My chosen theme for my Photography is Identity. To specify, I will be focusing on trying to capture what I think of different types of identity by adding creativity to my work. I have decided to do this theme because I think that it allows me to be imaginative with my work and explore different camera techniques also improving the skills I have already learnt and showing it through my portfolio. I will create a final gallery of images .
To make my work the best it can be, I intend to carry out many different research methods of my theme Portraits. I will research and replicate a few photographers work that I think matches the theme I am carrying out. For example, andrzej steinbach his work consists of a person wearing masks. In order to replicate the work of andrzej steinbach, I will have a model wearing a mask to show hidden identity. With the monochrome effects, I will hopefully try and visit art galleries that contain black and white pictures only so that my work can be influenced by this type of art style. I hope to use all forms of media to enhance my knowledge of different types of photography to find the best decision for me. I will use Instagram in order to learn the concept of different photographers so I am capable of using ideas from their portfolios.
I intend to capture a variation of images to include in my portfolio of my chosen topic of identity. I will take 20-25 photos per person inside the school environment and a public environment which will include a maximum of 5 models present. All of my photo shoots will be influenced by andrzej steinbach , but I will also put my own twist on my photos so that they do not look completely identical to the Photographer that I am taking inspiration from. I will complete 2 or 3 photo shoots with a different style in which they will have a contrasting outcome that shows my openhandedness in photography. I hope to achieve this as well as broadening my realisation of different techniques I can use to make my work the best it can be.
To show progression through my work I will start by photographing friends in school, this will help me to learn about setting up the lights for my studio shots. I will also take photos of my friends and family at home, so that I have a more natural form of identity photography and can control the setting, props, clothes a bit more. To show progression, I hope to work with a professional photographer, so that I get the correct lighting and background. Once I have practice shooting pictures, I will need to decide on a specific pathway, this could be hidden identity, religious identity, fashion identity, black & white. I will need to make sure that it link clearly to my research and shows a clear journey from start to finish.
I would like to experiment with a wide range of techniques within my work. I have a manual DSLR Canon camera which I will take my photographs on, but I would also like to experiment with my own mobile phone camera. I will also try to push myself to be more creative within Photoshop, learning how to use the image adjustment layer for Black & White, exposure, levels, colour saturation and contrast. I will also experiment with the magic cut technique and creating patterns .
I have 3 months to produce my Website of work towards the production of my final piece. I aim to complete my initial research within the 3 week and start photographing by the 4th week in order to give me the time I need to show progression. I will then continue to develop my work in Photoshop and be prepared to go out again with my camera and capture new images to enhance my project. When I have completed the project, I will select my best photography outcomes and display them in my final gallery.
As my project progresses I will use annotations throughout my web page labelling my ideas . This will also help me to reflect on the work I make. I will mainly seek advice from my teachers and my class mates on how to make my work better, as I’m always aiming to push myself to new levels. I will also watch tutorials and demonstrations and find my own as well to help me develop my skills and knowledge of Photoshop. After the creation of my final portfolio I will write a final evaluation on the project as a whole, reflecting on what went well and what I would do differently or change given the time.
Coggle mind map
Mood board
These images show hidden identity and I think this would be a very nice project as it is interesting how people show their identity in different ways , covering the face as a tricky one as models have to show emotion through the eyes and i think this makes it more powerful
First shoot
This idea was to experiment with what I can do with identity like close up shots of the eyes and mouth but also face shots Ashwell
Second idea
Research for Andrzej Steinbach
Context
"Born 1983 in Czarnkow, Poland. Lives and works in Berlin, Germany. Steinbach is interested in the signifiers of photographic portrayal and how our assumptions turn individuals into signifiers—and into characters. At times political and containing various subtexts to revolt, his photographs cast a critical gaze squarely at the ubiquitous and unambiguous norms perpetuated by governments and algorithms. Challenging our assumptions of identity using superficial factors and pluralities of gesture, body language, clothing, race, and by subverting the conventions of photographic portraiture to which we are accustomed, he renders the familiar, unfamiliar. In 2018 Steinbach received the German Federal Prize for Art Students and has exhibited throughout Europe and North America, including group exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) New York and the Centre de la Photographie in Geneva, Switzerland. Steinbach is represented by Galerie Conradi, Hamburg."
https://photo.org.au/artists/andrzej-steinbach
Composition
The image above shows a hidden identity which is taken in black and white this shows a good identity photograph . Rule of thirds is shown as the top of the face is higher above in the top half of the image whilst the rest of the face is placed at the bottom half. the eyes are placed in the middle of the photo this makes the person very pleasant to the eye. The image has very obviously used a fast shutter speed to capture the essence of the image and make it very clear to the eye. The image was most likely taken as a studio shot so that the photo can be very easily manipulated into the spirited white background shown above. Photoshop may have been used to fix up minor details such as softening the harsh lines around the face or making the black and white come out more in order for the image to be noticeable to its audience.
Connection
This image links with my identity project because it involves taking a picture of a person's face and adding your own uniqueness twist to the face to show identity to the picture to make it more captivating for your audience. It requires you to upgrade an already good picture by using photoshop to make the picture more impressive to the examiners that will be grading our work. I used similar colours in my work in the sense that my pictures and this picture include more black and white colours just like my own work did. In my opinion I really adore andrzej steinbach work as it is something that I am into and intrigued by. I really like how he uses very dramatic, wacky features in his pieces of work such as bright colours and distinctive photoshop skills to undeniably add personality and flare into his work.
Comment
I actually quite like this image a lot, the idea of covering the face then making it black and white this would have to be a high standard however it's very possible I will be able to do it as I am capable of doing something like this, I understand how he photoshopped it to be black and white , I personally think it looks amazing.
Research for Stefan Gunnesch
Context
"Gunnesch is an artist that doesn't like to set barriers to his work, describing himself as a “visual border crosser” Stefan loves exploring and getting lost in the making of new artworks. ___ google 'Who is Stefan Gunnesch?'"
Composition
In this picture the body is centered in the middle with a plain background this makes it so we focus on what's going on with the body. clearly he has made the photo black and white which makes the blue colours pop out and easier to spot to the eye, also in the hidden face the are lines which split up the face making it seem like the face has cracked and it makes me think that a new unknown identity is trying to reveal itself. This picture was taken to make the face the direct thing to look at and he has succeeded in that because it is very unique and caught my eyes .The image was most likely taken as a studio shot so that the photo can be very easily manipulated into the spirited white background shown above .Photoshop was used to make a major asset to the photo such as thick lines trough the body, the harsh lines around the face and the blue spilling out or making the black and white come out more in order for the image to be noticeable to its audience.
Connection
This image links with my identity project because it involves taking a picture of a person's face and adding your own uniqueness twist to the face like the blue spilling out of the head to show identity or hidden identity to the picture to make it more captivating for your audience. It requires you to upgrade an already good picture by using photoshop to make the picture more impressive to the examiners that will be grading our work. I will use similar colours in my work in the sense that my pictures and this picture include more black and white colours just like my own work will. In my opinion I really adore Stefan Gunnesch work as it is something that I am into and intrigued by. I really like how he uses very dramatic, wacky features in his pieces of work such as bright colours and distinctive photoshop skills to undeniably add personality and flare into his work.
Comment
I actually quite like this image a lot, the idea of covering the face then making it black and white with something coming out of the models face is very intriguing this would have had to be a high standard shoot however it's very possible I will be able to do it as I am capable of doing something like this, I understand how he photoshopped it to be black and white , and find tutorials to match his style of photoshop, I personally think it looks amazing.
Second shoot
Hidden identity
My model Muhammed
This shoot I wanted to cover the face and it turned out really good as it could be used to make good double exposure edits
First edit
Final Jpeg images
I originally chose to make this black and white but as I was editing I found another outcome I liked, I think the black and white contrast go with the red writing I also think making the image a different colour went well as I was able to get 2 outcomes .
Alter identity
link used
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOYz669WNpU
Final image
Second edit
Final image
Third photo Shoot
Photoshop edit
First image
Edit
Final image
Photoshop edit
Outside shoot
Photoshoot that identifies Manchester
The identity of Manchester is important because it shows how many different , diverse and respectful people are in a certain area , Manchester is also defined by its people , family and friends. The Manchester worker bee is one of the best-known symbols of Manchester and has been an emblem for the city for over 150 years. The bee denotes Mancunians' hard work ethic and the city being a hive of activity.It has also come to represent the sense of unity in our great city.
Easter shoot
Photoshop edit
Final image
Final gallery
This project was to show identity but i wanted to portray hidden identity because it makes it better to do double exposure edits and it emphasises that how people feel and that there are different types of identity. Another reason I did hidden identity is that the model cant use his face to show emotions but the body.