Environments with Purpose
The Beauty of Purposeful Placement in Environmental Photography
Welcome to this week's edition of The Carty Method Magazine!
In our latest photo assignment, we invited photographers to create captivating Environmental Image within their niche.
This challenge called for images that tell a compelling story by weaving together a person, place, or thing within its natural environment.
Ready to be inspired by some stunning hero shots from this week's Photo of the Week winners?
Let’s dive in!
Assignment Brief
CARTY gives a tight brief at the end of his photo review shows which tells us shooters what we have to shoot exactly for the following weeks review.
Here is this assignment exactly how he shares it.
“This weeks Assignment: Make an Environmental Image”
“Create an image that incorporates a person, place, or thing within its natural environment.
For portrait shooters, this could be someone in their workspace or home.
For places shooters, it could be an architectural or landscape shot.
For things shooters, it could be a product integrated into its relevant setting."
This is a Vertical assignment.
Micheal Stimatze
What inspired you to choose this particular subject for your environmental image?
We usually work alone on these jobs, but this time it was a large project so they sent in another field inspector.
That was really only motivation or inspiration I needed - a coworker on the roof with me.
Did the environment evoke a particular feeling for you during the shoot? How did you channel that into the image?
Not so much the environment, but having a partner did inspire some emotions.
Grateful to have to do the job solo, happy that the guy they sent with me was a good guy.
So I wanted to shoot him as a hero.
What lighting conditions did you work with, and how did they shape the final photograph?
It was on a roof during an overcast afternoon.
Natural lighting was all I used.
What did you learn from this assignment that you’ll carry forward into future projects?
Carty's feedback is always invaluable.
I shot from too low of an angle, I should have stepped to the left a step or two, and my crop was just a little too tight.
I will apply these tips (or try to) in the future.
What advice would you give to others tackling an assignment like this for the first time?
Pay attention to the fundamentals, make sure your subject is in focus and all that. Pick the frame that you like the most and send it.
Then release ALL emotional attachments to that photo and listen to what Carty tells you on how to improve.
Listen, apply the feedback, improve your photography - simple as that.
Honest feedback from a pro who isn't trying to stroke your ego can hurt your feelings.
Accept that and you will improve!
Social Media Handles:
Instagram:
Andy Philips
What inspired you to choose this particular subject for your environmental image?
I wanted to create a photo that had that "Mike Rowe Dirty Jobs" feeling that could be used as a base line for a upcoming promotional poster.
Did the environment evoke a particular feeling for you during the shoot? How did you channel that into the image?
Being able to create a dark and moody vibe helped portray that feeling any baker feels who finds themselves in a bakery at 4am day after day.
What lighting conditions did you work with, and how did they shape the final photograph?
I turned out all the lights in the room and relied on two of my Godox sk400.
They were positioned parallel to my shoulders and a catch light in front of me to reduce the dark shadows in the center of my face.
My body position was the bigger challenge as I was running from the camera to photo position while using my 10 second timer allowing me to get back into the photo position.
If my body position was off by any amount the shadow details of the picture changed radically
What did you learn from this assignment that you’ll carry forward into future projects?
As noted above having the lighting and "model" being photographed ....its crucial their place or settings are easily repeatable.
What advice would you give to others tackling an assignment like this for the first time?
Keep shooting....
I took probably 30 plus photos before I accepted a photo that was hitting a level I was aiming for.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: andyphillipscreativestudio
Best In Show
Monicka Petroczy
What inspired you to choose this particular subject for your environmental image?
I've been walking by my neighbor Pollys house on my way to the beach several times a week and introduced myself when I saw her sitting in the sun frequently.
I noticed her tanned face with deep lines, listened to her funny stories and asked her if I could maker her portrait.
She said "Yes but you might break the camera!" and laughed.
Did the environment evoke a particular feeling for you during the shoot? How did you channel that into the image?
Polly was at home, absorbing the warmth of the sun which she does often.
She’s comfortable in her walker chair.
She told me stories of her youth, laughing as she talked about fishing a shark out of the water.
I think she really enjoyed having someone listen to her stories and thus the vibe...she didn't want to let me leave after an hour!
What lighting conditions did you work with, and how did they shape the final photograph?
It was bright afternoon sun, which is particularity hard light, but I figured it would be a sort of Rembrandt light and accent her facial features her laugh lines.
The shade of her porch would have been more ideal but she prefers the warm sun.
What did you learn from this assignment that you’ll carry forward into future projects?
I attempted to blur the background with a shallow depth of field; I could have removed more background distractions in post.
With a 50mm, I have to be careful about how far away I am from my subject with a shallow depth of field.
If 9m too far, the back of her head will be out of focus.
What advice would you give to others tackling an assignment like this for the first time?
When you get an assignment, ask people to make their portrait even if you feel shy about it or you're putting them out...you'll be surprised at how many people say YES.
I practice shooting with new lenses or techniques with a stuffed animal or a pet at home before I get in front of people, so I'm prepared when I meet them.
I always mess up at least one thing, even if minor, so I try to shoot more frames than I think I need.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram:
Nick Johnson
What inspired you to choose this particular subject for your environmental image?
Tee is my makeup artist and hairstylist and also one of the owners of a barbershop I shoot for regularly.
When this assignment popped up I immediately thought of popping by the shop to take some photos of the barbers in action, as well as some individual portraits.
Did the environment evoke a particular feeling for you during the shoot? How did you channel that into the image?
The shop is always busy and everyone keeps the banter lively, so I wanted an image that while posed, had a very spontaneous feel.
What lighting conditions did you work with, and how did they shape the final photograph?
There's a lot of both artificial and natural light present - a grid of LED lighting that pretty much covers the ceiling keeps the shop pretty bright, and the large windows let me balance everything effectively simply by moving her closer to the window for fill.
What did you learn from this assignment that you’ll carry forward into future projects?
Some feedback I got was just related to placement within the environment to avoid minor distractions in the background, as well as hand placement to avoid curled fingers etc.
What advice would you give to others tackling an assignment like this for the first time?
Don't be heavy handed with your lighting when shooting environmental images.
Your lighting should serve the environment and enhance it rather than overpower and effectively make it a studio shot.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: nickjohnsonphoto
Website: nickjohson.net
Cynthia Lilly
What inspired you to choose this particular subject for your environmental image?
I do a lot of work in the Caribbean & all of my projects are in luxury real estate.
I felt this pool situated on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean was the perfect subject based on its location.
Did the environment evoke a particular feeling for you during the shoot? How did you channel that into the image?
The natural beauty of the landscape is epic, so I chose to frame it to show just a hint of the house, the native vegetation & the Atlantic Ocean.
What lighting conditions did you work with, and how did they shape the final photograph?
I shot this in natural light in the middle of the day.
What did you learn from this assignment that you’ll carry forward into future projects?
Keep pushing to create beautiful images that open more doors in photographing luxury properties.
What advice would you give to others tackling an assignment like this for the first time?
Ask yourself every time if someone would pay you for the photo you’re creating.
If your first instinct is no, then find another subject.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: cyn_lilly_photo
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Carty is a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.
His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.
👉🏾 Mindset Shifts and Immersive Pro Education on YouTube 👈🏾
Learn more about him and see his work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com
Join his photographer’s community 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com/community
Work with Him 👉🏾 theCartyMethod.com
The Carty Method Instagram @TheCartyMethod