Assignment two: People and activity

The object of this assignment was to plan and execute a set of images of people in some form of meaningful activity.
I arranged to take photographs for the organisers of the Marie Curie Santa Dash fund raising run within Glasgow City Centre..  This involved 3000 people running 5km through the City Centre starting and finishing in George Square.  The event has been scheduled in December 2010 but due to the inclement weather at that time it had been postponed until January 2011.

After some thought I proposed to capture, what I thought were, the significant points of the day.  These were:

1. The Start
2. A feeling that it was a family event
3. A feeling that anyone could participate
4. A sense of the number of runners participating
5. A linked photograph to the charity
6. The finish

The first objective would involve taking images of mothers, fathers and children participating
The second would involve trying to capture elderly, young, fit, unfit, male and female runners
The third would involve taking a photograph at distance using a telephoto lens, creating compression and a feeling of the large number of runners.
The forth would involve a photograph taken of the runners behind a banner showing the Marie Curie logo.

During the race I took over 500 images, 10 of which of which are reproduced here.

I took the above photograph to showing the father and son to show that this was a family event.  I think that the moment is captured in this image with the young child giving, what looks like, an "OK" sign albeit, I think he is just waving.  The background however look a but busy to me and maybe a deeper depth of field, bringing the runner in the background into focus would have been better. In saying that the viewers attention is taken straight to the father and son as they are in focus.

The above photograph was also taken, showing mother and daughter, to portray this was a family event.  I feel that the depth of field is better in this photograph as it gives an appreciation of where it was taken.  It may be that the police office in the background may detract from the image and perhaps if it was taken before he came into frame the composition would benefit. 

The above photograph was taken to show that anyone could participate, young and old, and that it was a fun event.  The expression on the girl's face along with her cheeky smile tells all that need to be told.  I would have rather had the child on her right looking forward as well as the back of her head detracts from the overall image.

The above photograph was taken to show that anyone could participate, fit or unfit, and that it was a fun event.  I feel again for different reasons the runners smiling face really give expression and laughter to the photograph. I feel that the shallow depth of field works well in this case.

The above photograph was taken to show that anyone could participate, old and young.er to the photograph. I feel that the depth of field works well in this case but I think I should have encouraged a happier expression.  This gentleman told me that he was 71 years-of-age.

The above image was to show the number of participants in the run.  I had decided prior to the run starting I would go ahead of the runners as they would have to climb the hill giving me a vantage point above them.  I used the 200mm telephoto lens so that the photograph would be compressed.  I think the composition is good but the quality is lost as the image has been cropped to accentuate the density of the runners.  Also I think that the focal point is too far down the runners and should be focused on the leaders.

 As the previous image was to show the number of participants in the run.  I had decided prior to the run starting I would go ahead of the runners as they would have to climb the hill giving me a vantage point above them.  I used the 200mm telephoto lens so that the photograph would be compressed.  I think the composition is good but the quality is lost as the image has been cropped to accentuate the density of the runners.  Also I think that the focal point is too far down the runners and should be focused on the leaders.

The above image captured the youngest competitor as he and his father crossed the finish line. I feel that the composition is good with the  father taking up the right had side of the frame and the baby center stage with the "Santa Dash" clearly visible.

 This image was taken to show the cause for which the runners were supporting.  I think that I should have invoked some enthusiasm in the Santa behind the banner as they show the effects of a long day! The idea of incorporating the banner came too late and I think I should have incorporated it in photographs of people crossing the finish line rather than gathering these hard pressed volunteers.

The above photograph shows the finish line with the compare thanking the participants as the crossed the line. 

In summary I felt that I had achieved most of the goals I had set at the beginning of the assignment and had carried it out to a reasonable standard portraying the days events and capturing the salient points. 

If the oportunity came along again there is no question that the images I took would be better particularly with depth of field in certain circumstances and focal points. 

I also feel that on some occasions I shot my images too quickly and should have though more of the settings I was using.