Autumn & Spring Term Reflection

 

Now I would like to share my reflection about first and second term at DMU. I would like to share my thoughts what I have learned and how I developed throughout these terms, also what I would like to improve in the summer term. First term I had Researching & Recording Digital Arts Module when I had opportunity to delve into digital arts and gain new skills in this subject. I had opportunity to create my personal blog, where I was able to share my journey through Digital Arts and my future projects in Media. I begin with writing welcome post where I shared my thoughts about what was inspiring me at the beginning of my journey at DMU. As time going by it is very interesting for me what I have thought before. I started my research with my favorite painting of Romeo & Juliet, talked about love & passion. 

From writing my welcome post I have learned what is research and getting to know how to put my thoughts into "digital paper". 

Then we had an introduction into photography and its sequential images, I had a look at photographers such as Edward Muybridge, who is known from his movements images and Duane Michals, who uses poetical descriptions on his photos. I begin to create my small projects of sequential images. I have created the sequence using Canva software. What went well is the fact I was able to capture the movement. What I could improved is the quality of the images. 

                                                                         "White Car"

  

                                                                       "Squirrel & Star"

 What I have learned from this is the fact I started to know that with sequence of images we can tell the story. In between I created the post about my blog buddy, which is Christopher and within it I had opportunity to look at his journey through Digital Arts through his blog. For me it is interesting because his progression route is different that mine and it is Film Studies. I had an opportunity to see how he creates his own film. I was impressed by his sketches and drawing and also how he is thinking about connection between humanity and nature and expressing it by his work. 

                                                               photo by Krzysztof Trznadel

The next part of my studies were introduction into advertising, where I had opportunity to create my own perfume advert, created in Adobe Lightroom. I have learned that advertising is a big part of Media world. However, I gained new skills and started using Lightroom and its layers. I created the logo of the brand. I was happy that I created visual plan of my project using Canva and then was able to do create it in professional software. I could improved choosing different, lighter bottle and also work with fonts. 

Next part of my studies was to create my first Media Project. As my progression route will be an English language I have decided to write an article. I've been able to present my Initial Ideas to the project using Milanote online software. It was 1000 word article focuses on Polish traditions and culinary heritage of Polish cuisine. I had opportunity to highlight the region that I came from and to present the culinary aspect of it. I did an interview with my father and it was kind of journalist aspect. I have learned about important aspects of language. I gained new skills and start using Lucidpress software, which is designed to the writers. Also Flipsnack software for flipbooks, which, in combination, have a great effect on the publication of the finished project. 

                                          Article "Food of the Miners" - by Iwona Kaczmarczyk, 2021

In between doing my project I had an opportunity to create my personal brand website. During my studies I will be focusing on different forms of writing including Social Media. I created my logo and also set up an Instagram account. I worked on setting up Home Page, About me page and Contact Page. My website includes my Portfolio, where I am able to present my work. Also I had an opportunity for looking deeply at another artist and media producers. 

For me personally it was fantastic journey through the process of creation. I was surprised what I could do which a digital platform such as WIX.COM. I think my website looks professional and I'm not ashamed to say that it's not much different from many on the market. I see this as a good start to building my brand. What I could improved it is just few visual tweaks on my website also I would like to improve my profile image and make it looks more professional in terms of portrait photography. Also I've been able of self-evaluation of my website and also I did UX testing where I have created Google Form to get the feedback. 

Spring term was both exciting and busy. I begun second term with inspirational research about  photographer Daniel Kordan, which creates wonderful images of nature. 

                                           Kordan, D. (2020) Camargue horses. - DSC8591       

Then following by principles of photography. I have discovered and been able to analyze in depth Chris Killip exhibition - 1988-1990, which was the most important document of  terrible impact of de-industrialization on working-class towns in northern England throughout the 1970s and 1980s. I have completed "Derive in the city" task where I begin my journey with DLSR camera. I have learned about importance of manual settings. Then I started to work on my project including 10 photos with "The Urban Landscape" theme. I shared Contact Sheets, EXIF details on my blog and made an reflection of my pictures. 

                                          shadows and birds -  photo by Iwona Kaczmarczyk

 

Next part of my study were street photography where I have learned principles and been able to do my own street pictures. I was much interesting in restaurants windows. I think it was very interesting considering that I am passionate about restaurants. 

                                                     milkshakes -  photo by Iwona Kaczmarczyk

Next part of the photography course was to start work with the light. The main theme for shooting images was "Citizens of the city". I was surprised with the outcomes by working with different shutter speed settings. It was very exciting. I think I achieved kind of impressionist pictures. 

                                         citizens of the city - photo by Iwona Kaczmarczyk

Then was to touch architectural photography, where I have learned principles of composition, lines and patterns in street photography. What went well is the fact I live in beautiful city of Leicester where I could find architecture in many forms just around me. Would I would do different is to take all of different lenses to achieve better outcomes. 

                                      black and white house - photo by Iwona Kaczmarczyk

In between I had read and look at My Morocco (created by Bruno Barbey)  photobook, and did an exercise while working with composition. 

                                

I find this exercise very necessary to understand the importance of composition in photography. Also looking at the pictures of Morocco I could recall my trip to Morocco and Marrakech in 2019, when I still remember the smell of a Moroccan fruits and the spices there. 

In terms of next research I had a look into night shooting where I was inspired by Michael Palazzo - and his Venezia by Night - images. What I have learned from this it was importance on white balance and colors in pictures. 

                                               comfort zone - photo by Iwona Kaczmarczyk

 At the end of my photography journey I have learned how to edit my pictures. I have used Adobe Lightroom digital software. I was able to work with its tools and presets, also working with contrast and saturation. 

                                              soar's ghosts - photo by Iwona Kaczmarczyk

Next part of my intensive course was Creative Writing. Throughout my research into romanticism during two weeks I was able to write a prose in form of chapbook. My Chapbook is a romantic story based in 18th mid century. Describes relationship between Margaret and Edward. It includes poems that I wrote and beautiful illustrations. To create my chapbook I used Canva digital software. I think this is my best project ever. It is because of my romantic nature I've been able easily go with my imagination and create a beautiful story. What I could improve is a flow and vocabulary. Overall I was happy with the outcome. I presented my project as a flipbook using Flipsnack software. I can say I'm proud of this project. 

Foxglove poem by Iwona Kaczmarczyk

The last part of my media study was to create a five minute podcast. I have called it Food Around the World and continued to work with my passion for food. I have recorded and edited an interview with professional Romanian chef who is Nicolae Ungureanu. He talked about his journey to the Poland and sharing his thoughts about Polish food. I think the outcome is quite funny when he is trying to spell Polish food names. I have learned how to edit and compose audio files in Adobe Audition professional music editing software. Then I created promotional post on my Instagram and upload my podcast into the platform for hosting and streaming - Buzzsprout. What I could improve is time management of work in podcast and also needed more time for further developments. Overall I was quite happy with the outcome but know that I should work more for more professional outcome for example using professional microphone. 

 

Now I begin to understand how work in Media looks like. In my opinion it is mostly related to the audience while we we share our ideas and creativity. What I have learned once we create something the feedback from other people is very important, that we can have developments in our work. Also Media has a lot of aspects, it is writing, newspapers, photography, digital arts, podcasts and social media. I can choose on which area of Media I could focus on. I think I could work in self-publishing and this is what now interest me the most. I have chosen an English language as my progression route to set up an excellent base for future writing. Perhaps, in the future I will be studying also creative writing as an addition. I'm very happy I have touched all of important aspects of media and I'm sure there is a lot of more to discover. For example I'm interested in Culinary Photography and I'm planning to take a professional course next year! Also what I discovered is the fact I like to write. Even though there is still a lot of work with the grammar and sentence construction I enjoy writing a lot! What changed is the fact I slowly would like to show up to the audience and for that I set up an Instagram account. Even my black and white cat already have one! Also I think about creating blog with culinary recipes. Overall during this two terms I have learned a lot of technical skills that in the future will help me to express my ideas and creativity. What I would like to improve for next term is definitely time management and be sure I'm on track with my work.