First Steps With A Camera

'Watch Yourself'
2011

My first look into film practically was my two years of A Level. 'Watch Yourself' was a piece of course work for my second year and my first short film.


Short Film
Innovative Cinematography Techniques such as those used in Thomas Alfredson's 'Let The Right One In' 2008. Techniques to build tension used in the Psychological Horror genre such as music and camera angles.
To explore the use of a psychological 'monster' and how Cinematic Techniques can be used to create this.


A representation of human compulsion to direct their attention and worry to a distraction, instead of focusing on what should be the main priority (which is often ourselves).

Annabel wakes to a day that seems perfectly normal, she even has the perk of the day off, but little does she understand that all around her people are being 'taken' and the most important thing to do is watch yourself.

Vimeo Link - 'Watch Yourself'

I used a lot of extreme close ups and unusual camera angles

Such as this underwater shot

Using these 'hidden' shots gives a sense of voyeur,
suggesting that 'Annabel' is being watched. 

I played with overlaying footage.
Transforming the silhouetted figure into 'Annabel'

Fading her into nothing at the end of the short

I have improved a lot since this short. Gaining plenty of experience and footing in this 'world' of which I will get back onto of this blog and start talking about the work I have done.

Another experiment with light and model houses.

Another experiment I did for my A2 photography exam project. I was interested in manipulating the form of the paper houses using light, I also wanted to create a sense of emptiness, loneliness and armageddon. I used plain white model house with black and white photography to add the effect I wanted.

My experiments at this time were influenced by photographs like Daniele Del Elnero who makes paper model house out of black paper and photographs them after they have decayed.

My Pinterest

While exploring the title of humans, nature and dereliction/decay I did many experiments before coming to a conclusion. This experiment was using bright sunlight and small paper houses I created.

Contagion

A Level art project - Contagion


It's amazing what you can create with PVA glue, paint and a model.

The rest - http://pinterest.com/jclaxtong/contagion/

Claustrophobia

My first project for my second year of photography A Level was looking at voyeurism and the viewing of skin or bodies. One view point I explored is the feeling of claustrophobia when viewing another body as this would mean a loss of personal space on both sides, something I used aspects of in my conclusion.

These photographs where displayed as supporting work in the show at Trinity School.

First Post

Well, where to start...
I've just finished two years of A Level Photography and have started building a portfolio with a range of work, here are a few compositions.

Blue House

Claustrophobic 

Skin

Revelations