“Home” means…week 2

Unit 2.2 Photographic images - Documentary photography

What “Home” means to me…

When I was a little girl my home was always a place where I was growing up, being raised by my parents and constantly surrounded by my family relatives and my closest friends as well as my toys, books and garden. My parents never moved house and I could’ve never imagined calling another place “home”. Now, having my own family and having moved around the world many times, I realised my “home” is a place where my family is…..no matter which part of the world. My “home” is a place where me and my family feel happy and safe.

In this photographic project I portrayed my home during the pandemic using the documentary photography style - providing straightforward representation of objects. I concentrated on still objects, places inside my home. All my images are taken with my camera Nikon Z6. Most of them are black and white as to me b&w photos are more honest and less chaotic.

I took many images and this is my selection of some of them.

Image 1

Shutter speed 1s, f/11, ISO 200 (Nikkor Z14-30mm f/4S)

Shooting in the morning allowed plenty of light here. I like black and white photography and I find it very powerful especially for documentary photography. It gives me a feeling of honesty. Why this shot? The framed photograph on the console table represents memories from summer, taking pictures on a beach very early in the morning. Next to the the framed picture there are plenty of Dettol products - spray, gel, wipes, air spray - so much needed during the pandemic. It seems like a cruel irony to have those products next to the beach memories. As for the composition I captured repeated doors here - foreground and background, opposite corners and both with reflection. I used aperture f/11 to capture everything clearly. Tripod was also needed for a long shutter speed.

Image 2

Shutter speed 1/50s, f/6.3, ISO 560 (Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8S)

It was my Ocado delivery day. I captured my morning shopping on the floor by the front door. I took this image from the floor angle to highlight my new way of grocery shopping during the pandemic. The mirror reflects an entrance to another room and I like the repetition of the dark frames. Aperture is f/6.3 in order to leave the other room in the background.

Image 3

Shutter speed 1/200s, f/5.6, ISO 9000 (Nikkor Z 24-70mm, f/2.8S)

I took the advantage of snowing that day and captured my adorable dog reflected in the mirror. The whole story is in the mirror. Bailey was waiting for me to go out and visibly he didn’t understand what I’m doing. The lighting wasn’t perfect so my picture is a bit “noisy” but because this is a documentary photo I’m fine with that.

Image 4

Shutter speed 13s, f/11, ISO 125 (Nikkor Z 24-70mm, f/2.8S)

It’s evening, before bedtime….I don’t have a natural daily light here so to get a clear picture I used a tripod, a long shutter speed 13s, f/11 and ISO 125. This picture gives us some information about my son who loves football and the framed football dress is just one of many on his walls. He also loves music and plays drums. Behind the doors there is his study corner. On the wall there are visible two pictures with places we all like and we’ve been to. These are our reminders that one day we will be travelling again.

Image 5

Shutter speed 1/40s, f/5, ISO 100 (Nikkor Z 14-30mm, f/4S)

Afternoon sun created some long shadows on the floor. I like this corner with “a lazy” chair and the modern lamp in our kitchen. For us the kitchen is a main family hub, almost everything is happening in the kitchen. On the window sill I grow my favourite herbs and in a month from now almost all window sills will be covered by different types of plants and herbs. Bailey loves looking out and barking at squirrels. I took this picture from Bailey’s level.

Image 6

Shutter speed 1/50s, f/5.6, ISO 11400 (Nikkor Z 24-70mm, f/2.8S)

Again I used an afternoon sun reflection in my husband’s study. I managed to put three important and meaningful things to us on one picture. I intended to focus on the James Bond’s book collection (behind glass bookcase) when I noticed the reflection of our painting (on the opposite wall) and motorbike. On the right hand side there is sunlight coming through the window to the room. I didn’t use the tripod here so there the image is a bit grainy but I like it in this particular image.

Some other images I took: