Below is record of me contacting professional printers to give them my final images for printing.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Week 13: Chosen finals
I have included my final images below. These images have been edited through photoshop and will be sent to the printers in the next couple of days.
Week 12: Shortlist of finals
I have decided to pick my favourite images over the term of shoots to create a shortlist of possible finals. I think these images reflect my message and also present interesting, diverse, natural subjects to prove that we are all subject to insecurities due to media's representation of beauty. We all turn to our digital selves to escape from the harshness of reality, to become something we are not- but someone we want to be. Our virtual identity reflects the milky surface in the images and our conforming to this is reflected by the models slowly submerging themselves in the opaqueness. By providing blank expression's the audience are able to subconsciously project their emotions into the composition and decide whether the model's show a restraint or a willingness to sacrifice themselves to the symbolic surface.
Week 12:best images analysis
This photoshoot is the last for my project, it has also been my favourite to shoot. I wanted to get an older woman to diversify the range of females photo shoots i have been completing. This model was very confident and listened to my guidance. I think her images came with the most range and i think a lot of them are useful for possible final images.
Unfortunately, this image is upside down and i can not rotate it. However, was strikes me most is the eye contact that the subject makes with the spectator. I like the mistiness of the liquid slowly consuming the subjects body. The subject is also covering herself with her arms which suggests she is trying to hide herself while submerging under the water. It is almost as if she is about the turn and plunge deep into the unknown opaque liquid.
Image 1
I really like the positioning of the image, however it is a shame that my body was caught in the frame- too much to crop the image as it would lessen the effect if i cropped out the models legs in my opinion. I like the effect the model gives as she tries to reach herself out of the bath. I especially love the dispersing of the models hair as it looks quite whimsical and dreamy while floating in the white liquid. I think it is expectional that i was able to capture the model's natural body as it goes against media's stereotypical values of what a body should look like. Male or female i think this image is diverse and allows us to understand that everyone falls under surrender of media's control over how we perceive ourselves.
Image 2
In my opinion, i think this image is by far one of the strongest out of any of the shoots i have completed. The hair is the most striking quality, almost creating a mane- this could be symbolic of how once under the surface, we can alter and change the way we look in order to fit with who we aspire to be. The models eyes are closed and her expression, although blank, connotes a sense of entitlement and comfortableness with where she is. I may enhance the shadows with the dodge and burn tool and try to make the milky liquid whiter to create contrast and enhance the yellow tones in the hair.
Week 11: best images analysis
For my project, I did not want to only take shots of young people. I wanted to include people of different ages and sizes to go against media's stereotypical portrayal of identity. By including a diverse range of people i am symbolising that everyone is affected by social media and the control it possesses over people's way of perceiving themselves. For this shoot i was working with an older man in his late 40s. This shoot was really interesting when looking back on the contact sheet, his body features were distinctively different if you compare the work to previous shoot of the young boy. I think because this models body is a more natural version of reality, it would be a lot more unique to look at and study as a spectator. Below are some of my favourite images, however due to the blogging format, i was not able to rotate all of them to a vertical position.
As the model was around 6 feet 5 inches, the bath was very restricting and the model found it hard to move in specific positions when directing him. Again, i do enjoy when i ask the model to look up to the camera as the subject evidently draws in the spectator. Alongside his blank expression, the spectator is able to interpret his emotions while reflecting on their own (as Bates describes). The position of the arm is striking as sometimes it does not even look as if it attached to the body. This can symbolise the idea that social networking is changing the way we choose to alter our virtual self, we rip apart the features we hate in order to modify them for an on screen identity. The natural lighting allowed the milk to form shadows around the edges of the body which add to the ominous elements i was trying to grasp. This could further be edited using the dodge and burn tool i recently learned how to use.
Image 1
This next image was one that i was drawn to, but also did not like at the same time. Again i love the sharpness of the body hair and the shadow elements of the opaque liquid as it really makes the image look quite ghostly and life less. However i do not really like the position of the model, however the images which look the most uncomfortable are usually the ones which can create more meaning to an audience. I think i would have preferred the body to be a bit more submerged under the water in order to create the consuming and suffocating effect.
Image 2
It is a shame that this image is upside down, it is quite humorous actually. However, this image was my favourite from the whole shoot. I really think the images detail and sharpness is successful while combining with the misty and slowly overwhelming elements of the liquid as it submerges the subject. The facial features are striking as the blank expression connotes a sense of despair and almost a sense of surrender. The subject it surrendering his body to the opaqueness and showing no signs of restraint or restriction. The body looks defenseless and we are left watching a subject that looks sad but also willing.
Week 11: photoshop editing techniques
I wanted to research a photoshop tool that could help enhance my images. Throughout my shoots, i had a consistent risk of relying on natural light for my images. A lot of the images came out well, but the light exposure in the images slightly let it down. I have researched about the dodging and burning tool on photoshop and think it would be a perfect way to control the light in the images to bring out the depth a bit more.
The dodge tool, like in a traditional darkroom, will make areas of an image lighter. In contrast, the burn tool will make areas of a photo darker. These critical tools will help me control the atmosphere i am trying to create in my images, whether it is moody or a rich and vibrant scene. Below i have included some steps to explain how i do this and will be used for myself to refer to when editing my images in the next couple of weeks.
Step 1:
1. Open up image and select dodge tool.
2. Determine whether the dodge tool concentrates on the Shadows/Midtones/Highlights
3. Set Exposure to roughly around 20% to increase effect on the image
4. Select an appropriate brush size
5. drag the dodge tool over areas you want to brighten (increases the contrast in the specific area without affecting the entire image)
Step 2:
1. Select burn tool
2. Change the range to shadows so you are enhancing the shadow pixels the most.
3. Drag tool over areas you want to darken
Dodging and burning are two really useful tools when editing images. They have helped me to invigorate my images that could not be exposed correctly at the time of the shoots.
Another photoshop tool i researched is image noise reduction. Under the conditions of being indoors, and using a high ISO, some of my images were creating noise which hindered some of my possible finals. This tool showed a way to help eliminate as much noise as possible from an image.
1. Open up image
2. Convert background layer to smart object
3. Filter/noise/reduce noise
4. Navigate through the levels to find which noise needs reducing
The dodge tool, like in a traditional darkroom, will make areas of an image lighter. In contrast, the burn tool will make areas of a photo darker. These critical tools will help me control the atmosphere i am trying to create in my images, whether it is moody or a rich and vibrant scene. Below i have included some steps to explain how i do this and will be used for myself to refer to when editing my images in the next couple of weeks.
Step 1:
1. Open up image and select dodge tool.
2. Determine whether the dodge tool concentrates on the Shadows/Midtones/Highlights
3. Set Exposure to roughly around 20% to increase effect on the image
4. Select an appropriate brush size
5. drag the dodge tool over areas you want to brighten (increases the contrast in the specific area without affecting the entire image)
Step 2:
1. Select burn tool
2. Change the range to shadows so you are enhancing the shadow pixels the most.
3. Drag tool over areas you want to darken
Dodging and burning are two really useful tools when editing images. They have helped me to invigorate my images that could not be exposed correctly at the time of the shoots.
Another photoshop tool i researched is image noise reduction. Under the conditions of being indoors, and using a high ISO, some of my images were creating noise which hindered some of my possible finals. This tool showed a way to help eliminate as much noise as possible from an image.
1. Open up image
2. Convert background layer to smart object
3. Filter/noise/reduce noise
4. Navigate through the levels to find which noise needs reducing
Monday, January 7, 2019
Week 10: best images analysis
This image included another young female, this photoshoot was probably the most fragile in terms of working around the models level of comfort. She agreed to be in the photoshoot and i explained that she could look over every image and if there was an image she did not feel comfortable about i would remove it. The model was particularly self conscious of her body, however was extremely brave and helpful for my project. She ended up enjoying the photoshoot and was excited to see my finals at the end of the term. Below are some of my favourite and most interesting images of the shoot which i will discuss further.
For this photoshoot i bit the bullet and used artificial lighting to help aid the shoot, despite relying on natural light for the previous shoots i thought that it would be useful to experiment with different lighting to see if the images would come out at a better quality. As a result, the images did come out with a better quality however, the lighting stopped any natural shadows appearing which was quite frustrating as it stopped the ominous tones in the milk to appear around the body. Another thing which ended up being a fuss was the reflections in the milk as well as the reflections of lights on the models body as well as having to move myself in awkward positions to try to avoid shadows. This meant that the shoot took a lot longer to take and a lot of images were not as satisfactory as i had hoped them to be.
This image was really interesting as i had asked the model to dip her head underwater and lift it back up again. Most shots came out unsuccessful due to the movement of the model and the water itself, however i enjoyed the outcome of this shot as it captures as Cartier Bresson would describe a 'decisive moment'. The model is gasping for air which could signify herself gasping for reality from the suffocation of the virtual world. While mentioning i did not like the reflection of light on the water, i think that the reflection in the image carefully frames the subject. However this is contrasted with the reflection of light going across the models body which i did not like.
Image 1
This next image is my favourite from the whole shoot. After getting the model to move into the opposite side of the bath, we were able to capture a lot more light and so the images were a lot more successful. The model is covering her body as if she wants to hide it, she is looking away which could signify an insecurity or vulnerability with exposing her body therefore consumes herself under the liquid to hide her identity from others. Despite it being clear that her body is beautiful, the image could signify her unsatisfaction with herself, therefore she sacrifices her physical body for the online world.
Image 2
Image 3
Week 10: Final images specifications
Our teacher gave us some information on how and where to print out our final images. Instead of attaching them to a USB like we did last term, this year we had to get them professionally printed- something that i had not done since A levels.
He gave us two specific websites called SPECTRUM PHOTOGRAPHIC and COLOURSTREAM however, since having to do this process in A levels, i thought i would stick to my local printers in Surrey.
Our teacher asked us to print our finals as close to A4 size as possible without sacrificing the image by having to crop and fit the dimensions.
To ensure highest quality possible, our teacher suggested altered the image size to 300 dots per inch/pixels.
He also suggested to have the images printed on a matte photo paper and if possible to have a small border around each image.
He gave us two specific websites called SPECTRUM PHOTOGRAPHIC and COLOURSTREAM however, since having to do this process in A levels, i thought i would stick to my local printers in Surrey.
Our teacher asked us to print our finals as close to A4 size as possible without sacrificing the image by having to crop and fit the dimensions.
To ensure highest quality possible, our teacher suggested altered the image size to 300 dots per inch/pixels.
He also suggested to have the images printed on a matte photo paper and if possible to have a small border around each image.
Week 10: workshop
For this weeks class session, we were being shown how to make our own photo journal's to purchase online using the website lulu.com.
We were briefly talking about print on demand and how the online way of producing work has started to replace papers and books. Journals can now be purchased through digital websites such as Amazon rather than local book shops. This process cuts out the middle man in which individual copies of small numbers are printed to order. We discussed that this is because we have become used to this form of technology- a paperless office. This contrast past traditions from 1970s of photographers holding book fairs and publishing their own photography journals. We now live in an age of conceptual art in which we are more inclined to use our existing tools to create and sell work ourselves much quicker.
Our task was to use lulu.com to create a journal of 100 pages. We started off by finding 99 images that we had taken throughout the term and placing them in a folder. We were then told to follow these steps through the website to create the journal:
Open Photoshop:
STEP 1
1. Window
2. Action
3. Create new action
4. Name
5. Record
6. Crop image
7. Image/crop
8. Image/size/ width- 4/length 6-6.5
9. Image/ auto tone
10. Image/auto contrast
11. Stop recording
12.Close image
STEP 2
13. File
14. Script
15. Select Folder
16. JPEG/quality 12
17. Action/Pick previously created action
18: Enter
After completing these tasks we followed through lulu.com to choose the style of journal we wanted and if we carried on any further we would have created our journal and could sell it through amazon to potential buyers. I think it was really interesting to learn how easy it was to create and produce your own work to create a profit. Even though i am far from that stage of professionalism, i may one day come to use this website to sell my own work and ideas.
We were briefly talking about print on demand and how the online way of producing work has started to replace papers and books. Journals can now be purchased through digital websites such as Amazon rather than local book shops. This process cuts out the middle man in which individual copies of small numbers are printed to order. We discussed that this is because we have become used to this form of technology- a paperless office. This contrast past traditions from 1970s of photographers holding book fairs and publishing their own photography journals. We now live in an age of conceptual art in which we are more inclined to use our existing tools to create and sell work ourselves much quicker.
Our task was to use lulu.com to create a journal of 100 pages. We started off by finding 99 images that we had taken throughout the term and placing them in a folder. We were then told to follow these steps through the website to create the journal:
Open Photoshop:
STEP 1
1. Window
2. Action
3. Create new action
4. Name
5. Record
6. Crop image
7. Image/crop
8. Image/size/ width- 4/length 6-6.5
9. Image/ auto tone
10. Image/auto contrast
11. Stop recording
12.Close image
STEP 2
13. File
14. Script
15. Select Folder
16. JPEG/quality 12
17. Action/Pick previously created action
18: Enter
After completing these tasks we followed through lulu.com to choose the style of journal we wanted and if we carried on any further we would have created our journal and could sell it through amazon to potential buyers. I think it was really interesting to learn how easy it was to create and produce your own work to create a profit. Even though i am far from that stage of professionalism, i may one day come to use this website to sell my own work and ideas.
Week 9: Best images analysis
Surprisingly, I have never undergone a photo shoot with a male model before. Maybe it is because i feel more comfortable asking for help from girls, or maybe i just have not had the chance until now. Either way, there was not much difference in comfort or difficulty when photographing a male. Again, i had to go through the specifications for the shoot to make sure my model felt comfortable only wearing boxers- he was comfortable with all the shots i wanted to capture. Below are 3 of my favourite shots, all which have good qualities and also qualities that can be improved.
These images should be viewed in a vertical position, however i did not know how to rotate them in this blogger format.
This first image was really striking as the subject was staring into the camera while providing a blank expression. The body looks as if it is slowly sinking into the water and the subject is staring at the spectator as if they are willing to sacrifice themselves to the water- however due to Bate's description of blank expression, this may be be projecting my own mood onto the image. I think to improve this image i would have preferred my model to be more central in the composition but because he was so tall, it was quite uncomfortable for him to be laying in specific positions. However, we manged to capture it further through the shoot.
Image 1
Image 2
This next image is also one of my strongest in the shoot. A classic portrait shot with a twist, i like how the subject looks statue-like- conforming to the overwhelming surface consuming him. You could argue that the model is holding a blank expression, however i think he has a slight smile. The colour tones in this image are cool which inclines the ominous/calmer atmosphere of the image. The only reason which this image would not be taken as a final, is because not all of the image is completely in focus.
Week 9: Practical
This week was our last practical in which our teacher was to show us how to use the studio equipment in places other than a studio. We were provided with artificial lighting and was showed how to set it up and synchronise it together on a subject. We were asked to experiment with the equipment on a model indoors, changing the brightness and using the umbrella's to alter the images outcome.
This first image was a sign of our early experimentation. It is clear that the artificial lighting equipment was too bright alongside an incorrect measure of aperture and shutterspeed. The outcome is that the image is hugely overexposed, leaving a large white cast over the subject. However, once we corrected the specifications on the camera, the rest of the shoot became a lot easier and more enjoyable.
This next image contrasts the one above. The aperture and shutterspeed are at a better level which meant that the image was correctly exposed. Looking at it now, the flash was probably not bright enough which has left the image to still be slightly darker than i originally planned. Despite this, the image is of good quality and had sharp detail, which probably would have not been captured without artificial lighting due to movement being a risk when taking images indoors, without any supporting light.
These next two images show the contrast of artificial light not being used and then being used to frame the subject. The first image below is without flash being used and as you can see it is dark, the composition hides the subject and so we cannot get a sense of detail in the image. In the last image below, the artificial lighting has been installed and it has made an increasing amount of difference to the image, the subject is completely in focus and the light bounces off her facial features and hair to introduce a lot more detail and brings the composition a bit more to life. I think in some cases, using a flash head at this stage is a lot more convenient to me and my project rather than installing a huge amount of equipment, but learning this now is really interesting to take forward in years to come.
Week 8: Reflection of first shoot and further plan
After looking back on the first shoot, i think there was a lot that was completed successfully. However, i think there is a lot to reflect on and work on for the upcoming shoots. One of the most successful elements of the shoot, was the angle of the images as well as the use of blank expression. The birds eye view shot allowed the camera to take a portrait shot on the body consumed in the liquid. The blank expression allows the audience to project their own emotions into the image and interpret the photograph according their own insecurities and ideas.
An element which i did not this was very successful was the use of the fake flowers, despite it working well in a few of the images, even for myself it was hard to tell how they connoted meaning in others. I think for the rest of my images i will leave it only to the model and the milk bath. I think by keeping it simple, it will be keeping it primarily effective. The audience have less to focus on, which means the model is going to be up for further interpretation from the spectators.
My next shoot will involve a young male model who will be placed in the bath and following a similar shoot to this one. These photo shoots are unique as none of the models are professionals and so their posing will be real and natural rather than staged and professional. Because of this, I am excited to see how he stages himself and what outcome is produced.
An element which i did not this was very successful was the use of the fake flowers, despite it working well in a few of the images, even for myself it was hard to tell how they connoted meaning in others. I think for the rest of my images i will leave it only to the model and the milk bath. I think by keeping it simple, it will be keeping it primarily effective. The audience have less to focus on, which means the model is going to be up for further interpretation from the spectators.
My next shoot will involve a young male model who will be placed in the bath and following a similar shoot to this one. These photo shoots are unique as none of the models are professionals and so their posing will be real and natural rather than staged and professional. Because of this, I am excited to see how he stages himself and what outcome is produced.
Week 8: Best images analysis
This first shoot ended up being really fun and interactive with the model and my guidance. The model was really confident and exerted herself into different positions and listened to my as I directed her into different poses as well. We ended up taking 2 mini photo shoots. While one shoot focused on overhead shots looking down into the bath, I asked the model after to stand behind the shower screen. This did not turn out as successful as i thought, however there were plenty of images which can analysed and looked at into closer detail. I have included 3 of my favourite images which i will discuss with.
Image 1 is particularly interesting because i asked the model to smudge her makeup. I asked this as i think it could connote a sense of vulnerability in the subject. The subject stares into the audiences eyes and shows an unwillingness to conform, despite being submerged under the opaque liquid. The flowers are covering her body and connote an element of femininity which contrasts with the makeup running down the model's face. I believe that this image also has elements which can be improved. For example the camera angle is not in the centre of the bath, this is frustrating as you can slightly see the baths edge towards the left of the photograph. As much as this is probably not the biggest problem, i think that the audience would be distracted and divert to edges of the composition rather than my main focus.
Image 1
Image 2 primarily focuses on the body and therefore we are detached from the subjects facial emotions. However the body is similar to the subject in Rosanna Jones' images in the sense that the model looks lifeless, as if she has sacrificed herself to the ominous liquid in the image. As much as i love looking at this image, i do not think it is the best image to relate to my final project. Without the subjects face, the audience can not really attach themselves to the subject. The flowers do not really make much sense in this image other than to frame the subject, i am worried that people will interpret the flowers with sexual connotations because they are covering specific parts of the subjects body. It is also a shame that i forgot to take off the label to the flowers, so they are showing in the image.
Image 2:
This image below is probably my favourite from the whole shoot. I think the model is positioned perfectly and every element fits together seamlessly. The subject looked like she is torn between reaching out of the opaque surface while allowing it to consume her body. The flowers look like they are wrapping around her, or mutating like a virus (Anderson and Rainie reading). The model has a blank expression which leave us to leave our emotional impression on the image. The model shows no emotion but as a spectator i am drawn into her eyes and her body posture shows a restraint but also an element of giving up. This image perfectly shows the restrain between our online and offline selves, our obsession pushes us deeper into the unknown void of the digital. The blank expression signifies us becoming strangers to ourselves as we cling on for traits we wished we had like femininity or social status (flowers). The body is bare which presents a vulnerability to our own selves, we are sacrificing who we are for an impossible version of who we want to be.
Image 3
An element of this shoot i am disappointed about is the low quality of the images, i am not sure whether this was to bad judgement of aperture and shutterspeed values, or whether the ISO could have been altered. Maybe in the upcoming shoots i will experiment with artificial lighting and see if this makes a difference, despite how hesitant i am to do so. Despite this, I do not think it will stop me from using these images as a possible final, as i think the composition relays my meaning enough to disregard the low quality. Editing this image on photoshop could also make a difference to the quality by adjusting the exposure and colour tones.
Week 8: Blank Expression
When looking at Blank Expression i decided to go back over David Bate's chapter, Looking at Portraits. He dedicates a section of his work to the blank expression. Bates discusses that the blank expression involves a 'balanced but uneven composition' by combing the elements of 'background and figure, dress, pose and facial expression'. Bates refers to the famous painting Mona Lisa and argues that her blank expression leaves 'the key features of the face indistinct'. The audience are left deciding the expression of the subject from their own point of view, 'depending on the mood we project when looking at her face'.
Bates suggest that using blank expression draws the spectators into 'an intimacy that ironically is caused by what we want to see, the portraiture reflects the viewers desire in looking'. I found this particularly interesting as blank expression allows the audience to reflect their own feelings into an images, while interpreting the image in a specific way it is actually 'we who have produced the signified meaning and effect'.
When looking back on John Clang's work who disregards the facial features completely, the audience are able to easily project their own emotional impression onto the portrait. While John Clang interprets his images to family and losing touch, i was able to interpret the images through a sense of lost and confusion. The images lured in a sense of vulnerability from me because i felt strangely attached to the image even though I could not see the subjects face.
Bates further states that blank expression increases the 'ambiguity of meaning' so that the audience can interpret different meanings of the image through their imagination. This can be shows through simple or largely detailed images in which the smallest part of this image could interpret a specific meaning- 'the spectator is left in a space where every gesture or mark within the portrait image is a threat or promise of meaning'.
Bates final paragraph was really penultimate as he states that 'the meanings of the image are always corrupted by these processes of spectatorship, such that the viewer invests their meaning based on their relation with the signifying elements of the extant portrait'. Bates could be implying that the audience strive to find the meaning of a blank expression which essentially can play a part in corrupting the image as a whole.
I think i will try and ask my models to keep a blank expression to try and allow the audience to interpret the images for themselves, hopefully their moods will create an emotional impression as they will reflect on their ties to their own digital self.
Bates suggest that using blank expression draws the spectators into 'an intimacy that ironically is caused by what we want to see, the portraiture reflects the viewers desire in looking'. I found this particularly interesting as blank expression allows the audience to reflect their own feelings into an images, while interpreting the image in a specific way it is actually 'we who have produced the signified meaning and effect'.
When looking back on John Clang's work who disregards the facial features completely, the audience are able to easily project their own emotional impression onto the portrait. While John Clang interprets his images to family and losing touch, i was able to interpret the images through a sense of lost and confusion. The images lured in a sense of vulnerability from me because i felt strangely attached to the image even though I could not see the subjects face.
Bates further states that blank expression increases the 'ambiguity of meaning' so that the audience can interpret different meanings of the image through their imagination. This can be shows through simple or largely detailed images in which the smallest part of this image could interpret a specific meaning- 'the spectator is left in a space where every gesture or mark within the portrait image is a threat or promise of meaning'.
Bates final paragraph was really penultimate as he states that 'the meanings of the image are always corrupted by these processes of spectatorship, such that the viewer invests their meaning based on their relation with the signifying elements of the extant portrait'. Bates could be implying that the audience strive to find the meaning of a blank expression which essentially can play a part in corrupting the image as a whole.
I think i will try and ask my models to keep a blank expression to try and allow the audience to interpret the images for themselves, hopefully their moods will create an emotional impression as they will reflect on their ties to their own digital self.
Week 7: photographer research
John Clang
The photography module on canvas had provided students with many artists and photographers and while looking over them for research I came across the photographer John Clang. In particular I was very moved by his series of images titled- Fear of Losing the Existence created in 2002.
Clang briefly talks about his images mentioning:
My parents and parents-in-law are getting older and weaker by each passing day. We are separated by thousands of miles and I only get to see them once a year. With each visit, they look different. Their faces change with more wrinkles, their hair has grown thinner and they have become more fragile – the sure signs of aging. Sometimes when I miss them really badly, I realize I have difficulty picturing their faces accurately in my mind. I’m very afraid that one day I will not be able to remember their faces anymore and we become total strangers.
The effects of ageing is something that I am not particularly focused on, however i was immediately drawn to these images as initially they were quite shocking. The subjects have no facial features whatsoever which leaves no emotions for the audience to interpret. The images are blurred and out of focus and in some cases they are over exposed. This creates quite a hazy effect, almost dreamlike. This mimics a sense of forgetfulness as the images are not detailed enough to understand what is going on in the composition. The audience are not able to grasp a sense of attachment to the subjects and therefore we are left looking at the subjects like total strangers- exactly as how Clang describes his worries. The audience are left feeling disconnected from the images in one sense, but utterly in awe of the elements of beauty and confusion that are taking place simultaneously in the scene.
Some elements of Clang's work have subtle similarities to my project theme. Although i am not focusing on family or age, i am focusing on our identities within ourselves and how we want to be perceived vs how we perceive ourselves. Clangs images almost adopt a different view of the world and the subjects are positioned as if they are looking at the world for the first time-despite not holding any facial features. The subjects look lost and alone. When linking this to the effects of social media, it can suggest that our obsession over how we want to be perceived can cause us to lose sight of ourselves and our acceptance with who we are. We become addicted to altering and upgrading our virtual identity over and over again, we forget to care for our physical selves. Our digital self is a complete contrast to who we naturally are and in a sense we become strangers to ourselves.
Although I am not planning to adopt this style of photography, i am particularly interested to keep in mind Clang's interpretation of his images throughout my project. Maybe it would be useful to look into blank expression and how this is used to create meaning in images?
The photography module on canvas had provided students with many artists and photographers and while looking over them for research I came across the photographer John Clang. In particular I was very moved by his series of images titled- Fear of Losing the Existence created in 2002.
Clang briefly talks about his images mentioning:
My parents and parents-in-law are getting older and weaker by each passing day. We are separated by thousands of miles and I only get to see them once a year. With each visit, they look different. Their faces change with more wrinkles, their hair has grown thinner and they have become more fragile – the sure signs of aging. Sometimes when I miss them really badly, I realize I have difficulty picturing their faces accurately in my mind. I’m very afraid that one day I will not be able to remember their faces anymore and we become total strangers.
The effects of ageing is something that I am not particularly focused on, however i was immediately drawn to these images as initially they were quite shocking. The subjects have no facial features whatsoever which leaves no emotions for the audience to interpret. The images are blurred and out of focus and in some cases they are over exposed. This creates quite a hazy effect, almost dreamlike. This mimics a sense of forgetfulness as the images are not detailed enough to understand what is going on in the composition. The audience are not able to grasp a sense of attachment to the subjects and therefore we are left looking at the subjects like total strangers- exactly as how Clang describes his worries. The audience are left feeling disconnected from the images in one sense, but utterly in awe of the elements of beauty and confusion that are taking place simultaneously in the scene.
Some elements of Clang's work have subtle similarities to my project theme. Although i am not focusing on family or age, i am focusing on our identities within ourselves and how we want to be perceived vs how we perceive ourselves. Clangs images almost adopt a different view of the world and the subjects are positioned as if they are looking at the world for the first time-despite not holding any facial features. The subjects look lost and alone. When linking this to the effects of social media, it can suggest that our obsession over how we want to be perceived can cause us to lose sight of ourselves and our acceptance with who we are. We become addicted to altering and upgrading our virtual identity over and over again, we forget to care for our physical selves. Our digital self is a complete contrast to who we naturally are and in a sense we become strangers to ourselves.
Although I am not planning to adopt this style of photography, i am particularly interested to keep in mind Clang's interpretation of his images throughout my project. Maybe it would be useful to look into blank expression and how this is used to create meaning in images?
Week 7: plan for first shoot
For my first photo shoot I have contacted a friend who is willing to take part as my model. I have gone over the specifications for the shoot and she has agreed, feeling comfortable wearing her underwear for my images. I plan on working with the model in ways that she feels comfortable as i understand it can be daunting for someone to pose with little clothing. The photo shoot will only be between me and the model in order to make sure she does not feel too exposed. This will make her more trusting of my guidance throughout the shoot.
I have bought specific elements for my shoot such as flowers, bought from a local craft shop and 4 litres of long life milk. The milk will obviously be the element which creates the opaque, milky liquid in which the model will be posing in. I also decided to buy fake flowers which will frame the model. The flowers will be a symbol of femininity in which the model will be grabbing onto while being submerged in the liquid. If successful this could signify elements of this character feeling as if her digital self has to be delicate and feminine. However, the flowers are a deep and bright red which could also suggest vulnerability and the longing to be something she is not- hence why she is being consumed by the overwhelming bath of milk. The milk will be symbolic of media's surface of control. The model's body will be falling underneath to suggest that media is luring us in to the digital world, leaving us to sacrifice our physical self for an online reality.
I plan on using natural light as honestly it will be a lot easier to take images. However, i do prefer the colour tones when using natural light as in some cases, artificial light can look quite fake and therefore will take away the smooth and delicate composition i am planning to create.
I have bought specific elements for my shoot such as flowers, bought from a local craft shop and 4 litres of long life milk. The milk will obviously be the element which creates the opaque, milky liquid in which the model will be posing in. I also decided to buy fake flowers which will frame the model. The flowers will be a symbol of femininity in which the model will be grabbing onto while being submerged in the liquid. If successful this could signify elements of this character feeling as if her digital self has to be delicate and feminine. However, the flowers are a deep and bright red which could also suggest vulnerability and the longing to be something she is not- hence why she is being consumed by the overwhelming bath of milk. The milk will be symbolic of media's surface of control. The model's body will be falling underneath to suggest that media is luring us in to the digital world, leaving us to sacrifice our physical self for an online reality.
I plan on using natural light as honestly it will be a lot easier to take images. However, i do prefer the colour tones when using natural light as in some cases, artificial light can look quite fake and therefore will take away the smooth and delicate composition i am planning to create.
Saturday, January 5, 2019
Week 7: practical
For this weeks session, we were taken into the photography studio to test out and play around with the equipment. Before stepping into the studio i had absolutely no clue how to use any of the equipment and was excited to try it out. We were asked to follow instructions to synchronise the flash heads. We were told to position the flash heads in order of a key light, back light and fill light. By doing this we would be able to frame the subject and maximise the quality potential.
This first image below shows one of my unsuccessful shots. Towards the earlier stage of the practical, i has some trouble with synchronising the lights and one of them was not working. Alongside an aperture number that was too large, it was very clear that my images were not getting enough light. Therefore as you can see, the image is underexposed and has a large casting shadow behind the subject which detracts attention from my main focus.
Once i got all the lights working, the practical started to be a lot more enjoyable. The image below shows a better lighting condition in which the model is perfectly framed against the lights. There are no casting shadows which allows the audience to focus directly on the subject. The only thing that would improve this image would be to position the camera differently to allow the whole subject to be in the camera view.
This next image below was also successful as although there is a shadow, the camera is positioned so the subject is fully in frame. The background acts to frame the model and the shadow is not an overwhelming aspect. This image could still be improved by increasing the flash heads brightness, but in my opinion i think that the image is exposed to a good amount.
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