication without words and we learn to identify those feelings as a young child and before we learn to talk. A child can recognise its mother's emotion simply by how she behaves and how she looks. A child does not need words to understand how its mother is feeling.

Denzin says '.....we inhabit a second-hand world, one already mediated by cinema, television, and other apparatuses of the postmodern society. We have no direct access to this world, we only experience and study its representations. A reflex sociology of emotions studies society as a dramaturgical production in the cinematic society; that society which knows itself through the reflective gaze of the cinematic apparatus. In the postmodern, cinematic world popular media representations shape and define those cultural identities based on race, class and gender. These representations become anchor points for the post modern self; that is they occupy a central place in the background of our society.

The above reflection, I feel, is the perfect start to my project. The apparatus of photography capturing the everyday emotions of people on the street.

The Arthur Miller Collection – Imaging every day life

• Subjects generally have a dead pan face.
• This style of photography is ideal for employee badges.
• Images can portray what the subject does for a living.
• A simple descriptive method of photography with a little ‘mystique’ surrounding the picture.
• Each series of pictures has a theme, for example clowns, elaborate dress or simply a head and shoulders for identification purposes. The series can be interesting, particularly the clowns where the viewer is presented with the different costumes and composition.

Ethel Buddle Atkinson

A similar theme is Ethel Buddle Atkinson’s ‘Girl Growing Up’ which shows a series of photographs clearly taken over a number of years and offers the viewer the chance to see her grow up.

Bob Mizer

Bob Mizer demonstrates a similar style with his ‘Men with beards’ and ‘Athletic Guild clothed models. Alfred Joseph gives us a view of Professional wrestlers. An interesting style of presentation/composition, however, one I personally do not find very interesting. I like the photo to have more questions and to present more of a story.

Chris West – Baltimore Drag Album

The name of the book here is a give away, however, the cover photograph appears to be of two young women in a bar sat together. On close inspection, one of the subjects could be a ‘man dressed up as a woman’. An image that needs to be studied in detail and one that asks many questions. Where are they? What are they doing? Are there two girls or is one of them dressed as a woman?

Further into the book, the subject matter is in line with the book title and shows a number of images of ‘drag queens’.

I feel there are more questions around these photographs and allows you to expand your mind with questions being answered as you progress through the book.

I personally like the composition and the questions surrounding the characters and emotion of the subjects. There appear to be more questions than answers.

Cecil Beaton - Beaton Portraits

Cecil Beaton was very well connected in the theatrical and design world. His photographs are predominantly taken of people of the theatre, film and visual arts world. He is renowned for his very elaborate and colourful compositions. The photographs themselves are very ‘staged’ in an un-natural form but grand style. His image of ‘My Fair Lady’ is almost ‘montage’ with a very distinct look.

Each photograph has its own individual message:

Marlene Dietrich – Posing with a China doll/sculpture. The prop giving the clue of how to describe her beauty. Twiggy standing on a pedestal as a beautiful sculpture and Robert Kennedy, behind every good man is a good lady.

In my opinion, all of these photographs have a message about their characterisation and emotions. The use of individual props is very clever and I wish to consider this style for a future project.

Harold Egerton - Time

An interesting photo-documentary using portrait photography to demonstrate ‘time’.

Egerton uses movement of the body through an isolated flash and demonstrating a series of images through one contact motion. He traces the human body.

In these images the person is not specifically the subject, the movement of the subject is.

William Klein - Close up

Klein’s style is to go in very close to his subject. This style asks a number of questions because it is not always clear what the subject is doing. I feel he is focusing on the pure beauty and emotion of his subject. Some of his images are almost surreal. His images demonstrate the many human emotions, Happy, sad, Fear, Anxiety, laughter. He asks the viewer to decide what the emotion is.

The black and white images intrigue me and the fact that he asks the viewer to consider the emotion, I feel, is very clever. The picture of the young boy with a 'toy' gun to his head, I find very interesting. There are many questions here. Is the gun real. Are they playing?, Why is the adult holding a gun to the child's head? I love this picture. It asks so much!

Harvey Benge - How do we know we are alive?

Benge presents a number of images to illustrate the various aspects of everyday life. He illustrates the level of consciousness (looking at our surroundings) Are the people in the image real?. Are we consciously aware? Body temperature, Food, love, running. Circulation a running track next to a building site. Blood pressure, A toilet with no loo roll. Heart rate, men lifting a heavy object. Respiratory rate, caffeine. Interestingly his final picture of a child looking in the distance through his fingers again, asks many questions. What is he looking at? Is the real purpose of the image the words ‘death’ which is below his hands? Does death come upon us without us looking? An interesting use of text with images to confuse and stimulate the viewers mind.

David Bailey

Bailey appears to focus on the beauty of his subject. The facial expressions and emotions are all different. This possibly helps with their characterisation. He has soft and sharp images as well as humorous. An interesting image is ‘New York- Young idea goes West’ where the text in the image asks many questions. Twist, East side, Walk, Don’t walk. Why is there a lady carrying a teddy bear?

I personally love the expression on the face of the man outside the Café. I feel it is a very strong emotion and has a story of its own.

Film actors appear transfixed and the subjects focus on the photographer. All subjects appear to be doing something, and which, shows a lot of creative composition.

Shirley Baker - Street Life in Manchester and Salford 1960 to 1973.

I personally love this photo-documentary as it shows real people going about their everyday lives and in their own way. It illustrates life ‘in that specific moment’. There appears to be no staging of the images. All appear to be a natural story of what people do on 'the everyday street'.

Children playing, Mothers chatting on doorsteps, Playing of football, Skipping (children and adults), Creative play and an overwhelming pride of living on that street, despite the damage and apparent poor area. The images show pure emotion. Even the dirt on the subject has a story.

Finally it demonstrates a happy life in all weather.

In particular I find the picture of the young boy above a gate with writing on it. The story asks what the full message is and why is the boy so happy? The message appears to be threatening towards children, however, he does not appear to be worried.

Shelby Lee Adams - Apalachin Portraits

A similar photo-documentary to Shirley Baker but in the Apalachin mountains. Technically this gives a similar story, however, this story appears to be a completely different theme. It demonstrates that similar documentaries can come out quite differently.

People cut off from ‘mainstream’ bypassed much of the ephemeral development of Modern America.

It documents traditions of life, how they live and focuses on the individual people. There does not seem to be much sense of community apart from the common interest in snakes.

Alvin Booth - Corpus - Beyond the body

Booth’s composition is informed by his love of the sensuous sculpture.

He uses sculpture as his composition and focuses on the sensuous membrane of skin with its malleable luminescent qualities.

The questions are of image, shape, focus and creases in the skin’.

Body shape is his story. Almost creepy and reminds me of ‘Silence of The Lambs’ and cannibalism.

Lee Miller - A Woman's War

Miller believed that ‘the personality of the photographer is more important than his technicality’. ‘The thing that makes one mans work finer than the others is his honesty and sincerity.

Through Miller we gain a sense of this beautiful talented and complex woman and the influences that shape her work.

She shows the beauty and emotions of women.

Sometimes surreal.

A former model herself and a documentary on 'The wartime woman'.

John Deakin - A Maverick Eye

John Deakin's documentary photographs are images of life on the streets of London, Paris and Rome in the 1950s and 1960s. His chief focus is on everyday/ordinary life. His pictures are of dog walkers, priests, nuns and shopkeepers and equally intriguing are his depictions of human activity. Both friends and stars appear in Robin Muir's introduction, which describes both Deakin the man and Deakin the artist. Following his death in 1972 his work lay neglected for a number of years and his reputation dwindled. A Maverick Eye restores him to his proper place and one of the great photographers of the post-war period.

I feel I have a similar style to Deakin, particularly the close up images.

Bruce Davidson - Subway

Davidson is known for his photographing communities usually hostile to outsiders. He was born in a suburb of Chicago to a Jewish family of Polish origins. His notable work includes Brooklyn Gang, The Dwarf, East 100th Street and Subway. It is viewed that his work is closely linked to his upbringing and has a career going back to the age of 10 when his mother built him a dark room. Davidson later achieved National recognition of his work at the age of 19. He is known to tackle subjects such as alcoholics and highly emotive subject matter. For example, for his college thesis, Davidson created a photo-essay ‘Tension in the dressing room’ his first to be published in Life, documenting the emotions of Yale Football players behind the scenes of the game.

In his photographic documentary, a sequence of 118 images move the viewer through a landscape at times menacing, and at other times lyrical, soulful, and satiric. The images include the full array of New Yorkers-from weary straphangers and languorous ladies in summer dresses to stalking predators and the homeless.

Davidson tells the story behind the images, clarifying his method and dramatising his experience. He details his obsession with the subway, its rhythms, and its particular madness. 

A personal favourite of mine depicts a sometimes brave photographer determined to illustrate, what is sometimes a seedy and dangerous world.

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is an Irish Street photographer who is best known for his photographs in Liverpool from 1978 to 2001. His images depict street life, in the pubs and clubs, Markets, workplaces, parks and football grounds. Wood trained as a conceptual painter and was brought up with the difficulties of having a protestant father and catholic mother. It is widely viewed that Wood has a commonality and empathy with the Liverpool people and his works strongly depicts this. Wood has explored a multiplicity of formally divergent themes and quotations. 

I feel I have a connection with a lot of Wood's images, having been brought up in Liverpool and where my family still reside. I like the honesty of the Liverpool people's emotions and I feel Wood captures this in his subjects and through his images. 

A lot of his images are not close up but definitely stir up the emotions of City life through the typical street life of this era. 

Personal summary of research

There is a wide offer of subject matter, however, I feel the most important aspect is how the images are presented and the expression of emotions. An image that asks questions is very important. All the artists have their own style and show their own personalities through their images. This is very important.

Composition of each image should give its own story and I personally want to be challenged by the image. I want to be able to think about the image and think about what it is telling me. Some aspects will be unknown and it is ‘nice’ to be able to apply my own thoughts to the image in order to satisfy my own curiosity.

From a personal point of view, and for my project, Everyday emotions, I feel a black and white photograph allows the viewer to focus on the emotions of the subject. Particularly when the image is 'up close'. 

Photo shoots

Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport was my first location. I felt there would be a wealth of emotion both in the arrivals and departure halls, particularly where people would be saying their goodbyes and hellos. 

My concerns for the location were all surrounding security so I approached the helpdesk and obtained permission. This was granted on the assumption I was not taking any pictures through secure doorways. I was also advised to ensure I have the permission of the subject. I managed to get photographs in the arrivals hall, departure hall and taxi rank outside.

Outcome and Learning points

Whilst I managed to get a few decent shots, the working area was difficult. Once people entered the arrivals hall, people wanted to move on and were not keen to have their photograph taken. Some people were very obliging, especially the young couple who were actually brother and sister. 

I found the departure hall very unemotional. 99% of people were standing in a queue waiting to be checked in. I decided this location was not going to give me what I wanted.

My best shots were taken at the taxi rank where the drivers tended to stand around waiting for the next flight to arrive. I managed to photograph 'Joe' who worked on the Carousels and was great to talk to. I believe I captured him perfectly because he gave me his time. Technically I was also happy with these photos and where I could use an ISO of 160.

Liverpool Cathedral

I decided to next visit Liverpool Cathedral in the first instance because I had already studied the space and used images for a previous project. Some of the images in the project 'photographic documentary' were under exposed so I wanted to ensure my new images were 'perfect'. To do this I spent time considering ISO, Aperture and Shutter speed. I wanted an aperture setting of below f8/f11 so there would be focus on the subject with a blurred background.

Outcome and learning points

Whilst the technical aspects of the photos are better than my previous project, I was disappointed with the poses given to me by the subjects. Regrettably they looked wooden. I need to learn to direct people better and think of the best way I can shoot an interesting picture. In my opinion, most of the pictures look like family shots. That said, emotion is expressed in some of the images.

On a technical side, the quality of the images came out very well. There was little over exposure and I was careful not to take a picture with a large bright stain glass window in the background.

Liverpool Streets

The Liverpool people were very obliging and I felt more confident with my direction of the subjects. The difficulty was that everyone had places to go and were not still. Whilst nice to me, I receive a lot of no's.

Not to be deterred, I still managed to get a few good shots and these are below

Outcome and Learning points

My biggest learning point with street photography in Liverpool is that it is a busy shopping city. People are on the move all the time and 'going to places'. They did not have the time to allow me to take their photograph. With Street photography I need to find a quieter area where people are a little more relaxed and where they can give me their time.

Preston Bus Station

Preston Bus Station is an iconic building and where there are plenty of people. I felt more comfortable here because there was less Hussle and bustle. Most people were sat or stood around waiting for their next mode of transport. I was confident I could get some emotional images.

Outcome and Learning points

I was more successful with the people at Preston Bus Station, probably because people were waiting around for their next transport. My focus was to find interesting subjects and subjects who had an interesting pose. My problem was, after they had agreed I could take their photograph, they would pose in a 'family/friendly way' and not in the pose I had originally seen them. Because my subjects appeared more relaxed, I found it was easier to direct them and I managed to obtain some good shots. In particular the elderly lady looking out of the window and the couple sat on a bench. In hindsight, I should have stayed at the location for longer and I would have obtained more quality images. For my next location, I will try to stay longer.

Preston Streets

I enjoy street photography and love to discover the unknown. You don't know what you will find and what images can be discovered. 

The day on Preston Streets was not a kind one in that the rain was on and off. That said, when the rain stopped, my success rate went up and also, there are plenty of under cover areas, such as The Marketplace.

Outcome and Learning points

In terms of people not allowing me to take their photograph, I had a bigger rejection rate on this location but, as discussed previously, this was probably because of the weather and people had places to go. This was more prevalent in the rain and people wanted to get to where they were going quickly and to avoid getting wet. The Summer months, I feel, will be a better time to do Street photography when people are in a more friendly mood, the light is better and the weather is kind.

My images on the street, I feel showed a lot more character and I feel I was able to capture their individual personalities. The variance of image shows the different every day situations on the street that we probably wouldn't normally see.

In terms of success, my 'tattooed man' was probably the most interesting. I was surprised how kind and gentle he was when I spoke to him. Paul was the manager at the 'Colours tattoo studio' and has given me the opportunity to do a 'environmental portrait' later in the month. All good things come to those who are polite and courteous.

Glam Rockerz

Due to the fact I have called my project 'Everyday emotion' I was conscious of finding images of people in an 'emotional environment' and where I could get people in more interesting poses. For a couple of nights I scanned the local press to see if there were any festivals or conventions where people might accumulate in Southport, Liverpool or Ormskirk. I considered the night life in Liverpool before and after the pubs and clubs opened and closed and then discovered an advert for 'The Glam Rockerz'. This is a band of ex-policemen who dress up in the style of the 1970's pop stars and perform their act. 

I decided to 'rock up' unannounced, approach reception, introduce myself (as above) and see if they would allow me into the gig. Tracey, on reception, introduced me to Dave Dawson, who was the lead singer and he gratefully accepted. He allowed me to take what pictures I wanted and gave me his email so I could send the images on. There are two banks of images. The audience and the band. 

Glam Rockerz - The Audience

Glam Rockerz - The Band

Outcome and Learning points

In terms of the photoshoot I believe it was a great success. It was the first 'Gig' I had photographed and the band allowed me access to wherever I wanted in order to get the right shot. I, again, chose not to use flash in order to avoid flat light shadows and managed to manage the shutter speed, aperture and ISO. The stage lights helped me and I managed to get some great images. Dave Dawson's reaction was 'Wow, they are amazing' which made me feel great.

In terms of the learning points, I really wanted some emotional image of the audience. They were all sat around tables and nobody got up to dance. I stayed for over 2 hours in case the party got going but alas, I was to be disappointed. The audience were elderly and I feel they just wanted to watch the band.

Of the audience shots I obtained, it was again, difficult to direct people. Most wanted a family/friends shot. Some carried blow up props that I included in the images but came to the conclusion that getting the 'right image' is key. I am confident of getting people to allow me to take their photo but the real challenge is the pose and that image that has the story.

In summary I do not believe these images work with my theme of 'everyday emotion'. An interesting exercise but one that will not contribute to my final 20 images.

Liverpool Waterfront

I chose to visit Liverpool waterfront and Albert Dock for reasons people will be relaxed and not in a rush to go somewhere. There are plenty of sightseeing spots where people stop and reflect and I felt this could be a good place to get some pictures of interesting people. I spent 2 hours walking around, looking for interesting images and, in line with my thoughts on Preston Streets, wanted to take my time to find 'that image'.

Outcome and Learning points

I felt a lot more comfortable when asking people if I could take their picture. It was a Sunday morning and people were relaxed and enjoying the location. There was plenty going on and I managed to see some really interesting opportunities. The light was very good, although, at times, this became difficult because the sun was constantly hiding and appearing from the clouds. I constantly reviewed my settings and took the shots in 'manual mode'. 

The challenge here was the settings on my camera. I did not want to be adjusting my camera whilst approaching my next subject. My strategy was to find a subject, adjust my settings quickly and approach my subject.

Liverpool Streets

Based on my success at the Liverpool waterfront to meet people in a relaxed environment, I chose to visit Liverpool on a Friday late afternoon. Bold Street, Liverpool attracts a lot of visitors and there is an abundance of cafe's and sight seeing opportunities, particularly in the North quarter of the city. After a recky of the area, I found a few quiet streets around China Town and managed to find some really interesting people.

Outcome and Learning points

As predicted, subjects were relaxed and not in a hurry to go places. I found people in cafe's, casually walking, having a cigarette and receiving 'just eat' deliveries. I was happy with the subjects I found and, in some cases, interesting people.

The problems occurred with the direct sun light. The sun was very strong in places and I had to be careful of the background to make sure there was no over exposure. I adopted my process from the waterfront i.e. to adjust my settings before I approached a subject but this did not always work. For example, the image of the dog and owner looked great, however, the dogs white fur was over exposed and ruined the image. I should have taken more time and changed the angle of my shot. Key here is to relax and take a few more seconds reviewing the image and all four corners. I rushed the shot because the dogs owner struggled keeping him still.

Random Shots

You never know when you are going to see a good image and, it is inevitable that, when you do see it, you don't have your camera. Most of these shots have been taken with my mobile, but none the less I took the opportunity to include them in my project. These images are part of my everyday, attending a football match, visiting clients, my employees at work, my dentist, patients waiting in my dentists waiting room, one of my tutors and music students in a photoshoot.

Outcome and Learning points

I have learnt to carry my DSLR camera with me at all times. Sometimes the location prevents you from taking a camera into the venue, e.g. Football stadium, however, it is important to be prepared for every eventuality. I carry my camera case in the boot of my car and this includes my DSLR, SLR cameras, 35mm, 100mm and 28mm lenses and finally a few spare black and white films 400 ISO and 3200 ISO. My phone camera lives in my pocket.

Evaluation for Final 20 Images 

For this assignment, I have taken over 200 photographs of people predominantly on the street and at various locations. When choosing my final 20, I have split them into 4 categories:

• 20 open Colour images
• 20 open Black and White images
• 20 tight Colour images
• 20 tight Black and White images

Definitions:

Tight - Close up head and shoulders

Open - an image showing more than head and shoulders.

For each section, the images vary and this is because, I feel, some images work better tight and some work better open. The selection of images are all below:

20 images - colour - open (click image to enlarge)

20 images black and white - open (click image to enlarge)

20 images - colour - tight (click image to enlarge)

Conclusion

As a result of my research, in particular John Deakin and Bruce Davidson, I feel the tight Black and White images enable the viewer to see and focus on the emotion of the subject. All have their own character and it was interesting talking to them and discovering a small part of their everyday lives. With all 20, I want the viewer to consider the image and work out that small part of their everyday emotion. 

Final 20 Assignment Images

(click image to enlarge)

Artist Statement - 'Everyday emotion'