Andy Royal - Photography

A New Domain

Andy — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:07:20 +0000

Ola ola,

Come Stas?

Just to let you guys know, my blog has moved across it its own shiny new domain… You can now check it out at:

www.andyroyalphotography.co.za

Sweet deal

Peace..

Leading Up To The Final Crit…

Andy — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:34:50 +0000

Patiently Waiting for Transport Back to Soweto © a. royal

Mmmm, crits are difficult. Any person that has been subjected to one will know what I am speaking about. The assessors are there to provide constructive criticism, and sometimes it is difficult to not to take things personally.

This week was a particularly difficult crit. The brief was very broad and narrowing down a topic to shoot on in the time given was incredibly difficult. Up until now, I have been focusing so much on the technical aspects of the images, that I have forgotten to take a PHOTOGRAPH. I am not happy with the work I submitted this week, but I do feel that the comments that came back from the assessors was valuable. I feel for the first time in this course that I am going to be able to make a real go of this final crit and that I will be able to blow them out the water.

This week, finally, I have an idea on the story that I want to shoot. Again we need to go into Newtown and shoot 10 photographs, the difference this time being that we need to structure a story to the images. I have a good idea of what I want to shoot, and I am know the images that I want. We have to use everything we have learnt this month in the images, balancing light, composition and exposure to create the image that we feel is going to pack a punch in telling what we want. Newtown is vibrant. Where we are based, however, backs onto Commissioner Street, a bustling retail street. I am going to base my story on the lives of the shop owners. From the open to close of the business day, I want to highlight the daily lives of these shopkeepers.

I hope to have some images of the project up later next week. For the first time I feel that I have an idea and I am going to run with it.

Peace..

Light – It’s All Around Us – But Do We See It?

Andy — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:10:02 +0000

Scared of Icing / Bad Breath? © a. royal

Light is everywhere. During the day, the sun shines, at night we have artificial lighting to keep the bad man away. We all take it for granted. So much so that if we are plunged into complete darkness we do not know what to do, and our other senses are not sharp enough to counter this. I had an experience like this last week. I was developing a film (my first I must add) and whilst loading the film into the developing tank I was lost. I have never encountered that level of complete darkness before.

But I digress. Light is everywhere, and we take it for granted. We don’t look at a building in the sunset and say: “WOW, what an amazing soft light that is hitting the side of the building casting soft shadows over the indentations.” Rather we look at it and carry on with our busy lives.

Why, you might ask, did I raise this topic? Well, to be honest, I am really find it difficult to compose images for the light, and use it correctly. In my crit I was told to make use of the light. I am really not too sure what they mean by make use of the light. It is frustrating me. Maybe I can ask for some comments on how to use light successfully.

Light, something that is taken completely for granted, has become a major factor in my life. I am constantly looking out for the right time to photograph something, and time is the operative word.

Photography is a waiting game and I need to learn to be patient.

Peace…

And So It Has Begun…

Andy — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:38:17 +0000

Workers Resting During Lunch © a. royal

And so the life of a student has begun. Two weeks in and already we have a massive workload, but it is all really interesting and the trainers are already pushing us out of our comfort zones. This is a good thing for me, and technically I am learning a massive amount from this intense Technical Bootcamp. First crit happened this morning and I am uncertain of how I performed, but I guess we will see when the results go up.

Part of this first crit was to use the skills we have used so far in the course and take some images in the region of Newtown in Johannesburg. The area was small, but the variety of images that appeared from the different students was amazing. The trainers, however, we not too impressed by the images and are forcing us out of our comfort zones even more!

The above image was shot on Bree Street at the club O.S.T., formally GOGO Bar. These two workers were taking a break from the day and sitting in the shade, hiding from the burning sun, having a cold drink and reading the newspaper. The red overalls of the workers together with the red walls makes for an interesting image.

The image below, I think, highlights the rundown appearance of Newtown, no matter how much the City of Johannesburg is trying to clean it up. Johannesburg light in incredibly intense and this image, shot at midday, is a good example of this.

An Awning on Pimm Street, Newtown, JHB © a.royal

We have a second crit in a weeks time, and I hope that I can impress the trainers this time.

So until then, I’ll sign off.

Peace…

Tag much?

Andy — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:24:44 +0000

As a young photographer (in time spent behind a camera and not in age), it is always an honour to spend time with a seasoned professional, especially if that photographer is the leader in the particular genre. I had the privilege of spending a day with Will Robson-Scott. He is British photographer who has made his name in shooting graffiti. I was blown away by the insight he offered into the profession I wish to enter.

Over drinks we were discussing different projects and ideas I have for some documentary work I wish to shoot. Bouncing ideas off him was great, and we have already decided on two projects I wish to undertake. The one project I have yet to see been done. The other is something that many people have photographed before and it is something I am going to have to concentrate on finding an angle. But the ideas are coming together nicely.

As the year winds down, and the excitement builds, I feel as though I am stuck in a little bit of Limbo. There are a few loose ends that need to be tied up and I just want to start the course already…

But it is said, patience is a virtue…

Peace…

Change is good, but this much change is frightening…

Andy — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:23:05 +0000

So this year has been a rather interesting year.

Towards the beginning of the year, I applied for a course at the Market Photo Workshop, thinking nothing of it. I thought it may be a good idea to apply, seeing that I have been trying to follow my photographic dream for the last few years. I almost forgot about the course letting corporate life swing past me in a blur.

Out of the blue, I received a call saying I had been shortlisted and was now required to a portfolio. Again, I thought to myself that not much would come from this, but I submitted none the less. I thought that should I be accepted, I would defer the course for a little to save up for the course. As it turns out, they loved my images and offered me a bursary. This is the break I have been looking for in order to further my photography.

So, it’s almost the end of November. Work is winding down. And I am getting gradually more excited for the new year. This is going to be an awesome experience and I can’t wait to follow my dream.

I know that I sound like an excited child thinking that there may be millions to be made. I know this is not true. I know that this will be a tough life, but I am sure that I will be able to express my creative side and this will bring me more joy than any amount of money ever could.

And so, I stand on the precipice of a new career, and essentially a new way of life. And I can’t wait!

So, as a new chapter in my life unfolds, this will be my outlet for you all to know…

Peace!