Portraiture

Portrait photography is a photograph of an individual or group of people, usually aiming to capture the personality of the subject. The best portrait photographs focus on the lighting, framing, background and in some cases props. The camera position is important in framing and interaction with the subject is key to create meaningful, emotional photography.

Lighting is very important in portraiture photography as the direction of light can drastically alter an images mood. There are two types of lights that in photography have different effects, diffused and harsh lighting. 

Diffused light can also be referred to as soft light and is faint and not direct and has usually been softened in some way. It is a flat and even light, meaning that shadows are absent or indistinct. diffused light can make a subject look younger and can downplay flaws in the skin.

Harsh or hard lighting usually exposes and draws attention to 'unpleasant' features, as opposed to blurring the features. It has a lot more contrast, shadows having harder edges and greater definition. In most cases the closer the light source the more harsh the lighting.

This is a famous photo of Winston Churchill by Yousuf Karsh, this photograph successfully represents him as a political authority figure. The lighting is directed and central to his face showing the importance of him as an individual, the props used in this case is his walking stick which not only shows age - which is important in representing respect as he is elderly- it shows stability. The facial expression and pose to me shows how serious Churchill is and represents him in a good light as an MP. I believe that Karsh has illustrated Churchill looking moody and angry by his use of harsh lighting creating contrast and drawing greater focus to his ageing features.

Artists Research

I will be focusing my work on Annie Leibovitz she is one of the best known American portraiture photographers, she is well known for her portraits for magazine covers and of famous actors and TV stars and calendar shoots. I noticed a common theme of the use of hands in her images that create an abstract effect and individuality to represent personas.  A lot of her work is influenced by Richard Avendon as she likes to develop close rapport with her subjects.

I think this first picture is powerful in its message as the subject Meryl Streep is wearing makeup that represents to me evil, which has been brought to the surface, illustrated by the use of makeup. To me it represents the mood of frustration due to her hand gestures as its seems like she is trying to release herself of the darkness within her. The clothing positioning in this image is also very important as I feel like her unbuttoned shirt emphasises the urge to be free of unwanted things. I think this second picture of Alan Rickman is powerful in showing the seriousness of his persona, which I immediately makes me think of his harry potter character who is stern.The hand gesture almost implements a sense of mysteriousness too. The third image is my favourite as the ever so simple hand gesture that covers the face, screams shyness to me, as the subject peeps through her fingers it shows that she is curious yet also doesn't want to be to interested in what she is witnessing or even feeling. I also think the use of framing in this image is also important as it could be interpreted that the hand that is on her face is of someone else, which is powerful as it shows she has little control over what she sees.

I will specifically focus on the use of hand gestures and props to create a meaningful and emotion filled images.

Indoor Photoshoot Contact Sheet

Photos to improve 

I like this shot however, I feel like it needs improvement as there is too much spacing at the top of image and my model's facial expression doesn't successfully deliver my serious intentions. To improve this image I would adjust the framing and take the shot from a lower angle with my model looking down into the lense to give a more serious tone to my image. This was inspired by Annie Leibovitz use of hand gestures. The pink background also connotes the feelings of

This photo could be improved by zooming in the image and I think that by doing this I would have successfully captured my intentions of representing ann individual who is shy and misunderstood. I can improve this my creating a better rapport with my subject like Annie Leibovitz did, which in turn would have produced a more meaningful image.

Best Images

I was inspired to do this image as it relates to Annie Leibovitz's work in the pirelli calendar shoot. The props of a watch and glasses stereotype intelligence, money and power subverting the stigmas traditionally attached to women. However, to contradict this the pink background is stereo typically feminine.

This image is inspired by Annie Leibovitz's use of hand gestures to produce an abstract image. The hand on my models head to me represents stress and the headaches of life and how she uses cigarettes to exhale the pressures from within her. I believe this is a bad habit but it represents to me the different ways individuals deal with problems, despite eventually creating more. I also believe that the shade of her clothing is significant as the dark tones represent her internal mood.

This image was inspired by Annie Leibovitz's work with expressing individuality as my model looking directly into the camera lense shows her confidence. The cigarette also implies a sense of carelessness and after rapport I could see this through her rebellious attitude.

This image is inspired by expressing individuality but through the use of hand gestures. The positioning of my models hand represents prayer and deep thought. The positioning of my model is also effective here too as her attention is directed away from the camera, showing her concentration is on something else which is presumably important.

This is my favourite and most abstract un natural pose, yet my most thought filled as I believe the hand gestures show a conflict between her thoughts and the mood she presents above the surface. My models eyes show her insecurity and through creating rapport I know she has low self worth but this image really shows her beauty and the low angle shot gives my subject a confident stance, regardless of her shy nature.

AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.

My idea for recording portraiture was to focus on women and the use of hand gestures to create powerful imagery. This was inspired by my artist Annie Leibovitz who is well renowned for her work with powerful women. It was great to capture in a studio but I also did an outdoor shoot, due to the nature of some of my images, for example when smoking.

AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.

I used a canon EOS 1300D for all of my shots, my images in the studio were all taken at  f11 1/125 200 using a soft box. When I took my photos outside I took them at an ISO between 100 and 200 and at shutter speed of 1/400 - 1/625 and aperture between f4 and f6 I couldn't increase the aperture in the studio as the settings were subject to the light meter and what best fit the lighting within the room. 
Here is a lighting diagram that I made to represent how the studio was set up when I was taking photographs.

I ensured that my framing focused on specifically waist up. However, the framing in this photo below did not fit this theme, yet I really like this photo as my models jumper that states 'thrasher' is an urban skateboarding company which represents an urban style. As inspired by Annie Leibovitz's photography the hand gestures really emphasise this youthful photograph. I will crop it and adjust the contrast, colour and white balance so they grey doesn't blend in with my white background. If I were to re shoot this image I would use a different backdrop and create more rapport so I am able to understand and translate my models relationship with skateboarding.

I edited my photos by adjusting things such as brightness, contrast, colour balance and white balance depending on the photograph, below is all the tools I used for each individual image.

I decided to crop my first image just to slightly remove some of the excessive spacing at the top.

for this last image I used the dodge tool to lighten my subjects hair, so the background didn't blend in with her hair colour. 

AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.

The artist research was incredibly interesting and helpful and I was deeply inspired by her 2016 pirelli calendar shoot which broke the stereotypes and traditions of this very sexual calendar. She created a calendar that empowered successful women and was my main source of inspiration. I also loved her ways of expressing individuality which I tried to incorporate in my photographs. Research from the image bank also helped me to experiment with eye contact and the different emotions they achieve, or no eye contact and what that can mean.

AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.  

I believe I have produced a strong series of images as inspired by my artist Annie Leibovitz. My final images were produced with slight editing in photoshop, specifically the colour balance tool and white balance tool to create more aesthetic images.

Landscape

Landscape, what is it?

The word is Derived from The Dutch word landscape meaning "region, tract of land”. The first recorded use of landscape was in 1598,by dutch artists. It was used by the English in art to describe "a picture depicting scenery on land."

Landscape photography is hard to define and is very much down to your own interpretation. However, It is traditionally defined as "showing spaces within the world, sometimes vast and unending, but other times microscopic. Landscape photographs typically capture the presence of nature but can also focus on man-made features or disturbances of landscapes.”"

Ansel Adams is the artist that is the most recognised for his outstanding landscape photography and most of my work will be inspired by his techniques rather than his photographs. His use of a wide depth of field is important in landscape photography as it successfully captures all the subjects in the image, for a shot in full focus. It is usually recommended to use an aperture of f16 and above to achieve this. He also almost always used a tripod to ensure a sturdy and straight image, also achieving height for some of his images. Specifically to Ansel Adams photos he focused very much on tone to achieve his sense of visualisation, by focusing on different shadows and contrasting colours. Some examples of his techniques are down below.

As you can see this is a tree originally a tree, however Ansel Adams uses techniques such as Technical execution, 

Selectively burning the details of the tree trunks, changing the focus 

on foreground image, 

High contrast and making the nature seem abstract.









Image Bank of contemporary landscape photography.

Artists Research

The artist I am focusing on is Simon Roberts born in 1974, he is a British photographer who's work aims to show a relationship to landscape, focusing on the feelings of identity and solidarity. He is best known for his landscape photography for his 'We English' photo book that went on exhibition. 

These images are landscape photographs taken in England, part of his 'We English' exhibition. I chose these three photos as inspiration, as I feel like these relate to me due to the area that I live. The first image as a landscape photo manages to show the density of life in this specific area of Sunderland, by capturing the school across the road from housing. To me this illustrates  the strong families that are supportive within the UK and the loving relationships between neighbours, regardless of age and gender, and as a landscape image manages to .The second image demonstrates the youth culture in the UK, through showing the place where kids like to escape to enjoy themselves doing sports and socialising, and as a landscape image it shows a range of subjects on the foreground and background which makes the image feel very open, possibly like the relationship between the young adults and children. This third image is my favourite as it shows a lot of juxtaposition as the power plants contrast with the greenery, which is ironic due to the pollution it creates and the idea of preserving nature. Also there are people playing golf yet then scenery isn't mesmerising which is strange as usually golf is supposed to be a relaxing and scenic sport, this makes me angry as I feel like it shows that as a population we put up with our green lands being built on and ruined. However, as a landscape image it is of great character and Roberts has managed to produce a single shot that shows several things.

My idea for recording landscape is to capture the different buildings, and framings that represent urban life through contemporary landscapes, as inspired by Simon Roberts.

AO:1.  You must ensure that several of the visual ideas/inspirations within the image bank are pursued. )

The two images circled above are the photos that I feel need improvement.

Best Images AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.

To me Landscape photography is something that can represent the contents of the land through camera angles through levels and height. It must always feature at least one distinct subject whether that be in the background or foreground, demonstrating meaning through the environment the shot was taken.

This image was inspired by Roberts photographs which represent identity as I think this is my most powerful image, although there is only one main subject this image the low angle shot resonates the strength of Harlow town and the top of the building is the highest point in the town centre. Also, as this building is abandoned I believe it is ironic how this feeling has been created.

I think this photo represents the youth in Harlow, although there is a not a lot of individuals in the shot, I think it represents the sense of solidarity as people go to this park to communicate with each other outside of closed doors, it also captures a scenic background of the trees. This was inspired by Roberts photo of the youth at the skate ramps. 

I think this image represents landscape really effectively as I feel like I have created layers in this photo, as you have the individual on the foreground then in the background there is apartments which I feel well represent the close community within Harlow, then in the far distance there is a silhouette of the fields that surround the very edges of Harlow. This is inspired by Simon Roberts who captures subjects in his images, usually they are off guard. However, in my own interpretation my subject is aware they are being photographed to add confidence to my image.

I chose this image as It captures the broad walk of the town and the length that it stretches, which to me shows that although it is a small town, it is still big in its industries and businesses. In this shot I particularly like the old building that transitions into a more modern building on the right hand-side. This was inspired by Roberts Sunderland photo of the families as it shows a busy and life filled town.

I like this photo as it shows an industrial style of landscape like Roberts photo of the power stations. It has a number of subjects and the trees in the background contrast to the buildings in the foreground, creating juxtaposition. 

Photos to improve

I feel as though this image could be improved as the photo doesn't capture enough of the landscape,and unlike my other best images there is no people in this image and there is too much of the sky showing. I could improve it by taking it from a more birds eye view, so there is more subjects that stand out in the image.

I feel like the angle of this image wasn't complimentary with the sunlight. I can improve this to create a more effective image by bringing the individuals closer to the camera in the shot and waiting for a time of day which the lighting was not too bright in the image.

AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.

I used a Canon EOS 1300D for all my shots, my best images were shot at f22, with a shutter speed of 1/15 at an IOS of 200. I used a tripod for all of my shots, with some of my images I noticed an elevated view point. I made sure the aperture was the highest in order to capture a wide-depth of field to make the subjects in my image detailed. In one shot, I managed to capture an image I am very proud of. Unfortunately, I didn't use a tripod due to it being such a low shot,and if I were to re-shoot this image I would put my camera flat on the floor to achieve a more stable image.However, I feel like this image is very abstract and can represent the 'broken' elements within the town such as high crime rates, and represents landscape due to the scenery in the background

To improve my images, I made simplistic adjustments to levels, colour balance, brightness/contrast and exposure, below are the adjustments for each image in order of how they have been presented at the beginning.

AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.

My artist research was really helpful by giving me ideas of where to take my shots , which was in Harlow as I feel like that well represents the kind of images I was inspired by, especially helping me focus on capturing the feeling of identity. I was lucky enough for there to be a lot of people in the town when taking my shoots, to give my images a more urban feel. My research on the best way to capture landscape also helped as the use of a tripod made creating effective shots a lot easier. My research on other photographers contemporary landscape images was good in helping me think creatively but realistically would have been hard to use the techniques in my images due to my option to take the images within Harlow.

AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.  

I feel like I have produced a strong set of images as they link to my artist in a number of ways. Unintentionally, I managed to incorporate an elevated positioning in my photographs, like many of Simon Roberts photography. My final images were produced through editing in Photoshop to improve the image quality, as I believe that landscape photography requires a lot of detail.