People and Portraits
Below are some Photographs I have taken for the People and Portraits Theme that I have chosen to do. They are all taken by practising with the manual settings on my camera to try to create the best lighting for the image I want to create. I will describe how I have taken the image and how I have improved them by trying out the different F-Stops, shutter speeds and changing the ISO.
The first Location I decided to take the model to was Croxton Abbey Ruins not too far from where I live. I thought it would fit in well with my sombre theme I wanted to produce and with inspiration from photographer Barry Read who I am researching for people and portraits, I decided to give the model a dark Gothic look. I'm very much inspired by Singer Stevie Nicks and the top hat she wears with feathers so I used my top hat and created the feather look for more effect.
As soon as I arrived at the Croxton Abbey and started shooting practise shots first to get the settings in manual right,I was asked to leave by a lady who looks after the ruins as I did not have permission to shoot there, she told me that I had to apply through the English Heritage to gain permission. So I had to leave.
I then decided to take the model to a different location a quiet place I knew of with nice scenery of a lake. It wasn't ideal for the Gothic background setting I was after, but I think they ended up looking more like a setting Barry Read would use by placing a model with a unique style in an picturesque background.
In the Photos below, due to the time of day after the change of the location, I was challenged to produce the Images I wanted quite quickly before losing the natural light.
As to future assignment planning when visiting a English Heritage site I would have to find out if you need written permission first, as this can waste your time and especially the models time.
(Labels Theme2, P4,M2,D2)
Camera used Canon Powershot S3 IS
health and safety considerations:
.With the photographs I took of the model standing on a little bridge I had to make sure she did not stand too close to the edge in case of falling.
.With the photos being taken out side I had to make sure the equipment was protected from bad weather conditions that might happen.
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| The Stevie Nicks look that I am inspired by for a creative theme. |
 F/4, I/320 Sec, ISO 80 |
| The sun light was shining directly into the models face when I took this shot so I feel as though its too harsh especially on her face which makes her eyes squint so I realised the importance of maybe trying back and side lighting. I could of also changed the perspective taking the photo from a different angle. Instead the location got changed anyway and by this time the lighting had dropped and gave me a better face image in the photo below. |
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| F/3.2, 1/100 Sec, ISO100 This was taken using the flash on a close up shot it has highlighted her face quite nice. The background colours blend in well against what the model is wearing. I wanted to capture a pose of the model thinking happy thoughts. The focal point is the models face and lips as the red lipsticks jumps out at you as the dark trees and reflection of them in the water. |
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| F2.7 1/60 Sec, ISO 200 I wanted to try some reflection photography getting inspiration from Anthony Saul's photograph below were he has used mirror reflection of singer Paloma Faith. The higher ISO and the flash produced this image that was too bright. |
Anthony Saul
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| F/2.7, 1/60Sec,ISO 100 This was used with out the flash so the ISO needed to be higher as the whole image is too dark. |
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| F2.7, 1/60 Sec, ISO 100 Getting inspiration from Anthony Saul photograph Using the same settings as above but with the flash produced this better image. I also changed the angle of the shot and zoomed in closer but still trying to get the background in. I achieved the reflection I wanted in the mirror and chose the location so that reflection was also seen in the water. The mirror image is the focal point. I like the total composition of the photo and the fact the facial expression is also one of reflection in her mind. |
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| F/2.7,1/80Sec,ISO 100 This image taken is under exposed as the light was fading fast and you cant see the model stand out she just blends in with the background to much. I changed my positioning to take these two photos I like the composition that you are looking up towards to the model in this. |
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| F/2.7,1/10Sec,ISO 800 irry (Labels Theme2,P5,M3,D2,D3,) |
His influence on me comes from the fact that a big part of his home studio.
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| Ivy's tears Barry Read
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| FIELD OF DREAMS Barry Read |
| In this image I think the Photographer has set this scene by not having the main subject being the lady in the centre and by putting her to the left of the image it looks a though she is following a path you can see faintly in the corn field you get the feeling as though she looks lost and is either walking away from her past or maybe even into the future. I like the way the birds in the distance and look as thought they are migrating so maybe the lady is walking away from something as well she also has her head looking down which maybe suggest that she is feeling sad. The dark sky line and the dark moody sky makes her white dress stand out more. The photograph is mainly taken up by the dark sky and the yellow field which contrast well together. |
 Afghan woman Barry Read |
| I really love the use of colour and texture in this image the vibrant red sheet that covers her mouth working well with a green and black background used just makes the red stand out even more. The focal point being the ladies eyes that you are drawn into them straight away. |
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| F8.0, 1/15 Sec, ISO 400 I wanted to recreate the photograph above taken by Photographer Barry Read but I didn't want to make it look entirely the same. I just wanted to capture the eyes peeking out from behind a veil as this is the main focal point on both photographs. My Photograph has perspective where as the one below does not. I think the black colours work well with twilight. I had to use the Flash to make the model stand out in the fading light. |
 FLANDERS FIELD Barry Read |
| Another great Photograph taken by Barry Read that I really like, the way he blends the colours together the red flowers that go with the models long black dress and again the dark moody sky line that the photographer likes to use. |
 F/7.1,1/15SEC,ISO200 |
| Again I wanted to recreate the photograph Barry Read took with the model using an umbrella and as he tries to make the main subjects in his photos blend with either the sky colour or backdrop. I think the beautiful purple sky colours at twilight and reflecting in the water has worked well with the purple umbrella and tambourine that I used to recreate the desired effect. |
 F/8,1/15SEC,ISO 800 |
| The same aspect as the photo above. This came over exposed and grainy because I had the ISO too high. |
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| Forest Sprite Barry Read This has a very natural feel to it as the model is placed in natural settings. The model appears quite relaxed in posture. He uses depth of field in parts of the background. I like the full composition and central position of the model. The restricted colouring adds to the natural look. This is different to many of his photos which introduce a vibrant colour. |
F/3.5,1/200sec,ISO 80
In the photo above, I have used Barry Read's influence to put my portraits in a natural setting. I have not used vibrant colour also. I chose to change the angle at which the photo was taken looking up at my model. The facial expression is more interesting in the first Photo you feel she is in contemplation which also seems the case in Barry Read's photo. The trees add a sense of scale. The model is the focal point.
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Photographer:Andrew Macpherson
This British Photographer is known as a celebrity image maker. He searches in his portraits for the ''thing that defines them'' and tries to portray his images with honesty and integrity. In capturing on camera a character he will read a script or watch the celebrity in action to get the best understanding of the character. The photo is only as good as the model lets it be he feels, so I realise the necessity for a model to be willing and sensitive to their portrayal.
Andrew Macpherson Photographer
I like Macpherson's comment that ''when you think of your friends there is always an image that pops into your mind that defines them-their laugh,the way they cock their head when they listen, the look they have when they win... that's what I always look for and want to capture.
Its that little thing that really makes them who they are.''Camera Used Canon Powershot S3 IS
Andrew Macpherson
The dark look created in this photo by Andrew and the position he has placed the model shows as though she is fed up or not happy about something. The way he has used the natural rays of sunlight shining through the window that falls upon the model works well to give this dark, moody image some light.
Andrew Macpherson
I was interested in the silhouetted look Andrew has done in the photograph above so I have tried this effect out myself in the photos below.
F3.3,1/400 SEC,ISO 200
Canon Powershot S3 IS
I placed a white sheet in front of the window and got the model to stand in front with the guitar and microphone stand to add more effect. The silhouette formed was not great, there was not enough contrast. I used photoshop to darken the image down more by using brightness and contrast tool.
F2.7,1/320SEC,ISO200
Canon Powershot S3 IS
I took another shot and then changed it again in photoshop. By changing the exposure I got this different silhouetted look.
Andrew Macpherson
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F3.5,1/60SEC,ISO200
Canon Powershot S3 IS
Mirror reflection image this is something I have tried out and enjoy doing. You can capture different moods and expression well with people. F3.5,1/60SEC,ISO200 Canon Powershot S3 IS |
I took this from a different angle so one part of the reflection shows full face while the other half has most of the face obscured by hair as Macpherson has done in his image. The hands are in a similar position.I do like this composition where my model is the main focus. |
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Photographer: Anthony Marc Saul
Is a professional Photographer who works for the company Double Gretty Images. He also works as a freelance Photographer in his studio at his north London Home.
Anthony is a Portrait Photographer who works with colour and black and white images. Some of the Clients he has worked for include Universal,Polydor, Sony BMG,Epic,Gretty Images,Paloma Faith, Alice Gold and JLS. His camera is a Canon EOS 5D.
I first came across Anthony's work when I attended a gig by Paloma Faith, I purchased a Tour Programme which he had produced. I was inspired by his work straight away and from there I looked up his website and other Images he had produced. Mainly they were of musicians and models. I especially liked. the Photos he had taken of singer Paloma Faith.
I feel as though he captures her well performing on stage and his ability to work well with the stage lighting highlights the performer and captures her emotions
Below I will post some of the Photos that I find the most inspiring and also some that I have tried to emulate but putting my own spin on them.
I wrote to Anthony on face book to ask if he could send me some more info about himself and how he got into Photography as I couldn't find much Bio about himself on the Internet. He was kind enough to write this back to me.
''My art teacher at school had tried to persuade me to go to college to study graphic design rather than follow the academic route that I ended up taking. Perhaps I should have listened to her but on the long journey to becoming a professional photographer I have tried my hand at many things. Having qualified as a Barrister I was petrified with the reality of that life and ran away to India for a few months before returning to work for an Investment Bank as an on off contractor. I spent a couple of winter seasons in the alps snowboarding and summers surfing whilst trying to figure out what I wanted to do. During this period I also began working as a session musician, which I still do now and then.
It was through my passion for music that my obsession with photography was born. A very talented photographer that uses to shoot a band I was playing in lent me her camera one day at a festival and from that moment I was hooked. It seemed to be the perfect balance between scientific thinking and creativity and therefore satisfied my head and my heart. I felt it was a bit late to start any formal training and so quickly learnt the basics watching you tube tutorials and just started shooting unsigned bands in dimly lit venues. I suppose my first real break came after I shot Paloma Faith for her debut live show when she signed to Epic records. I have photographed her all the way through her career since. I bought a set of Bowens 500 heads and taught myself studio lighting so that I could get into promotional photography and album, magazine shoots etc. I've now started to strip things back to basics and am beginning to shoot more editorial photography using ambient light, a full frame SLR and 50mm lens. This year I signed with an agency called Double, a boutique arm of Getty Images that represents a roster of internationally acclaimed photographers. It's exciting but I still mainly work on a freelance basis. Whilst this gives me a tremendous sense of independence it's also very nerve racking financially and it requires a lot of discipline and hard work to keep afloat.''
Anthony Saul
With this image I used a mirrored reflection. I was inspired by the Image that Anthony Saul took of singer Paloma Faith above looking into the mirror . So I did my own version but trying to get the same feeling to the Photo. So I told the model to look as though she was in contemplation.
Anthony Saul
This again was taken by Anthony at a Paloma Faith gig. He has really captured the composition of her singing to the audience well. He has blurred the background of the stage lighting and by using a small depth of field and with the spot light on her it makes the subject stand out far better. I think he may have also used the rule of thirds as well.
Anthony Saul
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Photographer: Alex Lake
Alex Lake is a mainly a music Artist portraits Photographer. He lives in Brighton and works all around the world. He has had success in taking photographs for some of the most famous Artists around at the moment and has had his photographs published on the front covers of magazine such as Q magazine. He also has produced Tour Programmes for Music Artists such as the likes of Amy Winehouse.He graduated in graphic design at Central Saint Martins College in London. In 1997 Alex Lake went straight into freelancing as a photographer. Before concentrating on working as a portrait photographer he worked as a still life photographer in the advertising industry for a couple of years. He is highly sought after for his intimate portraiture and his images have been widely published around the world. His grounding was in traditional photography.In his words. ''I learnt on an old Pentax Spotmatic 35mm that my dad gave me,then Igot a Mamiya R2-everything was learnt on film.It was invaluable to learn the real alchemy of photography years before I'd end up manipulating images on my computer.'' In 2005 he used the EOS-10 Mark11 camera having reluctantly changed to digital, then the EOS 5D for 'hip reportage work' and then the EOS-IDs Mark 111 which he called 'the greatest digital SLR portrait camera ever.'He uses the 50mm and 85mm lens to ensure stunning portraits,particularly black and white.
Here are some images that Alex has taken over the years.
Alex Lake
I especially like this photograph, the way he captures the face and you are drawn into the image mainly her eye. The Image reflects a dark side in her expression and this is enhanced by the photo being made black and white.
I really like the way he uses lighting behind the model to make the bright colour of the model's hair stand out on a black background, I think that he may of used a fast shutter speed to capture the movement of her hair and by using a fan to create the wind swept hair this gave movement to the Photograph.
I like the way Alex Lake just uses natural light in the two photographs above. So I wanted to try some out in some woods
F/4.5 1/60SEC,ISO 200
Canon ESO 100D
I think the setting for the image is not like the one above, but I have tried to capture the same kind of feel to the image. The lighting was quite dark with the cloudy weather. I got lower to the ground to take this shot as I think Alex did that when taking his shot.
F/5,1/50SEC,ISO400
Canon ESO 100D
Here Is a another image of the same model but by using my own view on how the pose should be and how he should look. By placing the model to the side of the shot it gives a better composition with the way he is looking out into the distance. I'm pleased with the way it has turned out. I decided to change this image to a black and white in photoshop.
This was taken on a different day and was taken because I was impressed with the natural lighting revealing the deep coloured tones of the location.
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Photographer Edward Steichen.
(1879-1973)
Although born in Luxembourg Steichen moved to America when young. He taught himself photography at the age of 16 and in the 1920's developed a ''new look'' for fashion and celebrity photographs working as chief photographers for the publisher of vogue,vanity fair magazines. He used patterned fabrics and props and his portraits emphasised geometric and decorative shapes rather than showing a more romantic portrait that had been the style up to that time.
In 1905 he helped found the famous 291 gallery on fifth avenue in New York and became influenced by the new abstraction or the Art movement. The modernist influence was shown in his work with the emphasis on line and pattern.
 I found some research on Edward Steichen in the book above called The Making of Great Photographers by Eamonn McCabe. |
  The background which is plain and out of focus deliberately does not distract from the face which is drawn into the pattern.  Another black and white image of a lady looking like she is deeply into her music and playing her guitar, this is a nice image to look at it makes you feel relaxed.  I could photoshop this image to change it to a black and white and try to get rid of the shadow if I use this as a final image. |
Hi
ReplyDeleteA great set of images that have clearly been influenced by your research, can you now write about them by comparing and contrasting them against each other. I will be going through critical vocabulary tonight so everyone will know how to write about their images and draw value from research.
Steve