My chosen theme for my Photography Portraits. To specify, I will be focusing on trying to replicate certain photographers as well as adding my own 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, Magdiel Lopez his work consists of a range of pastel colours and the use of Photoshop. In order to replicate the work of Magdiel Lopez, I will watch tutorial videos on YouTube so I am able to gain knowledge on how to Photoshop my work like Lopez does. 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 Portraits. 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 the artists that I have mentioned above, but I will also put my own twist on my photos so that they do not look completely identical to the artists 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. I quite like the idea of doing a fashion shoot that shows the different seasons, this would fit in with Fashion idea.
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 portrait 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 Portraits, I will need to decide on a specific pathway, this could be Street Portraits, documentary, fashion, 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
Magdiel Lopez mood board
I like this photographer because they use unique style and have lots of colours and I like how its edited.
Research for Magdiel Lopez
Context
Having researched on the internet, I found the following information: ‘Magdiel Lopez was born in Havana, Cuba. His childhood was spent around the colourful culture of Cuba. This played a big part in his career and is the reason why Lopez uses very vibrant, decorative styles throughout his work. Lopez moved to the states at age 15 and continued to work on his art for the next 10 years. He decided to finally showcase his work on the app Instagram. He created a series called 'A Poster a Day' in which he released a poster a day for a whole year on said app. As the days went by, he increasingly gained attention from very popular news outlets such as New York Times and Cosmopolitan as well as big global audiences such as Entrepreneur and Awards. Since his gain in popularity he has worked with several influential brands such as Nike, MTV, Apple, Warner Brothers, etc.” Source: https://www.magdiellopez.com
Composition
The image above shows a clear line across the middle of the image which accentuates the separate colours shown. 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 clouds are located around the sweet spot of the composition grid which makes the object 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 lively 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 colours pop out more in order for the image to be noticeable to its audience.
Connection
This image links with our portrait project because it involves taking a picture of a person's face and adding your own uniqueness to the portrait 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 pastel, brighter colours just like my own work did. Despite that I did also use darker colours so my work could have a contrast of dark to light colours which would show the examiner a span of different colours but not too many to the point where it becomes distracting and confusing. I also did use similar photoshop by splitting the face into separate parts which is what I did but instead using a different Magdiel Lopez poster as a guide. In my opinion I really adore Lopez' 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 photoshop manipulation that would have had to take place is also up to a high standard however it's very possible as I am capable of doing something like this, I understand how she/he photoshopped the mountains and sky with the bright colours, I personally think it looks amazing.
Photography Research - Using The 4 C's
Context
In early March, 1936, Dorothea Lange drove past a sign reading, “PEA-PICKERS CAMP,” in Nipomo, California. At the time, she was working as a photographer for the Resettlement Administration (RA), a Depression-era government agency formed to raise public awareness of and provide aid to struggling farmers. Twenty miles down the road, Lange reconsidered and turned back to the camp, where she encountered a mother and her children. “I saw and approached the hungry and desperate mother, as if drawn by a magnet,” she later recalled. “She said that they had been living on frozen vegetables from the surrounding field and birds that the children killed.” Lange took seven exposures of the woman, 32-year-old Florence Owens Thompson, with various combinations of her seven children. One of these exposures, with its tight focus on Thompson’s face, transformed her into a Madonna-like figure and became an icon of the Great Depression and one of the most famous photographs in history. This image was first exhibited at The Museum of Modern Art in 1940, under the title Pea Picker Family, California; by 1966, when the Museum held a retrospective of Lange’s work, it had acquired its current title, Migrant Mother, Nipomo California
Composition
I think the woman is giving off a concerning/struggling mood for the photo, the black and white theme also adds on to this to give a gloomy, dark effect. The 2 kids give the effect of Rule Of Thirds by sleeping on each side of the mother showing how exhausted they are, the mothers face is also at the top of the image creating another rule of thirds. The eyes are in the center of the image and it makes it look like lots of lines are falling down which makes us emphasize with her. the image is tightly crop which can make it look like how she is feeling .When this photo was taken it wasn't a digital camera it was a film camera which is why it is in black and white. The mothers' eye is the sweet spot as she looks directly where we first draw our eyes towards. The shape they are all aligned in creates a triangle which shows they stuck together like a triangle does even after all they went through. Someone who sees this image tends to feel sympathy for her and her kids as the image shows what struggles they had to go through. The background is blurred which means they have used a low Depth of Field to show how they are possibly lost or confused on where they are as they have had to flee. The woman's facial expressions makes us think of every different possible thing that could have happened this is important as it gives life to the photo.
Connection
The theme is what life was like during the 19th Century to show everyone how miserable peoples lives were. This isn't relevant to my work since mine is all about colours and happy thought however it is relevant since I also have a sad, gloomy mood in my images .This image can link to my work since some of my images are also in black and white and they also show unhappiness. In my opinion, I think that there is a message behind this image to show all the ungrateful, spoilt people to be happy and feel blessed for everything they have since there are people who cant afford something that rich people can buy every single day .Another message could be that you should learn to help others and be grateful that you have the ability to do so. I think that its a black and white image to show that it was taken a long time ago, I would do this in my project just because I would also like to send a message out I my work.
Comment
The one thing I like about the image is that it gives off so much effect and power and makes us feel remorse as we can see right through the image right to her struggle, the aperture has been used correctly and the black and white has been used right too. I do not like that we can't see the background of the image due to blurriness as we cannot interpret further about the place she is in. Unfortunately, this image has no link to my project so it will not inspire me to use this in my work. The message behind this image is that it shows a mother and her 2 children struggling.
research on Diane Arbus:
Context:
This photograph was taken by Diane Arbus who lived between 1923-1971 he was one of the most original and influential photographers of the twentieth century. She studied with Berenice Abbot, Alexey Brodovitch and Lissette Model and her first published photographs appeared in Esquire in 1960. She was a American photographer who specialized in black and white portraits. Arbus worked to normalize marginalized groups and highlight the importance of proper representation of all people. professions: photographer
Diane Arbus is a very interesting photographer. She uses a different type of photography compared to other photographers. The picture shows a clear bright tone across the left side of the models face and as it moves to the right side the tone darkens. The image was taken with a fast shutter speed to capture the reality of the image and make it very clear to the eye. photoshop may have been used to fix up small details such as black and white and using the healing effect to get rid of smoke from the cigarette. The photographer has used rule of thirds as the top half of the face is placed in the upper half of the image and the rest of the image is placed in the bottom half of the image. The image was taken indoors and was probably taken as a studio shot ,so that the background can be changed to a dark and horror like background. The image was most likely taken with a tripod to get a clear focused and still image. They have used a low depth of field to get a close up image of the model so it could be easier to refine the image in photoshop.
Connections
This image links to my work because my topic involves taking pictures of a persons face and then refining it in photoshop to get the best outcome and make it look unique. The image has been perfected in photoshop which attracts the audience this is why I love Dianne's work. To create a picture like this I need to take a great portrait picture and perfect it in photoshop to the best of my ability. The lighting used in this picture also inspires me to use it in my work and i think it will help me achieve a great outcome. The simple tone he has used on his picture suits the black and white theme of the picture and makes it better because with too many different shades the image becomes distracting and confusing. In my opinion I really love this type of work and I love how she introduces personality to her images.
comment
I am starting this project by taking the inspiration by Magdiel Lopez who specializes is coloured portraits photography. I really admire her work because her work is very eye catching and this keeps her audience interested and inspired by her work. I am going to use her techniques in my work as well I will take portrait pictures from head to neck and experiment with them in photoshop and hope to get a similar outcome as Magdiel Lopez. The equipment I will be using will be a cannon DSLR camera to get a series of images in the exact same location. I will use a white background to get a clear focused picture and so it will be easier to edit as well. I will use studio lights to get different tone pictures of my model and this will help me if I decide to do black and white portraits. I will be using photoshop to get the best outcome for my pictures and so I can achieve my final product.
Mood Boards
Street portrait mood board
Portraits using Photoshop mood board
Easter photoshoot
Shoot plan
The equipment I will be using is a Canon DSLR camera which may be put onto a tripod so I can get a series of images in the same exact location. I will use a fast shutter speed so I can capture the model's features better. I will use a background of blacks using an lighting so the background will be smooth and easier to photoshop over. I may need a single studio or a phone light so the light can shine onto the models face so they are visible. The camera setting will be changed throughout so it can fit with the theme of the image taken. The white balance may be on 100 or auto depending on the location of the photo. I will use a golden reflector to display a warmer undertone on the model's face. I will also use photoshop so I am able to achieve the final product. I need to make sure my camera is charged and that I delete photos after uploading them so more space is available on my camera.
My models are going to be my friends. I will tell them to bring clothes that are colourful to fit with my themes. I will also tell them to bring accessories so they can act as props for my images. My background will need to be black/grey for my darker colour theme; however for my pastel coloured theme, the background will not matter as it will be photoshopped. I am aiming to capture approximately 10-20 photos per person using the two background colours and to experiment with different lighting techniques so I can find the right outcome that will fit for me.
Working with equipment
Photoshoot
best worst
These are my best images because the contrast from the shadow that makes the model fade into it . the lighting also compliments the face shape and features.
This is the worst image as I zoomed in too much and it makes it hard to see the model and it made the model too dark with all the shadow.
best worst
These images are the best as the model fades into the shadow and the glasses makes a colour around the eye .it is also cropped very nicely.
This is the worst image because it was not cropped properly
Top 4
Spinning field trip
First shoot
I think the lighting was good in all of these photos they are all cropped well and the mirror creates a good effect
I like all the images because the stripes of light looks good and it is cropped well
Best
the shadow compliments the lighting and it is cropped so that muhammeds head is in the middle of the picture , the composure is good aswell
worst
I don't like this picture because you can see the trees and i was trying to only get the sky
Experiment shoot
I like this image because it creates an affect like the model is in a different dimensions or that he is stuck the reflection of the light makes it better as the mirror glistens
I like this experiment shoot because the lighting turned out good and the Wb was good
Shootplan
I am starting my project by taking inspiration by Magdiel Lopez who is known for using photoshop to make his images look unique. I really like how his work is portrayed as weird but attractive to his audience in order to keep his onlookers intrigued and interested. I am going to add this into my work by using close up shots of the face from the head to the shoulders, then experiment with photoshop, and maybe add different colours such as black and white bright colours to enhance my series of images.
The equipment I will be using is a Canon DSLR camera which may be put onto a tripod so I can get a series of images in the same exact location. I will use a fast shutter speed so I can capture the model's features better. I will use a background of white using an infinity curve so the background will be smooth and easier to photoshop over. I may need a single studio or a phone light so the light can shine onto the models face so they are visible. The camera setting will be changed throughout so it can fit with the theme of the image taken. The white balance may be on 100 or auto depending on the location of the photo. I will use a golden reflector to display a warmer undertone on the model's face. I will also use photoshop so I am able to achieve the final product. I need to make sure my camera is charged and that I delete photos after uploading them so more space is available on my camera.
My models are going to be my friends. I will tell them to bring clothes that are colourful to fit with my themes. I will also tell them to bring accessories so they can act as props for my images. My background will need to be white/grey for my darker colour theme; however for my pastel coloured theme, the background will not matter as it will be photoshopped. I am aiming to capture approximately 10-20 photos per person using the two background colours and to experiment with different lighting techniques so I can find the right outcome that will fit for me.
Salford Quays shoot
My model Muhammed Patel
Best
This is my best picture of Muhammad I used rule of third and I used F 5.4 stop to blur the background
Worst
This is my worst picture of Muhammad because you cant see his face however the lighting was good.
My model Imran Hafeji
best
This is my best picture of Imran because it has a very nice background and it goes from clear to a blur
worst
This is my worst picture of Imran because there is too much of a glare.
My model Danyal Akhtar
Best
Worst
T he shadow compliments the lighting and the photo is very clear. the white balance is very nice as well ,this picture was cropped nicely
This is my worst picture of Danyal because there is too much of a glare. which doesn't make the picture clear
My model Umair younas
Mujtaba Amjad
Best
This is the best picture of mujtaba because it is clear and the white balance was set properly to have clear piicture with good outdoor lighting
worst
This is the worst picture because my model wasn't ready
The reason I'm using this tutorial is because it really shows the type of photoshop I want to do and the tutorial is very clear and easy to follow .
Outcome 1
Final images
before
After
I watched the tutorial. I followed it was a very good idea because it was simple but had a very good effect on my image. I could go back and edit the image after which I gave me 2 more outcomes. this edit had a really good a and sophisticated outcome
Photoshop my own style/Magdiel Lopez
Outcome 2
Final image
I think this outcome came out really good because this is my own style mixed with Magdiel Lopez , I didn't use any tutorials as I wanted to push myself. I like this because it is distinct.
Outcome 3
photos for the process got deleted
4 outcome
photos for the process got deleted
Outcome 5
Outcome 6
Outcome 7
Outcome 8
For my final gallery
for my final gallery I'm going to use the chop effect and the triangle effect I have tried other effect but found the chop effect and triangle effect most effective. For this effect you have to use many tools like the pen tool and select. So far all of my out comes have been very successful because I have used different ideas to make it different. I want my galleys to be 6-8 pictures including my outcomes I have already done, I also want them all to be some sot of chop effect but in a different style. I will make my work look unique I will also use photoshop to develop my images and make them greater . I am going to take another shoot of Imran and Muhammed , I will be taking head shots from the sides and the front. Then I will use colour to show their emotions for example if Imran is smiling I will use a light lively colour like blue.
Final gallery
Magdiel Lopez type edit
Evaluation
My main theme was portraits. I thought the theme was good because I could explore different things like my graphic ideas on the images, I was able to take images of people that are doing different poses then I could edit the photo in photoshop. In photography I found the use of Photoshop the most interesting because I enjoyed different ideas on my work and improving the images I have taken. I found that Photoshopping the image was the most fun as it required time and effort. Learning how to use the camera on manual settings has also been interesting because there are many different ways to use a camera.I also did many different things for portraits such as 4 C's and a mood board so I can imagine what my final project outcomes would look like.
I have learnt how to copy and paste layers and use the blur tool in Photoshop I have also learnt how to use the different effects so it looks like the head is chopped or a glowing triangle is hovering above the head, but I make my work in different colours so it looks more like it is my work, however I feel as though now I can edit photos without the help of tutorials and figure out new things by myself. Also I now know how to transfer photos from Gmail to my Google Site for my homework project.
Magdiel Lopez is amazing as he focuses on using photoshop to make it look like the faces are chopped up. His work is also very vibrant and I have researched him and what he does. My work is similar to his because I focus on the same style and use similar techniques in Photoshop. He influenced my photos and made me Photoshop in such a way which made my final outcomes outstanding. I really enjoyed my Photopea and Photoshop work, the best tool I used was the layer duplicate tools. Why, because in my opinion it gave me a good outcome, giving me the best images that grew my confidence and made me want to make me explore more. For my next project I would like to learn about lighting so my images look more professional and advanced. This will help me to the next level and give me a higher grade. I learnt how to use creative photography websites, such as Weebly to help me create a professional looking portfolio of work that will make my work look neater.
Some problems I have encountered are that my images were deleted like my outcomes and portraits, this was difficult as I could not have as many outcomes this makes it so I could not get the outcome I wanted but I used the techniques I learnt through watching video tutorials and asking teachers for help to makes sure I didn't fall back on work Something I would do differently is maybe choose different objects, expand, bring in props ,time management, be more independent at home Independent at home, Being independent, organising my own shoots away from school would take my work to a higher standard . I would alsonot experiment on Photoshop as much and get to working my final images and perfecting them, as in this project I only managed to get 5 final outcomes. I believe this will help my final outcomes become more clear and refined as I would have more time to edit and spend time on them.