Mapplethorpe Studio Straight Images

Studio Contrast 2 Work Diary

We were set with the task of capturing contrast within the studio for the second time. In this shoot I wanted to try to represent contrast in various ways that would make the image interesting. I was able to achieve this to an extent and thought about using different body parts, poses and genders in order to represent contrast in diverse ways. I also looked to use different props in an attempt to show contrast in an interesting way that would differentiate from the other image. Within this second shoot, I was able to better utilise the features of the studio to show contrast in more unique ways.

This image uses props in order to show contrast in an interesting way. The prop allows there to be an easily notable difference within the two subjects. I wanted to show contrast in an interesting way by using colour. I used the white background and compared it to the darker colours of the people. Between the people, further contrasts are shown between the bright hair and the dark hat, and even in the dark clothing compared to the lighter colour clothing of the other person.

This image shows contrast in a simple but interesting way. The use of dark colours against the white background cause the image to appear more striking to the audience and it causes a more notable example of contrast as a result. The light in the image is used to enhance the colour of the background while bringing out the darker colours of the person. There are even contrasts that are brought to attention using colour within the person. The red hair appears bright against the dark clothing.

Progression:

If i were to do this again I would still look to find more exa,plea of contrast and I would also like to consider the use of objects. I feel this would offer a good variation in my work and would produce interesting examples of contrast within the selection.

Studio Contrast Straight Images

Studio Contrast 2 Straight Images

Studio Contrast Work Diary

We were set with the task of photographing contrast in the studio. I went in with a number of ideas that i had in relation to the topic but i became very limited within the studio environment and found it quite difficult to portray it. I was still able to get a reasonable amount of pictures with a good variation in things like gender and height along with getting more experience with the studio. I was able to make the images more visually interesting by including some formal elements such as depth, colour and pattern.

This image shows contrast in an interesting way. The shot is composed in a way where one person fills most of the frame with her face while the other fills the frame with her body and it shows an obvious contrast in distance as a result. This image shows the formal element of depth. This is achieved by having someone in the foreground of the image and someone in the background and comparing his the appearance differs over different distances. The darker tones of the clothing create contrasts between the background, causing the people to stand out within the image.

This image shows a couple examples of contrast. The image features contrast in gender by showing two girls and one boy within the image.Height is shown by having the women standing and the boy sitting, this can also be interpreted as to showing power as a result. There are contrasts of emotion within the image through the expressions on the people's faces. The dark clothing and bright hair colour create contrasts against the light background. This causes the people to stand out within the image.

Progression:

If i were to do this again i would think more about the environment that i will be shooting in when thinking about the photos that i want to take. I would also like to still achieve the good variation in pictures while obtaining a larger amount than i was previously able to achieve. The studio has allowed me to consider different backgrounds and the way that they can be used in order to show contrast in interesting ways.

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.

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.

Studio Form, Straight Images