Winter Wolf Studios / Winter Kelly
http://winterwolf.squarespace.com/
Winter Wolf Studios were established in 2004, and are a fine art photography studio. The photographs I will be featuring on this photographer research page are those that 'Winter' Kelly have taken. I have included several different photographs, that all have the use of masks and relate to my theme of "disguise." This page will feature four seperate photoshoots. The first two photographs were taken from the same shoot, however the following two are from seprate shoots.
I have chosen to include Winter Kelly in my research as, compared to Mary Raine, her work utilizes backgrounds as well as the model in the foreground. I prefer this as the backgrounds can compliment the photographs, bringing a deeper meaning to them. For example, this first photograph features a model wearing a seemingly white wig, and a mask in the shape of a wolfs face. She is dressed in faux fur, which she is hugging to herself. The background in this photograph is a mix of blues and white, with small specs that could resemble snow. This background is soft, and doesnt distract the eye from the main subject of the photograph: the model. This photograph has a very cold mood to it, emphasized by the snow behind, and the cool colours worn by the model.
I believe the photographer's aim in this photograph was to create a glamorous, yet ambigious, subject. This photograph presents questions such as: What is the face behind the mask? Why hide behind the mask? These are both examples of strong questions that are linked to the theme of disguise. I believe Kelly is trying to show that weare closer to nature than we think, that just by hiding behind a mask we can become something else and forget the issues that surround our lives.
In regards to the technical aspects of this photograph, I believe the lighting used was directly infront of the model, creating very few shadows. The composition of this photograph is very central, with the mask being the main focal point and also the heaviest aspect in the overall image. The secondary focal point is the models hand, drawing the mind to the conclusion that despite how hard the subject is trying to hide behind a farce, she is still mortal.
I have chosen to include Winter Kelly in my research as, compared to Mary Raine, her work utilizes backgrounds as well as the model in the foreground. I prefer this as the backgrounds can compliment the photographs, bringing a deeper meaning to them. For example, this first photograph features a model wearing a seemingly white wig, and a mask in the shape of a wolfs face. She is dressed in faux fur, which she is hugging to herself. The background in this photograph is a mix of blues and white, with small specs that could resemble snow. This background is soft, and doesnt distract the eye from the main subject of the photograph: the model. This photograph has a very cold mood to it, emphasized by the snow behind, and the cool colours worn by the model.
I believe the photographer's aim in this photograph was to create a glamorous, yet ambigious, subject. This photograph presents questions such as: What is the face behind the mask? Why hide behind the mask? These are both examples of strong questions that are linked to the theme of disguise. I believe Kelly is trying to show that weare closer to nature than we think, that just by hiding behind a mask we can become something else and forget the issues that surround our lives.
In regards to the technical aspects of this photograph, I believe the lighting used was directly infront of the model, creating very few shadows. The composition of this photograph is very central, with the mask being the main focal point and also the heaviest aspect in the overall image. The secondary focal point is the models hand, drawing the mind to the conclusion that despite how hard the subject is trying to hide behind a farce, she is still mortal.
This second photograph is a close up of the previous model, with her lifting the mask up to reveal her face. However, due to the positioning of the lighting in this shoot, her eyes are hidden by a shadow. In this photograph, the wig is revealed to actually be blue, which is a colour often associated with ice, frost and snow. The main focal point of this photograph is the models hidden face. I believe Kelly did this in order to draw the eye to the fact, that even when showing her face, we still can't see all the features. This creates the theory that perhaps the model has something to hide, something to be ashamed of.
I like how this photograph primarily consists of two colours, both of which are very calm and cool. This further emphasises the chilling mood in this photograph. I believe this photographer chose to do this in order to draw the mind back to the mask which the model is wearing - It is in the shape of an artic wolf, a animal that lives in cold weather conditions, thriving in snowy landscapes. In addition, the model is wearing faux fur, giving the idea that perhaps the "wolf" has become this woman, in order to see the world with new eyes.
In conclusion, I absolutely love this photoshoot. The use of colours and the mask creates an overall interesting set of photographs to look at, each one having various perks of it's own. The next two photographs on this page are taken from seperate photoshoots, but both utilize the theme of disguise and contain ideas of which I would like to experiment with, such as the basic backgrounds in order to highlight the subject.
I like how this photograph primarily consists of two colours, both of which are very calm and cool. This further emphasises the chilling mood in this photograph. I believe this photographer chose to do this in order to draw the mind back to the mask which the model is wearing - It is in the shape of an artic wolf, a animal that lives in cold weather conditions, thriving in snowy landscapes. In addition, the model is wearing faux fur, giving the idea that perhaps the "wolf" has become this woman, in order to see the world with new eyes.
In conclusion, I absolutely love this photoshoot. The use of colours and the mask creates an overall interesting set of photographs to look at, each one having various perks of it's own. The next two photographs on this page are taken from seperate photoshoots, but both utilize the theme of disguise and contain ideas of which I would like to experiment with, such as the basic backgrounds in order to highlight the subject.
This photograph features a ember haired model crouched down to the ground with her head tilted upwards to the light. The use of lighting in this photograph has been set in order to emphasise the models face and upperbody, creating harsh, contrasting shadows. The mask the model is wearing hides her eyes from us, much like the mask in the previous shoot above. Once again, this could be in order to hide expression - leaving us to work it out by just the angle of the mouth.
I particually like the use of "rusty" colours in this photograph, primarily consisting of soft browns and greys. Personally, I feel that the photograph has quite a urban and dismal atmosphere to it, supported by the dull brickwork behind the model. I also like how the only truely smooth, and clean, looking part of the photograph is the subjects skin, drawing our eye to the lighter areas of the models figure. Primarily, the eye is drawn to the models face, framed by the hair around it. In regards to the mask that has been used in this photograph, the bars across the eyes remind me of prison bars, suggesting that perhaps the model feels trapped behind a false identity, behind a false disguise.
This photograph could be interpreted as a trapped, wild "animal" seeing the light of day for the first time. The models jeans have metal running up them, suggesting that the "animal" could be considered dangerous, despite the subdued expression on the models face. Finally, I also like the position the model has taken, the crouched down knees, and extended arms further support my previous idea of the trapped animal, almost as if it's rising from a slumber to see the light which it yearns.
Overall, I really like the way this photograph has been taken. As stated before, I'd like to experiment with the use of minimal colours and backgrounds that don't distract the eye. I'd also like to develop deep meanings behind my photoshoots, much like the ones I can see in Kelly's work. The use of a mask that is appropiate to it's surroundings, and used as a disguise is something I would like to develop further.
I particually like the use of "rusty" colours in this photograph, primarily consisting of soft browns and greys. Personally, I feel that the photograph has quite a urban and dismal atmosphere to it, supported by the dull brickwork behind the model. I also like how the only truely smooth, and clean, looking part of the photograph is the subjects skin, drawing our eye to the lighter areas of the models figure. Primarily, the eye is drawn to the models face, framed by the hair around it. In regards to the mask that has been used in this photograph, the bars across the eyes remind me of prison bars, suggesting that perhaps the model feels trapped behind a false identity, behind a false disguise.
This photograph could be interpreted as a trapped, wild "animal" seeing the light of day for the first time. The models jeans have metal running up them, suggesting that the "animal" could be considered dangerous, despite the subdued expression on the models face. Finally, I also like the position the model has taken, the crouched down knees, and extended arms further support my previous idea of the trapped animal, almost as if it's rising from a slumber to see the light which it yearns.
Overall, I really like the way this photograph has been taken. As stated before, I'd like to experiment with the use of minimal colours and backgrounds that don't distract the eye. I'd also like to develop deep meanings behind my photoshoots, much like the ones I can see in Kelly's work. The use of a mask that is appropiate to it's surroundings, and used as a disguise is something I would like to develop further.
This final photograph is completely different from the previous ones. Firstly, the content is far more suggestive than the others, leaning towards the male audience. Secondly, there are many autumnal colours used in this photograph, rather than the minimal colours from the previous two shoots. The only similarity to the other shoots, is the concept of the model being an animal, however this time the mask is a rabbit, rather than a wolf.
I believe that Kelly's aim in this photograph was to create a suggestive, yet tame theme. The use of the models posture, with the carrot in her mouth can be considered sexual, leaning towards a more adult audience for this photoshoot. However, I described as tame because the photograph only suggests nudity. We can only see the models shoulder and face, however the first idea that springs to the audiences is a sexual suggestion, enforced by the models posture and action.
The main focal point of this photograph is the dark mask, drawing our eye back to the innocence that this is merely a human interpretation of a "rabbit" eating. The lines in this photograph are very harsh, such as the line of dirt or the foreground of grass, however the lines on the model contrast this, and are soft. There is also a strong use of lighting in thie photograph, illuminating the left hand side of the image. This casts light across the models face, once again drawing the eye to the mask. Lastly, I'd like to address the use of colour in this photograph. Much like the first photoshoot with the wolf, there is a primary colour in this photograph. Although there is a background use of autumnal colouration, I believe the main colour to be the orange of the models lips, hair, the carrots, and her eyeshadow. I mention the eyeshadow as although it is orange, this contrasts strongly with the models icy blue eyes. I find this interesting, as personally I would have photoshopped the models eyes to match the colours around her.
In conclusion, I really love Winter Kellys work, paticually her use of backgrounds that strongly compliment the model. I personally would like to experiment with this technique in my development.
I believe that Kelly's aim in this photograph was to create a suggestive, yet tame theme. The use of the models posture, with the carrot in her mouth can be considered sexual, leaning towards a more adult audience for this photoshoot. However, I described as tame because the photograph only suggests nudity. We can only see the models shoulder and face, however the first idea that springs to the audiences is a sexual suggestion, enforced by the models posture and action.
The main focal point of this photograph is the dark mask, drawing our eye back to the innocence that this is merely a human interpretation of a "rabbit" eating. The lines in this photograph are very harsh, such as the line of dirt or the foreground of grass, however the lines on the model contrast this, and are soft. There is also a strong use of lighting in thie photograph, illuminating the left hand side of the image. This casts light across the models face, once again drawing the eye to the mask. Lastly, I'd like to address the use of colour in this photograph. Much like the first photoshoot with the wolf, there is a primary colour in this photograph. Although there is a background use of autumnal colouration, I believe the main colour to be the orange of the models lips, hair, the carrots, and her eyeshadow. I mention the eyeshadow as although it is orange, this contrasts strongly with the models icy blue eyes. I find this interesting, as personally I would have photoshopped the models eyes to match the colours around her.
In conclusion, I really love Winter Kellys work, paticually her use of backgrounds that strongly compliment the model. I personally would like to experiment with this technique in my development.