Finals and Evaluation

 

Number 1

I chose this photograph for a final because of the strong, defined pose of the model and the atmospheric lighting which I feel encompasses an elegant and glamourous aesthetic for the viewer.  The hints of light on the model's shoulders and forhead add tonal range to the image as otherwise this would be a straight black and white image with no in between of grey.  The studio lighting highlights the model's hair adding texture and creating a sense of touch within the image.  The curves of the model's shoulder and collarbone create multiple lines leading around her structure which highlight her form.  I feel that this and the photograph below relate back to my research because of the glamourous and formal poses which were very much the style of photographs in the 50's.

 

Number 2

Again I feel this photograph has a strong atmospheric feel because of the pose and the lighting.  I love how the lighting below the model's cheek leads up into her hair which creates a dymanic shape between the model's face and leads up into the model's eye and drifts out into the backdrop creating an almost dreamy effect which I feel the model also creates a dreamy feel with her wistful look.  The black background creates an almost desolate and abandoned look to the photograph as it is just pure black. 

 

Number 3

I chose this image as a final because of the spotlight, almost movie spotlight effect of the lighting which I very much like because it gives the image a theatrical feel.  The contrast and range of tones create an atmospheric,  stage-like look to the photograph, as though she were an actress.  The shadow within the background adds character to the photograph which I feel gives the photograph again a theatrical look.  This image, relating back to my research, I feel relates back to the Marilyn Monroe photograph where she has a black dress and the photograph has captured her movement.  I feel this relates because of the tonal range, contrast and captured movement within the photograph.

 

Number 4

Again with the use of spotlight I feel this image has a cinematic feel.  The gown also adds to the glamourous effect as this was key for Hollywood movie stars in the 50's.  Holding the shoes in the model's hand creates a feel of a slightly more relaxed pose.  The curve of the dress creates a form around the model and highlights her figure.  The image has not gone strong contrast but it has hints of blacks and a vast tonal range.

 

Evaluation Overall:

 

Overall I feel I have truly experimented and pushed myself within this project to perform at a higher standard than last year.  The lighting which I have experimented with has been diverse and I have really found lighting that works well for this project by experimenting.  My favourite lighting setups which I have experimented with throughout this project have been the spotlight, spotlight behind the model and the flash light with diffuser above the model's head.  I feel these lighting situations have really broadened my knowledge of the studio and how I use the studio.  Some of the lighting I have used has really accentuated my model and the way she is portrayed within the photographs.     Also using a different model I feel has helped me to explore and develop my ideas.  Looking back to where I started with my ideas for this project, such as a test shoot with bird make-up and the latest trending fashions, that I have developed my ideas into portraiture and jewelerry advertising.  I moved off of the idea of photographing trends because I felt it wasn't really going anywhere and I had been wanting to take glamour-like images for awhile and move more into the black and white photographs.  I also wanted to explore jewelerry advertising and the simplicity of the lighting to highlight the jewelerry within the image.  I feel that my second final really highlights the jewelerry and the model, the lighting highlights the model's face and then you have this almost half black space in between and then the lighting highlights the ring, I feel this gives the image a depth which crosses portraiture with a hint of advertising.  Looking back I have also followed through with my idea from my second post on this blog involving research where I researched the spotlight effect of a make-up advertisement.  After this project I will be continuing with the glamour photographs throughout my nect project as I feel I have not furthered my experimentation enough.  Overall I feel this project has been the best so far and I have explored different uses of studio lighting in depth and really started to understand the uses of it.  I have really pushed myself and really love my finals.  If I were to do anything different I would have more time and experiment more within the studio with the flash lighting and explore the uses of reflectors and bouncing flashes off.