Initial Ideas
This idea came to me when contemplating what kind of photographs I would like to pursue during my dissertation next year. I came to a realisation that I enjoy taking many types of photograph; landscape, high detail, portraits etc. So why not combine all of these different types of photography with one crucial element: a figure.
It would be a personal study of someone's life. They would be sleeping, being active, thinking, doing everything and that represents who they are. The images would be simple yet powerful, and would contrast in a pleasing way when put together as a final piece. There would be various different angles explored and types of photograph produced.
Some different types of photography I could include:
- monochrome/sepia prints
- a polaroid
- a manual print
- moving image/film
It would be a personal study of someone's life. They would be sleeping, being active, thinking, doing everything and that represents who they are. The images would be simple yet powerful, and would contrast in a pleasing way when put together as a final piece. There would be various different angles explored and types of photograph produced.
Some different types of photography I could include:
- monochrome/sepia prints
- a polaroid
- a manual print
- moving image/film
First Observations - California
I was lucky enough to travel to California in the summer holidays, and there I took my first observations of my current lone figure. I tried to incorporate as many different types of photography as possible. I played with angles and light settings to achieve a varied set of images.
My favourite photographs in the set were the extremely dark ones, which show up better in print than on a screen. I think that these photographs emulate the highest sense of emotion, and I will definitely carry on this technique when picturing other lone figures in the later stages of my project.
My favourite photographs in the set were the extremely dark ones, which show up better in print than on a screen. I think that these photographs emulate the highest sense of emotion, and I will definitely carry on this technique when picturing other lone figures in the later stages of my project.
What went well - The variety in the photographs is wide, as I attempted to take as many different types as possible to try to capture the full breadth of the person's personality. My favourite photographs are the two darkest ones, because only a small portion of the subject's fact is highlighted, and in this highlight, much emotion is shown.
Even better if - There were more specific photographs; frames of body parts or a close up of an eye. The aim is to capture the person's whole identity, so it would have been a benefit if there were images of them in action: talking, walking, laughing, sleeping.
Even better if - There were more specific photographs; frames of body parts or a close up of an eye. The aim is to capture the person's whole identity, so it would have been a benefit if there were images of them in action: talking, walking, laughing, sleeping.
Second Observations - on the water
As well as taking singular images, I decided that I would take a set of obervations where each photo lead on from another. When exhibiting these around the other photographs, I could present them in a particular way - for example in a small book that could be secured to the board along with the others. Or perhaps in a small group with no borders. There are many different ways to possibly present them, and I think that a set of photographs would add texture to the stillness of the other singulars.
What went well - I was lucky with the light in these photographs as it was so soft and beautiful. I like the silhouette effect of the horizon along with the subject in the image, as it combined the two and made the subject a part of the landscape. As the aim was to create a sequence of images, I think that they flow very well and show the soft movement of the subject to math the landscape.
Even better if - Perhaps I could have improved by taking another sequence set from a different angle, or distancing myself from the subject less. I also could have taken some singular images that could stand powerful on their own. I did not edit these photographs so perhaps I will experiment with editing one, to see what interesting effects I can produce.
Even better if - Perhaps I could have improved by taking another sequence set from a different angle, or distancing myself from the subject less. I also could have taken some singular images that could stand powerful on their own. I did not edit these photographs so perhaps I will experiment with editing one, to see what interesting effects I can produce.
Third Observations - 'One Day'
For this set of observations, I decided to narrow my focus and concentrate on taking images surrounding a person in one day. As my previous observations had been so wide, and there was no time boundary restricting them, it meant that there wasn't a particular story told. With these images, I hoped the person looking upon them will see different aspects of their character, and what they are achieving in their everyday life.
1st
2nd
3rd
What went well - I like the variety that each set of three provides as it enables you to see a wide range of the person's character. I like the variation between angles and distance from the camera. The abstract framing of some of the photographs, for example the second photograph in the first set, creates a snapshot of a person's body language that helps to show their true identity.
Even better if - I think the photographs could be improved if there was a clearer storyline throughout. The aim was to accomplish an idea of their character in everyday life, and this was difficult to portray through only three images. I would have also liked to include varied types of photography, perhaps some manual images rather than solely digital.
Even better if - I think the photographs could be improved if there was a clearer storyline throughout. The aim was to accomplish an idea of their character in everyday life, and this was difficult to portray through only three images. I would have also liked to include varied types of photography, perhaps some manual images rather than solely digital.
Fourth Observations - A different approach
I decided to explore the other side of photography that will appear in my dissertation. The type of photography that is produced by people such as Richard Avedon, who take collections of identically framed, lit and edited photographs. The only thing that changes is the subject.
I set up the lights in the studio to stand close to the subject, equally either side of their face, about twenty centimetres away. I used a white backdrop to create the purest image possible and made sure that my camera was on the correct white balance setting. When editing, I desaturated the images, tended to the levels, and finally heightened sharpness.
What went well - I like the way that the lights are reflected in each person's eyes. When enlarged, the images look slightly alien-like. The monochrome is clean, and the detail in the images is high. Each photograph is very uniform which adds to the purity of the images as a collection.
Even better if - The background is not the same colour in each photograph, which frustrates me, so perhaps I should have been more vigilant about the similarity in each. Also, I could have taken more images to give more strength to the collection as a whole.
Fifth Observations - Sequencing
As another exploration into the other side of photography, I looked at Corrine Day's sequencing images of Kate Moss, and decided to attempt my own.
Corrine Day will be included in my dissertation as a photographer that uses one technique to portray the identity of a person.
Corrine Day will be included in my dissertation as a photographer that uses one technique to portray the identity of a person.
What went well - I feel that the quality of the images is high, and the depth of levels in the photographs is to a high standard. I tried to replicate the original image as much as possible, and I was pleased with the similarity in the look of my model.
Even better if - The facial expressions could have been more accurate to the photograph, and I did have difficulty with the editing, to whiten the background. If I was to do this again, I would make each photograph as tight to the original as possible.
Even better if - The facial expressions could have been more accurate to the photograph, and I did have difficulty with the editing, to whiten the background. If I was to do this again, I would make each photograph as tight to the original as possible.
Sixth Observations - Continuation of 'The Study of A Lone Figure'
I am continuing to take photographs of my subject for my personal project, 'The Study of a Lone Figure'. Through this particular set, I experimented with lighting and angles.
What went well - I particularly like the lighting conditions that these images were shot in. For example, in the fourth image, the subject's face is illuminated by light to the right of the shot, and only very slightly.
Even better if - The shots were more varied. In my next set of observations I will solely focus on capturing body parts of my subject, or just perhaps their shoulders without their head etc. I want my final set of images to be as varied as possible, to capture the fullest sense of identity as possible.
Even better if - The shots were more varied. In my next set of observations I will solely focus on capturing body parts of my subject, or just perhaps their shoulders without their head etc. I want my final set of images to be as varied as possible, to capture the fullest sense of identity as possible.
Seventh Observations - 'Light Lines'
In this set of observations I experimented with light hitting the figure and started to explore taking photographs which didn't necessarily include the whole face or body, but still managed to show the identity of the person.
What went well - The photographs are well exposed, considering the light was extreme in some places. Apart from the first two photographs, the rest are unedited which means that the levels in the photograph are well balanced. I like the photographs that contain single features of the subject's face, as I think that the composition is good.
Even better if - The detail in each picture is not very high, as the light is quite low in some places. I could have explored using the macro setting whilst capturing shots, as perhaps this may have worked better. I could have also tried editing a few more of the photographs, and I plan to do this when I have some spare time.
Even better if - The detail in each picture is not very high, as the light is quite low in some places. I could have explored using the macro setting whilst capturing shots, as perhaps this may have worked better. I could have also tried editing a few more of the photographs, and I plan to do this when I have some spare time.
Eighth Observations - Abstract
In this set of observations I focused on taking photographs that cut off the head of the body, as this is the part that is most common within portraiture photographs. I wanted to achieve photographs that looked abstract and yet still managed to convey an idea of the identity of the person.
What went well - The colour in the photos is interesting, as mainly centres around oranges and blues which is a warm/cool contrast.
Even better if - The photos could be seen as too saturated, as in some places the colour is quite overwhelming. The detail is not as high as it could be, so when taking pictures like this again I would incorporate more natural light.
Even better if - The photos could be seen as too saturated, as in some places the colour is quite overwhelming. The detail is not as high as it could be, so when taking pictures like this again I would incorporate more natural light.
Ninth Observations - manual prints
I decided to take my ninth set of observations on a manual camera, to make sure I explored every aspect of photography. I manually developed my negatives by a process of adding negative developer, then stop bath and then fix. I then ran them under cold water until they were clean of all sticky substance. Some of the negatives didn't come out beautifully, as there are a couple of water spots and small scratches, but nothing major.
I then developed a contact sheet of my negatives in the darkroom and scanned them into the computer. I considered which photographs would look best printed and chose some to develop. The quality of my negatives was high and the exposure was even throughout, and this made it easier to develop good photographs from.
What went well - The range of angles and composition in my images is wide, and I believe that I captured many different aspects of the subject's personality. The photographs are evenly exposed and the contrast in the photographs is high without having to be edited post-process.
Even better if - Many of the negatives themselves have water marks and scratches and this is reflected when they are blown up to larger sizes such as prints. I edited out many of the water marks on the prints, but the scratches still show. In some cases I believe this suits the photograph, but if I wanted to blow the images up to a very large size this would seriously affect the final outcome.
Even better if - Many of the negatives themselves have water marks and scratches and this is reflected when they are blown up to larger sizes such as prints. I edited out many of the water marks on the prints, but the scratches still show. In some cases I believe this suits the photograph, but if I wanted to blow the images up to a very large size this would seriously affect the final outcome.
Larry-CLark-inspired collection
Whilst exploring different photographers throughout my dissertation I found Larry Clark's collections very relevant to my own personal study. So with manual photographs that I took I collated them on a photoshop document to create a collection of photographs.
Final Presentation Ideas
For my final outcome, I would like to combine all of my approaches which I have explored surrounding my chosen subject.