Portraits
Statement of intent
My chosen theme is portraits. I have chosen this because I am interested in creating double exposure portraits. For my research I intend to look at other portrait photographers who have done double exposure as this will give me an example of how to create an image and what is already available, it will also give me some inspiration. The first person I will research for double exposure photography will be Dan Mountford as his style of work to me is unique and stands out from other photographer who work in that style. His work stood out the most when researching double exposure as he use black and white images and he uses reflection in his work. I like how he creates the image with a subtle outline.
The location I intend to use for this shoot is a studio set up in a room. As I have most of the equipment I need to create a professional set up. For example tripod, back drop and lights.
There are many styles of portrait. An example of one would be traditional. Traditional portraits are just pictures of people looking at the camera. In these pictures the people are showing their facial expression .They are mainly taken for personal use to display in a house, like family portraits or school portraits. Or used to capture a special moment or event of someone life.
I intend to take some pictures outside on location because this will allow me to have different backgrounds this will all so give me the opportunity to show off my camera skills, I will have to change my setting as I will be capturing natural light giving me a variety of pictures.
I will need a camera, a tripod, artificial lighting and a background. For my outside shoots I will need a camera. The camera settings I will use will depend on what type of shoot that I am currently doing and the lighting of the location. This means that I will constantly have to check the quality of my pictures to make sure that they are at the standards I have made for myself. An example of an outside location is Salford Quays.
I plan to use Photoshop to help refine my work. I will edit my photographs using the tools provide from the software. I am confident using the tools to change the colour and to crop images. I will also look up different tutorials videos to help me gain new skills in Photoshop. I will refined my camera skills by selecting my best worst as this will show my journey clearly when view my portfolio.
I aim to produce a portfolio of work demonstrating my personal response to the theme portrait and will display the final images as a gallery of my best chosen pictures.
I want to create work that will grasped the attention of the audience as they will feel as though my work is unusual and I want them to question why this has been captured in that style.
The location I intend to use for this shoot is a studio set up in a room. As I have most of the equipment I need to create a professional set up. For example tripod, back drop and lights.
There are many styles of portrait. An example of one would be traditional. Traditional portraits are just pictures of people looking at the camera. In these pictures the people are showing their facial expression .They are mainly taken for personal use to display in a house, like family portraits or school portraits. Or used to capture a special moment or event of someone life.
I intend to take some pictures outside on location because this will allow me to have different backgrounds this will all so give me the opportunity to show off my camera skills, I will have to change my setting as I will be capturing natural light giving me a variety of pictures.
I will need a camera, a tripod, artificial lighting and a background. For my outside shoots I will need a camera. The camera settings I will use will depend on what type of shoot that I am currently doing and the lighting of the location. This means that I will constantly have to check the quality of my pictures to make sure that they are at the standards I have made for myself. An example of an outside location is Salford Quays.
I plan to use Photoshop to help refine my work. I will edit my photographs using the tools provide from the software. I am confident using the tools to change the colour and to crop images. I will also look up different tutorials videos to help me gain new skills in Photoshop. I will refined my camera skills by selecting my best worst as this will show my journey clearly when view my portfolio.
I aim to produce a portfolio of work demonstrating my personal response to the theme portrait and will display the final images as a gallery of my best chosen pictures.
I want to create work that will grasped the attention of the audience as they will feel as though my work is unusual and I want them to question why this has been captured in that style.
Mind map
Dan Mountford
I have chosen these images from Dan Mountford as this is the style of work I would like to try and recreate, I have chosen him as my first photographer as I feel his work stood out to me the most. I will also look at other photographers who I feel will inspire me and help me create my personal response to the theme portrait.
Photography research
Katie Thompson
Context
"Katie Thompson is a fashion and portrait photographer that works between Chicago and New York, and is someone that understands the importance of good light in an image. In this series, she wanted to explore the ideas of self-perception and body-image, topics which has said she finds fascinating. By using strategically placed mirrors she was able to create the distorted image of her model, which she said she found to still be beautiful, but carried the darker undertone of the topic she was exploring."
I found this info on the following website
https://www.thephoblographer.com/2013/01/30/exploring-self-perception-via-broken-mirrors/
I found this info on the following website
https://www.thephoblographer.com/2013/01/30/exploring-self-perception-via-broken-mirrors/
Composition
In the image you can see the rule of thirds has been used the image of the face on the left hand side to me shows the eye on the sweet spot. The face is made up of two pieces of mirror the top piece shows the section of the face that has been manipulated it is sharp however the image underneath is blurred and looks distorted. The image has not been created like a jigsaw piece as there is not an empty space for the piece to go. It also does not have the lips on the top piece which makes me think that if the broken mirror was placed on top of the original image it would not line up correctly.
The right hand side of the image is made up of six circles that has been placed in a certain composition to make up a face but the face created is not in proportion. Again the colour black has been used in one small circle it has been placed on the right of the image which my eye is drawn to.
The photographer to me has used a fast shutter speed to capture the essence of the image and make it very clear to the eye. it is a studio shot so that the photo can be very easily manipulated into the spirited lively background shown above. Photoshop has been used to fix up minor details such as softening the harsh lines around the face or making the colors pop out more in order for the image to be noticeable to its audience.
Connections
Most of my images are grounded in people. I look for the unguarded moment. experience etched on a person's face. This inspires me to take photos of unique things like broken glass. Its amazing how she has thought of such an idea it makes it so appealing to the eye. I would like to do the same using a canon camera to take photos of something that's related to Katie Thompson photography. I will follow the theme of disturbing and compelling. I like the way how the frames have been shot and cut out for that sweet touch to the photos
Comment
In my opinion I really like her work because the contrast and the shade in her photography makes the images stand out she also has a unique style of taking pictures like cropping the images and the rule of thirds this also another reason I like her photography. she uses a shallow depths of field which is really good. and also the way she makes the mirror like a puzzle using photoshop.
Paul Apalkin
Context
This photography was taken by Paul Apalkin and its a portrait one of the things he focuses on.
I have not been able to find that much info on this photographer but I really like this image
I have not been able to find that much info on this photographer but I really like this image
Composition
The woman in the photo also looks fragile and almost weak, which is indicated through the very small subtle tattoo, dark nails and thin loose hair, the use of more arms implies that she can she can barely hold up the mirror and that someone is helping; this implies she has little strength. The person in the mirror could be the person she wants us to see and the other hand could be of that persona. Her eyes in the photo are bold and dark as if she is in charge and not afraid to directly face the camera whereas the image not in the mirror is in profile and turned away from the camera.
Looking at this image I can see that the mirror is in the foreground which draws your attention to the model’s eyes. The middle ground is dark around the edges but lighter around the model’s body. This background helps to frame the model and add interest. However, it is a shallow depth of field and so there is not a distance to this image. In my opinion there are strong leading lines formed by the hand coming into shot, the models arm and the Sharpe edges of the mirror. The lines also make the head in line with the glass reflection, which creates a strong image and brings out a sense of danger. The photographer has used the rule of thirds in the top third of the image. Here we can see the model’s eyes, arm and body, by using this technique the eyes stand out.
Because the image is in black and white it makes the background blend and adds contrast which makes the image look quite stylish. This is something I might try in my own work. The black and white create strong shadows that give form and shape to the image.
In my opinion, I think they have used Photoshop to add the reflection into the broken mirror which adds a sense mystery as the reflection is looking the other way. To do this I think they have used a black & white filter and the lasso tool to drop the image onto a new layer.
The lighting is coming from the bottom right hand corner and is quite soft, this makes me realize it is a studio shot. The lighting is darker around the edges which helps to frame the shot. In my opinion I think the ISO was on 400, WB could have been on indoor light and I think the camera would have been on a tripod because the lighting was quite dark which means a slower shutter speed.
The photo is quite tightly cropped which again draws you into the photo and you feel that you could reach out and touch her.
Looking at this image I can see that the mirror is in the foreground which draws your attention to the model’s eyes. The middle ground is dark around the edges but lighter around the model’s body. This background helps to frame the model and add interest. However, it is a shallow depth of field and so there is not a distance to this image. In my opinion there are strong leading lines formed by the hand coming into shot, the models arm and the Sharpe edges of the mirror. The lines also make the head in line with the glass reflection, which creates a strong image and brings out a sense of danger. The photographer has used the rule of thirds in the top third of the image. Here we can see the model’s eyes, arm and body, by using this technique the eyes stand out.
Because the image is in black and white it makes the background blend and adds contrast which makes the image look quite stylish. This is something I might try in my own work. The black and white create strong shadows that give form and shape to the image.
In my opinion, I think they have used Photoshop to add the reflection into the broken mirror which adds a sense mystery as the reflection is looking the other way. To do this I think they have used a black & white filter and the lasso tool to drop the image onto a new layer.
The lighting is coming from the bottom right hand corner and is quite soft, this makes me realize it is a studio shot. The lighting is darker around the edges which helps to frame the shot. In my opinion I think the ISO was on 400, WB could have been on indoor light and I think the camera would have been on a tripod because the lighting was quite dark which means a slower shutter speed.
The photo is quite tightly cropped which again draws you into the photo and you feel that you could reach out and touch her.
Connection
He effectively uses the mirror to reveal this. Its also mysterious because there are too many arms in the photo graph which leaves you wondering and questioning who the other person is. The dark background of the photo also adds to the darker atmosphere. The calm and darker mood create a bigger contrast.
Comment
I also like this image because I think this photo was inspired by the title conceptual as it's different a bit odd and quirky and quite abstract. I think the mood of this photo is mystery and confusion and also a sense of being on edge. I think this is because i think the mirror is showing that you can't always see everything, but it doesn't mean it isn't there.
Lee Friedlander
Context
Lee Friedlander was an American photographer and an artist. Within Friedlander's work the most noticeable thing which is emphasized in a lot of his images when focusing on reflections is that they are mainly store front reflections which would consist of areas of street signs, posters, vehicles and etc. Another one of the key factors I have noticed simply through observation of his images is that within his work a figure/s are always present.
I have found this image on this website
https://www.all-about-photo.com/photographers/photographer/10/lee-friedlander
connection
In my own personal view, Friedlander transferred the way of viewing the city in his photography in some of his images by some how showing a contrast in lifestyle. In a creative sense some of the images showcase quite upscale store fronts whereas the reflections that you see highlighted in the image show a completely different lifestyle on the spectrum with fragments of urban houses and so forth. It is clear that Friedlander purposefully photographed his subjects to portray something as most of his images slightly have a repeated pattern.
composition
The use of the formal elements is emphasized throughout his images and they play a key part in the organization of his shots. The main formal elements Friedlander has focused on purely based on observation is line, composition and colour. It is clear that Friedlander has purposefully chosen to shoot his images in black and white as it is a clear theme he strongly continues throughout his set of images. Visually, I would argue that Friedlander may have chosen to do this as I feel as though the amount of visual information that is being displayed throughout his images is enough to communicate with to the audience in black and white rather than it being overshadowed from the use of colour. I also feel like it because the image being in black and white gives the reflection so much more credit than colour would as it is enough to clearly showcase the skill of the photographer and it shows how the reflection plays an important role as a fundamental feature within their work.
I think he set up a tripod stand, so when someone walked past he took the shot making this image a lucky shot. You can tell it has been taken along time ago because of the clothing and the style of car in the background.
He has used the rule of third by placing the glass window in the foreground with a reflection of a women's face on, the lady walking is the mid ground then there is a crowd of people and a car as the background. The dark and light tones he has captured makes me look at the reflection first which has taken up half of the image as if it was split in two creating a mirror image of the lady walking. But he has added a silhouette of the side of a women face that appears darker. This could be a close up of a reflection of a different women's face glancing in the window. The way he has used tone make it standout more than the rest of the detail in the photograph. The women's head who is walking has been placed on the sweet spot even the placing of the reflection on the other side is placed on the sweet spot. The camera angle looks straight on as though it has been placed at eye level. through the viewers eyes.
comment
I like Friedlander's work because I like the way he has used the reflation and how he used black and white to show us everything looks better in black and white this is similar to my work as I use reflection and black and white images
First shoot plan
I am starting this project by taking inspiration from Alex Webb to me he uses colour as a way to attract peoples attention and make people be drawn to one place. I am going to try and recreate images in the style of his work.
Salford Quays is where I want my location to be as I feel it will make a bright and colorful surrounding. Hopefully the weather will be good and the sun will be out as I want my images to show the sun reflecting on objects and make the images nice and bright. The way he uses pastel colors in his work I feel is what the eye is drawn to.
The equipment I will be using is a Canon camera which may be put onto a tripod so I can get a series of images in the same exact location. My camera will be set to manual this will mean I will have to adjust my camera settings every time I take a photograph. Taking in to account White balance, F-stop and ISO. I will then use photoshop so I am able to achieve the final product.
Salford Quays is where I want my location to be as I feel it will make a bright and colorful surrounding. Hopefully the weather will be good and the sun will be out as I want my images to show the sun reflecting on objects and make the images nice and bright. The way he uses pastel colors in his work I feel is what the eye is drawn to.
The equipment I will be using is a Canon camera which may be put onto a tripod so I can get a series of images in the same exact location. My camera will be set to manual this will mean I will have to adjust my camera settings every time I take a photograph. Taking in to account White balance, F-stop and ISO. I will then use photoshop so I am able to achieve the final product.
Salford Quay
Zuhair
Best |
worst |
This is my best because it is in focused and clear your eye is drawn to the person and the model is also wear a similar colour to the background.
|
This is my worst because it is out of focused causing the face to have a smudge look and the lighting is poor.
|
Best |
Worst |
There is nothing covering the models face therefore you can see his facial expression clearly. The image is clear and in focus. I like how I have captured the background and how the metal shines.
|
I asked the model to use his camera but when I seen the image I realized the models face is fully covered making the image bad as his expression can not be seen. It is also slightly out of focused.
|
BestThis is my best image because the lighting is covered by the leaf's making the model look like he is covered in leaves. The shadow has created shadows of the leaves making the image more interesting.
|
WorstThis is my worst image because the image is out of focus and also because it is vertical its hard to fit in the hole picture I wanted to take.
|
Joshua
BestThis is my best because I told the model to move his hand on purpose to make it look good and it turn out good now your eye is drawn to his hand his hand looks like its see through.
|
WorstThis is my worst because as you can see I tried to do the same thing as my best image but the model moved to fast and also my shutter speed wasn't on the right setting causing the whole image to blur.
|
Patel
Love music Meisa
Rebellion
umair + zuhair
After school glass images
When I was researching portrait photography I came across Paul Apalkin. I wanted to use his technique of mirrors as I liked how they create an unusual finish. He has the image of the model facing sideways but the eyes are forward looking straight. Making the image appear abstract. I wanted to recreate his style in my work.
For this shoot I wanted to capture images in broken mirrors as I wanted to use the influence from Paul Apalkin and create a final image on Photoshop.
Here I have taken some portrait photographs using a plain background as I have found when working on Photoshop it is easier to manipulate an image if there is minimal background captured as it is easier to select your subject better and more accurately.
Edits using Photoshop
Double exposure
Before |
Final |
For this edit I have created a subtle double exposure effect on my model , I like how it has given texture to the models face.
Mr. Forbes
Before |
Final |
Video I used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOYz669WNpU&t=233s
As you can see I changed the background image because it wasn't going to work I needed it to do something else. I also used the tutorial because I wanted to use a mountain as back ground image.
Patel + flowers
The video I used : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRREbCo83b0
As you can see the steps I did for this photoshop isn’t here, this is because when I uploaded the images the files got mixed up causing the pictures to mix up the original. The steps got deleted.
leaf's
This is the tutorial I used
I used this tutorial because it has the png flies. I also like this method as I feel it gives the message of there is a lot gong on in our head which people don't see. This is like a glimpse of the chaos inside our heads. |
|
I
Steps on Photoshop
Playing with colour
Here I have taken my final image and changed the background to give a different effect to my edit design.
Final
My final image gallery
I need to make the photoshop images I did to stand out by adding vibrant colors also I need to add some text and also I need to say why this image is personals to me also I want to try having a black and white image and adding vibrant colors to it. and also shapes could look good in them black and white image i have tried double exposer and I really like it I also want to explode faces and put some stuff I think is important and worrying to others so my final image is going to be ether double exposer or head exploding . I am going to to show how teen agers have depression by showing there emotions.
Mood board to help inspire final idea
Here I have selected 3 pictures that I feel show depression in different way for example the first image to me show someone with no emotion like a rock inside and it is showing emptiness. The second one is falling apart and the third is showing us that life is to busy and chaotic and cant switch off to me he is covering his face so he can run away from it.
depression
Evaluation
My main theme was portrait I have chosen 2 project themes. 1 of them is about a broken glass and that broken glass is showing someone's true emotions and the 2 theme is exploding someone's emotions and showing the youth that everyone has stress and if you have any stress there is help.
I make these edits by using photoshop. this allowed me to be creative by showing what I can edit and control and what I can make out of the techniques I have mastered.
In this project I really enjoy the photoshop techniques bit of it because it lets me explore my imagination and shows other people what I am going though and what other teens my age are going though. I really think photoshop is interesting because it lets you explore your imagination.
I also have learnt a lot of techniques like cut and copy and also cropping an image before I started photoshop I didn't know what to do I only knew how make a picture black and white I didn't even know the shortcut to do that yet I had to do it the long way.
I would also like to learn new photoshop edits and by this I'll like to have 1 lesson to look through YouTube for the best edit I think is good to make a point. I have researched a lot of photographers but one that I really like it was Lee Friedlander he is a very good photographer he specializes in reflection and I am currently making a photoshop using mirror reflection and I think I'm going to continue with it.
I think the most impressive photoshop image I made was the face explosion because from that it gave me impression that I can do a-lot of thing using photoshop and to never limit myself. The only problem with the photoshops I do is that it takes around 2-4 lesions and we don't have that much time to do the photoshop.
But after 2 edits I managed to find a similar version and I did not miss anything out. The easier way is using shortcuts and trust me it is much easier.
The thing that I would do differently is starting one photoshop and make my mind up quicker because I wasted valuable time which I would really like to use now. There was no negatives to this project but there were failures a lot of failures but with these failures came a lot of final outcomes which is a high grade work. What I would do differently next time is being set on what project I want to do straight away and not keep changing because when I changed it I had to do twice the work of getting more evidence.
I also want to learn how to set up lighting and make my images look the best to there standards lighting is a big thing in photography because it shows the glow in your photos and if you decide to turn them images to black and white then that would make the lighting shine on there there face and make it look good.
I make these edits by using photoshop. this allowed me to be creative by showing what I can edit and control and what I can make out of the techniques I have mastered.
In this project I really enjoy the photoshop techniques bit of it because it lets me explore my imagination and shows other people what I am going though and what other teens my age are going though. I really think photoshop is interesting because it lets you explore your imagination.
I also have learnt a lot of techniques like cut and copy and also cropping an image before I started photoshop I didn't know what to do I only knew how make a picture black and white I didn't even know the shortcut to do that yet I had to do it the long way.
I would also like to learn new photoshop edits and by this I'll like to have 1 lesson to look through YouTube for the best edit I think is good to make a point. I have researched a lot of photographers but one that I really like it was Lee Friedlander he is a very good photographer he specializes in reflection and I am currently making a photoshop using mirror reflection and I think I'm going to continue with it.
I think the most impressive photoshop image I made was the face explosion because from that it gave me impression that I can do a-lot of thing using photoshop and to never limit myself. The only problem with the photoshops I do is that it takes around 2-4 lesions and we don't have that much time to do the photoshop.
But after 2 edits I managed to find a similar version and I did not miss anything out. The easier way is using shortcuts and trust me it is much easier.
The thing that I would do differently is starting one photoshop and make my mind up quicker because I wasted valuable time which I would really like to use now. There was no negatives to this project but there were failures a lot of failures but with these failures came a lot of final outcomes which is a high grade work. What I would do differently next time is being set on what project I want to do straight away and not keep changing because when I changed it I had to do twice the work of getting more evidence.
I also want to learn how to set up lighting and make my images look the best to there standards lighting is a big thing in photography because it shows the glow in your photos and if you decide to turn them images to black and white then that would make the lighting shine on there there face and make it look good.