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THE PHOTOGRAPHY INDUSTRY:

Wet Printing & Film Era: In the early days of photography, photographers captured their images on a light-sensitive plate or film. This procedure involved exposing the film to light, and then developing pictures in a darkroom using chemicals for photographers to print and develop their pictures. Furthermore, film cameras were used with a roll of film that needed to be loaded into the camera. Photographers had limited exposure per roll and had to wait before the film was developed to see the final results. However, using a film camera requires skill and precision; even today using a film camera is difficult compared to everything being digital and easier to grasp.

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Photography & Lighting: In the early days of film photography, photographsers experimented with chemical-based lighting. They tried to utilize limelight and flash powder in attempts to add light to ther images. However, this method failed short after ptrying an attempt to produce high quality pictures (mostly due to safety issues too). However, later on in development of flash bulbs lighting, which used chemiocal too involving magnesium or aluminum represented a improvement in advancedment in artificail lighting. Despite the power, flash bulbs were replaced by more reliable elenctronic flash system, makeing a huge step forward in today's age.

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Transition to Digital Photography: Digital photography has changed quite a lot, since the late 1980s. The 1980s was the era for some of the first digital cameras that used sensors to capture images digitally, allowing photographers to view them on their screens and print them. Furthermore, using software such as Adobe Photoshop which was released a decade after the first era of digital cameras has changed the game for everyone since the first release of Photoshop which was official in February 1990 as a stand-alone product. This industry software allowed photographers to change their entire aspect of images, allowing them to manipulate their images and change their desired image to what they want their final outcome to be. Lastly, by early 2000s, digital photography had become such a powerful tool, giving journalists the power to edit their images quickly, which led to getting work done quickly and effectively to allow final images to be printed on newspapers and magazines.

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Photography & AI: AI is a game changer not just for photographers but also for designers who use Photoshop for purposes other than photography. As of now, the latest release of Adobe Photoshop has featured a tool called generative AI/Fill. This AI tool allows you to make a selection anywhere on your image and then instructs the AI to help you fix or create the desired effects. This feature is extremely useful for both experienced photographers and those who are new to photography and image editing, as it simplifies the process of editing images. It is as if the AI understands what the end-user ultimately wants, although it does have limitations. AI will not always produce the exact effect creators desire, which is why it's important for photographers to learn how to use this software to achieve their specific goals. Keeping one last thing in mind that sometimes AI can rip-off work from others, so while it’s a useful tool, it needs to be used carefully as some AI content is taken from elsewhere, leading to copyright issues (when creating art-work or asking AI to create something isn’t originally done by the creator). Here’s an example video of how AI in Photoshop can be used: https://youtu.be/Sp6K3qpVFO0?si=rjO8IJesz59jZHXe.(by Adobe) & https://youtu.be/Minj98f2XZ4 (by me).

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Reference List:

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Ansel Adams [Inspired Photographer]: I don’t necessarily have a favourite or inspired photographer, but if I had to choose one it would probably be Ansel Adams, despite our art work being completely different, I do get ideas on what I’d like to do in the future (and have somewhat done in the past inspired by him outside of college), such as taking pictures of nature. I find nature and landscape pictures to be the most calming things to look at, and as a photographer, there's just something about them you can be very creative with.

 

Ansel Adams is primarily associated with taking landscape pictures and known for his Pure Photography, and this is something I find very intriguing. As I struggle with stress, his pictures helped me out as in broadening my horizon in terms of assessing how peaceful nature can be. His photographic work was unique. I admire how he proceeded to render every picture perfectly. His wide range of pictures was not just about him taking them, but was a form of art; going into a darkroom trying to create the best print possible. His black-and-white images truly showcased his talent of mesmerising his audience with his view and perception of nature. Here’s a biography of Ansel Adams and an analysis of four of his images in a PDF document: ansel_adams_and_image_analysis.pdf

 

Importance and Crossover Skills to work in the Creative Industry: The creative industry is boosting rapidly in productivity, employment and innovation skills. Jobs in the creative sector are growing larger than before, small and medium sized enterprises are expected to expand and accommodate various creative individuals. Furthermore, employers in the creative sector are in need for many with transferable, core skills. This includes strong communication, networking and collaborative work as these are all crucially important in the industry. (Source: https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/careersinformed/thinking-of-a-career-in-the-creative-and-cultural-sector-here-are-five-things-to-know-now/ - Date Accessed: 30-05-2024).

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Extending on the above mentioned, strong communication is crucial for photographers to complete their work in a timely and effective manner. This also greatly helps in situations when you are taking photographs for others. Good communication is imperative and will help in establishing a much greater understanding of what type of photos are required between the employee and employer. On the other hand collaborative work is also important in a studio setting. Having a photographic assistant who can analyse images via tethering immediately after they are taken ensures that the quality of the work meets the required standards and being able to setup lights and understand composition is essential, so that the pictures are taken to a high standard.

 

Other skills that are needed in the industry:

  • Using and editing on industry standard software, such as: Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop & Lightroom).

  • Maintaining a positive mindset allows you to face and overcome problems while also believing in your creative potential.

  • Effective communication is essential. Dealing with clients effectively to meet the standards of the final work.

  • Developing professional ties is very important. As this will encourage you to grow, explore possibilities, and learn from others.

  • Open-Mindedness: Bringing new ideas and perspectives to life will help drive industrial growth which develops innovation and adaptability.

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Potential Careers in the Photography Industry:
Photography is a competitive area, so having an up-to-date portfolio is always recommended. Many photographers are self-employed and work in a freelance capacity, working in areas such as; theatre, events (weddings and functions) and music. Furthermore, relevant employers are always looking for someone with more niche ability that may cover; documentary, events, portrait, wildlife and any other that specialises in a certain category. Some of these include: media organizations for newspapers and articles, publishing and design companies, social outlets and even the police to look for and identify suspects on ‘scene of crime’ photography. (Source: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/photography - Date Accessed: 30-05-2024).

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ABOUT ME:

I’ve already introduced myself on the homepage of this blog. Reflecting on my first year of HNC, one of my biggest achievements was my 'Portrait of Britain' assignment which was about looking into cultural diversity (although I found it difficult to stick to the theme of my work). Earning a Merit in one of the modules was surprising, as I was only expecting to get a Pass. This accomplishment shows that, despite my academic pursuits and being autistic, I am more capable than I often believe, even though I still struggle with confidence and self-belief.

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I also captured some good pictures during this time. Notably, a) a picture for the 'Disappointed Tourist' theme, which my entire class liked, and b) some studio shoots. This was my first time using the studio and taking pictures, which wouldn't have been possible without the support of the technician at HRC and my tutor. Below, I have included two of my favourite shots from the assignment.

Furthermore, I do not actively promote my artwork on social media or through exhibitions. I maintain a website at HammadDesigns.COM, but I generally prefer to remain anonymous and do not publicize my identity as a photographer or share my work widely. However, if I were supposed to share my work photographic work widely, I would set up a professional Instagram account strictly for my work. Still, as someone who produces music and does other artwork for others (anonymously) and has a broader interest beyond photography (and just prefers to be in my comfort zone), this just isn't something I would do. Here's a quote from a friend of mine that once said. “Recognition is good, but living a fulfilled and comfortable life without being widely known or famous is better.”

 

Lastly, due to my anxiety, I always struggled with going out of my comfort zone to take pictures. However, for my first assignment (Portrait of Britain), I finally managed to step out of my comfort zone, go out alone; take photos, and was able to complete everything by deadline. Here’s a time-lapse I created for my 'Portrait of Britain' assignment, showcasing my final images in the video that I uploaded onto YouTube.COM. I have also included a gallery of my final edited images I have taken throughout my course (from the following projects: Portrait of Britain & Wellbeing) just to give an insight of my work.

Here is an overall review of the Skills Builder diagnostic I completed at the beginning of the course. Reflecting on my results, I don't think they have changed much since then. Based on those results, here is a reflection on each topic along with a PDF document to view the results.

 

Listening: My score for listening was 3.5/15. My three top strengths are that I listen to others, I am aware of how they are communicating with me, and that I can show that I am listening by rephrasing what they say. I may also be able to listen critically and compare different perspectives, although I only partially agree with this, as I am still struggling most of the time when trying to listen to others critically. However, as for development, I need to show I am listening by use of eye contact and body language, and being aware of when a speaker is influencing me through their tone and language. This is something I find extremely difficult, but that could just either be me or my autism having an impact on my overall listening skills. I could practise active listening techniques, such as maintaining eye contact and using positive body language to improve my listening skills. It is important to be mindful of someone else’s tone and language that may influence me. Despite challenges like autism, I could also focus on rephrasing what I heard and striving to understand diverse perspectives critically. Results: Listening [SkillsBuilder.ORG_Benchmark].PDF

 

Speaking: My score for speaking was 2.25 out of 15. According to the results, my top strengths are that I talk engagingly by using facts and examples to support my points, adaptively by changing content depending on the response of listeners, and influentially by changing the examples and using facts to better persuade the listeners. However, this all varies, and there are times that I tend to struggle. Areas I need to develop are speaking effectively, thinking about what my listeners already know, using visual aids to support my points, and influencing by changing my points' structure to better persuade the listeners. To improve my speaking and overall communication, the best method would be to know the audience by finding out more about them, engaging with relevant questions, and practising, perhaps by joining or attending educational trips. Results: Speaking [SkillsBuilder.ORG_Benchmark].PDF

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Problem Solving: My score for problem solving was 2.5 out of 15. My top three strengths were being able to complete tasks by following instructions, explaining problems to someone for advice (if needed), and finding information for myself. Areas for development were to explore complex problems by analysing the causes and effects, creating solutions for complex problems by generating a range of options, and analysing complex problems by creating and testing hypotheses. To improve this, I could study cases by breaking down topics, try using mind maps, and create a brainstorm to list multiple ideas. Furthermore, watching, reading or listening to the news could help me identify the causes and effects of a particular subject. Results: Problem Solving [SkillsBuilder.ORG_Benchmark].PDF

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Creativity: My score for creativity was a 0.75 out of 15. My top three strengths were the ability to generate ideas to improve something, use creativity in the context of work and innovate effectively by seeking out various experiences. Areas I need to develop are combining different concepts, using creativity in the context of my wider life, developing ideas by using a mind mapping tool. In order to develop this, I could try to access community space in my local community outside of college (which will help me at college as well), visualise with the use of mind maps, practise solving various problems that may occur, and try to break down the cause of the problem. I could also learn something new, to try and imagine and visualise what is being described, and go on to making something where relevant. Results: Creativity [SkillsBuilder.ORG_Benchmark].PDF

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Staying Positive: My score for staying positive was 1 out of 15. My top three strengths for staying positive were continuing to try and staying calm when something goes wrong, thinking about what happened, and identifying risks and gains in opportunities. Areas for development are to tell when others feel positive/negative, to persevere when something goes wrong, encourage others to keep trying, and look for opportunities for difficult solutions. To develop skills for staying positive, I could start by observing and trying to notice other’s emotions to better tell when they feel positive or negative. Writing about my positive and negative thoughts, encouraging others to keep going, and showing persistence will help motivate those around me. Lastly, listening to music from different perspectives can provide inspiration and a new perspective. I do this quite often, but I still struggle to adapt. Results: Staying Positive [SkillBuilder.ORG_Benchmark].PDF

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Aiming High: My score for aiming high was 0.75 out of 15. My top three strengths are knowing when I am finding something too difficult, creating plans informed by my skill set and that of others, and developing long-term strategies that include feedback loops to support my flexibility and adaptability. Areas for development are to work with care, attention to detail, and pride when successful and to work with a positive approach to new challenges. I would do this despite my anxiety about making an impact. Trying to adapt to a positive approach to new challenges would perhaps get me out of my comfort zone, as would leveraging my strengths in planning, knowing my limits, and developing adaptable long-term strategies to achieve my goals effectively. Results: Aiming High [SkillBuilder.ORG_Benchmark].PDF

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Leadership: My score for leadership 0 out of 15. My top strengths are managing to divide tasks fairly, supporting others through coaching (this depends on the subject), reflecting on my leadership style, and adapting my approach according to the situation. Areas for development are knowing how I am feeling about something, explaining something to my team that I am unsure about, and recognising others' feelings about something. To develop my leadership skills, I could work on understanding my own emotions and recognising others' situations. I would like to improve my ability to explain concepts/ideas to my team, even if I am not too sure. Self-reflection and adaptability are important leadership skills. Results: Leadership [SkillBuilder.ORG_Benchmark].PDF

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Teamwork: My score for teamwork was 2.25 out of 15. My top strengths are that I work well with others by behaving appropriately, being on time and reliable, and understanding and respecting the diversity of cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds. However, all of this also depends on my overall mood, which is mainly affected by my diabetes. According to skill builder, areas for development will be working well with others by supporting them if I can do so, contributing to group decision-making, encouraging others to contribute, and improving the team by building relationships beyond my immediate team. Despite challenges like my diabetes, I could also maintain reliability and cultural sensitivity, ensuring effective teamwork and leadership. Results: Teamwork [SkillBuilder.ORG_Benchmark].PDF

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Benchmark Overview: Reflecting on how I felt completing this exercise, I am not sure I am convinced that the results give a true picture of me. I recognise that I have always been too self-critical; I feel that this aspect of my personality, along with my autism, is likely to give a false account of my skills, abilities and perspectives. I realise that one of the biggest barriers for me is my lack of confidence. I am getting the support I need outside of college from my local community mental health team to help me out of my comfort zone, but also to manage the anxiety I have always experienced. I feel that my anxiety is what affects me most in daily-life. Being able to work with my support network outside of college will also help me when I return to the second year of the course after a break, hoping to be more confident within myself and in my art work.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN:

Strength & Weaknesses:
I believe one of my biggest strengths as a photographer is capturing what I find most interesting in any way, shape, or form; that’s where I expend the majority of the time. I feel like when I’m taking such photos, I’m not thinking about anything, and I’m able to capture great pictures and moments. I prefer taking pictures of what I relate to due to my anxiety/depression and then creating a time-lapse with the music that synergizes with me (showcasing how I edited the final picture).
 

However, in the creative/photography industry, I have to think critically and adapt to the brief which is given, something I still struggle with till this day, but I also know it can at times be a great strength as I end up thinking of new ideas and how to adapt them when I’m mentally in a positive state. 
 

Additionally, I find it difficult to be professional with my peers, and perhaps this is my autism having an impact, but I just can’t communicate in a professional manner when in and outside of college. I find staying relevant to the subject matter is difficult and I find myself going off-topic all the time.

 

Therefore, one of my greatest weaknesses is a lack of confidence. There are times I can capture stunning photographs, but due to anxiety around taking pictures in public, I find it challenging to adapt to the environment that I am in, and I start lacking confidence and not always being able to take any pictures up to high standards, despite having a good vision in mind. I just find it extremely difficult to articulate my work of art on paper. For example, another weakness I have concerns social anxiety: not being able to work in a team or using a studio outside of my comfort zone (or with others I am not too close with).
 

Looking ahead, I am committed to enhancing my technical skills by practising more and mastering the operation of a camera. I also aim to improve my critical thinking and adaptability, which are essential skills in the creative industry. As I progress into my second year of the HND course, I am eager to step out of my comfort zone by attending workshops, collaborating with peers, and improving my professional communication skills. I understand that these are vital for success in the professional world of the creative industry.
 

To develop these skills, I will work in and out of college, working with daily peer support (outside of college) on how to create professional boundaries with others that are essential in the industry and daily life. Furthermore, as I am taking a year or some time off before finishing off my HND Photography, as I am still passionate about this. I will also work on my overall health. Being in the right state is crucial to getting anything and anywhere in life, regardless of whether you possess a college diploma or not. Lastly, it is important to be able to work with my peer support on a daily basis to help with my overall anxiety, to help me have a lead on being confident with my photography skills and my overall work.

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Overview & Development Plan:
In order to develop and before progressing onto my second year after a break, I will be working closely with support outside of college as mentioned above, in order to maintain professional boundaries and to work confidently with others in a professional manner. Furthermore, I will also practise my photography skills as I recently got myself a manual focus lens, so the more I practise, the better I shall become. I also hope to self-teach myself via reading, understanding, and learning more about photography. Also, to challenge myself, so that I can improve on analysing images more effectively and critically. On progressing onto the second year, I hope to learn how to use the studio instead of relying on support from my tutors or anyone else and confidently be able to set lights without the worry that I may end up breaking any equipment as I struggle with motor skills (mostly due to anxiety when setting up expensive equipment). Moreover, to develop these skills outside of college, I could ask my close friends (who are in the industry and would go beyond in supporting me) for one-to-one support in teaching me how to use a majority of studio equipment as this will help to improve my confidence for when I aim to finish my course and gain the HND. Lastly, finishing the course, I’d like to go into some sort of self-employment or start my own business in the creative industry, whether that’s music, graphics design or anything that I enjoy being creative with, where I could also use my photography skills within my own business.

Last Updated: 13-06-2024, June at 13:00.

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