The five elements of a portrait are : Subject, Lighting, Framing,Composition ,
The first time i saw a portrait photograph , i was 6 and a few kids in the area got to have a portrait of themselves in the newspaper and my dad took me to get mine. We managed to get the newspaper later that week, it is now framed in my house.I would describe this photo as low quality. I think if the same thing happened today the camera quality would have improved.
The first known photographic self-portraits
Compare and contrast
The similarities between them are as follows : They are both old and faded, they were taken a year apart with the one on the left hand side was taken in 1839 and the one on the right in 1840. I think that they are different colours because in 1800 they might not of had much of a choice. I think that Robert is not that far away from the camera because he took it himself meaning that he couldn't of got that far away before the photo was taken I think that Hippolytes photo show a man laying down because he wants to show everybody that the man is dead. I think that Robert is an angry man based on this photo because he has an angry and hostile expression. I think Robert is rich because he not only has a camera but he is well dressed. One is taken at shoulder height to Robert but Hippolytes is taken from above. Roberts is more blurry and faded , it also depicts a well dressed man , but Hippolytes depicts a man not wearing a shirt asleep or dead with a clear expression. i prefer the drowned man because i think that it's a better photo and more intresting i would ask Hippolytes is that man is dead or sleeping, if he is wearing any clothes and wat
Nico Froehlich workshop Environmental Portraits
I took inspiration from Nico Froehlich by incorporating his common theme of taking photos of people as they are not asking for a dynamic or unique pose. I also took into account the colours in the background, for example in the photo of the girl in the fourth image, the background was green and white, she was wearing blue. The use of contrast in this photo make it more successful I think. i also like the first photo of the two people sat in front of heavy construction ( crains, and tall buildings). I like this one because it’s quite striking in that you wouldn’t expect soo much happening in the background of such calm and casual interaction two people seem to be having.
Why are these the most successful?
I like first one soo much because it’s so simple however I think it’s quite unique and joyous. The framing being in line with the bricks in the background is pleasing and satisfying when you look at it. If I to improve it I would take the photo at the same level as the man’s eyes, in doing this I think not only his expression but his hair become more noticeable. I like second one because of its elements outs symmetry and drama. For example her hands and fingers are pointing at the ceiling straight up, in line with the lights. If I were to improve it I would make it even more symmetrical and reduce the amount of people background to make a more clean looking photo.
this was bases on reflection, layering and obstruction.I think this was successful because it contains many themes within one photo, I also think that you being able to see my face and what is behind the camera. In my opinion the chaotic nature of this photo is its best aspect , and I like the reflection of my phone through the glass.
we had 15 minutes to take 5 photos , in my opinion this was the most successful.
This photo was inspired by obstruction , i wanted a photo of a face being hidden my a moving hand , I think I executed that effectively in this photo. However I works like to retake this photo with a more stable and loud blurry framing as well as a more obvious and meaningful inspiration behind it.
Comparing Photos: Johannes Vermeer / Tom Hunter
Johannes Vermeer 1657-1659 Tom Hunter
What are the similarities in each of the portraits? Both have a woman standing alone facing left towards a window thats casting light on their faces. They are both holding a paper in their hands and reading it. Their legs are obstructed by a bed or table , both beds/ tables have a large folded blanket What are some of the differences? The window on the left is open and the girl is wearing a yellow dress, instead of a baby there is a fruit basket. sh is also further away . the light in the first one is coming diagonally and hitting her head from an upward angle. Why do you think that Tom Hunter was influenced by this painting? I think he was influenced by this photo because the with the painting you can easily ulter it in order to change peoples perceptions of it . I think the painting is very beautiful and mysterious.
Tom Hunter style photos
Tom Hunters photo is inspired by a painting of a women by her window by Johannes Vermeer. What did you do successfully? I think I successfully incorporated similar themes , for example: the letter , the curtain , the person reading ,and the cascading light. What would you have changed ? I definitely would have framed and photographs more accurately , as well as I would have taken the photo in a more suitable environment.
Tyler Mitchell
I like this photo by Tyler Mitchel . In my opinion Tylers use of colour and contrast make this photo great, along with the simple and peaceful expression of the models. I like the positioning of the camera , in my opinion it make the models seem regal and powerful. I am aware that Tyler often tries to communicate black life , through fashion and photography
Tyler Mitchel exhibition
Tyler Mitchell inspired photos
In order To successfully recreate a Tyler Mitchel photo I wanted to include his prevalent and reoccurring pastel colour palates. The first one for example is morally light blue and soft brown colour to fill the rest of the background nicely. Her expression I also feel is accurate as it is politely nonchalant, only squinting to protect her eyes from the wind and sun. My aim when recreating thease was to photographe thease people in unique but perfectly casual situations. As well as capturing the essence of Tyler’s work , relaxation without fear or anxiety’s.
Chris Killip inspired photos
When attempting to recreate the Chris Killip photos i tried to frame the photos as similar as possible for example: For the first picture of a boy sat on a small metal fence outside his house . The second photo on the second row, although that aren’t completely similar that share common themes for example: both are a boy near a fence both are the subject and both have a still and gloomy atmosphere. For Chia Killips second photo o defiantly wanted the subject to be dancing or posting unusualy , I feel that I accomplished that successfully although of I could recreate it I would hand tilted the camera well, the first photo on the second row was the recreation. In order to improve it I would have been closer to the subject and work a tiled camera. The last photo I think I recreated the most unsuccessfuly (the recreation being the last photo on the second row) . If I were to improve I think I would have reevaluated where I took the photo and rethought where the subject is in relation to the frame.
Golden Parks
Gorden Parks is not only a photographer but a film director ,musician and artist. He was born on the 30th November 1912, he was born in Kansas and one of 15 children in his family. He faced racism in school , black people were discouraged to aspire to achieve higher education. He bought his first camera at twenty eight and tought himself how to take photos, he quickly gained recognition, he started taking pictures of black people in the city . In 1948 photographic essay on a young Harlem gang leader won Parks a staff job as a photographer and writer with America's leading photo-magazine, life. Although he was a talented film director, writer and artist his photography is what gained him the title of American photographer of the year in 1960. His work often depicts strong emotions that convey a theme ,he also photographs the poor and lower class the are normally having fun or deeply ingrained in the peaceful and simplistic aspects of day to day life. They also highlight to racism black people face in America , for example he continuously photographs the unfair aspects of segregation that were prevalent.
Laura Pannak
Laura Pannak born June 12 1985 in Brighton where she gained a degree in editorial photography at the university of Brighton.she then moved to London where she studied a corse in painting.In 2011 Pannack was included in Creative Review's Ones to Watch list and in 2013 in The Magenta Foundation's Emerging Photographers list. since 2008 she has gained 14 awards and 4 collections for her photography . Her pictures contain san and isolated subjects in unique settings and poses, they almost always depict people in nature almost dull and muted tone.Depiction what appears to be young people casually arranged in the setting . Her work is very unique as it does not always have a powerful and conveying message , very true to life way , photography english country side as it is , not glamorising any aspects of it .
Thease are my photos inspired by Laura Pannak , for the first one i tried to interprit he photos by having a nonchalant exression , as if
What is a genre ?
what is a genre? A genre is differing things that adhere to a similar theme for example , in photography you can have portrait photography . all photos are unique but have the same themes and ideas. A genre in photography is different rent ways you can categorise photos of the same style and similar components . When taking photog in a particular genre it is important that you adhere to traditions and normalises of that genre , for example in portraiture most photos have a centred subject and minimal background. These are the sub genres i used when taking the photos
Clothing -Social class, sex, cultural values or fashion
Location - (or background) - social scene of the person in the photograph.
1, Studio portraits. For studio portrait I wanted to have a picture of somebody dressed up. In this photo you cannot sure his face , I think that this hiding of his feature makes for a much more striking and creative photo , much like ones you would see on magisines. I tried to get a photo of him as centred as possible , to make shut that he and I particular his clothes are the focus. He is posed on his side so that you can clearly establish the silhouette that you often see in fashion. If I could improve anything it would be the background , although he is the subject many items in the background distract you easily , I wish the background could have been plainer of simpler.
3 Family snapshots Us facing the window in height order standing unposed next to each-other , i think that this was successful because it had i clear family dynamic however it could have been better if the framing was more symmetrical and the background was clearer. We are all wearing school which I thinnk hinders the expression of a family and different stages of life , however I do think it effectively links us together, in this case as a family
2,Identification For identification I wanted a clear and well lit photo of this man’s face , in my opinion I think is successfully took a identification photo , much like prison mugshots identification photos are only used for practical purposes , they generally aren’t ment to evoke any conceded or underlying emphasis. For this photo I got this man to stand eye level with the camera and make a expressionless face , his clothes were plain and everything was simple.
4, prison mugshots For this photo I for this man todo essentially the same as I dot for identification, owners I wanted him to change his facial expression to one of annoyance or disapproval. The one characteristic that separates identification from mugshots is in my opinion their attitude, identification I feel wound me much more happy to have their photo taken than a caught criminal. I feel that the man did this well , by not ouverts doing it.
Lighting workshop
We are working with lighting and position of the key light. Iearnt that photographers put a soft box ( a layer of netting put over the key light to make a softer and more distributed lighting. I also lernt that lighting plays a crucial part in the meaning of the photo , in particular the emotions tha it conveys . Here are some photo we took inspired by the painting the girl with the pearl earing, but we charicterised it using lighting.
This is the photo we chose to recreate.
In my opinion these were the most successful , because the lighting is perfect and the position of our heads are the same as the girls. Although they are all very different I think that they all capture the essence of the original painting. If i was to improve it I think that I would have make sure that my head was at the correct angle of her head, as well as higher lighting .Finally I would make sure that her expression was the same.
Campbell Addy
Campbell ADDY is a London based photographer, film maker and artists , raised in south London. He has photographed icons such as: Tyler the creator, FKA twigs, Naomi Campbell, Beyonce. Addy’s work has been exhibited internationally in London, Paris, Melbourne, New York, Oslo, and Qatar. Addy was included in Forbes under 30 30, and the New Wave British Fashion Awards in both 2018 and 2019. He has been part of exhibitions such as The New Black Vanguard at the Saatch, Get Up Stand Up Now! At Somerset House and MAJOR at 180 the Strand. Campbell Addy studied Fashion Communications at Central Saint Martins, where he realised he wanted to be a photographer after an encouraging conversation with friend ib Kamara In his final year of university he launched his own magazine and agency In 2010 was when Addy discovered that he wanted to be a photographer. These sibling businesses were born from a desire to shift the balance of power both in front of and behind the camera, cultivating space for more diverse and representative community to be built. Campbell Addy has worked with a number of high profile fashion clients including Off-white, MAC.
Rhiannon Adams
She was born in Co. Cork, Ireland, and attended Central Saint Martins college of Art and Design and the University of Cambridge, where she studied Arts. Adam's work is heavily influenced by her nomadic childhood spent at sea, sailing around the world with her parents Her long-term projects straddle art photography and social documentary, while subject matter is often focused on complex narratives relating to climate change, social injustice, outsider communities, and abuse of power. In 2015, supported by the BBC/Royal Geographical Society, Adam travelled to the remote island community of Pitcairn in the South Pacific. As a part of her varied practice, Adam is also an occasional publisher and curator. She is currently based between London and the United States. Little photographic evidence of this period in her life exists, igniting an interest in the influence of photography on recall, Her work has been exhibited internationally as well as being widely featured in the press –including the New York Times, M Magazine/Le Monde, Art Review, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Huffington Post, BBC, Vice, Huck, Featureshoot, The British Journal of Photography, Fisheye, It’s Nice That, Dazed and Confused, Colors magazine, Harpers Bazaar and Loose Associations (published by the Photographer’s Gallery). In 2022, she was announced as one of eight crew members (all creatives) selected for the first civilian lunar orbital mission. Her work has also been a part of festivals such as Photo Vogue, and the Rencontres d’Arles.
Alternative photographs
Manipulating and editing images
In this lesson we manipulated at least two different images to create at least four seprate images. We did this by altering the pictures by hand eg cutting crumpling layering and mixing the images .
I think this was my most successful image. I think that this image is closest to what i had in mind.Although this one was my best picture i really struggled comming up with new and creative ideas
Editing using photoshop
The photos after and before i edited them :
Out of all the photos i edited i think that the second one was the best. I think this because it uses the most tools and is the most interesting to me. To improve the photo i think i should have become more confident to try different tools and techniques.
Hanna Lenz and Julian Germain
Hanna Lenz : Hanna Lenz photographed an elderly women a few days after her 97th birthday ,in her two bedroom apartment in Arhus , Denmark. The purpose of her photographs was, in my opinion to show the importance of having a home thats yours and a place that has been personalised by yourself . What i think is so meaningful about the photos is that they capture images of things and objects the way that Else left them in the order that she did. I also feel as though the fact that the photographer hasn't interfeared with Else's routine and aren't expecting her to make dynamic and intreeging poses.
Julian Germain: The only way to implement change, is if we can achieve a non-commercial realisation of happiness. Julian Germain photographed Charlie Snelling, an elderly gentleman living alone in a small house in Portsmouth.What i think is so effective about these photos is that each one contains elements of as child like spirit, showing that even through grief (after the death of his wife) with the help of small photos and trinkets he is able remain close with her.I feel as though the colour palate has a close connection to why we feel a child like sprit in this man bright and vibrant colours contrasting with the dull tones of the surrounding world show how he has managed to stay happy and joyous regardless of his sad and lonely circumstances.
Comparing and contrasting
What are the similarities with the photos? Both photographs depict an elderly person living alone after the death of their soul mate . The photo on the left depicts the subject ( and elderly man) standing in the centre of frame holding a camera. He has a happy and energetic expression on his face and seems proud. However Hanna Lenz's photo also has and elderly woman stood in the centre of frame , their facial expressions are very different . Else is looking seriously at the camera with her hands crossed in her lap. She seems sad and the tones are muted and grey. How might the still life photographs show particular identities, for example, can we see who the photograph is showing just by the group of objects? By just showing objects we get a glimpse of their everyday life and their taste it can also be an indicator of their feelings and emotions and it often displays where they are from. In this case it is clear to me which is which. What does each still life remind you of? All these sill life's remind me of a doll house in particular the unique location of how each object is placed and the neatness of the house . What do you like about each set of photographs? I enjoy the colour palates from all of them , as well as the unique expressions of the subjects . In the first one I like they symmetry from the framing relative to the subject it creates a pleasing to the eye effect. With the second set of photographs I like the overhead lighting that is consistent in both photos , i think it makes the compestion more unique and interesting.As well as creating a gloomy atmosphere What makes these diptychs go together? Which visual elements make the images easily form a diptych? What I think unites these photographs is the constant colour palate and lighting and the subjects revealing the personality of the elderly man/ woman. If you were taking photographs like these, which still life objects come to mind which you could photograph? To make there photos as simular asteticaly i would probably use a small and quirky trinket or a photograph. As well as an antique or childhood toy/object.
Extended project
My extended project is based around music, I chose to create images inspired by the music I listen to . For inspiration i will be considering to work of the artist Sally Mann, a an American photographer who has made large format black and white photographs—at first of her young children, then later of landscapes suggesting decay and death. In order to start off on the right foot i will asses the music i listen too and take into account their tone and the message that they aim to convey, for example : one of my favroite artists is , an amazing singer songwriter who's songs revolve around containing her complex and unique thought process into memroble songs. The general tone of her songs unsettled and bleek , in turn I feel her songs come across like she is reading the secrets from her diary, this makes you feel as you pass from song to song you learn more and more about her. To start the project as well as I can i will find a suitable and telling setting ( this is what will make my motive clear ). I will be taking photos of in singular subject and try and incooperate Mitski's flair by gradually unpicking the subjects personality as you look from photo to photo.My photos will be prefrebly be taken when it’s dark . In theas siries of photographs i want to experiment with the subjects posing and i will try and manipulate framing and lighting,just like Mitski's work i want the photos to me memerble . This concept will help me experiment with lighting especcally contrasting country and city lighting and incooperating the claustrophobic elements of a city as opposed to the countryside using framing .
Extended project: Sally Mann
These are examples of Sally Mann's photographs , she is an American photographer who's work is centred around capturing moments in a young girls childhood. What I like about these photos is their ability to be authentic in their own way . I will be taking inspiration from this by incooperating the black and white elements into some of my photos, I also will be using her ability to murge landscapes into her portriture.