Shoot 8 - Straight Images

Shoot 8 - Contact Sheet

Shoot 8 - Work Record

During this shoot I will be replicating my shoot 7 as I was extremely unhappy with the outcome but liked the concept I was working with and so I wanted to try and redo the shoot and have a good outcome. During this shoot, I will be doing the same as shoot 7 but this time I will be focus more on the placement of the products and making sure that the image is in focus as these are the problems that I had last time.

This shoot turned out much better than the last one as I put a lot of focus and attention on ensuring that I did not encounter the problems that I did last time. I am very happy with how this shoot went as I had no problems during the photoshoot or during editing. But, I have decided that I prefer working with people than with objects as there is much more control with people and there are a lot more options with what to do.

Camera settings: 1/125, f/4.5, ISO 200

This was my favourite image from the shoot as it includes every product that I was using. This therefore shows the wide range of pink items that I was able to find just on my bedroom shelves. The intended theme and implication of my shoot was showing how pink is stereotypically 'girly' and this stereotype is almost enforced and I believe that this image shows this well as I have managed to include a wide range of items that are pink. 

This was an image that I did not like from the shoot. I didn't like this one as some of the body cream got onto the backdrop and so you can see an oil stain next to the lid of the pot. I did not want this in the image at all and was worried that you would be able to see it still once all of the products were in the image so I restarted the shoot in order to hide this.

Progression

If I were to do another shoot with objects I would do the opposite of what I have done with this shoot and use blue 'mens' objects such as razors and put this on a pink background. But, I have decided that I want to shoot with models and so will focus the rest of my shoots on doing this as I do not want to go off track from what I want to do. For my next shoot I will be taking pictures in New Orleans of people in the streets to show how different people live their lives.

Shoot 7 - Straight Images

Shoot 7 - Contact Sheet

Shoot 7 - Work Record

In this shoot I am planning to use objects instead of people as this will allow me to explore a different form of photography and see whether or not I would like to use people or objects in my exam. To stick to my theme, I will find anything pink within my room to use as this is a stereotypical 'girly' colour. I will then take images of these in front of the blue background to add contrast as this is stereotypically the 'boys' colour.

During the shoot I encountered difficulties with the positioning of objects as it was tricky trying to find a way to place all of the objects within the frame without blocking other objects. The images that I took were off centre and so I did not like the overall outcome of them. Also, when uploading the images, I found that they were blurry - something I did not notice during the shoot. Therefore I am not happy with the overall outcome of the shoot.

Camera settings: 1/125, f/4.5, ISO 200

This image is the one that turned out the best from the shoot. The blurriness in this image is not as obvious as it is in other images and so this does not look too bad. Also, none of the objects in this image are being obscured by any other and are all in frame so you can see each individual object within the photograph. Although it is blurred, it can still have connotations of how pink is considered to be a 'girls colour' as every object in the image is different shades of pink.

This was my least favourite image from the shoot. In this image, the blurriness is extremely visible and so the image is not clean and sharp. The angle that the camera is at leaves too much space at the top and therefore not enough at the bottom, meaning that the bottom of the lipsticks have been cut off. Also, the deodorant is too tall to have been placed in the centre and so blocks the body cream.

Progression

For my next shoot I will be re-doing this as I am unhappy with the outcome and would like to try to create an outcome that I like. There are several things that I will do next time in order to ensure that I have good final images. Firstly I will make sure that my photographs are completely in focus and spend more time checking this. Also, I will make sure that I plan and set the positioning of my products before hand and check throughout the shoot that they are all still perfectly in frame. Lastly, in editing I will bring up the contrast so that the colours are much brighter and pop much more.

Shoot 6 - Work Record

In this shoot I will be focusing on the theme of female objectification. To show this in my images, I will be drawing barcodes onto different body parts of my models to show them as 'objects for sale'. I will take my images against a black background as it will focus all attention on the barcode and will make the overall theme seem dark.

During the shoot, I found it very difficult to draw the barcodes onto the models as I could not get them to look precise and the ink from the pen kept bleeding, making it look messy. Instead, I took images of just the body parts and later on placed a barcode onto the skin in Photoshop. This made it seem much tidier and more realistic. I used the warp tool to change the shape of the barcode so that it followed the shape of the body and appeared to be on the skin.

Camera settings: 1/125, f/4.0, ISO 200

This was my favourite image from this shoot as I like how the girl was wearing a black top and so it blended with the background and also covered up anything that wasn't the back of her neck. This therefore brings more attention to the barcode and makes it the focus point as it is the only part of the image that you are able to focus entirely on. Also, as the model is facing away from the camera, it is almost implying that she is hiding her true self.

This is an image where I drew on the barcode. I did not like how messy it looks and it almost looks blurry as the black is not deep enough and the in bled into lines in the skin. The barcode was not as attention grabbing as I would have liked it to be and so I would not choose to draw this on in the future and only Photoshop it onto skin.

Progression

In future shoots, I will ensure that if I want any imagery on the model's skin that I will Photoshop it on as it will make it look clean and precise rather than messy and dull. I also would like to shoot more on the black background when creating images with just one focal point as there is nothing bright or coloured to take attention away from it. It also helps create dark tones in an image which I like. Next shoot, I will be shooting with objects to I would like to try something different as all of my shoots so far have been with models.

Shoot 6 - Straight Images

Shoot 6 - Contact Sheet

Connecting Essay 5

The photographer of this image has used projection in order to place a barcode across the chest and throat of the model. They have also edited the barcode so that below it, it reads the name of the model. This has been done to connote how women are objectified and 'sold' to the male who finds her appealing. It also connotes how it is almost a woman's 'aim in life' to find a man to be with. This has been portrayed very well as the size of the barcode in the image makes it impossible to miss, and so it is almost impossible to miss the overall message.

In my image, I decided that I would manipulate the photographs on Photoshop by placing a barcode on different parts of the body. By placing them on different parts of the body, it would appear to be subtle in everyday life as they would appear quite small and would be easily hidden. But, as the images I have taken are close ups, they appear large in the image and are therefore the main focal point. My main topic in this series was the objectification of women, which I feel I portrayed very well as barcodes are universally recognised and so it is easy to see the message behind it.

An obvious similarity between the images is the use of the barcode and why it has been used. Both images use the barcode in order to convey and connote the objectification of women in society and how they are seen as products for mens pleasure. Also, both images have projected/placed the barcode on the throat of the models, as if to connote how objectification can have a strong and powerful grasp on a woman.

Both images are very similar, but the main difference is the way that that barcode has been presented. In the first image, it is large, has been projected and has been changed so that it shows the models name. In my image, I have simply used editing techniques to place the barcode on the model through Photoshop. Also, the first image is in black and white to make it appear more simplistic and almost convey mystery, whereas my image is in colour so that it has more of an effect of realism.

Shoot 5 - Straight Images

Shoot 5 - Contact Sheet

Shoot 5 - Work Record

In this shoot, I will take images of two different girls and different ways that they style themselves. An example of this is the colour of their nails. This will show how people use their appearance as a way of expressing themselves and creating an identity. I will do this against the blue background as I found in the last shoot that this colour background really makes the images pop and adds something more to the pictures. In Photoshop, I will use these images to create multiple imagery.

I enjoyed this shot as it was easy to see how the two girls had different styles and tastes. Usually I had been focusing on close ups of people and so it was interesting to use different angles. Although, I came across an issue when photographing their shoes as it was difficult getting the tripod low down enough for the image to turn out well and and bottom of the backdrop was quite dirty and creased and so the background did not look good.

Camera settings: 1/15, f/4.0, ISO 200

I like this image as it is quite simple but includes two aspects of the girls style. Firstly, it shows how she styles her hair as it shows its length, style and colour. It also shows her top and so therefore shows the clothing she likes to wear. In my straight images, I used multiple imagery to compare this to the same image of the other girl. I think this was effective in showing how people express themselves through their appearance as it shows her unique style.

This was the image I did not like. As mentioned before, my main problem with this image is the background. In Photoshop I managed to edit out some of the dirt but was unable to remove the crease and so the picture does not look good. Also, from the angle I was taking it at, there is a shadow in the top right which creates an effect that I did not want as it is not in any other image from this shoot.

Progression

If I do another shoot like this, I will use more than two models to show a wider range of styles and identities. I make sure that, before taking a picture, the camera is positioned in a way that does not create shadows on the backdrop as otherwise the image will look out of place to others that don't have a shadow and does not give the image the clean look that I like.

Connecting Essay 4

This image has used text in order to clearly express the feelings and emotions in this image. The way that the girl is standing in the empty field with her arms open could connote freedom or, when comparing it to the text above, a feeling to escape. I feel that the use of text in this image portrays the underlying themes of this image very well and that it adds so much more to the original image.

In my image, I decided that I wanted my models to have a deadpan expression and then, using Photoshop, I placed their 'likes and dislikes' across the bottom. I felt that by doing this, the message would be very subtle but once recognised would be quite strong. I believe that my image portrays how women are almost 'sold' or 'advertised' to men and that they can be judged on what they like and do not like. I believe that by using deadpan, I have portrayed this message quite well.

The main similarity between the two images is that they both use text to help convey their messages. Without text, both images could be perceived at quite plain and simple, which helps make the impact much stronger when the text is added. Also, both use women as the subject of the image, and so the text in both images can be seen as related to the woman in the picture.

The biggest difference between the two images is the message that they are trying to broadcast. The first message appears to express a feeling of being trapped and not being able to be vocal about their thoughts and feelings, whilst mine portrays the objectification of women. Also, whilst the first image appears to be quite natural and in a picturesque setting, mine were taken in a studio and were very posed so that the main message of my photographs was not overlooked.