Studio Back of Heads, Straight Images

Studio Form, Work Diary

We were set with the task of photographing for in the studio. This was important to help us experiment with different types of form and it also allowed us to get an idea of what it was like to work within the studio and how to use its equipment. I was able to get all of the photos that i wanted and I was able to achieve variation within the photos that i took. My work with portraiture of back of the heads allowed me to come up with interesting ways of composing the image. I was also able to manipulate the light in images to call attention to certain aspects of the person's face by blacking out other areas of the face. I was also able to create an immense amount of detail using the light to make wrinkles in the face more prominent.

I chose this photo because of the way that the shadows help make the picture more emotive. The wrinkles caused by the movement of a smile creates shadow that makes the emotion of the subject stand out to the audiences. The use of form helps to highlight some of these details within the image. Some other formal elements can be seen within the image such as contrast between the dark areas of the image such as the shadows and the clothing and the lighter areas of the face and the white background. This causes the audience to focus on specific areas of the image as the person stands out as a result.

I chose this picture because of the way that it uses formal elements. The light is positioned in a way way that causes a smooth range of tone in the form of shadows from one side of the face to the other. The brightness of the shirt creates contrasts within the background of the image and also gives the picture a good range of colour tones that help the picture to stand out even more. This technique could be used to show examples of hidden identity by using a harsh light to cast a shadow across her face. 

Progression:

If i was to do this again i would use different techniques that would cause my images to become more appealing. If given the chance i would experiment with the subject more by taking photos from different distances and angles instead of the close up photos that i mainly used. I would like to experiment with different back drops that would alter the way in which the picture is perceived. For example, if i used a black background the subject may appear more defined in some areas and it could also allow for a good range of tone, merging shadow with the background. The studio has allowed me to consider the exact positioning of light within my images and the effects with detail that they have on the subjects face.

Location Back of Heads, straight images

David Bailey, Research Log

David Bailey is one of Britain's best known fashion and portrait photographers. Bailey made his ascent in vogue, shooting 800 pages of vogue editorial in one year. We can see in his work that he has kept with the black and white colours on his pictures in order to capture the detail of the shadows in the faces. Different lighting is used to capture the emotive expressions in the people that he is photographing that are used used to crate more wrinkles in their face and add more depth to the black and white filter that he uses.

This photo focuses on dark tones mainly. The black and white filter adds to the shadows being produced around the photo that blend in with the dark choice of clothing, creating a dark effect throughout the entire frame that causes us to purely focus on the face since it is the lightest part of the picture.

This photo uses low key lighting. This is used to capture the soft features of the woman's face while using tone to create a shading that causes the edges of the face to become more softer and the colours to fade into each other.

High key lighting has been used in this photo. This is used to give the subject defined features around the cheek bones and jaw lines to make the image pop out to the audience. This all links back to making the face the part of the photo that the audience looks to straight away as a result.

Shadows are used in an interesting way in this photo. The wrinkles of the face are made more prominent by the use of lighting and tone that cause shadows to appear darker. The wrinkles give the subject a more emotive and natural look that will cause interest amongst the audience.

Summary:

David Bailey is able to make his portraits more interesting for the audience by considering character in his work. He reflects this by using poses which he then uses to make the image more eye catching. Bailey uses black and white filters in an intelligent way, in order to expose more detail within each portrait by enhancing the shadows.

Influence:

 I would like to use these methods when I photograph portraits. The different techniques that are used to draw audience attention and cause interest will be very useful when i am looking for ways to cause my work to show a good amount of variation. I would replicate this style by adjusting both filters and lighting in order to gain interesting results.

I have used a black and white filter while taking a portrait picture in order to recreate Bailey's style. As a result I am able to draw more detail within the photo by enhancing the shadows on the face. I have also adjusted the lighting and background in order to improve the emphasis on his face and to pull the audiences attention to his face. I think that this has had a positive influence on my work because I am abel to consider emotion when taking a portrait picture and I can now find ways of using lighting and black and white filters to enhance these emotions to the audience.

Location Back of Heads, Work Diary

We were set with capturing images of backs of heads on location in the environment around us. I was able to find some good ways to manipulate the images and produce some interesting results in my photos. The only difficult part was maintaining the amount of variation that i wanted, i had to look for  interesting backgrounds in my environment that were hard to come by but i ultimately found some good examples within the simple bright tones of some painted walls on the side of a building. I was able to incorporate some formal elements such as reflection, shape, and form. This allows for me to produce a more visually interesting image as a result. An advantage of photographing backs of heads is the ability to take photographs while being able to focus more on the composition of a portrait image.

I chose this image because it shows an example of how i was able to show the back of the head and the face of the subject by using angles and reflections from a mirror. This is dramatically different to any of the other pictures that i took, and it's interesting interpretation is more likely to attain the audiences attention. The use of contrast within the dark tones of the person against the white background. This causes the person to be focused on more by audiences as he begins to stand out within the image, highlighting elements such as reflection.

This image shows different examples of formal elements within the image. Tone and form can be seen to be quite prominent in this image, the sun is positioned behind the subject in a way that creates tone around the neck and head area and also casts a shadow on the wall. Examples of contrast can be seen within the image in both the dark tones of the person and the shadow against the lightly coloured wall. The light within the image adds more detail to the person in areas such as the hair on his head.

Progression:

If i were to do this task again I would look further within my environment to find interesting backgrounds for my images. I look forward to photographing the subjects faces in order to throw in another element to my pictures that will convey emotion in their faces and will attract audience attention more.

Studio Back of Heads, Work Diary

We were set with the task of photographing the backs of the heads in the studio. This was used in order to get us used to working in the studio environment and to allow us to think about how we can use portraiture in a variation of ways. We were able to take a good amount of pictures in the studio that varied in a number of ways. We did encounter some technical issues with the camera battery and flash that consumed quite a bit of time but ultimately we were able to complete the task to a good extent. By using the studio, I was forced to think of different ways of composing my images in interesting ways. I was able to come up with some interesting results involving background and movement.

I chose this picture because of the way the light adds more detail to the image. The light can be seen softly bouncing off of the hair, making each strand more prominent. We can also see examples of tone in the hair as the colour slightly changes as it curls off and around the head. Contrasts can be seen within the white background and the red hair. This causes the colour to pop out more to the audiences. The use of movement causes the image to feel more natural than a portrait of a person standing without a movement.

I chose this image because of the way that it draws the audiences attention. The Black background blends perfectly with the black t-shirt and black hair of the subject and causes the audiences eyes to focus on the subject who is the centre of the image. Examples of contrast can be seen within the image which cause the image to stand out. The use of light within the image cause for some aspects such as the person's hair and neck to be more detailed, revealing more tones.

Progression:

-If i were to do this again i would like to have used the time that was taken from technical difficulties more effectively. While I was able to capture a good variation of pictures, I look forward to actually photographing the face so i can capture more exciting examples of portraiture through emotion and movement in the face instead of just different angles of the back of the head. This topic has showed me that i can still take portraits of people even if they aren't facing the camera. This has allowed me to consider the composition of the photo in a way that I wouldn't have if I would have just taken a standard portrait.

Portraiture, Image Bank

Both of these images show interesting examples of portraiture. The images use the focus of the camera in different ways but ultimately achieve the same result as it causes the audience's eyes to focus only on the person within the  image.

Portraiture is an interesting topic, it allows us to convey emotion and life all in one picture. Portraiture can be used in many ways to keep the subject interesting to audiences. From the images above we can see how light, tone, reflection and depth can be used to alter our perception of the subject. I would like to incorporate some of these techniques into my own work if given the chance, I would like to use black and white filters and mirrors to convey tone and reflection in my work in order to attain audience attention.

Portraiture Definition Post

Definition:

-The art of painting or taking portraits.
-vivid and detailed description

Describing Words: Balance, Composition, Content, Contour

Personal Definition:

-Pictures that focus specifically on a person or subject

This example of portraiture is dealing with a very young child. Low key lighting is being used with a balance of black and white to add to the tone and compliment the soft features of the child's face while making him the main focus of the image.

This example of portraiture uses high key lighting. This helps to define the face of the subject and show age defining features such as mild wrinkles and facial hair that help to add emotion to the face.

A black and white filter is used in this filter. This helps to emphasise the tone in the picture and adds to the shadows being cast in the image that help to exaggerate wrinkles in the face to show more emotion and movement on the subject.

A close up picture is used in this example. This helps to completely fill the frame and as a result helps to make the audience purely focus on the subject in the photo, highlighting any emotion present in the eyes or facial movement.

Shape, Work Diary

We were set with the task of capturing shape in the environment around us. I went out with a good idea of some of the pictures that i wanted to take and for the most part i was able to use all of my ideas. The only idea that i couldn't use was only prevented because of the low level of light on the day. As a result, i could not capture some of the silhouette ideas that i wanted to use in my work. I went out in search for a good balance in variation in my work, i looked for examples of people, objects and nature; nature was the only part of this topic that i wanted to capture more than i did. Due to the location of my shoot, I had to resort in shooting objects within an indoor location. I was able to capture objects in a way that reflected different examples of formal elements. These examples include colour, contrast, and tone.

I chose this photo because of the way that i was able to use the rainy surface to give a standard example of shape a different effect by showing a reflective surface. Formal elements such as reflection, contrast and pattern can be seen within this image. The wet surface allows for the light to bounce off the surface. Examples of contrast can be seen with the shape of the drain and the complex brick pattern. Pattern can be seen within the brickwork and the cover of the drain.

I chis this photo because of the way that the light affects the image. The light causes the background to appear dark in order to further highlight the shape of the object and draw the audiences attention to it. A clear example of contrast can be seen within the image as the light clashes with the dark background. This contrast causes the shape to be more prominent within the image  by almost creating a silhouette.

Progression:

If I were to do this again I would take more photos, use an area with better lighting conditions in order to capture different examples of shape and i would also like to use more shape in nature in my image collection to add a good variety of pictures. This topic has caused me to notice the individual details of the shape within my images. I could use shapes in a way to show other elements such as pattern which can make my images more interesting.

My Top Twenty Photos

                      

Studio Form, Straight Images

Shape, Straight images

Bruce Davidson, Research log

I have chosen to focus on Bruce Davidson's work as it focuses on an interesting time in history and he also shows us a good way to photograph people in a natural way. Davidson is an American photographer whose documentary work of gang life in Brooklyn, poor districts of Harlem, New York, and his photographs of the New York subway system in the 1970s helped him break new ground. He has been a member of the Magnum Photos agency since 1958. His mother built him a dark room and he began taking photos. Soon after, he approached a local photographer who taught him about the technical sides of photography, in addition to lighting and printing skills. His influences included Robert Frank, Eugene Smith, and Henri Cartier-Bresson.

This picture is interesting as it shows gang cultures on the New york subway. This picture also uses a bright and interesting background covered in graffiti that gives you a vivid and gritty idea of how the New York subway system really was. Pattern can be seen within this image. The two men are standing either side of the train doors and are wearing the exact same clothing, showing that they are in a gang. Within this pattern, we can see other examples of formal elements that are shown as a result. There is a contrast in race which Davidson has highlighted through pattern, making the image appear almost like a parallel of each other.

This is a celebrity portrait picture. I chose this picture because I find it interesting how the subject has been positioned mid movement. This positioning causes the subject to appear more natural and fluid than they would if they were simply posing uncomfortably for a picture. The black and white filter used enhances the tone of the image. Here we can see minor details that have been enhanced using the shadows of the image. We can now see details within the face through wrinkles and details in clothing and body. Examples of pattern can be seen on the chain fence, and can also be seen changing over different distances.

I like this picture because of the context. Davidson has chosen to photograph an interesting time and shows us some features of the time period. The image gives us an idea of the fashion within gang culture and the attitudes of the people within these gang cultures; they are seen smoking cigarettes as a sign of rebellion. The pattern on the decking changes over a larger distance. This image features a few examples of contrast. The image contrasts in colours, the dark colours of the buildings clash with the bright white colour of the sky. The two people in the foreground of the image create more contrasts within the image. The man on the left is dressed in light tones while the other is dressed in black colours.

I like this picture because it tells you a story. We are immediately aware of the context in which the image is set and the social views. We can see that this is an entirely different America than we are accustomed to and Davidson highlights this to create an interesting subject point. Pattern can be seen as the backdrop of the image is the American flag. The stars and stripes all form together creating both contrasts and patterns. The subject matter is made instantly clear to audiences by using contrast. The paint on the person within the foregrounds head is white with the words "Vote" written in dark letters.

Summary:

Bruce Davidson uses strong references to the context of his images and uses poses to make his subjects appear more natural. His images usually feature outfits and props that are specific to the context that the image was taken. Davidson's use of movement allows for the image to feel natural and accurately portray the tone of the image. For example, the voting rights image uses a proud stance with a good posture, while the Brad Pitt image features a more chaotic tone due to his intense movement.

Influence:

 I would like to replicate some of the techniques that Davidson uses with his subjects. I would like to experiment with different ways of composing the photos and think about how I can place the subjects. I would take pictures of the subject as they are doing a pose or a movement in order to make the image seem more fluid.

I have taken an image that features the subject of the image doing a pose. This is used in order to create a style of image that replicates some of Davidson's methods and cause the image to appear more natural as a result. I used a black and white filter in order to replicate some of Davidson's images. This allows the subjects face to become more detailed as the shadows on his face are enhanced. I think this has had a positive impact on my work because whenever I need to photograph a person I can use Davidson's use of movement to make the image seem more natural.

Photojoiner, work diary

We were set with the task of capturing phtojoiner in the form of three different subjects. I wanted to focus my photojoineron three different scales. I wanted to use the technique in a way that would use it's benefits to create a more interesting image. I was able to accomplice this especially in the image of the person by taking photos of different areas and emotions that would not be present within a standard image. We had to take multiple pictures of the object so it could be edited in photoshop. For my three objects, i chose a person, a building and a bin. I was able to capture a range of images and i had enough to begin my editing.The process was quite longwinded at first but as i became accustomed to the techniques that would be required i was able to complete them at a much faster rate.

I chose this image because it shows a person in an interesting way. The image consists of different angles and distances, this chaotic collection of images come together in a way that causes the picture to actually form an image. I was able to take advantage of this technique as I looked at many different angles that would not be visible in a standard image in order to create a very disjointed portrait of a person. This technique also allowed for me to capture more detail within the person's face by focusing on individual aspects of the person's face.

This image shows an ordinary object that is made interesting by the way that it is presented. There are a lot of images that form together to create this end results, all from different angles and perspectives that change the way in which the audience will perceive this object. This image is slightly less disjointed and chaotic than the last as the images almost seamlessly form together. This technique causes the audience's attention to be directly focused on the bin by creating an interesting visual representation of the object while blurring out the background.

Progression:

If i were to do this again, i would take a lot more images that would vary in size and angles in order to produce much more interesting results. I also would have liked to try a landscape shot in order to add a good variation between the other subjects. I would also like to shoot in a place that will have a more consistent source of light. Where i was shooting was surrounded by buildings, this means that i could lose light in some pictures and they would become darker than the rest and make them seem out of place. This topic has allowed me to consider a new and interesting way of capturing everyday objects. I would like to consider this if I am ever photographing an everyday object and need a way to make it interesting.

Photojoiner, Image bank

Both of these images use photo joiner in order to create a larger image. The benefits of taking a picture of using photo joiner is that you can have more detail within the environment and combine them to make one clear image.

Photojoiner is a very interesting way of manipulating a scene or a subject in an image. Photojoiner is a collection of pictures that form to create a larger picture. In these examples, we can see how some of the images have been altered in a ways that can show formal elements such as movement and tine. We are shown this by having a subject being presented to us in different angles and depths. The image can also be presented to show interesting scenery by changing the backgrounds slightly and also using it to take some panoramic pictures.