Final Project Evaluation
In this project, my aim was to fully explore the variety of ways that 'Disguise' can be presented through photography - whether that be through bringing fiction to life, or through the elaborate venetian masks. I aimed to research several photographers, draw inspiration from them and develop those ideas into photo shoots of my own. Through doing this, I not only felt inspired to take portraiture photography further - but I created several successful shoots that I would have never been able to achieve without influence from those famous photographers.
I had originally planned to use 'cosplay' photography throughout the whole project, but after having looked through books and the internet at famous photographers who used disguise in different ways I decided to expand my idea and include the veiled images and venetian masks. I am glad that I chose to develop into these ideas, as I managed to create a broad range of 'Disguise' photography shoots that I am incredibly pleased. The only shoot that I wasn't too happy about was the Luka Megurine shoot. I felt that the setting of this shoot caused me a lot of trouble in the editing process, and if I were to do it again, I'd make sure to pick a more appropriate set-up.
Regarding the work since my mid project evaluation, I'd decided I wanted to expand my theme of disguise further, looking at how you can create a shroud over the model. To achieve this, I looked at Johanna Knauer who creates eerie protraiture where the subject is covered in a long sheet of material that fades into a dark mist. I loved her unique style, and wanted to develop it into my own images. I also looked at Noell S. Osvald, who uses self portraiture and a contrast of light and dark in her images, aswell as material covering the models face.
For the first shoot, I wanted to experiment with Johanna Knauer's work with the misty effect and the material, aswell as Noell S. Osvald's use of close up portraiture with material. So, I decided to take the shoot, titled 'The Veil.' Originally, I had hoped to shoot in a blacked out room, however once I arrived the black curtains weren't there and I had to shoot in full daylight. On my first few photographs, I ended up with very sharp images - which wasn't what I wanted to achieve, so I decided to put shutter speed on 2 seconds, in order to create a blurred effect around the model. Overall, I think this photoshoot was a success and I definetly achieved my original aim to create the misty effect using the material.
For the next shoot, 'Two Sides', I wanted to combine the skills I had learned in the previous shoot, the use of a misty edge and the simple colour scheme. I also wanted to create something that would lead into a final piece, something that I could develop further. I feel that this shoot was incredibly successful, and I love the two images that came out of it - Especially the second one where the model fills the majority of the space. I also like how on one of the photographs, the side of the model fades out into a misty effect which you can see in Johanna Knauer's work. I also chose to have a single point of lighting, much like Noell S. Osvald's portraiture work. If I were to do this shoot again, the only thing I would change is that I would have the model pin her hair up, so that we could see the feminine neck lines.
Following on from this, I moved on to my final piece. I wanted to draw everything I had learned into one final image. I chose to use the same concept of the sepia tones and singular lighting from the 'Two Sides' shoot along with the mask featured in the 'Carnival' and 'Autumn' shoots - and finally, with the material from 'The Veil' shoot. In doing this, I had combined Johanna Knauer's (use of material), Noell S. Osvald's (single colour tone, lighting), and Winter Kelly's (use of masks) all in to a final piece. I am pleased with how this shoot turned out, and I am glad that I managed to get a good image out of the several that I took.
In conclusion, I have found this entire process has enhanced my skills in portraiture photography, and inspired me to continue with this form in my next project for the exam. I am pleased that I managed to create a variety of shoots that all developed their way to the final piece.
I had originally planned to use 'cosplay' photography throughout the whole project, but after having looked through books and the internet at famous photographers who used disguise in different ways I decided to expand my idea and include the veiled images and venetian masks. I am glad that I chose to develop into these ideas, as I managed to create a broad range of 'Disguise' photography shoots that I am incredibly pleased. The only shoot that I wasn't too happy about was the Luka Megurine shoot. I felt that the setting of this shoot caused me a lot of trouble in the editing process, and if I were to do it again, I'd make sure to pick a more appropriate set-up.
Regarding the work since my mid project evaluation, I'd decided I wanted to expand my theme of disguise further, looking at how you can create a shroud over the model. To achieve this, I looked at Johanna Knauer who creates eerie protraiture where the subject is covered in a long sheet of material that fades into a dark mist. I loved her unique style, and wanted to develop it into my own images. I also looked at Noell S. Osvald, who uses self portraiture and a contrast of light and dark in her images, aswell as material covering the models face.
For the first shoot, I wanted to experiment with Johanna Knauer's work with the misty effect and the material, aswell as Noell S. Osvald's use of close up portraiture with material. So, I decided to take the shoot, titled 'The Veil.' Originally, I had hoped to shoot in a blacked out room, however once I arrived the black curtains weren't there and I had to shoot in full daylight. On my first few photographs, I ended up with very sharp images - which wasn't what I wanted to achieve, so I decided to put shutter speed on 2 seconds, in order to create a blurred effect around the model. Overall, I think this photoshoot was a success and I definetly achieved my original aim to create the misty effect using the material.
For the next shoot, 'Two Sides', I wanted to combine the skills I had learned in the previous shoot, the use of a misty edge and the simple colour scheme. I also wanted to create something that would lead into a final piece, something that I could develop further. I feel that this shoot was incredibly successful, and I love the two images that came out of it - Especially the second one where the model fills the majority of the space. I also like how on one of the photographs, the side of the model fades out into a misty effect which you can see in Johanna Knauer's work. I also chose to have a single point of lighting, much like Noell S. Osvald's portraiture work. If I were to do this shoot again, the only thing I would change is that I would have the model pin her hair up, so that we could see the feminine neck lines.
Following on from this, I moved on to my final piece. I wanted to draw everything I had learned into one final image. I chose to use the same concept of the sepia tones and singular lighting from the 'Two Sides' shoot along with the mask featured in the 'Carnival' and 'Autumn' shoots - and finally, with the material from 'The Veil' shoot. In doing this, I had combined Johanna Knauer's (use of material), Noell S. Osvald's (single colour tone, lighting), and Winter Kelly's (use of masks) all in to a final piece. I am pleased with how this shoot turned out, and I am glad that I managed to get a good image out of the several that I took.
In conclusion, I have found this entire process has enhanced my skills in portraiture photography, and inspired me to continue with this form in my next project for the exam. I am pleased that I managed to create a variety of shoots that all developed their way to the final piece.