Portraiture
Visual Collage
Below I have selected varying photographs which I believe represents the term 'portraiture.' I have create this collage to help me decide on a starting point for this topic and also to notice the different types of portraiture including close ups, mid shots and full length shots. Below several genres are explored: colour photography, black and white photography, the theme of film noir, realist portraits, natural portraiture, fashion portraiture and several others.
Experimentation with Portraiture - (First Starting Point)
To begin Portraiture, I decided to experiment with a model in the setting of a woods. I decided to use the trees and branches to create interesting photographs. I used a model with blonde hair as I thought she'd stand out more against the dark backround, as opposed to a brunnette. I decided to only enhance the colour of the photographs on photoshop, rather than airbrushing and editing them to perfection as I believe it makes the photograph come across more real rather than commercialised. I am happy with my outcome as the photographs are well focused and original. The various shot types make the photographs appear more diverse.
Experimenting with Portraiture (Second Strand) - Studio Lighting
For my experimentation with the studio lighting I used a model with harsh eye liner makeup and a pattern on the side of her face to empahsise the different black and white shades. I had my model look straight into the camera to create a very visual photograph. I did two close ups of my models features to show detail and the focus of my work. Over all, I am happy with how the lighting appeared however, I think my photographs would look better with a more vibrant back round rather than just black and white.
Breakfast at Tiffanys - (Second Starting Point)
I then looked into areas which related to black and white 50's photography. I'm referencing Breakfast At Tiffanys because the style of Audrey Hepburn in the film is exactly the style I was aspiring to get my model, and photographs to look like. I was then interested in how she would look into the windows of the shop she loved. I thought this would be a good theme for my photos, as I could do them in black and white, with a model looking like Audrey Hepburn, looking into a more modern shop at products which she desires.
Chris Gloag - 60's theme
Chris Gloag's photography can be seen as partially similar to Breakfast at Tiffany's. Chris uses a 60's theme which is represented through his use of props including: glasses and dress choice. His setting for his photographs is also similar to Breakfast at Tiffany's; he uses setting which are pretty to look at, for example a brightly coloured flower shop, and a wealthy looking perfume shop. My work shall be inspired by Gloag's work through my choice of dress and setting. His photographs are highly contrasting, in reference to the dark coloured clothes of the model and the brightly coloured objects around her i.e flowers. This can be related to Breakfast at Tiffany's as she wears a black dress and stands near a beautiful classy shop. Gloag is a professional portrait photographer shooting portraits for the editorial corporate and advertising markets; his photographs are well focused and modern.
Breakfast at Tiffanys/Chris Gloag inspired - Digital Response
For my response to Breakfast at Tiffany's, I went to a big glamorous shop with fancy, desirable displays in central london. I bought two models with me, one completely portraying the Breakfast at Tiffany's Audrey Hepburn look, and the other a contrast to this, with blonde hair and bright bold red lipstick. I decided to use two opposing models as I wanted to created a contrast in my work, one similar to the film and the other representing a modern Audrey Hepburn. I took the shots of the Audrey Hepburn lookalike alike to hers, including her back to the window looking in. I took my photos in black and white to make them appear older, and so they related to the film further.
I am happy with my outcome as i believe it has achieved what I wanted it to, in regards to the Breakfast at Tiffany's theme. For the blonde modern model, I edited some of her photographs so that she was in black and white, and the windows were coloured. I did this because I believe it creates the idea that she's stuck in the past, with no money, but she's looking in on the colourful, glitzy glamourous modern displays.
In my final set of photographs I will do the majority in black and white, as i like the different shades the effect can produce. Therefore, from this set of Breakfast at Tiffany photo's I have concluded that I shall pursue the black and white theme.
I am happy with my outcome as i believe it has achieved what I wanted it to, in regards to the Breakfast at Tiffany's theme. For the blonde modern model, I edited some of her photographs so that she was in black and white, and the windows were coloured. I did this because I believe it creates the idea that she's stuck in the past, with no money, but she's looking in on the colourful, glitzy glamourous modern displays.
In my final set of photographs I will do the majority in black and white, as i like the different shades the effect can produce. Therefore, from this set of Breakfast at Tiffany photo's I have concluded that I shall pursue the black and white theme.
Elise Dumontet - Fashion Photography (Third Starting Point)
Elise uses close ups of models to emphasise features. She enhances features often by applying makeup to areas of the face. Elise’s “passion for all things beautiful” drove her to create a simplistic yet unique approach to beauty photography. She says, “My one goal, with any of my pictures, is to create the most beautiful image I can, regardless of my subject.” Elise's attempts to make photos beautiful are achieved as her work shows. Each photo is defined and flawless. She edits some of her photographs to have three times the image in a row, but each fading as it gets further back, the one closet most defined. http://www.productionparadise.com/spotlight/fashion-and-beauty-photography-issue-1-82/corbis-artist-representation-2422.html
Elise Dumontet - Digital Response
I decided to do a colour photoshoot. My work here relates to Elise Dumontet's through the defined editing and capturing of the photographs. The models are wearing strong makeup to help define their own features. I wanted the makeup to be strong rather than minimal as I like the contrast it has with the rest of the face. I composed my models against a pink backround, differently to Elise's white backround, as I wanted the photos to come across as flowery and warm. I left my photographs in colour rather than editing them into black and white, because all my other work relating to Dumontet's is black and white, and I wanted this set to show that I understood her work through the flawlessness of the photos which is shown better in colour. I edited my photographs on photoshop. I airbrushed and enhanced the features on my models.
I am happy with my outcome. I believe the photos demonstrate beauty and enhanced natural beauty. The colours in my photographs are bold, this is what I was aiming for. To develop this further I am going to look at the work of Yasumasa Morimura. As she used bright colours I want to achieve this within my own work. Dumontet's ideas shall be built on Morimura's work and possibly Mario Testino's to achieve a set of highly colourful, contrasting photographs, and thus developing into a final outcome.
I am happy with my outcome. I believe the photos demonstrate beauty and enhanced natural beauty. The colours in my photographs are bold, this is what I was aiming for. To develop this further I am going to look at the work of Yasumasa Morimura. As she used bright colours I want to achieve this within my own work. Dumontet's ideas shall be built on Morimura's work and possibly Mario Testino's to achieve a set of highly colourful, contrasting photographs, and thus developing into a final outcome.
Yasumasa Morimura - Development
Yasumasa Morimura borrows images from historical artists (ranging from Edouard Manet to Rembrandt to Cindy Sherman), and inserts his own face and body into them. For example recently, In his most recent and most extravagant reproduction, Morimura created a series of hybrid self-portraits modeled after the art of Frida Kahlo. Yasumasa used bright colours in his photographs which allow the models dark features to be sharper. Yasumasa dresses himself up as famous people to create paintings which look similar to the original, for example: Frida Kahlo.
Yasumasa Morimura - Digital Response
For my digital response to Morimura's work, I used the Frieda Kahlo inspired photograph to conduct my work. I used a pattered background and dressed the model in bright colours to mirror Yasumasa's work. I used warm lighting to create a colourful atmosphere. Although I am happy with my outcome, I believe that because many of my shots were mid length and shoulder shots, I don't feel as though the detail and expressions I wanted to capture were caught. Therefore in my next set of photographs I shall work solely with closeups. However, I shall develop this idea further by using bright colours on my model possibly with paint and refering to Mario Testino's work. I shall consider Morimura's work within my next set.
Mario Testino - Development
Mario Testino estino has shot fashion stories for Vogue, Gucci, and Vanity Fair. Celebrity subjects have most famously included Diana, Princess of Wales and her sons. Also more recently Prince William and Catherine Middleton on the occasion of their engagement. Testino has become one of the world's most well known and celebrated fashion photographers. His work has been featured across the globe in magazines such as Vogue, Vanity Fair and V and he has crafted and contributed to the imagery of leading fashion houses such as Burberry, Gucci, Versace, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, among many others. As well as having published seven books of his work and edited one other dedicated to contemporary art and artists from his native Peru, Mario Testino has had many successful exhibitions in galleries and museums around the world. Mario's work is eye capturing and colourful making the features on his models stand out to the upmost possibility.
Mario Testino - Photographs
Mario Testino - Digital Response
For my response to Mario Testino I covered my model in carefully mirrored lipstick as Testino did. I only used close up shots as I wanted to catch the detail of the models face and the intricateness of the paint, but also this is what Mario did. My model wore a black top so that the contrast with the lipsticks was greater. She posed with a range of expressions including looking serious, smiling and raising her lip. I used a range of expressions because I wanted to experiment with various ideas of how to create my final set of photographs. I believe the photographs where she is most serious are the most effective as they convey an attitude which each expression creates. I am very happy with the outcome because I believe my use of close ups has caught the expressions and 'attitude' that I wanted to. For development I shall use paint instead of lipstick to create a messy yet beautiful set of photographs.
Mario Testino (Development) - Digital Response
For my development of Mario Testion's work I decided to use two different models and to use close ups. I related my work to Testino's by involivng paint and the use of a close up. However, I kept my work original by the model smeering paint all over their face rather than on only a section and the paint being perfectly put on. My photographs are meant to show models unposed and natural and the faults which can be shown in photographs. My pictures are not designed to be beautiful in the sense of perfect poses but beautiful in an imperfect way with unusual facial expressions. I kept my work original by doing this.
Final Outcome and Evaluation.
For my final outcome for Portraiture, I have chosen one photograph from the above set and have decided to blow it up nto A3 size. The single photograph I've chosen is defined and her feelings are well expressed through her facial expressiom. The models face is slightly miserable and disgusted and it could be said that effectively the paint is expressing her feelings as it is messy and unorganised. Although the photograph appears imperfect it is still beautiful due to the definition, detail and idea behind it.
Throughout this exploration of portraiture I have discovered new techniques and the ideas behind photography. Every set of photos which I have taken is perfected to detail and each has explored the different areas of portraiture. I am very happy with my final outcome and below is the photograph which I have chosen as my final piece.
Throughout this exploration of portraiture I have discovered new techniques and the ideas behind photography. Every set of photos which I have taken is perfected to detail and each has explored the different areas of portraiture. I am very happy with my final outcome and below is the photograph which I have chosen as my final piece.