Work Diary - Mapplethorpe (Studio Shoot)

After watching the Mapplethorpe video, I had an idea of what I wanted to achieve. However, this was harder than I thought. Also, the time we had in the studio was limited so I didn't get as much as I would have liked done. I found that facial expressions were a big deal in this particular shoot as they made sure the picture look like Mapplethorpe's work. I had to make sure a bond would be created between my subjects and the viewers because Mapplethorpe's work does exactly that. To do this, I knew I had to capture my subjects in an intimate state. Facial expressions were a great way to do this. It allowed me to choose what feelings my pictures each gave out and how it would create a connection with the viewer.

I quite like this picture because it's very Mapplethorpe like. I like the facial expression because it adds a very promiscuous feeling to the picture, once again, adding to the whole Mapplethorpe theme. It also creates a bond with the viewer through the theme of intimacy that is being portrayed. I used soft lighting for this photograph so that form is also shown as he can see shadows on his jawline and how his jacket blends in with the background. I think the slight red colour in his cheeks further adds to this idea of Mapplethorpe's work; it makes my subject look delicate and graceful. The black background helps to show off his cheeks as the black contrasts massively with the pink. His lips are also a light shade of pink, complimenting his cheeks. The fact that his hair fades into the background and cannot be seen forces the viewer to focus on the face of the main subject, allowing them to create that relationship.

On the other hand, this picture didn't work out very well. The cat ears were cut out and I think a better facial expression could have been used; for example, a more aggressive one as that would have added to the Mapplethorpe theme. I should have made sure that everything was included in the frame. However, Robert Mapplethorpe doesn't use any props in his pictures so this diverted away from the topic we are studying.

If we did this again, I would focus way more on the lighting and on the position of the my subject. I would also like to use two main subjects to show some type of relationship between them. Props will also be a good way to highlight my main subjects.

I could show a intimate relationship between my subjects and use props to bring out a Mapplethorpe theme.

Work Diary - Contrast (Studio Shoot) 2

For this session, I found it simple at first as I used my subjects to show contrast through hair, clothing, size, gender and distance. However, after a while, I found it hard to find new ways to show contrast. I tried experimenting with my subjects by making one sit down and the other one stand up to see what I could work with. I found this hard because I couldn't think of any other way to show contrast and my pictures were all really similar, even to the ones I took in the first studio contrast shoot we did. All I could do was experiment and see what else I could come up with.

I think this picture was successful because contrast is shown very clearly. The hair colours of my two subjects really stand out along with the clothing. The background helps me to show off the contrast between my two subjects, making them both stand out. I like how my two subjects each have completely different styles of fashion, this gives a viewer an idea of their personality and creates a relationship.

On the other hand, this picture wasn't very successful because I didn't put emphasis on the contrast. I could have manipulated the lighting to focus on one particular subject instead of both. Also, there are shadows on the background, which I should have avoided. Despite this, I quite like the facial expressions on my subject's face as this gives a more friendly feel to the picture.

If I had the chance to do this again, I would use props and make up to make my pictures more exciting. I wouldn't focus on the human faces as much but more on other parts of the body or objects. This will be fun to experiment with and it'll be interesting to see what I can come up with.

Work Diary - Contrast (Studio Shoot)

For this session, we set up the studio and we began to think of different ways to show contrast. This was harder than I anticipated because it soon became repetitive; I found it hard to find ways of positioning my subjects so contrast is shown clearly. However, we were then told that little changes in position of the subjects such as one of them facing the camera while my other subject has his/her back towards the camera could show contrast. I found that the easiest way to show contrast was through the use of colour. However, I tried challenging myself and avoid this method. Instead, I concentrated on moving my subjects around to find other ways to show contrast.

Out of all the pictures I took, this one is one of my most favourite ones because contrast is shown through several different ways. For example, the clothing and the hair colour of my subjects contrast with each other. The distance between them and the camera also show contrast. However, I should have avoided the shadow that has been created on the red background by one of my subjects, I think this ruins it a little bit. I focused the lighting on my main subject (the one at the front) so that the viewer focuses on her rather than the other one. I also should have blurred the my other subject slightly so that the focus is kept mainly on the girl at the front. This gives the viewer one thing to focus on rather than exploring the picture and getting lost, moving away from noticing the contrast that I am trying to show.

However, I don't think this picture worked out as well because both of my subjects look quite similar. Apart from their height, contrast is not really shown. I could have used a prop to make one of my subjects look different. I could also have asked one of them to lean down a bit more so the height difference is more noticeable. Alternatively, I could have used two subjects with different coloured hair so that contrast is shown even further. I could have picked a better background, maybe one with a lighter colour so that it doesn't distract the viewer from my subjects. If I could take this image again, I would have used a lower angle to further emphasise the difference between the heights of my subjects.

If we had the chance to do this session again, I would focus on using the sky to create contrast, especially sunsets. I would like to experiment with this and see in what way I can capture a scene and use the sky or the sun in the background so contrast is portrayed.

By capturing silhouettes, I think a will be able to show a sharp contrast between the sky and the scene.

Straight Images - Mapplethorpe (Studio Shoot)

Straight Images - Contrast (Studio Shoot) 2

Straight Images - Contrast (Studio Shoot)

Work Diary - Form (Studio Shoot)

For this session, we were told to go into the studio and shoot form. We were told about how lighting is used for this element in order to show shadows to emphasise the 3-dimensional element of the pictures we were going to take. This was quite easy at first at it was straight forward but after a while, it got repetitive and I eventually ran out of ideas. Most of my pictures consisted of someone standing in front of a black background, the only difference is that they have turned their bodies to face a different direction or that I have photographed a different part of their body. I tried using one or two props but this didn't really work. 

I think this picture is successful because half of my subject cannot be seen due to the shadows I have created. This shows the 3-Dimensional element of my main subject as her back is bright, whereas her front is completely dark. I used soft lighting in order to emphasise on the shadows and thus the form of my subject, this also helped to make her stand out. I like how her hair contrasts with her shirt, it makes his picture even more exciting. 

However, I don't think this picture was successful because no shadows are present so the element of form isn't really put forward. I think that if I maybe moved her body round a bit or used a different angle, form could have been shown. I initially thought that the movement of her hair would somehow show form by creating shadows but this didn't really work out. 

If I had the chance to do this session again, I would like to focus on hands. I think will give me a lot more to do and get my pictures to vary. I could manipulate the person's hands to create shadows and make my pictures look way more interesting. By being able to include different gestures, the pictures won't be repetitive and will all be equally as exciting.

I will be able to experiment with the lighting, thus manipulating the shadows.

 

Straight Images - Back Of Head Portrait (Studio Shoot)

Straight Images - Form (Studio Shoot)