Portraiture
The idea of portraiture photography can be interpreted in a lot of different ways the primary focus of portraiture photography is the person in the photograph but this can be shown and presented in many different formats and styles, my favourite mediums include using shadows, reflection and abstract collage like photos.
The first selfie - Cornelius(1839)
The world's first “selfie,” a self-portrait taken by Cornelius in 1839.Prints and Photographs Division.
A 30-year-old man stood alone in the yard of his family's Philadelphia gas lighting business.
A 30-year-old man stood alone in the yard of his family's Philadelphia gas lighting business.
Shadow selfies
Examples of shadow photography:
Andre Kertesz 1927
|
Daido moriyama 1997
|
Vivian Maier 1975
|
Umbo Otto Umbehr 1928
|
Shadow selfies use shadows to show either the outline of a person or their face but it can also be used to cover the face and cast shadows in different shapes or patterns on to the face of the model in the photographer.
My version of shadow selfies
Shadow selfie - indoors |
Shadow selfie - outdoors |
WWW: In these pictures I have successfully shown a clear profile outline of my face as well as getting different angles of my face.
EBI: if I re-took this photoshoot, I would incorporate different shapes of shadows perhaps instead of having my face casting the shadow I could try using different objects this way I could get more interesting shapes and patterns.
Obscured selfies
Examples of obscured photography:
Richard Hamilton - Self Portrait with red
|
Masahisa Fukase
|
Edu Monteiro - Autoerrotrato Sensorial
|
Lee Friedlander - Self Portrait
|
Obscure selfies are photos where the photographer has used an object or something else to obscure the image of the face in the photographer this can be done using most things any object or perhaps light or markers.
My version of obscure selfies
Obscured selfie - indoors |
Obscure selfie - outdoors |
WWW - In this photoshoot i successfully used a variety of different objects and items to obscure my face in selfie style photography
EBI - if i re-took this photoshoot i could try incorporating colours and shadows instead of just objects
EBI - if i re-took this photoshoot i could try incorporating colours and shadows instead of just objects
Reflected selfies
Examples of shadow photography:
Lee Friedlander - Self Portrait
|
Nan Goldin - Slef portrait in blue
|
Florence Henri - Self Portrait
|
llse Bing - Self Portrait
|
Reflected selfies is where instead of having the subjects actual face in the actual photograph its instead reflected into a mirror or some other reflective substance/object such as glass or water.
My version of reflected selfies:
|
|
WWW- i have successfully used a wide variety of reflective surfaces to take these selfie photographs such as glass, mirrors and reflective plastic
EBI- if i were to re-take this photoshoot i would try to take further away pictures in mirrors to show range
EBI- if i were to re-take this photoshoot i would try to take further away pictures in mirrors to show range
- Myra Greene -
Through her work, Myra Greene tries to prompt questions about how individuals are often judged based on skin color and other physical characteristics rather than on their character. Greene's race-conscious collections have been exhibited in galleries and exhibitions across the country and have gained national recognition in the media, including a new York times spotlight piece for her collection "My White Friends" in 2012. |
Examples of Myra Greene's photography
Myra Greene’s work shows up close pictures of facial features with damaged edges to add to the effect of the photographs and the impact they have.
My interpretation of Myra Greene's up-close photography
WWW: i have successfully taken clear in focus pictures of the models up-close features
EBI: if i were to re-take this photoshoot i would try to get a range of features from different models
EBI: if i were to re-take this photoshoot i would try to get a range of features from different models
Best photos:
Printed versions of the best photos:
The tape on the surface of the printout will stop the light of the enlarger in the dark room on the tape covered areas meaning it will stay white and undeveloped creating a pattern/imprint in the shape of the tape which will hopefully create a damaged worn look like in Myra Greens photography
Final edited versions
-Lighting-
In photography, there are three main principles to do with lighting which are: intensity/quantity of light, direction of light, and quality of light these three principles can completely change the way your photograph looks, lighting also plays a major role in capturing colours as well as in revealing form and texture in an image
Different Stages of lighting
Place The Main Light First
With your subject in place, generally facing the camera, you'll want to place your main light just above their head and to one side. Look at where the shadows fall and adjust the position of the light until you like what you see. For basic portraits, shorter shadows are best and you'll get those by moving the light closer to the front of the subject's face rather than far off to one side. Lower, rather than higher light positions will also create shorter shadows. |
Pictures using lighting
LIGHT & SHADOW: VALERIE KABIS
Valerie Kabis creates a distorted ghost-like portrait image. She does this by taking the pictures on a blank background and having the model move their head to create a blur effect; she then edits the images to make them black and white. She wanted us to consider that beauty in the obscure as she produces a gothic abstract image. Valerie Kabis has used lighting, backdrop and photoshop in creating this work.
Kabis uses neutral colors in the background of the portrait; she only uses whites and blacks in her backdrops and subjects; these not only bring a calming sense but help make the model stand out.
Kabis uses neutral colors in the background of the portrait; she only uses whites and blacks in her backdrops and subjects; these not only bring a calming sense but help make the model stand out.
My interpretations of Kabis' work using mirrors:
For this Valerie Kabis inspired photoshoot i used a combination of lighting and a mirror reflection to try and create the same eerie ghost-like photographs i will enhance this in photoshop.
Edited versions / Editing Process
This is my original image based off of Valerie Kabis' work with my subject reflected in a mirror and incorporating lighting
|
First in my editing process i crop the photograph so its just focusing on the subject and the reflection
|
Next most important step to get the same type of image as Kabis is to turn my image black and white
|
After that i lower the brightness to create darker more intense shadows which separates the two faces making the fact that ones a reflection less obvious
|
Finally i lower the contrast to refine and soften the edges on the models face making the contrast between the face and the shadow greater
|
This is my final image based off of Valerie Kabis
|
Final edited images
WWW:
EBI:
EBI:
Blurry Version
This photoshoot is more in style of Valerie Kabis' black and white blurry shadow images, i have used a black backdrop to make the editing process easier when i take the best photos to photoshop, to create the same blur effect that Kabis has in her photography i have my model move their head in different directions quickly which creates this blurred effect which i have enhanced through lighting on the models face.
Editing process
Edited versions
WWW:
EBI:
EBI:
Documentary portrait
GEORGE TOWN - LEWIS KHAN
Lewis khans portraits are based on his study of emotion, relationships and belonging.
With a keen eye for observation and a personal interest in community as his driving work force towards his documentary project.
Khan produced an impressive portfolio of imagery that both acts as a social commentary, and immerses him physically in places, groups and relationships pictured in his photographs.
Khan makes his first moving image 'Georgetown' as a formative project that would go on to later influence his work and approach to stills.
The 'Georgetown' film is a component of six years of impromptu and informal meetings with local resident George, with Khan revisiting the subject over an extended period of time: an approach that says has given his project a greater depth later leading to him winning first prize at shuffle film festival awarded by director Danny Boyle.
With a keen eye for observation and a personal interest in community as his driving work force towards his documentary project.
Khan produced an impressive portfolio of imagery that both acts as a social commentary, and immerses him physically in places, groups and relationships pictured in his photographs.
Khan makes his first moving image 'Georgetown' as a formative project that would go on to later influence his work and approach to stills.
The 'Georgetown' film is a component of six years of impromptu and informal meetings with local resident George, with Khan revisiting the subject over an extended period of time: an approach that says has given his project a greater depth later leading to him winning first prize at shuffle film festival awarded by director Danny Boyle.
My interpretation of Lewis khans' photography (in-school)
This photoshoot has pictures of teachers/staff from all around the school as well as pictures of the places they spend most time such as art teacher in his art classroom
Some of the best images:
My interpretation of Lewis khans' photography (home)
This is a home photoshoot featuring my younger brother as well as the things he likes to try and show his personality, such as his favourite stuffed animals, cards he collects, sports he plays and the pets he loves
Some of the best images
Ben watts
Ben Watts, born in London England in 1967, was a student at Sydney college of arts from 1985 to 1990.
He started his photographic career in Australia, he first worked as a photographer's assistant but later transitioned onto doing
his own work and began shooting for Australian Ellen and Vouge and more.
His work progressed in 1990 when he moved to New York and started documenting American youth because he was interested in
American hip-hop, he started hitting the streets and clubs in an attempt to
capture his subjects on film.
He has since become well known for his celebrity photography for magazines and campaigns such as Nike,
Polo Ralph Lauren, the Gap and apple as well as many others.
Watts has contributed to many exhibitions in New York including "ART IN PHOTOGRAPHY" he continues to live and work in New York.
He started his photographic career in Australia, he first worked as a photographer's assistant but later transitioned onto doing
his own work and began shooting for Australian Ellen and Vouge and more.
His work progressed in 1990 when he moved to New York and started documenting American youth because he was interested in
American hip-hop, he started hitting the streets and clubs in an attempt to
capture his subjects on film.
He has since become well known for his celebrity photography for magazines and campaigns such as Nike,
Polo Ralph Lauren, the Gap and apple as well as many others.
Watts has contributed to many exhibitions in New York including "ART IN PHOTOGRAPHY" he continues to live and work in New York.
Examples of his work:
My interpretation of watts' work:
- Adjusting the contrast / brightness and saturation in photoshop i make the collage more vibrant making the colours standout better
Final result
WWW/EBI:
For my version of Watts' collage photography, I have used Muhammed ail as a subject for my photo, I have successfully taken elements from Watts' work such as his idea of using tape and writing personalised messages based off of his model, I have also used a marker to write text all around the photo, writing things that relate particularly to them subject and what he's known for which is his career as a boxer, so I have written things that have been said about him or he has said such as "I AM THE GREATEST" and "CHAMPION" this helps to personalise my work more in relation to him. But unlike Ben Watts work I have used more colours so perhaps in my next version I can try to incorporate even more of Watts' style maybe incorporating both coloured and black and white pictures of my chosen model to show more contrast. |
This particular piece of work is based off of Ben Watts' more collage like style of work this is where he takes several images putting them together and incorporating other medias such as masking tape and coloured markers as well as using polaroid's, these photographs intrigued me especially because they are more unique and with art like elements.
|
Independent development
- Adjusting the brightness / contrast and saturation in photoshop i make the collage more vibrant making the colour standout better
Final result
To further on my photographic development i have continued with the themes from the previous Ben Watts inspired photographs such as layering the photos on top of coloured card to create a frame like effect and using masking tape to write words related to my subject in the photograph like Ben Watts does. The subject in this collage in particular is myself so considering that i am in some of these pictures means i did not take all of them, to help make this collage more personalised to my sense of style I used a darker background than in my previous collages using black card as well as using more coloured card and markers too make it seem for colourful and imaginative, adding to this idea of personalisation I have added ripped up pages of the book I am reading at the moment outlining it with different coloured markers too make it stand out more and be more eye catching this adds to the overall effect of the collage as a whole. |
The photographs i used are mainly of me out with big groups of people having
fun around London this is to try and show the teenage culture and lifestyle i and man other teenagers live, having fun around London means spending lots of time on the underground train going to concerts and parties in central London and finding stray cats on the street when out or all going to someone's house when it gets too cold to be wandering he streets or hanging out in fields in the winter seasons. |
2nd Independent development
Examples of Lewis Khan's photography:
Lewis Khans photography is based around the ideas of identity Khan takes pictures of people and
the things surrounding those people such as places they work or live and objects that help to show
their personality and what they like to do.
the things surrounding those people such as places they work or live and objects that help to show
their personality and what they like to do.
- My interpretation -
WWW:
EBI:
EBI:
My interpretation
- Adjusting the brightness / contrast and saturation in photoshop i make the collage more vibrant making the colours standout better
Final photograph
For my further development on from Ben Watts I have incorporated themes from the work of Lewis Khans,
Lewis Khans photography is based around the ideas of identity Khan takes pictures of people and the things surrounding those people such as places they work or live and objects that help to show there personality and what they like to do, so in this picture where I used my mum as a subject i have incorporated things about her even going as far to go with her to her work as a beautician taking pictures of her at work and the set up she has in both her room at work and at home. To add to the theme of my mums work life i have found and typed up it then printed out articles written about her and the work she does with her celebrity clientele and added it in to my collage I have also used the positive praising words from these articles to write around the empty spaces of the collage like Ben Watts does. In this collage i have used more of a plain white background than i have done in the two previous collages this is to personalise it to the more minimalist modern like aesthetic that my mum likes to have. |
3rd Independent development
Examples of Loui Jover's photography:
Loui Jover who's photographs have a deconstructed element to them,
he takes portraits and deconstructs their faces by cutting out and moving the features around creating an abstract image,
he also incorporates shapes and drawings into the photograph
he takes portraits and deconstructs their faces by cutting out and moving the features around creating an abstract image,
he also incorporates shapes and drawings into the photograph
- Adjusting the contrast / brightness and saturation in photoshop i make the collage more vibrant making the colours standout better
- My interpretation -
I have kept the theme of incorporating articles written about my subject who is my mum in this collage and then taking key phrases / words and adding them around the
empty spaces on the collage and on the boarders of the pictures to enhance the effect of this I have used black paint with white marker over it which makes the words /phrases be more eye-catching and stand out more adding to the overall effect of these key words and there impact. |
To develop on from the previous Lewis Khan / Ben Watts inspired collage I have taken the successful elements such as a lighter background to reflect my models sense of style and aesthetic but I have enhanced this by gluing down blue coloured card and ripped up pieces of newspaper this makes for a more interesting base. I have also started to include the ideas of photographer Loui Jover who's photographs have a deconstructed element to them, he takes portraits and deconstructs their faces by cutting out and moving the features around creating an abstract image, he also incorporates shapes and drawings into the photographs an element which I might later try to carry through to my collages, I have used Jover's deconstructed theme by cutting out pictures of my subjects face and getting rid of everything but her face, I have also cut out a close-up of her eye and included that in my collage as well as a photograph of her hand both blown up to be bigger in proportion to the much smaller face cut outs this helps show contrast between the features and the whole faces this is even more enhanced by having the smaller images in black add white and the larger images in colour adding to the overall effect. |
4th/Final independent development
Veerle Symoens
Veerle Symoens is a photographer who uses different ripped up portraits to create a bigger piece of deconstructed features using both black and white as well as different sizes.
Veerle Symoens uses different picture or coloured paper mixed with ripped up book pages to create a background base for her photographs, she then carries on this theme of ripped up paper throughout her collage adding pieces of coloured paper onto the faces, she also adds in colourful shapes out of this paper such as triangles and circles adding more of geometric theme.
Veerle Symoens uses different picture or coloured paper mixed with ripped up book pages to create a background base for her photographs, she then carries on this theme of ripped up paper throughout her collage adding pieces of coloured paper onto the faces, she also adds in colourful shapes out of this paper such as triangles and circles adding more of geometric theme.
-By adjusting the contrast, brightness and saturation in photoshop i can make the colours more vibrant helping them to standout better
Final piece
To develop on from the previous
Lewis Khan / Ben Watts inspired collage In which i incorporated the abstract collage like work of Loui Jover in which he makes a deconstructed geometric type collage, i have taken the successful elements of the previous collage such as using key phrases and words but this time i haven’t incorporated the articles about my subject like i have in previous collages. I have also continued on with the Lewis Khan theme of using up-close pictures of my models features as well as using pictures of objects as well as places the help to convey the personality and aesthetic of my subject. But for this final piece i have decided to move more away from the Ben watts style of collage towards a more Veerle Symoens who uses ripped up different portraits to create a bigger piece of deconstructed features using both black and white as well as different sizes, Veerle Symoens also uses different picture or coloured paper mixed with ripped up book pages to create a background base for her photographs i have incorporated this idea as well. |
WWW
In this final collage I think I have successfully brought forward elements from all the photographers I have used as inspiration throughout this development process for instance Ben Watts the photographer who I initially started with, his photography is collaged based I have carried his more successful ideas such as the idea of using masking tape as well writing down key words and phrases onto the tape and around the collage these words relate to my model/subject. The next photographer who's photographs theme i have chosen incorporate was Lewis Khan he took close up portraits of people and the places that represent the such as their work or home i kept this the taking portraits of people and the stuff the represented them i used more objects than places though in my collages though.
The second to last photographer i look at began my more deconstructive work in collages this photographer was Loui jover who creates deconstructed geometric type collages inncorporating drawings and patterns as well i have taken these ideas and transitioned onto Veerle Symoens who does similar things but in a more collage style which i have successfully used o move more away from Ben Watts style of collage creating more shapes and layering multiple portraits of the same subject over each other in both differernt colours and sizes to create more of a contrast.
I think i have successfully taken all the positive aspects combining them to make a larger final piece of collage photography.
EBI
If i were to redo this piece of collage work i would try experimenting with using multiple models in one collage using lots of different faces could have an interesting result.
In this final collage I think I have successfully brought forward elements from all the photographers I have used as inspiration throughout this development process for instance Ben Watts the photographer who I initially started with, his photography is collaged based I have carried his more successful ideas such as the idea of using masking tape as well writing down key words and phrases onto the tape and around the collage these words relate to my model/subject. The next photographer who's photographs theme i have chosen incorporate was Lewis Khan he took close up portraits of people and the places that represent the such as their work or home i kept this the taking portraits of people and the stuff the represented them i used more objects than places though in my collages though.
The second to last photographer i look at began my more deconstructive work in collages this photographer was Loui jover who creates deconstructed geometric type collages inncorporating drawings and patterns as well i have taken these ideas and transitioned onto Veerle Symoens who does similar things but in a more collage style which i have successfully used o move more away from Ben Watts style of collage creating more shapes and layering multiple portraits of the same subject over each other in both differernt colours and sizes to create more of a contrast.
I think i have successfully taken all the positive aspects combining them to make a larger final piece of collage photography.
EBI
If i were to redo this piece of collage work i would try experimenting with using multiple models in one collage using lots of different faces could have an interesting result.