The City- Book Research

Picturing Modernism
From the library I rented a book out called 'Picturing Modernism, Moholy-Nagy and Photography in Weimar Germany' by Eleanor M Hights. The book focuses on modernist photography that have been an important contribution to art in the twentieth century by the photographer Laszlo Moholy-Nagy. It also looks at something called the 'New Vision' and how the modern world is explored. Moholy believed that art should 'heighten our awareness of the ever-changing present' this is represented in his photographs of buildings as he captures the modernity of them. I found Moholy's work to be very interesting with how he uses dramatic angles to capture modern architecture.

I scanned some images from the book to analyse for inspiration as they all capture modernisation in the city which is what I want to capture in my own photographs. In this image Moholy has emphasised the scale of the building by using a low camera angle as it makes you look up at it because it towers over you.
By composing the image this way Moholy has made the tallest building the main focal point because of the way it is centred in the picture and framed by the other buildings as it is in the middle of them.

In the two  pictures below the camera angle Moholy has used captures the size of the buildings. By using a low camera angle makes you look up towards the building which represents the way the city is growing and expanding. Moholy has used dramatic camera angles that makes the photographs appear very modern  and new as it gives a different look at buildings. The repetition of the windows adds a formal view to the pictures because it represents structure, they also draw your eye upwards towards the top of the building which emphasises the scale of them.

The Body- Lighting Test Shots

Digital Lighting test shots

My lighting idea for my portrait for 'The Body' project is too capture a soft and delicate feel. I'm going to use the same set up in this lighting diagram I made previously but for the test shots I'm going to use a digital camera. I decided to use a digital camera for the test images so I can easily see the results of the lights and how I need to change them to improve the image.

This is the lighting set up I used for the test shots:

The lighting set up included:

- A boom arm with a broncolor covered by a 'lantern' with rolled up curtains

- White background

- 4 polyboards

- Two broncolors with spill kills

The camera setting's on the digital camera were IS0 100 and the shutter speed was 125th of a second. The aperture on the camera was F8 whereas the aperture of the light from the key light was F11 and the background was F5.6. I had to make sure the aperture of the light hitting the background was two stops darker compared to the light hitting the model.

For the first picture I felt the background was too bright and the lighting was too harsh which didn't give the photo the soft feel I wanted it to have.

I decreased the lighting that hits the background to give it a more grey colour tone to it so it isn't as bright  I felt the lighting was too harsh on one side of the subjects face which cast shadows on the opposite side.

I moved the lantern light on the book arm slightly higher so it was directly above the models head, however this created shadows underneath the models chin.

In the previous pictures I felt that the lighting was too harsh so I added some diffusion material to soften the light so it looks more even in the picture. I also rolled up the curtains on the lantern attached to the boom arm to make the lighting appear even and soft as it spreads the light out more.

For the final image I lowered the boom arm slightly to soften the shadows under the subjects chin to make the photo appear more softer. I'm pleased with the lighting effect I created for this image as it has a softness to it and a delicate feel as there is no harsh shadows. I'm going to use this lighting set up as my final photo because of how even the lighting is.

The Body- Final Idea

My Final Idea

My final idea for 'The Body' project is to create a very natural portrait, I want the image to appear very honest so I'm going to use soft lighting to emphasise the natural theme of the portrait. I asked a student at UCA on the Fashion Atelier course if I could take there photo's, the model I choose has very natural look as she has curly natural hair. My main inspiration came from portrait photographers who capture there subjects in a very intimate way such as Paolo Roversi and Richard Avedon, in portraits by these photographers they mainly focus on the eyes. By having the subject gaze into the camera creates an intimate feel, I was inspired but this so I'm going to have my model look directly into the camera. I feel that eye's can tell a lot about how a person is feeling, the quote 'eyes are the window to the soul' inspired me for my portrait so I began to research into photographers that focus on eyes in there portraits.
I came across photographers such as Jeanloup Sieff and Henrick Adamsen as in  there portraits they focus on the eyes, they mainly do this by composing the image so the eye is centred in the frame, I found this technique effect so I'm going to use it in my own portraits. To create a soft feel in my image I've decided to use a Black and white film with ISO 400 so the portraits will be low in contrast.






Lighting idea

My idea for the lighting in my portrait is very soft and delicate. My main inspiration for the lighting is photographer Paolo Roversi, I love the soft and romantic feel that is created by the lighting he has used. I like how the lighting is equal throughout the whole image which adds to the softness of the portrait.
To create a similar lighting effect I'm going to photograph the model against a white background lit by two broncolors with spill kills reflecting of four polyboards. The model is going to be lit by a broncolor with a lantern in it attached to a boom arm so I can place the light directly above the camera so its facing down on to the model. When I take the pictures I will have to make sure the background is two stops smaller then the light hitting the model, I will also make sure the subject is not to near the background so the light remains even and there is no harsh shadows.

This is a lighting plan I made for my portraits:

The City- Digital test shots for final idea

Digital test shots for final idea
Now that I have come up with my idea for my three images for 'The City' project I decided to take some digital test shot's. As my idea is to photograph tall buildings to symbolise how the city has modernised, I walked round the town where I lived to find buildings that could resemble this. I also looked for buildings that have lots of windows to symbolise the structure of the city. Once I found buildings that would represent modernisation I photographed them so I had a reference of what one's to use for my final images. Taking these images were good practice for me in shooting night photography, when I take my final images I know that I will need to use a tripod as I would have to use a long shutter speed so this will prevent camera shake. When I took these test photograph's I used a low camera angle as I want to use a low camera angle when I take my final pictures to emphasise the scale of the buildings. I did this so I could have a feel whether the buildings would represent the theme of the images.

I photographed the building above as it is very tall and would symbolise the way the city is growing and expanding. By using a low camera angle on this building will represent how the city is always modernising and always expanding upwards. I also photographed this buildings as I liked all of the windows and how they're symmetrical as they would help to represent how the city is being controlled. 

I decided on this building as I liked the scale of it as I feel it will represent modernisation well. I also liked how there was nothing distracting around it so you could just see the building against the dark sky. The symmetry of all the windows also symbolise the controlling of the city so I felt this building would be ideal.

I decided to photograph the building above as I liked the repetition of all the windows, I felt that they would represent the way the city is controlled well as there is so many of them. The lights illuminating from the windows would also represent modernisation and the darkened windows disrupt the repetition of the windows as if it showing the controlling of the city is being lost. I also felt that the scale of the building would emphasise the modernisation of the city. 

The City- My idea for three images

My Idea
My final idea for the three photographs for 'The City' project is still the same as my initial idea which is too capture the modernisation of urban areas at night time. The idea for capturing the city at night came from researching the photographer Brassai for the pastiche part of this project. Brassai's 'Paris by night' series captures the nocturnal side of the city, I became interested in creating a different view of the city too how it normally looks during the day and how people usually view it. I was inspired by the way Brassai uses light from, street lamps, shop signs and windows to illuminate the locations he has photographed as it represent modernity of the city. Photographer Robert Vizinni inspired me to capture tall buildings using a low camera angle to symbolise the modernisation of the city and how its always evolving. By looking up at a building emphasises the scale of it and will represent the way the city has grown and is constantly expanding. Another photographer who inspired me for this project is Ori Gersht, in his images of architecture he captures repetition and symmetry in the way he has composed his photo and with the buildings he has chosen. Gersht's images have a very formalistic feel because of the repetition which gives them a modern feel, to capture the same effect in my images I'm going to photograph buildings that have repetitive windows and look symmetrical. By photographing an urban environment in a formal way symbolises how controlled the city is and how it is very structured. To emphasise the formal feel I am going to use black and white film with ISO 400 to create a softness in the image so there is no harsh shadows. One of the main inspirations for this project is the photographer Michael Kenna who I looked at below:

Michael  Kenna

Michael Kenna is a night time photographer who is inspired by mans influence on the land. His black and white photographs of the city capture’s areas of the city that are usually overlooked as they are above street level. Kenna photographs familiar locations and subjects such as sky scrapers and the Eiffel Tower and makes them appear very intriguing and different . He photographs his subjects in a different way which transforms our view of the world, Michael Kenna uses different camera techniques such as camera angles and different lenses to do this. By using a low camera angle emphasises the scale of the buildings and makes you feel very vulnerable as a viewer because of how they tower over you. Kenna’s images have a very haunting feel because of how they make you feel insignificant in comparison to the buildings because of there height. He often photographs more then one building in the same picture which makes you feel as if you are trapped and as if you are there in the city between the towering buildings.

The City- Digital test shots

Digital test shots for night time photograph
For inspiration I took some digital photo's of a town for 'The City' project. I decided to take the images at night to practice night time photography for when I take my pastiche and my three images.
I focused on the built up areas of the town to show the modernisation of the city and so my pictures have an urban feel. From the test shot's I feel they do not represent modernisation as well as they could do, when I take my final images I will photograph taller buildings to symbolise the way the city is always growing and modernising to improve them. The artificial lighting from the shop windows helps to symbolise the modernisation theme as the electricity used represents a modern city, when I take my final images I am going to capture artificial lighting in my work to also symbolise this. In post production I changed all of the images to black and white as I will be using black and white film for all of my final images I did this as I wanted to see how the city would look in monochrome. I feel the black and white effect makes the images stand out because of the shadows and highlights and how they contrast with each other. From taking these test shots I decided I want to photograph the town where I live, for my final three images, as I have noticed how much it has modernised from first hand as I have lived there my whole life.

The Body- Richard Avedon

Richard Avedon

Avedon’s portraits are very striking because of how well lit they are. The high contrast of them makes them look very dramatic which catches your attention. His images are famous for there simplicity and minimalism this is because he uses a plain background which keeps all your attention on the model. Avedon mostly only focuses on the models head and shoulders this adds an intimate feel to his images because of how close he is to his subjects. This also makes you feel connected with the models as if you know them because of the intimate feeling the pictures have. He photographs most of his subjects face on this helps to capture the subjects characters because of the intimate feeling there is from the way they are looking straight into the camera. Avedon’s portraits manage to capture the subjects personalities because of there intimacy and how he photographs them very natural. Richard Avedon’s portraits have inspired me for my project ‘The Body’, in many of his images the main focal point is on the models eyes which is what I want the focal point to be in my own portraits. I also like the natural feel his images have and how he uses plain backgrounds so all you attention is kept on the model. I’m going to use similar techniques so I can capture the subjects personality. 

Avedon has used a long shutter speed for this image which has created a blurred effect on the hair where it has moved. By using this technique Avedon has given this image a soft feel to it which adds to the intimate atmosphere the image has, the movement in the hair makes you feel as if you are there with the model as the hair looks realistic. The models eyes attract your attention with the way the model is staring straight in to the camera . The eye contact makes you feel as if the subject is looking right into you which again adds to the intimate feeling of the picture. The lighting in this image is high in contrast, the dark shadowed areas under the face contrast against the highlights on the skin and hair. Even though the image is high in contrast it still has a softness to it because of how the subjects skin is illuminated. The way the skin is lit up gives the model a very vulnerable feel as the light look as if it is revealing her to the world.

The two images above are very similar as they both have a very intimate atmosphere. Avedon has used lighting that gives the skin a softness, however there is still some shadows which makes the images stand out as it adds contrast. By lighting the image so the skin looks very soft makes the subjects appear very vulnerable as there skin looks very delicate. Vulnerability is also represented in the first image below by the pose the model is in. She is posed with her arms wrapped around her body as if she is shielding her self this also makes her look very delicate. I found this pose to be really inspiring for my own portraits as I feel it captures a sense of fragility and makes the image look very delicate which is the feel I’m after. In the second image the subject is photographed from above her shoulders, this makes her appear very confined as if she is stuck in the middle of the portrait because it looks as if her hands are stuck by her sides. By having the images composed with the subject in the centre of the frame makes them appear as if they're trapped in the image and makes them appear very vulnerable. In both of the portraits it looks as if the model’s are wearing no clothing, this also adds to the delicate feel of the images as you can see the fragility of the female body. These two images inspired me to reveal parts of the models body in my own portraits to capture the same sense of delicacy and fragility. 

The Body- Portraits that focus on the eyes.

Photography Research- Portraits with eyes as the focal point

I decided to look into photographers that mostly focus on the subjects eye's in there portraits for inspiration. I looked at many different types of portraits to see how each photographer makes the eye's stand out. From my research I noticed how many of them compose there portraits so the eyes are centered in the image which draws your attention to them this is a technique I’m going to use in my own portraits. Portrait photographers also get there model to stare straight into the camera which adds an intimate feel, I’m going to have my model look into the camera to capture the same effect.

Jeanloup Sieff
Sieff’s work has a very intimate feel, his portraits capture the personality of the subjects he photographs. I decided to research into Jeanloup Sieff because of how he uses the subjects eyes as the main focal of his portraits which is what I want the main focal point to be in my images. The way the models look into the camera make you feel connected to them as you feel they are looking at you. Sieff uses a close up camera angle with her portraits which gives the portraits and intimate feel as it feels like you’re becoming a part of there personal space. These portrait images have been taken at eye level which makes you feel connected to the subjects as you are at eye level with them.  By photographing people in a very simplistic way such as having no props and only photographing the head and shoulders gives the images a natural and honest feel as you feel as if you’re seeing the real them. The lighting has a softness to it because of how it illuminates the skin however there is a harsh contrast between the shadowed areas and the highlights which give a dramatic effect to the photo’s. Jeanloup Sieff’s portraits have inspired me to use a close up camera angle for my own portraits to help capture an intimate feel. I also like the way he has composed his images so the subjects eye is centered almost in the middle of the frame, I’m going to use this technique to make the eyes the main focal point like Sieff has. 

Hendrick Kerstens
Kersten’s styles her images like traditional Dutch portraits. When speaking about her images she said, "I take someone today with modern tastes and portray her in the style of the 17th century masters. It's a way for me to shake up the concept of time". The concept of time is represented in her work by the way she styles them like Dutch portraits and then uses modern themes such as environmental issues. In the first image below she was inspired by the excessive number of bags being used when she went to New York, to capture this social issue she has dressed her model in a plastic bag which acts as a head piece. The eye’s in her portraits are one of the main focal points as she photographs her images at eye level. By photographing the portraits at eye level makes you feel more connected to the subject as it adds an intimate feel to the images, this technique inspired me for my own work as I want to make the eyes the main focal point in my portraits for ‘The Body’ project. I was also inspired by the simplicity of her images, having the model against a plain background adds to the intimacy feel of the photo as well as all your attention is kept on the subject. Kersten has only photographed the subjects head and shoulders this makes you feel more closer to the model and creates a very intimate feel. The way the model looks right into the camera draws your attention straight to her eyes this is another technique I’m going to use in my own images as it makes the eyes stand out. The lighting on the models face is very soft, by having no harsh shadows on the subjects face gives the photo a very delicate feel as there is a softness to it. Contrast is created in the image from the white bag on the models head and the dark coloured background and clothing, this gives the image a dramatic feel which makes it stand out.

     

Anton Corbijn
Anton Corbijn’s work most focuses on the subjects eyes. His work is very powerful because of how the models are staring straight into the camera. I looked at this photograph by Anton Corbijn because of how the eyes are the main focal point. This portrait is high in contrast which gives it a very dramatic feel and makes it catch your attention. The contrast between the whites of the eye, the subjects skin and the iris‘ in the eye makes the eyes stand out. The subjects pose adds an mysterious atmosphere to the photograph because of how he‘s covering his mouth, it also adda vulnerable side to the image as the subject looks scared. By having the model looking straight into camera gives the photo a intimate feel as it feels like he’s looking straight at you. This image has the same focal point that I want my portraits to have for ‘The Body’ project. To capture the same effect I’m going to use Corbijn’s technique of having the subject looking straight at the camera.

Henrick Adamsen
These two images by Henrick Adamsen have a very intimate feel to them because of the close up camera angle he has used. By using an extreme close up Adamsen has made you feel as if you are in the models personal space which makes the subjects appear very vulnerable as they are being revealed in a very honest way. A delicate feel is created through the poses the models are in both of the photos show the subjects with there hands against there faces, this makes them look as if they are trying to shield themselves. Adamsen has photographed the models staring straight into the camera which adds to the intimate feel the images have because you feel a connection with the models as it seems that they are looking straight at you. The lighting used in both of the portraits add to the delicacy, as it is very soft and there is no harsh shadows on the models faces. Vulnerability is also shown through the lighting Adamsen has used because of how shadows start to form around the models faces this makes the model appear alone in the image. I choose to research into Henrick Adamsen’s portraits because of the way he makes the subjects eyes the main focal point which is what I want the focal point to be in my own portraits for ‘The Body’ project. His work has inspired me to use close up camera angles to capture the intimate feel I want my images to have. 

Erik Lee Snyder

When you first look at this photograph the part the stands out the most is the eyes. The photographer, Erik Lee Snyder, has made them stand out with the composition he has chosen. By positioning the subjects eyes so they are in the middle of the frame makes you notice them more and makes them the focal point of the image. The way the model is staring directly into the camera adds an intimacy to the image as you feel they are looking at you. Intimacy is also created in the photo through the close up camera angle Snyder has used, this makes you feel connected to the model on a personal level as you are so close to them. Snyder has used a shallow depth of field as the main area that is in focus is the front of the face, it begins to lose focus around the ears and neck. The large aperture used means all your attention is focused on the models face. Snyder has created a very simplistic atmosphere in his image by using a plain background and by only photographing the models face. There is no harsh shadows in this image which adds a softness to it, the lighting looks very diffused because of the low contrast. I want to capture a similar lighting style in my own portrait as I feel the softness adds a delicacy to the image. I also was inspired by Snyder’s camera angle and camera positioning. By taking a portrait at eye level makes you feel more intimate with the subject, I’m going to use this technique as well as a close up camera angle to add even more intimacy. 

Man Ray

This image is very iconic because of how the eyes are expressing a lot of emotion in this portrait. The eye’s in this portrait are showing a lot of emotion which adds an intimate feel to the photo as you feel as if you are connected with the model. Ray has used a close up composition which adds to the intimate feel as it makes you feel closer to the subject, I’m going to use a close up camera angle in my own portraits to capture the same effect Man Ray has. By using a close up camera angle Ray has kept the rest of the image to your imagination, you start to wonder where the model is looking and why is looks upset. The model appears very vulnerable with how she is looking out into the distance as if she cant bear to look into the camera. Gem’s have been positioned on a models face to act as tears, this makes her look very delicate and vulnerable.

Steve McCurry

Steve McCurry’s portrait ‘Afghan girl’ is a very popular and well know image. The photo was taken in a Refugee camp in Pakistan whilst the girl was at school. The subject’s eyes are the main focal point in the image, they look very haunting with the way they are staring into the camera. Her eyes symbolise the tragedy of the war that was happening in Afghan because of how scared and haunted they look. McCurry has compositioned this image so the eyes are centered in the middle of the photo this draws your attention to them and is a technique I’m going to use in my own portraits to make the eyes the main focal point. A shallow depth of field has been used to make the background out of focus so all your attention is kept on the model. By photographing the models shoulders as well as her face means some of her clothing is revealed. Her clothes have rips in them and look dirty in some places which shows she has been living in a tough time and is being neglected. The lighting used looks very natural and soft because there is no harsh shadows which makes the subject appear very vulnerable and delicate. To get the same effect I’m going to use similar lighting but make it even more softer.

The Body- Photographer Research

Helen Van Meene

Helen Van Meene’s work has a very intimate feel, she mostly photographs females and children which adds to the intimacy and fragility of the images. Meene works with young people as she say’s ‘you notice they’re open and so flexible’ this is shown in her work relaxed and natural the models look. I decided to research into Helen Van Meene because of the way she portrays the subjects personalities through her images. She uses natural lighting which brings a softness to her images and adds to the natural atmosphere of the photo. There is a sense of vulnerability and fragility within the photos because of the way the models are positioned as well as the camera positioning. The poses the models are in makes them look very delicate, in one of the portraits a girl is shielding her body with her arms and in other portraits the models are looking away in to the distance. I found her work to be very inspiring with how she captures the subjects personalities through her images and how she makes them appear very natural. In my portraits for the body project I want my images to look very intimate and delicate which is the effect Helen Van Meene has captured in her images. 

Bill Henson

In my portraits for the project 'The Body' I want to capture a feeling of intimacy. I choose to look at the photographer Bill Henson to gain inspiration for my work as his portraits have a very intimate feel. The lighting used in the portraits make it look as if the subjects are appearing out of the darkness which gives the model a vulnerable feel. By having the models appear out of darkness makes it feel as if you are creeping up to them because of how vulnerable they look, this also gives the images a natural feel as the models are not posing. In on of Henson’s images a female mode appears very fragile with the way she is positioned, by holding her hands up to her face makes her look as if she is hiding herself from something or someone. Henson’s work has inspired me to keep my portraits very natural, they have also inspired me to have my model in a pose where she looks as if she is hiding to get across a feeling of delicacy and fragility. In one of the images the subject is looking straight at the camera this adds a feeling of intimacy to the image as you feel she is looking at you, I’m going to use this technique in my portraits to get the same atmosphere. 

 

Jasper Clarke 

Jasper Clarke’s portraits have a very simplistic feel, as he photographs the models against a plain background and only captures there head and shoulders. The plain background keeps all your attention on the subjects as there is nothing else distracting in the image. Clarke has used one light source in his images and has lit the subjects from one side, this has created some shadows on the model. The shadows have added contrast to the picture which has given the photo a dramatic feel. By composing the images so the models are in the centre of the frame makes them appear very vulnerable as they look as if they are all alone. Clarke has creating a feeling of intimacy in his portraits with the close up camera angle he has chosen which makes you feel closer  and more connected to the model. The subjects poses look very natural this also adds to the intimacy and the vulnerability of the images as you feel you are viewing a private side to the models. In all of the images below the models are looking directly into the camera which makes you feel as if you have a connection with them because it feels like they are looking directly at you, this inspired me for my own project as I want to capture an intimate feel in my images. In Clarke’s images the eyes are one of the main focal points as he has compositioned the images so they are positioned centrally. I was inspired by this technique as it brings all your focus on the eyes, when I take my image’s for ‘The Body’ I’m going to make sure I composition them with the eyes in the centre.

Steve Pyke

Pyke has framed these portrait so the subject feels most of it, by using a close up camera angle it has given the images a very intimate feel. You feel as if you know the subjects because of the close up camera angle that has been used which makes you feel as if you are in there personal space. The lighting is very high in contrast, this emphasises all the shadowed and highlight areas. The contrast between the two areas could represent the subjects personality and show us an insight to what they are like. The light illuminates the subjects face which makes them appear very vulnerable because they are being revealed. Pyke has photographed some of his subjects looking straight into the camera this provides a very intimate feel to the photo because you feel as if they are looking straight at you. When the models are looking away from the camera it leaves you to imagine what they are looking at and what they could be thinking about. The photographer has used a shallow depth of field which has only caused the face to be in focus, by having the rest of the image slight out of focus means all your attention is on the face.