Research on opposites and inital idea

Research

Elliott Erwitt



My initial idea for opposites was going to be age this was mainly inspired by Elliott Erwitt and the photo above, I think that age is a very clear opposite, the ageing of the skin and all the differences that lie between the old and young. I think this is interesting to photograph as it is interesting to see  the changes when you grow older.

Juxtaposition, Contradiction and opposites

Juxtaposition, Contradiction and Opposites

 Juxtaposition, contradiction and opposites were the main concept for this project. When we started the project we were given two photographs to analyse to see if we could pick out any of these denominators from the photographs. These were the two photographs I was given.

Picture 1

Picture 2

Here are the two photographs I was given too analyse I made various points about them both and they both had clear differences. This task really helped to open my mind to the three aspects we were asked to look for. I will try my best to use the knowledge I have learnt from this task and try and adapt it and use it in my work.

 

Final idea for opposites

 

Here is a selection of photos for my final images. I chose to use a set of twins to show opposites, In order to get the photos I wanted I said a word that the twins had to react to, this was in order to see there different reactions. I am  pleased with the final outcome of the photos as I think they are clear and I like that the opposites in the twins are very subtle not obvious. I think my favourite photo of the four is the second one because I like how I have captured the twins different reactions. To get this photo I said that the model on the left is more clever than the one on the right, this brought clear different reactions.  I think I could improve these images by maybe experimenting with different shots and different situations. Not only this but the twins aren't as identical as I would have like therefore there is a lot more differences than just there expressions. However, the face that one wears a tie and is the neat sister is an opposite and I think its clear who is the more confident twin.

Christmas Project

Christmas Project

 

 

 

The photographs above are just some of the photographs I took over the Christmas period. I feel each picture has its own good quality too it. I think all the photos have their individual qualities varying from textures and patterns to colour and composition to layout, aperture and order. I feel each image was successful in its own respect, and they all I feel have a Christmas feel to them. If I were to improve I would have taken more photographs of my family without them looking as I feel the one above is really effective as the three in the photo are a family of three. I think portraits of other family members would improve the project overall.  



light and dark research

ResearchI found the light and dark project very helpful it really made me consider things I wouldn't have considered before. I learnt all about artificial and natural lighting, and how to use the equipment properly can skilfully. Doing this project really made me consider all the different light sources and where they were angled and coming from. This gave me a far better understanding of light and dark and the formation of shadows.

One of the main photographers I looked at for this project was Bill Brandt. I was immediately drawn to how he contrasts black and white.





My main interest with Bill Brandt is his shadowing I think this is really helpful for my final picture. Brandt often used the darkroom to alter his photographs. For example, in the photograph Policeman in a Dockland Alley he used the 'day for night' technique employed by cinematographers to transform images photographed in daylight into night scenes. I want to create this effect using my camera and editing.

light and dark

Natural Light

Here I was experimenting with daylight and camera settings in order to create the right contrast between light and dark areas in photographs. These images were taken using a lamp and moving around the model with it and with the camera. Moving around the model would light up part of her face and also cast shadows. As you can see from the photos the shadow either lies on the face or the backdrop, Depending on the strength of the light/flash or where the light and camera all effect where the shadow will form.

 

In the darker pictures above the model looks like a much darker figure this is due to the light source coming from behind making her darker.

 

Artificial Light

On some of the photographs the light source is coming from the left hand side causing the models face to light up on one side leaving the other side quite dark. One side of the models face being almost black from the shadow.

 

 

Tungsten Light

To get these images I was experimenting with different white balances to see how this would effect my photographs. I used tungsten light and daylight balances in order to change the colour hue in these images.

 



light and dark final idea

Firstly, I experimented with creating shadows by using hands to create different shapes. I then went on to think about how I can use shadows in order to provoke a storyline. I decided to photograph my sister and use my hands to create a shadow of my hand to connote something she could be scared of, almost like a childhood fear. I used Photoshop to create the final outcome by changing the brightness and contrast to make the shadow darker. I was pleased with my final outcome as I don't usually photograph shadows a lot so it was good trying something different. However, my work could be improved by making the story clearer and perhaps making more story lines and more of a setting behind the model instead of the white background.