EVALUATION OF INTERIOR LOCATION BRIEF

My theme for the brief was ‘The Christmas Markets’. This allows me to combine natural light with the (slightly) indoor nature of the stalls. For the exterior brief, I did architecture, which didn’t allow a chance to include colour and energy and it was my first brief so I was still experimenting in B&W, so when I decided to do the Christmas markets my main aim was to capture colour as well as to capture Christmas! I wanted to portray how I see Christmas and what it means to me as much as possible. For inspiration I researched photographers such as Martin Parr... 

What I really enjoy about Parr’s work is the way he seems to take the ordinary and somehow make it seem EXTRAordinary. However what makes Parr’s work special is this irony he seems to portray in his photographs. Even though I was inspired by Parr’s work I would never be able to capture that irony even if I tried.

 I then did a test shoot when we went down on a few weeks prior to the final shoot. I went down to see what stalls where available, to see what works and what doesn’t work and to get an idea of the available light. Here are a couple of the results...

I found that with the test shoot, the results weren’t exactly what I had in mind. When I went back for final shoot, I would look for more colour. The photograph on the left was too dull so I would take photographs that incorporated more light. The photograph on the right is very bust with a lot of ornaments and gifts for sale which I really loved. I then used that more in the final shoot to give the impression of Christmas as it is nowadays, busy and chaotic.

I had a better idea of what I was looking for the second time around. So I went out and these were my favourite 10...

Xmas Gifts

F:3.5.0 SS:125 ISO:160

I really like this photograph because the lights inside the stall are so bright. I feel the warmth of the work is very welcoming and Christmas-y.

Xmas Jewellery

F: 3.5 SS: 25 ISO:160

I used this photograph because I think that Christmas means different things to different people. This could be a Xmas present for someone which I feel goes to show how Christmas is for everyone!

Xmas Jars

F:9.0 SS:125 ISO:160

I absolutely love this photograph because it is just SO colourful and there is so much going on much like Christmas. It’s also the repetition of it all…so many saucers so little food!

Xmas Baubles

F:3.5 SS:13 ISO:160

This isn’t one of my favourites to be perfectly honest but I decided to include it because of the colours and the layered aspect of the bauble display.

Xmas Decorations

F:3.5 SS:13 ISO:160

I love the texture of the ornamental duck. I also love the way there seems to be an endless supply of decorations from baubles to snowmen in the background.

 Xmas Hats

F:3.5 SS160 ISO:160

I don’t really know why I like this photograph, it’s just the idea of the hats are empty and they’re floating in mid-air. It intrigues me. If however I were to take it again I would do something about the exposure because its slightly underexposed.

Xmas Reef

F:5.6 SS:13 ISO:160

I included this photograph as well because I felt it was also very Christmas-y. For me, the main focus is the reef but then there is also the beaded chains in he foreground.

Xmas Figurines

F:3.5 SS:20 ISO:160

This photograph is my absolute favourite because it’s old fashioned before commercialisation where Christmas is about being with loved ones. I think this photograph captures the true spirit of Christmas. Also I find something quite humorous about them being tiny people.

Xmas Chocolates

F:8 SS:4 ISO:160

CHOCOLATE: a huge player in the Christmas game. I found this stall to be one of the happiest with the Christmas decorations of the roof and the Christmas tree shaped cookies. Similar to ‘Xmas Gifts’ the warmth of the scene is emphasised by the warmth of the light.

Xmas Rush

F:14 SS:1” ISO:160

This photograph for me encompasses what Christmas has now become which now, a rush! Everyone’s busy rushing around…except that gentleman in the middle of the frame. I also think the perspective adds to the chaotic nature of the composition.