1

Experimental Photography

(Charlotte Shaw)

(Portrait Photography)

Use this slide to annotate your final imageAs a part my first image I have used Mixed Media to add to emphases the original image and some of the facial features. The eyebrows,

eyes and lips have been

created out of a layer of fashion magazine cut ups to make a

collage of colour, using the layer via

copy techniques to replace the features that

were originally there The eyes are

a real focal point to the

photograph as a stark

contrast from the black and

white, and draws the

audience in. The technique that I have incorporated here works well at communicating the idea

because as I have looked at self discovery and the perceptions that people can portray

as well as the idea of what’s behind the smile, and so the use of multiple layers helps to do so. Suggesting this idea of a

mask.

To enhance the eyes I have darkened under

the eyes to make them stand out over

the newspaper printed face.

To contrast the fashion and happiness of the top layer

stereotyping of the idea of women and fashion. the

under layer of the models face uses a collage

of different words relating to unhappiness and depression taken and cut

out from different headline

newspapers and gossip

magazine

To achieve this type of experimental photograph I used a shadowing effect to define the lips more and making them look

more cut out

As a part of the original main image

I have added a black and white

filter effect to make the facial features stand out more as well as this I have

increased the contrast and added

curves to the photographs which

helps to give a more highly defined professional image. Which also sits well with the newspaper print to the face.

4

Qualities:Consider the aesthetic qualities of your work. How does it look? What do you like about it? What are the strongest and weakest elements from an aesthetic point of view?Consider the technical qualities of your work? How well done is it? What elements are strongest and which could need further work and development? Be sure to use technical terms in your work such as exposure, shutter speed, aperture and talk specifically about any post-production techniques you have used. The outcome of my first image I am overall very happy with as I have managed to transform the original image by using mixed media as I feel I have improved my skills in creativity and design ideas to create something new and innovative for the market, and so the areas I like best are to the eyes as using the magazine print contrasts the black and white and I feel is a great way of drawing the attention of the reader to the image and also like the use of the print to the face of the model and so by lowering the opacity helps to make it look realistic as the facial features can still be seen. However I feel if this was to improved upon even more I could look at defining these areas even more like I began to do round the eyes but other areas could include the cheek bones nose and lips to make an even stronger image. Using Photoshop really helped me to get this high quality and professional look to the image which was enhanced by adding curves a black and white filter and improving the exposure and contrast in the image, as well as the use of a dslr camera to capture the original photograph, and so when it came to adding the newspaper print over this in a cut out, angular way which achieves a modern and edgy look.

Evaluate: ideas eg analysis, results; How well do you feel you have realised your ideas and intentions and what results have you got? Ensure you talk critically (compare, contrast, assess) about your work. You should reference your influences and assess how your work compares.Just like my proposal stated I was looking at the idea of self discovery I feel that what I have achieved fits with the brief and my intentions have been carried out fully. As my idea was inspired by what can be hidden behind the smile and the preconceptions of people I feel as a collection combined with the other 2 images there is a clear house style which runs thought out using the same model and resources for both. For example the use of the fashion and newspaper collages that have been used seamlessly within each of my final products, and so to incorporate this idea of self discovery into this image, there are two clear meanings within this as the top layer acts as the perceptions that they portray in this case the girls story linked by the idea of fashion and the stereotypical pastels and pinks, as the eyes, eyebrows and lips are made up of a collage of fashion magazines. Something which I didn’t initially think about incorporating but I feel the outcome has been more successful combining different techniques then first thought about. Because originally I was looking at using cellophane to create a stencil of the underlying scanography but I felt the result wasn't good enough marker pens didn't work as well which is when I looked into incorporating my mixed media collages onto Photoshop and combined with my photography's

5

How could you improve your work? Could you develop your work further with additional work? What would you try to achieve with this? Could you undertake further experiments? If so, what would they be?For my final image I have looked to make it apart of a collection along with two others that will be inspired by using the same photographs, colours, effects or content. For example the fashion collage can then be transferred into the background of some of my other final photographs If I were to look at taking this further I could look at incorporating the Harris camera instead of using a basis portrait photograph. Which could then be layered with mixed media forms. As it could also be a good way of portraying the idea of self discovery in movement and the different colours representing this. Another experiment could be photomontage of the face of the model and put together in blocks with a black outline round around each piece to give a distorted and abstract photography. However if I was looking at just developing what has already been created I could create this on paper to the be able to compare the end result and which I prefer and incorporating more patterns textures and designs.

When talking about your work, consider formal elements such as

lines, shapes and patterns as well as the colour and contrast and also tone

of your image. Think about the composition of your work and where

this could be developed.When looking at the angle and

composition to the photograph, it has been specifically chosen to suit its

purpose for example the fact I have opted for portrait photography is a

great way to show emotion and express a certain feeling which also has

been shown by the use of a close up shot from the face . Which has also been shot at eye level which in this

case suggests this idea of equality as I decided against something of a high or

low angle, and is also a good way of attracting the attention of the reader. The colours behind the photograph is

an important part in this case at communicating the message . Between the monochrome and black and white, and the pastel tones and neutrals that reflect femininity of the model and the

stereotypical ideas behind women. And seen as the front that many

people put up.

Finally you should consider if the images you have produced fulfil the

brief you were set. Do they match the theme? Are they experimental? Explain

your answers using specific examples.Looking back at the brief ‘Nunnington

Hall is a Manor house on the river Rye in North Yorkshire. They regularly hold art,

fashion and photography exhibitions and are looking for a submissions of

experimental photography on the theme of discovery.’ and so reviewing my first image the fact that I have incorporated

the ideas of fashion within this final photograph helps to fit with the

previous work found in Nunnington Hall therefore fitting with the brief. Which

also states that images should communicate the idea of discovery that

also is shown in the way of self discovery and what can be behind the smile and

stereotypes. In this case the idea has been communicated within the layers to

the photograph. The black and white filter and newspapers prints with words

such as lost, truth, secrets and war all words reflect the idea of depression and

hurt that could be found from behind the smile which in this case is very

pronounced from around the eyes and mouth using a bright fashion print to

contrast that of what is behind.

6

Mixed Media

7

A collage of different texts and fonts relating to the idea of depression and sadness has been created as a basis for developing and experimenting with my photographs and scanography. All over these words layered onto one page as a form of mixed media. Making sure a filter of black and white has been used to fit in with the theme and then words that have been incorporated. As you can see I have also experimented with the placement of newspaper print on specific part of the face and body cut out using the layer via copy techniques. As well as this cover the whole a4 page with the collage but then lowering the opacity so that the portrait can still be clearly visible

8

As well as the scanography I combined this with a mixed media collage created from a fashion magazine both an advertisement and the fashion pages. As you can see the advertisement has been specifically ripped into strips, while the background has been randomly but together. In this case you can see I have experimented in different ways to create my finished product. Using the lasso tool to cut out specific areas of the collage that I wanted to incorporate then when the rest has been hidden and my scanography has been added to the back the illusion of the paper been clawed and ripped through as a way communicating this idea of self discovery and breaking though of the stereotypes

(Scanography)

Use this slide to annotate your final image

Using the opacity tool

proved a great way of

adding a number of different

meanings between the

multiple layers

because of more than one image been used which will

help to keep the reader

interested. Of the

scanography, portrait

photography and the mixed

media all combined.

Using the shape tool to create these thin rectangular for the right half of the image

helps to add another dimension to the photograph and another sense creativity,

however, by lowering the opacity helps the image still to be seen through the original photograph. But still stand out among the

grey and white tones.

the collage created previously has been

reused for the purpose of my second image which

helps to communicate the same theme throughout

and the same house style, which will prove familiar

to audiences.

For the purpose of this image I

have experimented by combining

two scanography that have a

similar composition to

them for example the eyes to this have been

incorporated from a different

image which has then been matched up

with the lips, by lowering the

opacity helps to make these

merge seamlessly.

The newspaper print has been used mainly for the middle panel of the photograph and the opacity lowered communicating the idea of

unhappiness matching well with the scanography.

I feel that use of the scanography

works well for this as it gives a

shadow and air of mystery to it.

Which continues with this idea of

darkness and sadness behind

the mask of someone as the eyes are a great way of showing

emotion.

12

Qualities:Consider the aesthetic qualities of your work. How does it look? What do you like about it? What are the strongest and weakest elements from an aesthetic point of view?Consider the technical qualities of your work? How well done is it? What elements are strongest and which could need further work and development? Be sure to use technical terms in your work such as exposure, shutter speed, aperture and talk specifically about any post-production techniques you have used. When evaluating my second photography I feel that there are both some strong points and some areas that could be improved upon as I feel that next I could look at using a higher quality scanner to create a more professional looking final image, as well as improving the colours as the overall pay off is quite dark making the portrait a little unclear to see and so with more time this could be developed upon. Another area which could be improved upon could be incorporating some block bright colours to help make it look a little more attention grabbing. However, in terms of the areas which I am pleased with I like small details which have been added such as the combination of the newspaper print and the lines incorporated into the design. Something which I didn’t think about using at first until it came to experimenting in Photoshop in the later production stages. In terms of the equipment that was used to create these images both a DSLR camera on an automatic setting which provided me with the quality needed, that adjusted to the right lighting and exposure for that environment, as well as this a scanner, to capture a similar photograph with just a different effect, that have been layered on top of one another.

Evaluate: ideas e.g. analysis, results; How well do you feel you have realised your ideas and intentions and what results have you got? Ensure you talk critically (compare, contrast, assess) about your work. You should reference your influences and assess how your work compares.As I was looking to create a collection of experimental photographs that all fit together with a similar house style. In this case it matches with my first image because of the same model been used , and the use of the newspaper headline print which has been added to the original photograph, therefore my intentions that where addressed within my proposal has been carried out. When initially looking at the types of the experimental photography I wanted use for my project, research into scanography and the different effects and some of the existing work. For example some artists have been known to incorporate dried flowers, and different everyday object to give you illusion of still life. Other effects include adding different papers and textures to the scanner a portrait photographer known for doing this Liz Atkin ‘Skin is her primary source for corporeal art. Her work centres on a multilayered exploration of the possibilities of marking, extending and transforming the skin so as to question the limits of the body and the potentials for communication across and within the porous textures of light and surfaces.’ in this case I experimented using cellophane something which I looked at using within my proposal as it can still be seen through objects or portraits but giving it this creased effect but felt that it wasn't fit for purpose when testing it out. http://www.scannography.org/artists/Atkin-Liz.html

13

How could you improve your work? Could you develop your work further with additional work? What would you try to achieve with this? Could you undertake further experiments? If so, what would they be?With more time I could look at making the scale of this experimental photography a lot bigger, with a colour scanner or using a photograph from a further distance of either a mid or long shot to get more of the body and in some cases the way people stand and present themselves is something else that can be addressed within this idea of self discovery. I could also look at adding different textures and patterns to the scanner to create different illusions something that with research and looking at other artists has proved popular and very common. When looking at this idea of self discovery I could also look at using some other techniques that will reflect this such as using shutter speed to create something showing movement or example the expressions of the face or even using multiple exposures to incorporate other images within a basis silhouette that represent that persons personality. To help show the feeling and emotion trapped within someone.

When talking about your work, consider formal elements such as

lines, shapes and patterns as well as the colour and contrast and also tone

of your image. Think about the composition of your work and where

this could be developed. when looking into the formal elements

of my second image the overall look uses soft and smooth lines around the

face of the model which helps to capture the femininity and the

emotion within this that can also be due to the fact that this is the effect

that is created after using the scanner. The original photographs that where

taken had no real pattern to them and were basis in design with this type of ombre from light to dark within the

grey scale until enhancing this on Photoshop and adding different layers and patterns such as the newspaper

print created using mixed media another form of experimental

photography. When studying the colour content there are two ways that it can be looked either with contrast or complimentary colours in this case complimentary monochrome colours

have been used to achieve the finished products that help to link with the

words and language used within the collage.

Finally you should consider if the images you have produced fulfil the brief you were

set. Do they match the theme? Are they experimental? Explain your answers using

specific examples.As the brief states ‘Nunnington Hall is a

Manor house on the river Rye in North Yorkshire. They regularly hold art, fashion

and photography exhibitions and are looking for a submissions of experimental

photography on the theme of discovery.’ key points which I have taken from this brief and

incorporated into my own work including what Nunnington Hall are renounced for and

have done previously of the important art influences which was when the incorporation

of mixed media was involved in order to create something more unusual and abstract. With the brief also stated that it is important to communicate the idea of discovery within

my final images in this case the idea of self discovery and what can be hidden behind

the smile and stereotypes of this. For the purpose of my second photography this

doesn’t as such use both smile and what's behind but instead the pain that can be

inside and the use of a black and white filter helps to emphases this further as the

scanography image didn’t allow the eyes to be seen the layering of the other

photographer helps to capture the emotion through the eyes and the story’s they tell.

(Scanography)

Before deciding on the images that I wanted to develop further in Photoshop I looked at creating some self discovery photography

using the Harris camera and these are the results. After taking these photographs I think that the outcome allowed me to try something

different and even though I aren't using this technique it allowed me to experiment with different poses and angles that work best that

relate to the idea of sadness and depression from behind the smile. As I feel there are some strong messages and emotion in these

photographs which overall even though I feel the effect fits well with the theme I am portraying the quality of the images aren't good

enough and have achieved other images better using cameras and scanography. However these types of images could prove interesting when overlaying other photographs on top something which I could

look at developing further.

Use this slide to annotate your final image

The opacity tool was an

important part of the stages in production as it helped to give the right

balance between both

the photographs and so that one image

isn't stronger than the

other, which I feel I have striked the

right balance between.

Using a white background has helped to give the illusion of these photographs been taken in a studio

making it look more professional and to a higher quality. In contrast to the other two images I have

created I feel that it is stronger in terms of colours as the contrast helps to attract the eye of both black and white. Which still allows the silhouette to still be seen

through

For the purpose of my 3rd image I have not only

used one but two images the fact that I have done this gives a really nice effect over the hand

where the face can be seen through it.

To create such an effect required

extreme use of the curve tool which allows

you to experiment with

the lighting, exposure and

contrast, without

planning this was achieved spontaneously

and experimenting

with these effect as well as

a black and white filters which was

added to match the other

photographs within this collection

Most of the developments and changes made to these images have been created in Photoshop as I started out with a number of portrait photographs that express the idea of sadness and the personality and feeling that can be hidden ‘ what's

underneath the skin’

The overall effect has been created

with my 3rd photograph is that of a neon/uv glow

to the photographs,

which really helps to grab the

attention of the reader

16

Showing the development from the two original photographs to the end result

17

Qualities:Consider the aesthetic qualities of your work. How does it look? What do you like about it? What are the strongest and weakest elements from an aesthetic point of view?Consider the technical qualities of your work? How well done is it? What elements are strongest and which could need further work and development? Be sure to use technical terms in your work such as exposure, shutter speed, aperture and talk specifically about any post-production techniques you have used. Out of my final three images I feel that this is one of the strongest because of the creativity and then combination of two photographs that run seamlessly together. As it was important to get the right balance within the angle and composition of the shot, as well as the sizing so that either weren't to overpowering or small for the overall photograph. As one of the strongest parts I feel is around the face can been seen through the hand because of the lowered opacity. Which also has given this glow to the image to capture specific areas of the face around the eyes and mouth with the shadow that comes from it. Another part I happy about is the idea of this double meaning with more than one image that can be found among the overall photograph. In terms of technical developments that could me made I could looking into creating multiple versions of these but with an overall of colour to appeal to the younger audience in a number of bright, eye catching neon and primary colours. Or even looking that the work of other artists such as christoffer relander and putting landscape photographs as an overlay reflecting the opposite of feeling trapped, sad and lonely then instead feeling freedom the idea of peace and happiness. as a way of creating contrast images instead of complimentary.

Evaluate: ideas e.g. analysis, results; How well do you feel you have realised your ideas and intentions and what results have you got? Ensure you talk critically (compare, contrast, assess) about your work. You should reference your influences and assess how your work compares.When it came to the creating a final image for my collection I felt that it was important to look at all possible aspects and different ways I could target this from, and so from my initial intentions the outcome was very different, because as previously stated I looked to do something more on paper with this idea of creating a stencil outline on top of the original scanography using cellophane didn’t work as well as id hoped becoming difficult to differentiate between the lines. Which then resulted in a lot more experimenting and free to interpretation. That then resulted in something using Photoshop which helped me to create my final images just like what was stated in my proposal and planning stages. When looking at the other two images I have created and comparing them I feel that this is one of my stronger images. still fitting with the current theme and style because of the black and white colour scheme that compliments each other well. However in contrast the colours are a lot stronger with the other two using greyer pastel tones. Also the use of the same photographs helps to keep them consistent is style and overall appearance, but using mixed media collages from previous photographs will help them to fit together and a more coherent set of images. Taking inspiration from that of Christoffer Relander a well known face in the world of experimental photography with series of multiple exposure photographs.

18

How could you improve your work? Could you develop your work further with additional work? What would you try to achieve with this? Could you undertake further experiments? If so, what would they be?Developing on from this image could involve creating a collection of these types of photograph but with different people from different backgrounds and ages. As well as experimenting with the types of strong powerful images that can be created with just a simple movement or shape. Another technique that could work well for the purpose of this project may involve the use of the Harris camera to create a gradual shadowed colour effect which will also work with the layering effect that I already incorporated in this and my other photographs, and will also help to bring some colour into the photograph because currently it is very monochrome and so by incorporating colour would help to stand out and grab the attention of the audience. To push my work further and incorporate even more techniques I could use a photomontage to present my photograph in whether this being on Photoshop or paper that could work by printing onto Polaroid placed layered up in a collage and then photographed for a different effect.

When talking about your work, consider formal elements such as lines,

shapes and patterns as well as the colour and contrast and also tone of

your image. Think about the composition of your work and where

this could be developed.when analysing more in-depth into

some of the design element, the shapes are an important part to getting the

message across as the use of the women figure shown through the silhouette and

specific areas of women that’s stereotypical, for example the use of

makeup and instead of showing strength and independence, a very different view has been addressed by the curved soft shapes and lines, with an idea of hiding from the world, using a very poignant strong image of self harm and the idea of death. The colours play an important

part expressing this message using a black and white filter helps to express

the idea of pain and sadness while trying to fit in with society. However, the

strong contrast helps to represent the idea of trying to break free from and standing out from the crowd. I could

look at developing this further by adding even more layers of faces to either side

of the main photograph giving the audience even more to look at.

Finally you should consider if the images you have produced fulfil the brief you were

set. Do they match the theme? Are they experimental? Explain your answers using

specific examples.When looking at my final photograph

against the brief to consider its effects in relation to the brief. I feel it works well with

these intentions because in terms of it supporting the idea of discovery I think the curved lines of the body connects this well showing the different pathways fitting well

with the travel and journey of this. However, even though I feel this is one of my stronger

photographs it doesn’t fit as well as well with my existing experimental

photography's, because in this case the collages haven't been incorporated which became a running theme to help to show

continuity. However there are still some areas that they match well in. for example

the portrait photographs that I have used a a running theme. Looking back at the brief ‘Nunnington Hall is a Manor house on the

river Rye in North Yorkshire. They regularly hold art, fashion and photography

exhibitions and are looking for a submissions of experimental photography

on the theme of discovery.’ I feel that it will fit in its surroundings because of the artistic, minimalistic style that has been used as well as the fact that art can be seen as anything.