‘Towers’

Here’s the final images from photographic project I’ve been working on for a few months now named ‘Towers’.

A symbiotic relationship comes in many forms from a Remora fish attaching itself to a shark keeping it clean, the shark provides protection. To The Southern Rufous woodpecker letting tree ants lay eggs in its nest. In return the ants protect the woodpeckers’ nest from unwanted guests.

My own personal symbiotic relationship materialised from the age of 18 in West London, a time of my life where I struggled with my emotions and had no way to vent or control my stress. I then received my first cactus subsequently named Claus Von Prickles. 5 years have passed and I’m much more positive, calm and have been in possession of a total of 9 cacti with names, sexes and personalities.

During this project I have explored the connection between man and cacti. I nurture these plants and they repay me with therapy that disposes of my stress. I’ve explored deeper into the importance of my niche symbiotic relationship. The primary element of acupuncture is echoed throughout my work with an abstract and intimate twist. With the right quantity of patience, love and care even the simplest things can bring you happiness in life.

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A Little Patience…. (Eclipse 2015)

Hey guys! It’s certainly been a while – I think I need to start committing myself to this space for now on. Here is a good opener – the eclipse. At the moment, a means of transportation is non-existent so I made do with my own devices. My back garden seemed ample for this special occasion. Check it out!

I feel like my luck really superseded itself in this moment. Granted I did see the seagull but lining it up almost perfectly with the Sun?… I’m putting it down to luck! Nonetheless, I’m so happy with this image. I know that there is thousands of people in Plymouth trying to take essentially the same image so I really wanted to make mine stand out from the rest. With the use of composition and colour I think I’ve achieved this.

Thanks and you’ll read from me again soon!

‘Keel’.

The contemporary dance piece named ‘Keel’ was created by Olivia Lockwood and Laura Henry. Their piece is truly beautiful and was a pleasure shooting for them. Throughout these picture you’ll notice a change in colour; a gloomy blue, a neutral black and white and a warm glowing orangey-yellow. All these changes made was to experiment moods through the connotations of certain colours. We found the neutral feel from the black and white to be most effective.

I decided to experiment with the Burn Tool to remove the ground from some of the images. Such as the image under this text. I found this to be really interesting because it shone a whole new light on this shoot, which actually matched the dance piece better! To me the image below gives a sense of an outer body experience – a dream state. Also the dancers in this position have foetus-like characteristics. Again through that floating, peaceful mood that this image has created.

 

 

 

As promised! ‘Globe’ Project Shoot 4.

A long awaited continuation, my 4th Shoot of the ‘Globe’! The reason for such a long break: I wanted my next shoot to have a sunrise/set. I already had the setting very vivid in my mind just being able to count on the weather in the UK (as a lot of you might know) is a very difficult thing to do! I decided to roll the dice and go for it, the gamble paid off with beautiful succession. Take a look!

This shoot was taken at Jenny Cliff, Plymouth.

In total there are 9 images, although if I had to chose (which I do) this would be my favourite. Doing shoots for this project really does make me realise that there is so much radiance nature has to offer. We tend to get used to these beautiful aspects and almost turn out heads to it. I truly felt blessed being able to sit down in the tall grass to document such a beautiful occasion.

As you can see, I’ve stuck with my strategy of having the horizon in the ball and in the background matching. This creates a consistency and helps portion the image. This variable contrasts the image – ground against sky and vice versa. Contrast is the main reason why I chose this above the rest. The primary example of contrast that attracts me in how the silhouetted tree leaves play against the iridescent sky.

Deciding to switch it up a bit, I began to experiment by positioning the ball off-centre but still making it the focus of the image. As you can see in this piece I’ve attempted to counter balance the Sun giving a symmetrical effect. I’ve also tried editing it more in order to make the image more vivid. Not too sure on the results but it’s in for the sake of experimentation. I really like how the grass diagonally leads down to the subject ball in this image. Works pretty well!

I zoomed in a bit further from the last image, I prefer this one as the globe is slightly larger you can pick up more details. The colours may not be as vivid but it gives a more natural feeling which is what this project is about – showing natural beauty through a photographers perception… With the twist of the glass ball of course.

As the Sun’s work was almost over for our side of the world there was a slight change in colour. The shades of orange dancing off the clouds emitted a gorgeous fire-esque mood. 

Again, mischievously stepping away from my normal style I decided to re-position the ball away from the horizon. My curiosity created one of my favourite images. The darkness around the globe gives the illusion of bending the initial horizon in the background creating a beautiful contrast between the fresh, blue, evening sky and the hot, lava, orange emitted from the sleepy Sun.

Another example but zoomed out a slight amount and moved the ball upwards. I prefer the contrast in this image but the ball isn’t partly over the horizon to bend it. If it were I’d put this image up there in my top images.

Time to go a bit nuts!

The first image, I thought ‘What if I could make the image in the ball the right way up?’ Here is the result! Had I thought of dangling the ball rather than holding it up before the Sun would’ve been a better subject – you can see it’s almost had enough for tonight.

The second is my runner up image from this shoot, though I’m planning on making the set of ‘Globe’ Project all landscape so for the sake of consistency, unfortunately it didn’t win. I love how it looks as though the landscape is being poured out of the ball, I find it really interesting!

Once again, I’d like to thank everyone checking out these blogs, I really appreciate the recognition! If anyone has any feedback or questions or just want a natter then by all means!

Just a Quick One!

I recently took a trip to the Eden Project, Cornwall. Such an interesting place, they’ve made their own massive biomes; Rain Forest/Tropical and Mediterranean. These biomes are made by domes like gigantic green houses made from hexagonal and pentagonal panels. If you’ve not visited it yet you definitely should!
 

Just a simple leaf dangling in the Sun… If you’ve seen my previous attempts of macro images you might be able to tell I’ve managed to get my hands on a better lens for the scenario! Very happy with how this photo turned out, Firstly, let’s talk about the subject; the leaf and how the Sun is beating on it’s back creating these veins giving the leaf a life in our eyes. Almost shining a torch at an fertile bird egg. The details and colour is beautiful. Compositionally this image works well as it is cut diagonally by the subject and the blurred background which draws the viewers eyes to the elegance of the leaf’s veins spreading nutrition over it’s body.

The Tranquillity of Nature.

Back to one of my favourite locations again, Dartmoor.  All these images where captured as out-takes from my 3rd shoot of the Globe Project. I found it was eternally difficult to stick to the task at hand as a photographer who loves the colours of nature. I’ve many more attractive images although, I tend to get quite distracted by the colours and contrast alone forgetting about the composition. Thus, some of the images seemed a bit ‘point and click’. I also get put off images I take that doesn’t have an underlying meaning or connotation. Landscape is greatly beautiful to me but it’s not particularly my type of style. None the less, here’s a few of my favourites I took while trekking up Burrow Tor and Sheeps Tor, Dartmoor.

These are the first couple of photos I took during my 3rd shoot. You can see what I mean about the colours – yes I’ve tampered with them on Photoshop through Levels and Saturation but being in the moment is incomparable, such a beautiful and peaceful place.

When I gaze upon the image on the left I not only look at the vividness but equally the composition. It almost seems like this image has already been framed by nature’s products – the ‘V’ that is made by the split log and the curve made by the arching trees breaking out of the moss-covered stone wall. Furthermore, the path winding through the earth into the background gives the increasing sense of a depth of field. This construction draws the viewers eyes to the boulder in the centre giving a sense of importance and meaning. To me it gives me a ‘Sword in the Stone’ vibe – If only there was a blade driven through the rock… Maybe it has already been taken?

The secondary image was an experiment of how macro my potentially non-macro lens could go… Nothing amazing I’m afraid, though the lens picked the details very well. 

After a few trips and stumbles I clambered up Burrow Tor, I looked back just to get a look at the lovely view. Though, instead of my eyes peering into the horizon, they were dragged down by the ground that I so casually walked on without thought. A higher angle shown how our foot print has worn through this land where it was once so natural. Most of us don’t really think the implications that we do to the environment – I’m a culprit! Honestly, I’m not sure if us walking here really made much of a difference if at all, but it still looks like the public has almost left deep cuts in the land that won’t be healing any time soon. 

An accidental shot made by a low ISO, none the less I think it was for the best – compositionally it works well as there is a clear foreground created by the boulders. I really like how the hedges break the image up into sections making the church the central subject of this photo. For anyone acquainted with the film ‘Psycho’ (1960) this images reminds me of the Bates house around the back of the motel, the church playing that role. In general, this image gives me a potent film noir/old-school horror connotation. That said, what is really going on in that church?…

Speaking of films… You know the Lion King? If you’re a 90’s kid you’ll know what I mean… Close your eyes, imagine Pride Rock (where the lions lived) but replace the lions with sheep. That’s right. This image more humours me rather than inspires me but I really needed to put this one up. I’m not one to take shots of wild animals but this one seemed quite happy for me to be a few meters away from him. I was mostly attracted to the contours of this image, the angle of the foreground with the horizon leading out in the background. Although, that really niggles me is that the background isn’t straight making the photo seeming a bit out of balance. None the less, what a majestic beast!

My favourite out of this session, I get commonly commented on how some of my images look more like a painting. I can really see it in this image from the ripples – especially in the top half of the picture. If you’ve read my earlier blogs you’ll know I’m a sucker for symmetry and this really does it for me. This image would be pretty uninteresting, but thanks to the movement by the goose and my continuous luck of the right timing, I captured a graceful billow from the water created by the vigorous grooming of this Canada Goose.
                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                             
A good example of taking a closer look at something. Usually difficult to do when rushing around, but once you remember to slow down and enjoy yourself, you realise the deeper beauty in things you take for granted in everyday life. This tree with a light layer of moss living on it creates a pathway up the tree – the angle of the image making the tree vertical rather than horizontal. To me it makes me feel as though I could put my foot into the picture and walk on the green path and stroll past the street-light like branches.

 

This is the last image of this little adventure I went on. This image gives me the sense that there is a lot of history – there is something more to the place. Not just human and animal interactions but from the trees as you can see all their branches broken off either from age or from a separate cause – man-made? Either way, historically it’s quite an interesting image from the perspective of someone with no knowledge of the location. The different tones of green particularly attracts me, from the top left the Sun is gently brushing it’s rays over the tree creating a beautiful emerald. The colour gradually darkens as it’s followed to the ground and finally into the bottom right corner where it’s almost completely shadowed to black.  
                                                                                                                              

The Globe Project.

This was my first self-directed project I’ve done in a long while. I was inspired by an image in a photography book I got for Christmas in 2013. The subject of the image was a glass ball, I began the search for one… A lot harder than you would think – seemed more like a conquest. Although, the last place I looked should have been the first – eBay. I was very excited for the arrival of this inanimate object, hopefully you can see why through these images.

This photo was taken at Smeaton’s Tower, Plymouth. Which as you will know if you’ve read my previous posts that it’s my home town. This was only a first shoot which I use as more of a learning curve or an experiment, I was quite surprised to get an image from my first shoot that I’d use as one of my final pieces. I really like the composition as I’m a massive symmetry geek when it comes to photography. Another aspect of the image is the contrast. Personally I try to stay away from dim and dank days but I was too excited when I got the ball delivered, thus my curiosity ruled over Mother Nature’s conjuring. As my aim I was trying to get the background slightly burred so a viewer would be able to decipher what the subject was without looking in the ball. A successful first shoot if I don’t say so myself!

 These two belong to my second shoot which was at Kitley nature path, Yealmpton. After my first shoot I really was in need of a spell good weather and a setting a lot less grey… I’m a sucker for greens, blues and browns. This beautiful, natural environment is just what I wanted as I desired to explore natural landscapes instead of man made objects. I began to think on the message behind this project and what the images could convey. The ball seems like it’s siphoned the environment and turned it into a small biome or microcosm. During this shoot, I kept thinking ‘This ball looks almost like Earth!’ and glass tends to be a very fragile material… So is our planet. Thus, the general connotation of these images is that our world is more fragile and beautiful than we care to think and it’s in our hands to change the damage we are currently causing. This is when I named my project ‘Globe’.

My favourite piece of all the Globe images. There are a few reasons why;
1. The contrast of the clouds, as the Sun brushes across them.
2.How the clouds meet the ball in the centre of the image along with the ground, almost like they are working in unison.
3. The level of the ground in the globe meets the level in the actual landscape.
4. The beautiful shades of blue.
5. I climbed up a Tor in Dartmoor, Devon. For those of you who don’t know what a Tor is… Best way I can describe it is like a mini mountain. It almost killed me – especially when it began to hail and I had to make it down this thing without losing my footing and breaking my neck! Though the view as you can see was worth the effort. I felt like there was noone else left on this Earth but me… In a good way!

My last image for this project for now, but I will be continuing this idea during the summer where I can get some sunsets/rises. Not a photo I would be using for my final piece though I just wanted to demonstrate what a reflection looks like in the globe. Again, more symmetry though this really does mess with your head trying to figure out which way is up! This was taken in Dartmoor again but another nature path in between two Tors as I thought I needed some flat land.

More from this project to come during the summer so stick around!

Into the Wilds.

During the winter of 2013, I went to many beautiful places filled with natural beauty with my family. The way I photograph depends a lot on my mood and where I am emotionally. From that winter up to now I’m very interested in natural beauty of our Planet and trying to put a little spin on it (Globe Project). These images were taken from Stover Park, Devon.

As a child I used to go to Stover to take the dogs on a trip with the family. This part of the park was by far my favourite as I used to run through here playing Lord of the Rings pretending to be a woodland Elf – embarrassing!! Though instead of shooting with my bow I’ve come back as a pacifist photographer shooting with my trusty Cannon. The colours of nature really do attract my eyes, the greens, browns, yellows and blues. I really like how the shadows made by the trees – splicing the colours and details of the ground so you’re able to examine and admire each section at a time.

Same forest, different angle but so nice to look at! When ever I’ve done ground level shots of trees before it always looks pretty standard although, I think I got the angle just right on this one. The contrast in this image is so strong, also the texture of the image almost looks like it’s been drawn in oil pastels. When looking at the tops of the trees bathing in the Sun’s rays with the pitch-blackness under the canopies to me looks more like it’s been drawn rather than photographed.

Again, pretty much the same location but at this point I’ve spent a few hours at this park so the Sun is a lot weaker – much easier to photograph. To me this image strikes me as a very warm and welcoming one, as the Sun’s rays are bending around the centre tree… Almost like the tree is receiving a hug! The Sun beam illuminating the leaves making a frame for itself creates a lovely natural composition and almost gives a more intimate relationship between the Sun and plants without getting into science which would seem almost soulless in this context.

Another example of the lush foliage of Stover Park filtering the radiance to create exceedingly attractive sun shafts. The dark and slightly blurred background really does set the contrast to depict the beauty of the greens, yellows and oranges that nature imprints on this image in the foreground. This picture was taken in the winter, though the light really does return some of the warmth to you that was gifted by summer.

I’ll finish this post off with a quaint macro image made by this family of mushrooms. I don’t usually do macro images but I’m glad I spotted this shot. The lush green colours are right up my alley – compositionally it works well too as the foreground almost splits the image in two to share the rest of the frame with the background.

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Exam and coursework during A Levels 2010 – 2012

These are a select few from many pieces I made during my A Levels. I’ve an abundance of images so it was pretty challenging to single them all down. None the less looking through these images was a livid burst of nostalgia for me which was an absolute pleasure, it was lovely to remember how this photography business fit rapidly but perfectly into my life.

To start it off we have a vintage shot created at my city’s train station. From recollection the origin of this image came from the word ‘Journey’ which was based on a self directed project. Though, unfortunately wasn’t the right image according to my tutor and needed something less obvious. None the less, I’ve always loved this style of photography, the image always strikes me with it’s depth of field which the tracks leave as they carve their way out of the station. To me the mood of the picture gives a sense of longing and loneliness.

This piece, as the others, was created during A Levels although was not related to any coursework. Just a fishing trip down a lake with my big brothers and dad during the summer – they done the hard work and I ran off in my own creative paradise. I’ve a few more images like this though this one by far is my favourite. I really love how the webs almost holding this dried up plant together contrasts against the shallow depth of field. It is really amazing the amount of detail a camera can pick up with a keen lens for close-up images.

In my opinion, not the most professional photo I’ve ever taken by really does strike off nostalgia of a wonderful evening with my family and my best friend. In Plymouth, each summer we have firework competitions on the pier – my dad takes my family and I out on the sailing boat so we have a lovely view without the loud crowds of excited children. This is one of my favourite pictures during this firework display. I particularly like how the couple of boats in front of us are silhouetted against the beautiful background that the fireworks create.

This was my first proper piece which was for my AS Level exam. I was presented a series of words of which I could pick from to base my self directed work on – I chose ‘Orange’. In the beginning I was looking more towards light pollution photography though I didn’t stagnate on that idea for too long as I’m not fond of city photography – much prefer natural side of things! Thus, my mind swiftly moved onto landscape photography namely sunsets. I captured a certain image when I visited London Wetlands Park, Roehampton which seemed exactly what I needed so I whacked it into Photoshop to over exaggerate the oranges in the photo. I was rather pleased with it but I needed something more. Which is where I came across the glass idea and turning my landscape into an orange beverage.

 

This beaut is my A2 Level exam final piece. While not at the time, now I much prefer this one over my ‘OrangenKopf’ piece in AS. The reason why is that you can see my Photoshopping skills where still evolving so it was quite risky to challenge something so heavy on editing luckily at that level I was able to pull it off! This piece is made up of 5 different shots of incense smoke in a pitch black room with a flash to light up the smoke to make it viewable. Then in Photoshop I inverted the colours so the background is white followed by a lot of layering, colour alterations, size changing and it was done! Although I usually do photography with a meaning or message behind it I really enjoyed the simplicity to change things up a bit.

Something New!

Hello and welcome! I’m Brett Lockwood and I’m an aspiring professional Photographer, my main style is manipulation both through editing and natural sources of which you will be able to depict from quite a few of my pieces. I began, as many of us do, quite casually. Though when I hit the age of 17 (going into A Levels) my passion of image making flared. Since then I’ve been trying new things and flexing my capability in the field while trying to get a little bit of recognition for my work.

This is just a brief part about me the rest of me you’ll be able to see in my work, hope you enjoy viewing and if you have any questions, comments or even criticism please do get in contact – your voice is very important!