Week6 'Incongruous'

Well this is my final piece from my earlier 'mouse hole' blog entry, as you can see there is a small person in a mouse hole!! :)

The title for this unit is based around the theme ‘incongruous’, which means not in keeping with what is correct, proper, or logical. I knew my final outcome would have to look out of the ordinary, believable yet still fictitious in some way.

I researched into artists and other photographer’s work which proved extremely useful and influential for my own ideas for this project, especially looking at the work of early surrealist artists such as Dali and Rene Magritte and how they influenced photographers like Man Ray to experiment with their medium.

Over the course of this unit, my idea evolved and the more I understood what I needed to create, I found that my Photoshop skills and knowledge also developed. The tutorials we had were extremely helpful and I also used online resources to further myself and get the final results I desired.

I shot my location images first and made sure the lighting and angels were all correct. I then went into the studio and arranged my model to sit in a pose that would make it easier to combine the two images. I had to take into consideration the same lighting, angles and perspective from my location shoot. I also tried various positions, background colours and props.

Overall, I am very pleased with my outcome, as I have not experimented with composite images like this in the past. I have learned so much, not only new Photoshop skills but also about myself, my photography and the way I work which I will use for my future projects.

Week5 figure in a landscape

As part of the getting to use all the equipment, I have to use a large format camera on location!! I have never used a camera this large or expensive before, so I'm a bit of a mixture between scared and excited at the moment!!

I scanned this image from a fashion magazine, i have used it as inspiration and research for my 'figure in a landscape' project,

This image caught my attention because of the unusual use of space and cropping with the natural colours and tones. I also really like the way the model is posing.

Week4 Sally Mann

I have been asked to produce a 35mm black and white image that has used natural light as the main light source. I thought of Sally Mann's work she did of her children playing, although she did actually use a large format camera, I really like the way she has composed her shots. They look really natural and almost candid, but the fact she had a large format camera her kids more than likely noticed her, plus the amount she took I wonder if they would ever get annoyed with her!!?

Week3 Mousehole

I mentioned in my first blog entry about my digital manipulation 'Incongruous' project, well.....

This is a test shoot of a mouse hole i found in my kitchen next to my fridge. I took it at night and used the fridge light as the only light source. I had to actually lie down on my skanky floor to get the right angle, so i made sure I wore my paint covered tracky bums!! - a kitchen in a shared house is not always the cleanest!! Mmmm nice!

I am going to use this photo for my digital manipulation project, although i do need a bit of guidance and advise from my lecture before I have to get down and dirty and re-shoot it! the plan for my 'Incongruous' idea is to and insert a studio shot person inside the mouse hole. I will obviously have to take into consideration the perspective and the lighting, by shooting the location first I can then get an idea of how I will need to pose my model and at what positions to place the lights. I will add the finished piece once it is complete!! watch this space :)

Week2 DV8 Magazine

I am currently working on my Technical Workshops project, where we have to use all the equipment and produce all the possible outcomes, for example - High & Low key studio lighting, large format camera in the studio and on location, also colour printing C41 & E6 processes. I am enjoying this project a lot as I am getting to use some equipment that I have never used before!! also everyone on the course seems to be settling ok and getting on well :) I think I am going to like it here, thank god cause I was pretty scared bout the whole Uni thing!!!

I found this image on the front of a fashion and events magazine from my hometown of Southampton. In the studio I have to produce an image using the 5x4 large format camera with the separation of light technique. This is created by having a light behind the subject and a light on the front of the subject (so there is a separation between the two lights - also using some black boards either side of the model to further separate the light). I think this is a good research image as it shows clear use of studio flash lighting.

I do like the overall image and the colours, however i feel there is a bit of detail lost in the dress, an extra light could have brightened this area.

week1 Nick Knight

This is my first ever blog, so i'm not too sure what really to expect and also what to write!! I hope it all goes ok, i'm going to try to get really involved with it and write at lease once a week with images that i have found, whether they be from the internet or in magazines etc. so here we go..... Week1 :)

My first ever project is to create a digitally manipulated imaged based around the theme 'incongruous' - as I didn't really know what this word actually meant... I of course had to google it!!

"Someone or something that is incongruous seems strange when considered together with other aspects of a situation"

This photo is by Nick Knight, he is a British photographer known for his personal, experimental vision, resulting in work that exists outside the conventions of fashion photography. I researched his work for my digital manipulation project, he has done a whole series like this but i found this image the most interesting.

He has made it look as though the man in white is kicking the head, shattering it to pieces. This is a really effective 'incongruous" image.

"Nick Knight is one of Britain's most innovative and influential photographers and image makers. He has pushed the boundaries of commercial and editorial photography and collaborated with leading names in contemporary art, design, music and fashion."