Portrait
Statement of Intent
For my portfolio, I have chosen Portrait. I chose portrait because I think it's a good starting point for my portfolio, as there is a lot of stuff I can capture pictures across different areas of photography through places and people. Research I intend to carry out based on this theme includes to works of different photographers, such as, Annie Leibovitz or Lisa Kristine. Or taking inspiration from photographers such as Neil Krug where his style and ways of shooting are unique and visually appeasing. The work I want to make I would want it to be of the same sorts and visually appealing. I intend to produce a wide selection of work in different styles and opposing themes such as black and white, or traditional and lifestyle styles or even including ideas of heaven and hell on earth. I want to shoot photoshoots based around this and to fit with my theme by showing people in these styles. I want to shoot photos all around Manchester, as we plan on different class trips to Salford Quays. I would want to take photos here as it is an important part of Manchester's history and development over the years. I also plan on capturing the different aspects of the environment and world around us or world issues and the theme of life. This is what Portrait means to me. I will do this to showcase and develop my creative work in photography and picture taking this is a photoshoot I intend to complete to help me explore the topic. These photos I will take, I can further advance with photoshop, I would like to create different edits and use darker themes in the Salford quays shoots. To help me with my learning and style I want to take photos based on mood boards and in the style of photographers. If I have a wide range of photos, I can link them to the world and problems around us, as well as previous photographers work/theme.
To extend my knowledge and my portfolio I will slowly develop my abilities in photoshop and play around with it more and the features it gives as well as techniques I can/will use. Techniques I intend to do are ones such as the magic selection tool or pen tool or glowly outlines to further refine images and my final outcome. With these techniques ill learn, I can create different pieces of art and styles of photos and a gallery of photos that can display my potential and progress I would have made with photoshop and with my editing skills. Whilst doing basic effects and adjustments but also going further to create more complex edits that can showcase different styles, such as, double exposure, glitch, things out of face, and different things like that, that almost feel dream like in a sense, and also to work on camera settings and what I can do beforehand before taking things to photoshop. Throughout this project I hope to work further on my ability as a photographer and I hope to learn about what I can do and all my potential as a future photographer. I see my final format including a range of shoots, my edits which show my ability's as a photographer and editor, and showcases the techniques I have used and learnt over this project.
To extend my knowledge and my portfolio I will slowly develop my abilities in photoshop and play around with it more and the features it gives as well as techniques I can/will use. Techniques I intend to do are ones such as the magic selection tool or pen tool or glowly outlines to further refine images and my final outcome. With these techniques ill learn, I can create different pieces of art and styles of photos and a gallery of photos that can display my potential and progress I would have made with photoshop and with my editing skills. Whilst doing basic effects and adjustments but also going further to create more complex edits that can showcase different styles, such as, double exposure, glitch, things out of face, and different things like that, that almost feel dream like in a sense, and also to work on camera settings and what I can do beforehand before taking things to photoshop. Throughout this project I hope to work further on my ability as a photographer and I hope to learn about what I can do and all my potential as a future photographer. I see my final format including a range of shoots, my edits which show my ability's as a photographer and editor, and showcases the techniques I have used and learnt over this project.
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Photography Analysis...
Context:
An image of the young Cosette for the film Les Misérables, taken by Annie Leibovitz in November 2012. Leibovitz was born October 2nd 1949, she is an American portrait photographer best known for engaging photos of celebrities. She is also known for her Polaroid photo of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, which was taken 5 hours before Lennon's murder. She did a photography workshop in school where she changed her major to photography than an art teacher. The movie "Les Misérables" started out as a novel written in 1862 by Victor Hugo and when turned into a play, first premiered in 1980. It follows the story of "Jean Valjean" an ex-convict and tells the story of his release and reformation. He feels like he needs to go away as his presence endangers Cosette. She is seen as a symbol of hope and rise of the oppressed from the darkness to a bright future.
Content:
The picture taken of a young Cosette played by Isabella Allen. For the 2012 film Les Misérables and portrays the young girl staring into the camera, for a haunting landscape layout shot. The image/movie represents love, courage, and resilience of the human spirit. The colour blue in the background, is commonly used in marketing as it can be considered as soothing and calming, another area highlighted is her eyes, which have been turned to a brighter blue, lighting in this image has also been used to highlight her face and her hair. I think this has been done to contrast the marks on her cheeks, which can also help to relate to the context of the story. A realistic photo but with edited effects, such as an out of focus background and a fan for her hair etc. She did this by using a fan and the backdrop. The theme being "Les Misérables" a French Revolution in the 19th century about the inequality in France, and I think the message it conveys and tries to communicate is loneliness as the girl looks lonely and to help with promotion for the film. Her hair flows and acts as leading lines, her face stares directly on with an eerie look. The name Cosette means "People Of Victory" the use of this name and it's meaning and her as the poster, links heavily to the plot and this idea of a revolution, and victory for the people.
Composition:
Techniques used in the photo, are things like leading lines, like with her hair and the way it sways/moves around the picture, leading the person’s line of sight across the screen and help draw your eyes to her. The main subject of the photo, without them the image wouldn't have a main focus point, you can also see that rule of thirds has been used and she is more on the right hand side with her hair and leading lines going into the centre middle. Using rule of thirds, you can see the whole image with her on the left on the side. This draws the viewer to her, it helps gives a discrete look, Leibovitz also uses the sweet spot to her advantage with her eye crossing between the right and upper line, this helps with drawing attention to her and help conveys emotions of sadness and makes the reader feel sympathy. The depth of field is short, between the foreground (her) and the background, and the frame is her more on the right side. as well as a tripod most likely being used as it looks as if one has been used and it may be a studio set up. I think it had a faster shutter speed, due to the hair and the white balance would have been on a shaded or more natural room light, this creates a darker deeper effect and helps it give off the effect the photographer. camera settings I think were used are, perhaps around 6000k-7000k for white balance, with an ISO of around 1000, aperture of maybe f8 and 1/1000 for shutter speed. This helps truly capture the model in a clear photo, this all results in a clear crisp photo. In the image there is a foreground, where Cosette is, and the backdrop is the background. They help convey the character as the main subject of the photo in the foreground, which draws people's attention to her.
Connection:
I like how the lighting has been used, also how her hair moves across the screen and the leading lines, also the effect on her eyes which makes them grab your attention. I think the leading lines are definitely a strength as well as the background/depth of field, and how the image portrays the young Cosette on the left hand side of the image, rule of thirds. Looking into the camera with her hair moving across the screen and her blue eyes are bright. The ideas I could focus on and use in future shots are things such as rule of thirds, depth of field and leading lines. I could work this way by using leading lines and a backdrop.
An image of the young Cosette for the film Les Misérables, taken by Annie Leibovitz in November 2012. Leibovitz was born October 2nd 1949, she is an American portrait photographer best known for engaging photos of celebrities. She is also known for her Polaroid photo of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, which was taken 5 hours before Lennon's murder. She did a photography workshop in school where she changed her major to photography than an art teacher. The movie "Les Misérables" started out as a novel written in 1862 by Victor Hugo and when turned into a play, first premiered in 1980. It follows the story of "Jean Valjean" an ex-convict and tells the story of his release and reformation. He feels like he needs to go away as his presence endangers Cosette. She is seen as a symbol of hope and rise of the oppressed from the darkness to a bright future.
Content:
The picture taken of a young Cosette played by Isabella Allen. For the 2012 film Les Misérables and portrays the young girl staring into the camera, for a haunting landscape layout shot. The image/movie represents love, courage, and resilience of the human spirit. The colour blue in the background, is commonly used in marketing as it can be considered as soothing and calming, another area highlighted is her eyes, which have been turned to a brighter blue, lighting in this image has also been used to highlight her face and her hair. I think this has been done to contrast the marks on her cheeks, which can also help to relate to the context of the story. A realistic photo but with edited effects, such as an out of focus background and a fan for her hair etc. She did this by using a fan and the backdrop. The theme being "Les Misérables" a French Revolution in the 19th century about the inequality in France, and I think the message it conveys and tries to communicate is loneliness as the girl looks lonely and to help with promotion for the film. Her hair flows and acts as leading lines, her face stares directly on with an eerie look. The name Cosette means "People Of Victory" the use of this name and it's meaning and her as the poster, links heavily to the plot and this idea of a revolution, and victory for the people.
Composition:
Techniques used in the photo, are things like leading lines, like with her hair and the way it sways/moves around the picture, leading the person’s line of sight across the screen and help draw your eyes to her. The main subject of the photo, without them the image wouldn't have a main focus point, you can also see that rule of thirds has been used and she is more on the right hand side with her hair and leading lines going into the centre middle. Using rule of thirds, you can see the whole image with her on the left on the side. This draws the viewer to her, it helps gives a discrete look, Leibovitz also uses the sweet spot to her advantage with her eye crossing between the right and upper line, this helps with drawing attention to her and help conveys emotions of sadness and makes the reader feel sympathy. The depth of field is short, between the foreground (her) and the background, and the frame is her more on the right side. as well as a tripod most likely being used as it looks as if one has been used and it may be a studio set up. I think it had a faster shutter speed, due to the hair and the white balance would have been on a shaded or more natural room light, this creates a darker deeper effect and helps it give off the effect the photographer. camera settings I think were used are, perhaps around 6000k-7000k for white balance, with an ISO of around 1000, aperture of maybe f8 and 1/1000 for shutter speed. This helps truly capture the model in a clear photo, this all results in a clear crisp photo. In the image there is a foreground, where Cosette is, and the backdrop is the background. They help convey the character as the main subject of the photo in the foreground, which draws people's attention to her.
Connection:
I like how the lighting has been used, also how her hair moves across the screen and the leading lines, also the effect on her eyes which makes them grab your attention. I think the leading lines are definitely a strength as well as the background/depth of field, and how the image portrays the young Cosette on the left hand side of the image, rule of thirds. Looking into the camera with her hair moving across the screen and her blue eyes are bright. The ideas I could focus on and use in future shots are things such as rule of thirds, depth of field and leading lines. I could work this way by using leading lines and a backdrop.
2nd Photography Analysis...
Context:
This photo was taken by Lisa Kristine, who was born September 2nd 1965. She is an American humanitarian photographer, activist and speaker. She travels the world and her photography documents indigenous cultures and social causes, such as modern day slavery. This image was taken around September 28th 2012, and shows exploitation of workers and modern day slavery, like miners in Congo and brick layers in Nepal. This was an illegal mineshaft in Ghana where workers are exploited. The photo was taken to show what it was like and the harsh conditions and a way to document. This relates to the social and political/economical state of the world during this period and modern day as people all over the world are being exploited and used, in modern day slavery which is still very much a problem worldwide. Something that affects over 27 million people who are having to undergo this.
Content:
The image shows miners in Ghana who are being exploited in modern day slavery, and is a portrait image. It represents the exploitation of workers in different countries and how it's a problem. Although there isn’t a name for the portrait it is undoubtedly very haunting and tells a story, as it is very realistic and is what happens all over the world right now. The background is slightly out of focus which suggests that the viewers should/will focus on the man in the photo. The colors used in the image are darker colors and tones and the grey on his hands and the paint-like look of it. In this image you can see that the colors used are a lot darker and on the grayscale, this can help to evoke mood and emotion through pure value. The dark can help convey dark and dramatic moods, the parts of his body the light is shining on is his face and his shoulders where it helps to bring out the texture and you can see water on his face that could be sweat, which helps relate to the context of the image, through the hard work and labor modern day slavery brings. The theme of the photo and the message it’s trying to convey is about modern slavery and the issues it has and causes all over the world and how many workers and miners are being affected and treated under terrible conditions. I know this as in the image it shows a miner and different sources, like TED talks, talks about it, Kristine herself has spoken about the issues and the images in her TED talk, and exposing it all/giving it light. We as a western society benefit from this because the stuff mined goes to banks and into our pockets etc. These people are being exploited and Kristine's photo(s) document this and show it.
Composition:
In this image, rule of thirds is used giving the image more of a central focus on the man and the story the image conveys, as well as a close up on the man. As well as this, Triangles is being used, as it follows up his body in a triangular shape, and rule of thirds also being used with his body being mainly in the center middle. Asymmetry is also present in the photo as in parts it's used and others it's not, this is important as it can help to play on the differences to help form a more interesting dynamic change on the image. There is a foreground and a middle ground, in the foreground there is a man and in the distance another man and some sort of structure. I think for this image a tripod has been used, I think this because of the way it’s set out and has more of a balanced and stable shot than a wobbly one. The white balance has probably been set to a more natural lighting. The ISO set to high and shutter speed also pretty high as the image looks focused and secured, this helps it with the effect and meaning behind the image and what the photographer wants, white balance of 5200k, ISO of 1600, aperture of perhaps F8 and shutter speed for 1000, this helps result in a clearer photo and help the camera focus into his face.
Connection:
I like Kristine's work, because it tells a good story and shows the harsh reality we live in where million of people are exploited worldwide as well as an insight to how it is. Strengths I've noticed is her ability to tell a story through a photo and depict it through an image, as well as camera shots, angles and close ups. This image somewhat links to mine, by the use of camera settings and the use of rule of thirds and angles and shots etc. I can use these ideas in my own work by using similar camera settings, and focusing on my use of the camera and maybe with telling a story through an image.
3rd Photography Analysis...
Context:
This picture seems to be a portrait photo of a man. The photo was taken in a landscape shot with the man towards the left hand side of the picture looking dead on into the camera. I think this work represents the feeling of sadness and darkness giving the eerie essence of the photo, so I think it may be a reference to that and even with the way it's shot, with his facial expressions. This seems to be a realistic portrait as it's something that can be shot by anyone, and even with the meaning of it, it’s something people can experience, with no exaggerated effects or distortion or anything. This makes me feel the theme of the work is sadness or depression/melancholia. I think the message the photographer is trying to communicate is the sense of loneliness or feeling alone and trapped, I know this because it’s just the man on the left and not so center giving it more of a discrete less of vibe. In this image, it’s mainly darker colors like black with darker tones. This black background can represent many things and themes, such as darkness which can be a metaphor for a lot of things. His expression is quite plain and dull and also emotionless.
Content/Composition:
In this image, the subject seems to be in the foreground, and towards the left, with rule of thirds being used and him being more towards the left side, and appears to be a close up on the subject. This image seems to be professionally taken and that could mean a tripod was used for balance. The rule of thirds draws the attention away from the Centre and onto the subject on the left, the lighting has been used to highlight the specific area of his face which I think is being highlighted to help show his emotion and melancholy face, and emphasise the dark, dramatic mood of the image. In this image you can also see the colours used, are black and the white shining on his face, this helps to create contrast in the image. I think for this image the photographer put the white balance on auto or maybe shadow/shade as the subject seems to be in a darker area.
With an ISO from around 400 - 800 as the image seems to be darker but not so dark that it's hard to see but not light enough where the light is blocking him out. The lighting also shines on his face and gives the effect and draws attention to him, as if he is in a spotlight. The aperture range doesn’t matter as the subject was put on a black backdrop, but I do suspect maybe around 2.8 - 16, f-stop. Also not over exposed. With a high shutter speed of maybe around 1/1000 as it seems to be fast and in focus, if it was a lower shutter speed that would result in it being an out of focus picture, the lens from around 35mm to 50mm. Also where the light has been placed shining onto the right side of his face. I don’t think any use of Photoshop has occurred or that this has been edited in the slightest. The man is on the left which draws attention to him but leaves a large empty space on the right, this might represent feelings of loneliness or feeling alone. The man is looking directly at the camera as if he is looking at us, this may help to intrigue the viewer. I think he is looking at the viewer because perhaps to get our attention and get us to focus on him. The image is also a close up, this helps to show a more significant emotion, I also don't think there are any leading lines used, but I think rule of thirds has been used, as the guy is more on the left hand side, drawing the focus to him, to draw focus to him and his face, and the meaning of the image. The effect of this use is to help get the glow on his face and effect it gives, making one side in light and the other side in dark. I also think the image is an asymmetrical image. The light isn't fully even.
Connection:
I like this picture because I feel it has a lot of meaning and the way its been shot has been done well, and has a lot of strengths that I would say has improved it, such as, the way its been shot with camera settings and placements like where the subject is, like rule of thirds and foreground etc. Their work is good as it has the subject in the foreground and is using rule of thirds with a light source on the left hand side shining onto the subjects face, making one side of the subject be lighter than the other. This in itself can symbolize a lot of things, such as if the image was referencing sadness/sadder emotions, it could be showing there is always light etc. This work links to mine as it showcases a subject which is something that I'm doing and with the theme which is also something I can broadcast through my work if I want to, this is something that I can use in future shoots of mine, by doing close ups. It could be a skill to work on, being more close up images etc.
Inspiration:
I could achieve this sort of image if tried or needed, I would want my outcome to look similar to this image in a similar way/style. I can use this image to inspire my outcomes by using similar camera settings or stuff like foreground or rule of thirds to achieve similar results if I wanted. I like the work as its able to convey deep depths of emotions just through a simple image. I would say his use of light is a strength and framing, but not many weaknesses.
This picture seems to be a portrait photo of a man. The photo was taken in a landscape shot with the man towards the left hand side of the picture looking dead on into the camera. I think this work represents the feeling of sadness and darkness giving the eerie essence of the photo, so I think it may be a reference to that and even with the way it's shot, with his facial expressions. This seems to be a realistic portrait as it's something that can be shot by anyone, and even with the meaning of it, it’s something people can experience, with no exaggerated effects or distortion or anything. This makes me feel the theme of the work is sadness or depression/melancholia. I think the message the photographer is trying to communicate is the sense of loneliness or feeling alone and trapped, I know this because it’s just the man on the left and not so center giving it more of a discrete less of vibe. In this image, it’s mainly darker colors like black with darker tones. This black background can represent many things and themes, such as darkness which can be a metaphor for a lot of things. His expression is quite plain and dull and also emotionless.
Content/Composition:
In this image, the subject seems to be in the foreground, and towards the left, with rule of thirds being used and him being more towards the left side, and appears to be a close up on the subject. This image seems to be professionally taken and that could mean a tripod was used for balance. The rule of thirds draws the attention away from the Centre and onto the subject on the left, the lighting has been used to highlight the specific area of his face which I think is being highlighted to help show his emotion and melancholy face, and emphasise the dark, dramatic mood of the image. In this image you can also see the colours used, are black and the white shining on his face, this helps to create contrast in the image. I think for this image the photographer put the white balance on auto or maybe shadow/shade as the subject seems to be in a darker area.
With an ISO from around 400 - 800 as the image seems to be darker but not so dark that it's hard to see but not light enough where the light is blocking him out. The lighting also shines on his face and gives the effect and draws attention to him, as if he is in a spotlight. The aperture range doesn’t matter as the subject was put on a black backdrop, but I do suspect maybe around 2.8 - 16, f-stop. Also not over exposed. With a high shutter speed of maybe around 1/1000 as it seems to be fast and in focus, if it was a lower shutter speed that would result in it being an out of focus picture, the lens from around 35mm to 50mm. Also where the light has been placed shining onto the right side of his face. I don’t think any use of Photoshop has occurred or that this has been edited in the slightest. The man is on the left which draws attention to him but leaves a large empty space on the right, this might represent feelings of loneliness or feeling alone. The man is looking directly at the camera as if he is looking at us, this may help to intrigue the viewer. I think he is looking at the viewer because perhaps to get our attention and get us to focus on him. The image is also a close up, this helps to show a more significant emotion, I also don't think there are any leading lines used, but I think rule of thirds has been used, as the guy is more on the left hand side, drawing the focus to him, to draw focus to him and his face, and the meaning of the image. The effect of this use is to help get the glow on his face and effect it gives, making one side in light and the other side in dark. I also think the image is an asymmetrical image. The light isn't fully even.
Connection:
I like this picture because I feel it has a lot of meaning and the way its been shot has been done well, and has a lot of strengths that I would say has improved it, such as, the way its been shot with camera settings and placements like where the subject is, like rule of thirds and foreground etc. Their work is good as it has the subject in the foreground and is using rule of thirds with a light source on the left hand side shining onto the subjects face, making one side of the subject be lighter than the other. This in itself can symbolize a lot of things, such as if the image was referencing sadness/sadder emotions, it could be showing there is always light etc. This work links to mine as it showcases a subject which is something that I'm doing and with the theme which is also something I can broadcast through my work if I want to, this is something that I can use in future shoots of mine, by doing close ups. It could be a skill to work on, being more close up images etc.
Inspiration:
I could achieve this sort of image if tried or needed, I would want my outcome to look similar to this image in a similar way/style. I can use this image to inspire my outcomes by using similar camera settings or stuff like foreground or rule of thirds to achieve similar results if I wanted. I like the work as its able to convey deep depths of emotions just through a simple image. I would say his use of light is a strength and framing, but not many weaknesses.