A Double Diamond Design…

This year the Photography course got a major redesign to turn it into a ‘Design’ course, and as such our year was the first to be introduced to the ‘Double Diamond Design’ process to teach us the design methodology of creating photographs using brainstorming techniques, research, focus groups and feedback, etc. Ultimately an entire semester leading up to one final image.

Working to the brief of creating an image to entice people back to public events I came up with an image based on a local comedy show Improv DND, and set about going through the process of developing the concept and shooting for the final image.

The glory of the shoot.

After prototyping and feedback based on the idea of a giant COVID ball surrounded by D&D miniatures, I crafted the prop out of a polystyrene ball and cylindrical cardboard container from Spotlight, a bit of PVC pipe, and some push pins from Officeworks painted red. After some trail and error with the speedlites and exposure I was able to create the final image.

Defeat the Final Boss

Whilst I’m overall happy with the result but there are always improvements to be made or things I would change if I were to ever reshoot. Specifically I’d change the grid to a hexagonal style to avoid some the parallaxing issues that I struggled to frame properly, especially with the bowing of the base of the COVID ball making it frustrating to stand straight up. I also struggled with deciding to include the text or not, whilst it adds to the overall message and makes it direct I was worried it would distract from the overall photography. Ultimately I felt it had to be included to give it the much needed context and hopefully delivers the intended message.

S