After receiving feedback regarding my images from a various audience, people chose two images that I did not at first consider worthy to be in my 'Top Six'. These are the following below, and it is worth noting that both images had extensive HDR editing using the software on my laptop, and also received slight photoshop work regarding the contrast and saturation.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97258549@N04/9259792907/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97258549@N04/9259792579/in/photostream/
From audience feedback, these images look the most visually appealing and sinister. Again, the two image qualities I have been looking to produce in my work. They especially like the image of the villain in the lift, and many audience members did not notice the figure in the back at first. The reflection in the glass blocks some of the visibility of the villain, thus causing the victim to be more or less in focus. The pot of basil, signifying murder, is still in both shots. A flash-head was used to make more light, thus making more detail.
Thursday, 11 July 2013
Evaluation
Evaluation
In this project I attempted to create a image for a burglary awareness campaign that also had a hint of natural beauty with it. An image that was kind to the eye but not necessarily to the mind. It was to be a brutal, sinister image that raised awareness to the audience that not necessarily everyone in the world is sane, and you need to shield away yourselves and your property from them. My original plan was to use tungsten in the images, however after trying out flash still in a dark environment I found the image still looked as equally sinister but also more detailed, and at a higher quality. Different ideas came to light following every single test shoot, and eventually we decided to branch outside of the studio and into the outdoors. What I would like to do from this onwards is to attempt to create a similar out of the ordinary image that is both striking, shocking but at the same time visually appealing to the audience. From the initial proposal, I have developed more ideas over the weeks that I have been producing test shots. During the outdoor takes, there was no plan involved as we were just going to cruise around looking for appropriate places to take the images. We found a fire escape at the back of a building, and decided to take some shoots there. We also took some on a sofa, the main entrance of college and near a lift. Judging by audience feedback, the images taken at both the fire escape and the lift were excellently composed and well taken. A sinister figure lurking around a dead person in different areas sets a daunting image on the viewer.
Thursday, 4 July 2013
Top Two
Top Two Images
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97258549@N04/sets/72157634476172713
These two were the images I personally chose best out of all my work during this project. Looking back at Duane Michals' images posted earlier, again there is a sinister figure lurking around an extremely vulnerable person. The body language of my villain is as equally spooky to the hooded figure in Michals' work, and my victim is as equally as vulnerable as the girl in the images. There was never really a mention that my victim was dead, it was up to the audience to imagine.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97258549@N04/sets/72157634476172713
These two were the images I personally chose best out of all my work during this project. Looking back at Duane Michals' images posted earlier, again there is a sinister figure lurking around an extremely vulnerable person. The body language of my villain is as equally spooky to the hooded figure in Michals' work, and my victim is as equally as vulnerable as the girl in the images. There was never really a mention that my victim was dead, it was up to the audience to imagine.
Final Six
These are my final six images
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97258549@N04/sets/72157634482501304
I chose these images purely as they were the best composed and most highly detailed shots of the set. Out of about thirty various images taken, these six were both given high praise from both myself and others, and did receive more verbal feedback regarding the visual qualities, which was what I was after.
Top Two Images
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97258549@N04/sets/72157634476172713
These were the top few images I chose that work well. Again, the chiaroscuro effect works well in my favour casting a sinister mood over the audience. The victim and the villain are clearly distinguished from the make up. We also added a pot of basil into the image. In Renaissance paintings, objects were placed into images by artists to send a message to the audience. In these times, a pot of basil signified murder. Although most things seem to have worked, what didn't work as well was the use of tungsten. I find flash worked a lot better, and the sinister qualities still seemed to remain in the image.
Post Processing
For all images used, a minimal amount of photoshop was used. I tend to use a program software on my laptop 'Windows Live Photo Editor'. I have used this software in the majority of my work over the past two years, and used this to produce a HDR-style edit. This involved draining the highlights out of the image, and increasing the saturation and contrast at a steady and similar level.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97258549@N04/sets/72157634482501304
I chose these images purely as they were the best composed and most highly detailed shots of the set. Out of about thirty various images taken, these six were both given high praise from both myself and others, and did receive more verbal feedback regarding the visual qualities, which was what I was after.
Top Two Images
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97258549@N04/sets/72157634476172713
These were the top few images I chose that work well. Again, the chiaroscuro effect works well in my favour casting a sinister mood over the audience. The victim and the villain are clearly distinguished from the make up. We also added a pot of basil into the image. In Renaissance paintings, objects were placed into images by artists to send a message to the audience. In these times, a pot of basil signified murder. Although most things seem to have worked, what didn't work as well was the use of tungsten. I find flash worked a lot better, and the sinister qualities still seemed to remain in the image.
Post Processing
For all images used, a minimal amount of photoshop was used. I tend to use a program software on my laptop 'Windows Live Photo Editor'. I have used this software in the majority of my work over the past two years, and used this to produce a HDR-style edit. This involved draining the highlights out of the image, and increasing the saturation and contrast at a steady and similar level.
Go Outdoors
After completing my images in the studio, I decided to go outdoors and take similar images using only my Nikon D3000 and a flash-gun. The flash-gun was used to project more light, thus allowing the camera to pick up more detail in the shot. Here is a set from Flickr of my efforts.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97258549@N04/sets/72157634481478568
There wasn't much that I would say 'didn't work' with this practice, as it was more a test bed project. However, one image was produced that I have decided to edit and use as part of my final two images.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97258549@N04/sets/72157634481478568
There wasn't much that I would say 'didn't work' with this practice, as it was more a test bed project. However, one image was produced that I have decided to edit and use as part of my final two images.
Duane Michals
Artist Research- Duane Michals
Duane Michals is an American photographer. Michal's work makes "innovative use of photo-sequences, often incorporating text to examine emotion and philosophy.
This is Michal's image entitled 'The Bogeyman'. It is a series of seven images that tell a story, in a similar manner to the series I would be looking to create. The 'villain' appears out of nowhere and snatches the child away. The villain is clearly distinguished by their outfit, and their body language. If there was a normal man or woman in this image who takes a child away, the viewer may instantly think that may be the child's parent. A ghostly figure in a cloak suggests otherwise, proving how costumes and make-up definitely creates a completely different view towards the audience.
Tuesday, 25 June 2013
Full Studio Images
Flash
Tungsten
The original aim of the shoot was to create images entirely using tungsten, however as I mentioned earlier we decided to use flash, with a snoot. The benefits with using flash were extreme, more detail was picked up on the camera. We opted against using the pot of basil for this image in particular as it was more a test. During the Renaissance period, artists used props in their images to signify meanings. A pot of basil signified murder.
Monday, 10 June 2013
Studio Layouts
Studio Layouts
Layout of Studio (Tungsten)
Layout of Studio (Flash)
Layout of Studio (Flash)
Make-up
Make-up is an important aspect of my image. It will be used as an advantage to both distinguishing the victim and the villain, but also to cause disturbances to the viewer. Using wax, and various other types of make-up we caused a visual wound to James' head. I will also be using make-up on myself to create the villain I desire in the shot.
Make-up is an important aspect of my image. It will be used as an advantage to both distinguishing the victim and the villain, but also to cause disturbances to the viewer. Using wax, and various other types of make-up we caused a visual wound to James' head. I will also be using make-up on myself to create the villain I desire in the shot.
Monday, 13 May 2013
Test Images
Test Images
Here is some test images for the shoot. Unfortunately due to quality constraints, I have to plug the links from my Flickr account
These are completely un-edited, and to show the framing of the shot and the positions of the subjects. I feel the mood created by the chiaroscuro effect worked incredibly well in my favour, although it was hard to distinguish who was the villain and who was the victim. We needed to completely single out the characters into their respective roles, and the best way to do it is to add makeup and similar effects.
It was important to take safety into heavy consideration during these tasks. There are many wires dotted around the studio, which all members of the team have to be fully aware of at all times to avoid any trips or falls. It was also essential to keep an eye on tungsten red-heads, as these can get extremely hot and may cause burns to anyone nearby. We also had an issue of one of the tungsten red-heads smoking when in use. This not only caused a potential fire hazard and a nasty environmental issue in the studio regarding the smell, but also the fumes emanating from the light could have lasting damage on team members, or even people who visit the studio afterwards.
It was important to take safety into heavy consideration during these tasks. There are many wires dotted around the studio, which all members of the team have to be fully aware of at all times to avoid any trips or falls. It was also essential to keep an eye on tungsten red-heads, as these can get extremely hot and may cause burns to anyone nearby. We also had an issue of one of the tungsten red-heads smoking when in use. This not only caused a potential fire hazard and a nasty environmental issue in the studio regarding the smell, but also the fumes emanating from the light could have lasting damage on team members, or even people who visit the studio afterwards.
Thursday, 9 May 2013
Music
Music
In my studies of film, in most an innocent soundtrack has been turned into something very sinister. For example-
This clip was taken from the film A Clockwork Orange. It is an incredibly disturbing and violent scene, yet a relaxing and jolly soundtrack is used. This has made it more sinister.
Also-
This was taken from the film American Psycho, where again the clip had a jolly soundtrack whilst the murder took place.
In my exhibition, I will aim to play music next to my image. At the moment I haven't decided on a soundtrack, however it will be jolly and happy. Thus attempting to make the image more sinister.
My Ideas
I will be using "Making Your Mind Up" by Bucks Fizz. It is an incredibly jolly theme, and combined with a horrific and brutal theme it will most definitely direct a disturbing feel on the audience.
Ones That Didn't Make The Cut
The following songs I deemed to be extremely sinister given the theme, but wasn't as good as the above song.
"Footloose" by Kenny Loggins
"Dancing Queen" from Abba
"Especially For You" by Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
My Project Is....
The title of my project is called "Crowbar". I will be working to create a story using one image, which will hopefully create a narrative involving a burglary. The main aim of the project is to basically create an image that is both visually appealing to the viewer, but also can easily tell a story in what they see. In the past I have created images to raise awareness involving matters within the press, such as drunken violence. I created a poster last year highlighting the issues of fighting on nights out, and the damage it can cause by having two people shaking hands. Using photoshop with this image, I blurred out an arm to sort of signify that one person 'isn't all there', as if they had been damaged. Although there will be a photoshop element within this, I will aim at using props such as makeup or wax to assist in creating a powerful image. A main influence for me involving this is David Bailey, and his many portraits of himself and stars. One of my favourite images in photography is of Jack Nicholson, and a portrait of him created by Bailey. It was perfectly exposed, the lines and texture on Jack's face together with the chiaroscuro-esque style of the image gave a sinister feel, and this is what I would aim to create. As it is to be a dark image, the use of tungsten will be recommended. I intend to thoroughly research clips from films, such as the 'snippets' from the back of film cases. These snippets are to be used to demonstrate the film itself to the potential viewer, and need to suggest a story to this viewer (examples on my blog). I am unsure as to whether museums and galleries would influence my idea, however I will be visiting all galleries in Liverpool soon to help broaden my ideas. Crimestoppers, Crimewatch and other advertising campaigns frequently create images to raise awareness of burglaries, however I feel these images aren't powerful enough. You need a really powerful image to make people think. I intend to use wax and makeup for the project, which will cost no more than £15. I am influenced by the films A Clockwork Orange and Batman (1989), where a lot of effort was gone through by the directors to create villains that stand out to the viewer. As said earlier, to create such a more powerful image I will be using tungsten lighting, making a chiaroscuro effect. There will be a victim in the image, as will the villain. The villain will have a crowbar, which has been used as a weapon aswell as a tool for the crime (or rather both crimes). I aim to have a test shoot all complete before the 9th May 2013, with a final shoot completed for the 16th May 2013. This allows plenty of time for thorough editing of the image. I will be critically reviewing my final image by firstly comparing it with existing anti-burglary programmes, such as images created by Crimestoppers, Crimewatch and also to some extent, companies such as ADT and others frequently use images to advertise their security items such as alarms and locks. I will then show the image to the rest of the class, and to contacts on Flickr. Flickr is a fantastic way to show your work, as you don't neccesarily need to be a 'contact' to comment on someones work to offer feedback. In the first year of college, we were required to create an image and really drive for feedback from many people. I created a slow-shutter image of a train leaving Carlisle, and recieved a lot of feedback for it (some good, some bad. The happy medium!). Hopefully I'll be adding to this as I go along, especially the final part.
Although there will be a photoshop element within this, I will aim at using props such as makeup or wax to assist in creating a powerful image. A main influence for me involving this is David Bailey, and his many portraits of himself and stars. One of my favourite images in photography is of Jack Nicholson, and a portrait of him created by Bailey. It was perfectly exposed, the lines and texture on Jack's face together with the chiaroscuro-esque style of the image gave a sinister feel, and this is what I would aim to create.
As it is to be a dark image, the use of tungsten will be recommended. I intend to thoroughly research clips from films, such as the 'snippets' from the back of film cases. These snippets are to be used to demonstrate the film itself to the potential viewer, and need to suggest a story to this viewer (examples on my blog). I am unsure as to whether museums and galleries would influence my idea, however I will be visiting all galleries in Liverpool soon to help broaden my ideas.
Crimestoppers, Crimewatch and other advertising campaigns frequently create images to raise awareness of burglaries, however I feel these images aren't powerful enough. They don't catch your eye, they need to be brutal, there needs to be more action and devotion in the image to make people look further.
You need a really powerful image to make people think. I intend to use wax and makeup for the project, which will cost no more than £15. I am influenced by the films A Clockwork Orange and Batman (1989), where a lot of effort was gone through by the directors to create villains that stand out to the viewer.
As said earlier, to create such a more powerful image I will be using tungsten lighting, making a chiaroscuro effect. There will be a victim in the image, as will the villain. The villain will have a crowbar, which has been used as a weapon aswell as a tool for the crime (or rather both crimes). I aim to have a test shoot all complete before the 9th May 2013, with a final shoot completed for the 16th May 2013. This allows plenty of time for thorough editing of the image. I will be critically reviewing my final image by firstly comparing it with existing anti-burglary programmes, such as images created by Crimestoppers, Crimewatch and also to some extent, companies such as ADT and others frequently use images to advertise their security items such as alarms and locks. I will then show the image to the rest of the class, and to contacts on Flickr. Flickr is a fantastic way to show your work, as you don't neccesarily need to be a 'contact' to comment on someones work to offer feedback. In the first year of college, we were required to create an image and really drive for feedback from many people. I created a slow-shutter image of a train leaving Carlisle, and recieved a lot of feedback for it (some good, some bad. The happy medium!). Hopefully I'll be adding to this as I go along, especially the final part.
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
The End
At the end of this year, we will be doing a photography exhibition at the Citadel in St Helens. We will be displaying two images each. For the first image, I aim to create a nine-image grid of a self portrait of myself in the studio, which will be a narrative that I will star in but also direct. After a few practice shots, I took my full first 'draft' last week.
I aimed for this image to create an image where I wasn't looking at the camera, but a reflection was. It was kind of inspired by the film poster of 'American Psycho', but in that image Christian Bale is looking away from the camera (as is his reflection in a blade).
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