Through analyzing a range of photographers and photographic styles I want to incorporate a style of motion and blurring into my photography to suggest the idea of motion and escapism within my project. My portrait images will focus on a girl escaping from a city. Her desire is to see life in colour and to escape from the life she is living.
The audio that will accompany my images will be a narration of the girls within the portrait photography. I want her to narrate to the viewer, telling them about her life and her reasons for wanting to escape. I want her to be talking near traffic to link the idea of her wanting to escape and the idea of transport allowing her to.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Monday, 22 February 2010
Research: 3rd Inspirational Photographer
Cindy Sherman-
Cindy Sherman has built a name as one of the most respected photographers of the late twentieth century. The majority of Sherman's photography is of herself although the images are self portraits. Instead she uses the images to convey comments of the issues in the modern world. Sherman loved to dress up within shoots so by denying her own identity she also captured something of the times:
"The premise of post modernism is that we now live in a culture so saturated with media imagery and media models of how people live that our idea of how one lives one's life and who one is, is made up of that kind of media myth. And in a sense it negates the idea of portraiture, the idea that you can dress up and go to a studio and somehow reveal your strength of character, or your inherent humanity or whatever. You don't have an inherent humanity in the post modernist analysis of these things we are all these composites of a lot of myths and narratives written by other people." (Colin Westerbeck, Writer)
This first image of Cindy Sherman, is a classic black and white shot take from an aerial view looking down on Sherman. Known for expressing comments about the modern world, Sherman within this photograph looks lifeless and almost 'plastic'. This particular character Sherman is presenting occurs throughout her photography as a lost women in a 'trendy' world. The contorted pose Sherman adopts reinforces the lifelessness state the women is in.
The character of the blonde women above is continued within this image. Sherman uses the shadowing from the light in the background of the image to highlight the protagonist character in the foreground. Using the rule of thirds to 'breakdown' and analyse this picture, Sherman stands in the right hand third of the image allowing for the viewer to be creative in believing what she is looking at. Also the position she has adopted allow for her to appear bigger and more important. She appears quite tall against the backdrop suggesting the character is 'taking on the city' and it's clear Sherman was taking on the stereotype of the role of the woman by using a 'city savvy' character.
Personally this image taken by Sherman is one of the most striking images she has within her collection. The character is placed in the left third and her body fills the most the frame. What makes this image effective is the focal point Sherman creates from using a slightly titled angle from above because it allows the audience to focus on the characters eyes. Some believe 'the eyes are the gateway to a person soul' and within this image the characters petrified look and fear within her eyes creates the back story to this image.
This image is one of the many photographs labelled as a 'film still' by Sherman. What makes this photograph powerful is the straight on angle and placement of the character. The image appears to have been edited to look faded and grainy but this works in Sherman's favour as the photograph looks like a distant memory for the character.
This character is a different style of character compared to the other ones Cindy Sherman has created. The style of photography is different as well. This photograph seems more personal and the audience adopts a voyeuristic view on the characters as we are viewing their lives from a 'hidden' view. The balance of both characters being in the left and right hand side of the thirds within the frame allow for the viewers eyes not to be distracted and instead focused on the female.
Cindy Sherman has built a name as one of the most respected photographers of the late twentieth century. The majority of Sherman's photography is of herself although the images are self portraits. Instead she uses the images to convey comments of the issues in the modern world. Sherman loved to dress up within shoots so by denying her own identity she also captured something of the times:
"The premise of post modernism is that we now live in a culture so saturated with media imagery and media models of how people live that our idea of how one lives one's life and who one is, is made up of that kind of media myth. And in a sense it negates the idea of portraiture, the idea that you can dress up and go to a studio and somehow reveal your strength of character, or your inherent humanity or whatever. You don't have an inherent humanity in the post modernist analysis of these things we are all these composites of a lot of myths and narratives written by other people." (Colin Westerbeck, Writer)
This first image of Cindy Sherman, is a classic black and white shot take from an aerial view looking down on Sherman. Known for expressing comments about the modern world, Sherman within this photograph looks lifeless and almost 'plastic'. This particular character Sherman is presenting occurs throughout her photography as a lost women in a 'trendy' world. The contorted pose Sherman adopts reinforces the lifelessness state the women is in.
The character of the blonde women above is continued within this image. Sherman uses the shadowing from the light in the background of the image to highlight the protagonist character in the foreground. Using the rule of thirds to 'breakdown' and analyse this picture, Sherman stands in the right hand third of the image allowing for the viewer to be creative in believing what she is looking at. Also the position she has adopted allow for her to appear bigger and more important. She appears quite tall against the backdrop suggesting the character is 'taking on the city' and it's clear Sherman was taking on the stereotype of the role of the woman by using a 'city savvy' character.
Personally this image taken by Sherman is one of the most striking images she has within her collection. The character is placed in the left third and her body fills the most the frame. What makes this image effective is the focal point Sherman creates from using a slightly titled angle from above because it allows the audience to focus on the characters eyes. Some believe 'the eyes are the gateway to a person soul' and within this image the characters petrified look and fear within her eyes creates the back story to this image.
This image is one of the many photographs labelled as a 'film still' by Sherman. What makes this photograph powerful is the straight on angle and placement of the character. The image appears to have been edited to look faded and grainy but this works in Sherman's favour as the photograph looks like a distant memory for the character.
This character is a different style of character compared to the other ones Cindy Sherman has created. The style of photography is different as well. This photograph seems more personal and the audience adopts a voyeuristic view on the characters as we are viewing their lives from a 'hidden' view. The balance of both characters being in the left and right hand side of the thirds within the frame allow for the viewers eyes not to be distracted and instead focused on the female.
Monday, 1 February 2010
Photography Project Idea
The theme of my photography project is 'A Place'.
I don't want to take the theme too literally, so I decided to focus on how that 'place' could effect an individual.
My idea for my project, is the idea of a person escaping a place. From personal experience I have grown to hate a certain place through bad experiences. The hope of escaping seemed like the only thing pulling me through. I want to show the same hope, isolation and desperation through the character in my project. I want to portray a lonely woman trying to escape the city of Brighton and is lost in the bright lights of the city and the large crowds.
Within the 8 photo's I intend to plan and shoot, I want a series of portrait shots of the woman and the emotions she is presenting from trying to run away. I would like to take some blurred images of crowds/the city/motion as I want to show the viewer what the woman is seeing in her eyes.
I would like to incorporate different styles of image i.e. colour photo's, black and white photo's night shots and day shots to present a wide variety of images showing the viewer her world from different angles.
I now intend to plan each photo in order to have a clear view of what I have to organise for each shoot. After I would like to ensure I have all the props and costume I would need and then I would like to prep the model before I go through with the photo shoots.
I don't want to take the theme too literally, so I decided to focus on how that 'place' could effect an individual.
My idea for my project, is the idea of a person escaping a place. From personal experience I have grown to hate a certain place through bad experiences. The hope of escaping seemed like the only thing pulling me through. I want to show the same hope, isolation and desperation through the character in my project. I want to portray a lonely woman trying to escape the city of Brighton and is lost in the bright lights of the city and the large crowds.
Within the 8 photo's I intend to plan and shoot, I want a series of portrait shots of the woman and the emotions she is presenting from trying to run away. I would like to take some blurred images of crowds/the city/motion as I want to show the viewer what the woman is seeing in her eyes.
I would like to incorporate different styles of image i.e. colour photo's, black and white photo's night shots and day shots to present a wide variety of images showing the viewer her world from different angles.
I now intend to plan each photo in order to have a clear view of what I have to organise for each shoot. After I would like to ensure I have all the props and costume I would need and then I would like to prep the model before I go through with the photo shoots.
Research: 2nd Inspirational Photography
Carl Pendle:
Carl Pendle's photography varies from commercial styled portraits and hard hitting messages about today's culture to dark mysterious photography focused on individualism and isolation. I felt particularly felt inspired towards his photography focused around isolation and mystery.
This image shows a man tired, stressed and in anguish. The straight on shot of this portrait photograph suggests we as the viewer are in the room with the man and we are engaging with him in a personal manor. It is the light in image is shinning from the right hand side of the image allowing a lot of shadowing to be cast in his face suggesting either a split personality of even a hidden past.
Continuing the theme of isolation, this image represents the 'lone businessman'.What I find particularly interesting about this image is the symmetry within the scene and the lines created by the pillars. The black and white effect on the image helps create shadowing and mystery as to who the man might be. The only criticism I have of this photograph is the lack of sharpness. If the image was sharper then the man would appear more as a focal point within the scene.
This photograph is taken from a low angle and is angled with a tilt from the right. The low angle shot allows for us at the viewer to imagine we're on the escalator with him. The dark gradient on the image suggests the man is escaping the dark drudgery of public transport.
I believe this photo to be the most particularly interesting out of Carl Pendle's collection. The unique camera angle allows for the viewer to only see the action the person is doing and not their face. It helps tie in with the theme of mystery and isolation .
Carl Pendle's photography varies from commercial styled portraits and hard hitting messages about today's culture to dark mysterious photography focused on individualism and isolation. I felt particularly felt inspired towards his photography focused around isolation and mystery.
This image shows a man tired, stressed and in anguish. The straight on shot of this portrait photograph suggests we as the viewer are in the room with the man and we are engaging with him in a personal manor. It is the light in image is shinning from the right hand side of the image allowing a lot of shadowing to be cast in his face suggesting either a split personality of even a hidden past.
Continuing the theme of isolation, this image represents the 'lone businessman'.What I find particularly interesting about this image is the symmetry within the scene and the lines created by the pillars. The black and white effect on the image helps create shadowing and mystery as to who the man might be. The only criticism I have of this photograph is the lack of sharpness. If the image was sharper then the man would appear more as a focal point within the scene.
This photograph is taken from a low angle and is angled with a tilt from the right. The low angle shot allows for us at the viewer to imagine we're on the escalator with him. The dark gradient on the image suggests the man is escaping the dark drudgery of public transport.
I believe this photo to be the most particularly interesting out of Carl Pendle's collection. The unique camera angle allows for the viewer to only see the action the person is doing and not their face. It helps tie in with the theme of mystery and isolation .
Image Analysis
I chose this specific image off www.gettyimages.co.uk for analysis because of story and possible background it may have. In regards to the rule of thirds the model is placed slightly off center, and the light shining in the top middle third of the picture helps draw the viewer in, and asks the viewer to question why the viewer is running towards the light. The symbolism within the image suggests the woman is running towards a 'better life' (as suggested by the shining light). It appears the image could of possibly been taken with a low shutter speed rate because the picture shows a slight blurring effect suggested motion within the image which is obvious through the theme of the woman running 'away'.
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Research: 1st Inspirational Photographer
Mark Box: BA Photography graduate.
I have been following the photography of Mark Box for many years. I discovered his work in a show for the Anglia Ruskin University.
His work ranges from documentary photo's on bands, films, and models, to event photography. What I find particulary inspirational about his work is the photography shoots he sets up and shoots because he combines an aspect of glamour photography with surreal surroundings and story lines.
The above show a range of photo's of Mark Box's collections.
- The images of the and the alcohol bottles are taken from events he has attend. What is interessting about the two compositions is the slow shutter speed used and the slightly higher than usual exposure level. The high exposure helps highlight the characters within the images and the slow shutter speed creates motion within the picture to suggest and fun busy atmosphere within the events.
- The images of the the individuals in the portrait photography present a set of surreal characters with a very dark and mysterious set up. Most of the images have been edited. The image of the bald man within the spider on his head, has been edited because the image has a patched grayscale filter placed on it with the brightness and contrast been edited in order for the man to stand out from the background.
Mark Box also experiments with cd covering graphics and photography- here are some examples of his work:
What's interesting about these two cd covers is the extreme contrast in style compared to Box's other photography. Both covers seem more clean cut and simple.
My two most inspirational images from Mark Box's Collections:
The first image is of a speaker and a lighting effect wrapped around it. The slow shutter speed and the light exposure of the light effect helps not only create a sense of motion within the image of the music and the waves of the sound pumping around the room but it also helps highlight the speaker as the main source of the effect.
The second image is of a red chandelier swinging in a dull darkened room. Again the same analysis applies to this image as the slow shutter speed helps create the effect that the chandelier is swinging and the blur of the light and the redness of the chandelier gives the impression of a party atmosphere because of the blur.
Mark Box's Websites:
http://markboxphotography.carbonmade.com/
http://www.livinginaboxworld.com/
I have been following the photography of Mark Box for many years. I discovered his work in a show for the Anglia Ruskin University.
His work ranges from documentary photo's on bands, films, and models, to event photography. What I find particulary inspirational about his work is the photography shoots he sets up and shoots because he combines an aspect of glamour photography with surreal surroundings and story lines.
The above show a range of photo's of Mark Box's collections.
- The images of the and the alcohol bottles are taken from events he has attend. What is interessting about the two compositions is the slow shutter speed used and the slightly higher than usual exposure level. The high exposure helps highlight the characters within the images and the slow shutter speed creates motion within the picture to suggest and fun busy atmosphere within the events.
- The images of the the individuals in the portrait photography present a set of surreal characters with a very dark and mysterious set up. Most of the images have been edited. The image of the bald man within the spider on his head, has been edited because the image has a patched grayscale filter placed on it with the brightness and contrast been edited in order for the man to stand out from the background.
Mark Box also experiments with cd covering graphics and photography- here are some examples of his work:
What's interesting about these two cd covers is the extreme contrast in style compared to Box's other photography. Both covers seem more clean cut and simple.
My two most inspirational images from Mark Box's Collections:
The first image is of a speaker and a lighting effect wrapped around it. The slow shutter speed and the light exposure of the light effect helps not only create a sense of motion within the image of the music and the waves of the sound pumping around the room but it also helps highlight the speaker as the main source of the effect.
The second image is of a red chandelier swinging in a dull darkened room. Again the same analysis applies to this image as the slow shutter speed helps create the effect that the chandelier is swinging and the blur of the light and the redness of the chandelier gives the impression of a party atmosphere because of the blur.
Mark Box's Websites:
http://markboxphotography.carbonmade.com/
http://www.livinginaboxworld.com/
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