My Aim in this project is to successfully create a series of images that represent the different methods I will use that are based around photographers Magdiel Lopez and Joe Mcnally. At the end of the project I will pick my best images to go into a series and also display my worst image and the process to get to the best image.
My initial research was finding a main inspiration for my portraits and a photographer that is creative and will be a high level to achieve as I am passionate about photography and would like to achieve the best grade possible. Therefore I will pick a challenge as inspiration so that I strive to achieve it. I have picked the photographers Magdiel Lopez and Joe Mcnally, I chose Magdiel Lopez as her portraits are colourful and challenging to achieve therefore I can display my journey and further so my understanding of skills in photography. I also picked Joe Mcnally as his work uses other skills and methods that I will display in my end product which will expand my grade higher as skills I didn't use in the first set of work will be used in this set.
I chose my themes of photography to fully show what I am capable of and to use methods that I might not use if it wasn't for this project which therefore could further expand my skills in photography like using unusual angles and reflections or shapes to create a nice image.
I will show my progress by displaying each how I took the picture to the end product step by step showing everything I used including all tools on Photoshop and equipment on the set. I will also display them in the order I used them in which will also show my understanding of use of tools and how I created an effective image for people just starting out.
I will experiment by using different settings on my camera by changing ISO, white balance, composition and aperture on the camera which will change the first initial outcome of the image and then further experiment in Photoshop with all tools and filters until I get my desired outcome which will be my main displayed picture. For our time we have 2-3 months to complete the full project and display my final product which will be inspired my magdiel lopez and the theme will be abnormal and colour.
Magdiel Lopez: Mood Board
I have chosen these pictures i think that they are effective and each portray a different story and show a contrast between natural colour and bright vibrant colour making the main design stand out. This inspires me to create a clear contrasting picture with a subject and its background.
Mood board of my ideas
Photography Research
Composition
In the image above the photographer uses a black and white film to create a melancholy atmosphere in the picture that makes the viewer empathetic about the family. The way the photographer positions the camera makes the women's face eye level to us which shows she is equal to us and how her life is effected. This is because the viewers eye level, is the same as the mother in the picture and so this becomes a focus point. The women's eyes are full angst and horror of the desperate position she is in. The focus line across the top of the picture instantly catch the eye of the viewer. The photographer also positioned the the camera so the kids on her shoulders are on the sweet spot to make them a focal point in the picture which I think is very effective it brings out the effect that the mother is traumatized. The photographer used a very shallow depth of field to blur the background completely to make the women look isolated and makes it seem more distressing like she is in the middle of nowhere as it strongly links to the famine in america which is when this picture was taken. The photographer uses a fast shutter speed to create a sharp tone in the image which highlights the women's face in the picture
Content
The picture shows a family of 4 one mother and 3 children positioned on her shoulders and a new born on her arm. The picture is an old picture from the 1960s when there was a natural disaster that created a mass destruction that destroyed lots of land belonging to farmers which was their lifestyle meaning lots of farmers went into poverty. The picture is in black and white as in them times they only had film real cameras that would only take pictures in black and white. The picture was taken in San Francisco where most of the famine happened. this is shown in the picture from the clear distress from the womens eyes and facial expression.
Connection
This picture is relevant to my project because it is a portrait which is what my project is about. It has a strong link to my work as it uses the correct camera settings and positioning of the portrait and camera to create an effective image. The message the image is that the women is in clear distress as she cannot provide for her kids as her land has been destroyed due to the famine.
Comment
I think the image is effective as it shows how the photographer used the simple settings and methods of photography which create a very effective image like positioning of the children which shows how the children don't have an identity just as they dont have a home. This also makes the viewer feel sorry for the family. I don't like how the photographer has not included anything of the reason the women is in distress in the picture and no background so the viewer without context wouldn't no any main story or what is captured in the image. I could use this to my inspiration by creating a story and making a picture based on what the story is.
Mock Exam
Context Composition This picture is very effective because of all the different skills used to create the photo and how the photo was taken paired with the positioning of the model and contents in the image. Magdiel has positioned the model in the centre of the image facing to the left so that the light on the right creates a shadow on the left of the models face. The light creates reflections off the models body which create highlights and points of interest in the image as they surround main features like the glasses on the models face. The use of the contrasting colours from the back ground to the models skin to the contrast in the blues and oranges or pinks in the background. The use of the different shapes and colours in the image. The picture was taken in a studio with a professional backdrop and lights to light up the left side of the models face creating a shadow on the right which helps bring out the colour in the background and in the models glasses. The lights also create a focal point of the model being her face as the reflections highlight the face and the use of the blur going up from the image greys out the parts of the image magdiel didn't want viewers to focus on. Connection This connects with my idea for work as I would like to use similar techniques and processes to create good and effective images in Photoshop for my final gallery. I like this style of edit because of the use of bright bold colours and massive area to use my imagination to make the most crazy ideas come to life. Doing this project will allow me to show my full potential and skill in Photoshop by being able to show my clever use of colour and contrast along with shapes and designs that will create effective final outcomes and demonstrate my skill and high level of understanding of all the different tools and aspects in Photoshop Comment I like this image because it shows a very high level and use of processes and techniques in photoshop and is very effective the use of different colours and positioning of the shapes and the model. The image gives off a warm, breezy, summer vibe from the use of the warm bright oranges and cool bright blues which give the summer vibe the fact that the model is also topless and wearing shades gives off that warm summer atmosphere that the photographer may have been trying to create.
My first Photo shoot
For my first photo shoot I will make my theme color and composition and will use lights and a background to create a simple and effective. I will use a model and make them pull different poses and facial expressions to change the story of the image. I will also lighting on the models face which creates either a soft or hard tone on their skin and use makeup, costume and props. which will set the tone of the image.
My models will be a teenage white girl Caris Williams and a teenage Asian boy Mustafa Hafeji and will position them in places that will effect how the picture catches the viewers mind and how their make-up and certain styles will effect the message for the picture.
The model Caris Williams will be a fashion model and she will be dressing in various items of clothing with various backgrounds that will represent the items of clothing she is wearing. For example red top, red background, black top, white background. The model Mustafa Hafeji will be a close up model and will use props and lighting to create an effective image. I will use either a hard or soft light on his face and a certain colour background linked to his facial expression to show anger, calmness or success e.g Red, Blue, Green, Black. I will use the various camera settings to make different effects on the person like