AO1: Develop ideas through sustained investigations informed by research and other sources.
Research Influences
My research influences for Juxtaposition and for this particular idea are John Stezaker and Alma Haser. John Stezaker is an English artist whose work is a combination of both portraiture and landscape that have been put together to create a new composition. The foreground of the landscape image is positioned in a certain way to create a visual idea that it has been put in the place of the face of the model to create an abstract facial shape. Stezaker's work relates to the theme of Juxtaposition as it shows a clear juxtaposition between types of photography but it could also have connotational meanings. For example, the fact that the landscape image is covering the subject's face could suggest that the subject of the image has hidden emotions and is hiding behind a mask of some sort. Alternatively, it could also suggest a favourite place or memory of the subject which is then being projected to the outside of themselves. The images below are some images that I chose due to the fact that I aim to create my own images in the style of these particular images and compositions by Stezaker. These images are interesting because if both images were separate, they would be standard portraiture and landscape images, but because Stezaker has taken these images and combined them together, it creates an abstract look to the image but also immediately gives connotations to the person receiving the image.
Examples of John Stezaker's Work
As well as being influenced by John Stezaker, I was also influenced by Alma Haser. Alma Haser is a German born artist and her work focuses primarily on creating abstract portraiture images. However, some of her work has been physically manipulated to create this abstract portraiture image look. For example, some of her work includes a portraiture image, with a model standing in front of a coloured background. However, she has made the image more interesting by copying the same image, and placing a crumpled version on top of the image to create a more interesting and abstract look, as well as creating a juxtaposition between normal portraiture and more abstract photography. Additionally, her work could connote a juxtaposition between feelings and emotions. The images below are some images that I have been inspired by in previous shoots and are images in which I aim to follow the style of loosely. I feel as though these images are interesting due to the fact that although the 2 images are identical, one of them has been physically manipulated to create an entirely different look and in turn it gives the images a new style but could also have connotational meaning.
Research Influences
My research influences for Juxtaposition and for this particular idea are John Stezaker and Alma Haser. John Stezaker is an English artist whose work is a combination of both portraiture and landscape that have been put together to create a new composition. The foreground of the landscape image is positioned in a certain way to create a visual idea that it has been put in the place of the face of the model to create an abstract facial shape. Stezaker's work relates to the theme of Juxtaposition as it shows a clear juxtaposition between types of photography but it could also have connotational meanings. For example, the fact that the landscape image is covering the subject's face could suggest that the subject of the image has hidden emotions and is hiding behind a mask of some sort. Alternatively, it could also suggest a favourite place or memory of the subject which is then being projected to the outside of themselves. The images below are some images that I chose due to the fact that I aim to create my own images in the style of these particular images and compositions by Stezaker. These images are interesting because if both images were separate, they would be standard portraiture and landscape images, but because Stezaker has taken these images and combined them together, it creates an abstract look to the image but also immediately gives connotations to the person receiving the image.
Examples of John Stezaker's Work
Examples of Alma Haser's Work
For this particular shoot and overall work record, I aim to be more inspired by Alma Haser in the way that he assembles her compositions but also how she distresses her image to create meaning in her images. I feel as though is accurately conveys Juxtaposition and also could create connotational meaning of internal versus external feelings and emotions, depending on the individual looking at the image.
Exam Topic Ideas
The topic that I have chosen for the exam is Juxtaposition, and in response to the exam I intend to create a series of images that loosely reflect the styles of both John Stezaker and Alma Haser by producing a series of portraiture images, and using both landscape images and copies of the original portraiture images to produce abstract portraiture images that reflect the theme of Juxtaposition. For example, taking landscape images and placing them over portraiture images, and layering a distressed version of the portraiture image over the original, to show a juxtaposition between external feelings and internal emotions but also to suggest a juxtaposition between memories and the present tense. To do this, I intend to print out images and physically manipulate them to create abstract final pieces for Juxtaposition, but that fit the theme of Juxtaposition well.
Contact SheetsThe topic that I have chosen for the exam is Juxtaposition, and in response to the exam I intend to create a series of images that loosely reflect the styles of both John Stezaker and Alma Haser by producing a series of portraiture images, and using both landscape images and copies of the original portraiture images to produce abstract portraiture images that reflect the theme of Juxtaposition. For example, taking landscape images and placing them over portraiture images, and layering a distressed version of the portraiture image over the original, to show a juxtaposition between external feelings and internal emotions but also to suggest a juxtaposition between memories and the present tense. To do this, I intend to print out images and physically manipulate them to create abstract final pieces for Juxtaposition, but that fit the theme of Juxtaposition well.
In this particular shoot, my idea is to print out two copies of the same image, and physically manipulate and distress one image and layer it onto the original copy to create images in the same style as Alma Haser as I feel that this is closely linked to Juxtaposition and I also feel I am able to use my images to convey a connotational message.
These are the potential images that I am going to be using to create my final compositions. The images that have a cross over the front of them are images that I have decided not to use as I do not think that they would be beneficial to my composition, and the images that have a red square around them are images I am interested in and may use as part of one of my final compositions.
Straight Images
I decided to choose these images as my best images as I felt that these images would be good for physical manipulation but also because they look the most professional and I feel that this is important for the final pieces. Additionally, I chose these images because I am able to layer these with other images but layer them with a copy of the image to create images in the style of Alma Haser. The plain but colourful background creates a simplistic look to the image so that the main focus can be on the editing of the images as well as the physical manipulation of the images.
AO2: Demonstrate your ability to experiment with photographic media,
techniques and materials & Demonstrate your ability to review and refine
work as it develops
Photoshop Process
For some of the images, I wanted to convert one copy into black and white so I was able to layer it with an original colour copy. To do this, I imported my images into Photoshop to create the black and white effect and apply it to all images necessary. To do this, I clicked on the 'Black and White' adjustment button on the right hand side of the page so that the image turns black and white.
Once I turned this particular composition black and white, I decided that it was too soft and I wanted a harsher look to contrast with the original image. To do this, I adjusted the colours on the right hand side of the page to create a more defined black and white layer. I decided to put the red to -15, the yellow to 18, the green to 300 which accentuated the middle of the eyes, and the cyan and blue to -200, which created a defined look for the eyes. I felt that this was better as I was able to directly contrast the soft look of the colour copy to the harshness of the black and white image.
For most of my edits, I printed out two copies of the same image, and physically manipulated and distressed one image and layered it onto the original copy to create images in the same style as Alma Haser as I feel that this is closely linked to Juxtaposition and I also feel I am able to use my images to convey a connotational message.
For some of the images, I wanted to convert one copy into black and white so I was able to layer it with an original colour copy. To do this, I imported my images into Photoshop to create the black and white effect and apply it to all images necessary. To do this, I clicked on the 'Black and White' adjustment button on the right hand side of the page so that the image turns black and white.
Once I turned this particular composition black and white, I decided that it was too soft and I wanted a harsher look to contrast with the original image. To do this, I adjusted the colours on the right hand side of the page to create a more defined black and white layer. I decided to put the red to -15, the yellow to 18, the green to 300 which accentuated the middle of the eyes, and the cyan and blue to -200, which created a defined look for the eyes. I felt that this was better as I was able to directly contrast the soft look of the colour copy to the harshness of the black and white image.
Physical Editing/Manipulation
For most of my edits, I printed out two copies of the same image, and physically manipulated and distressed one image and layered it onto the original copy to create images in the same style as Alma Haser as I feel that this is closely linked to Juxtaposition and I also feel I am able to use my images to convey a connotational message.
AO3: Reflect critically on your work and progress
Final Edited Images
This particular image could present a few different meanings that an audience could take from this image or interpret from the composition. For example, it could show the juxtaposition between positive and negative feelings. Although these pictures are the same and have been layered on top of each other, one layer has been ripped and slightly distressed, which could suggest that the subject also has these feelings of distressed and anxiety. The fact that the model has a neutral face could suggest that she is hiding her true feelings from the world, and keeping a neutral face is the best way to do this, but her true feelings are displayed through the ripped and distressed part of the composition. I feel as though this links to my initial idea well as I was able to print out two copies of the same image, and physically manipulate and distress one image and layer it onto the original copy to create images in the same style as Alma Haser, which is something that I had decided to do for this second shoot. I feel as though this image does fit in with the style of Alma Haser due to the fact that her images have also been physically manipulated to create an abstract style of composition. I feel as though this links to my exam topic of Juxtaposition well, as it can be seen as a contrast or juxtaposition of many different things, one of which being a juxtaposition of positive and negative feelings.
This next composition that I have created as part of my exam topic of Juxtaposition could possibly demonstrate a few different connotational meanings. For example, it could represent a juxtaposition between styles of editing but also again, between positive and negative feelings. the first layer I decided to keep as an original and not change it in anyway, apart from eliminating any imperfections from both the face of the model and the background. However, with the layered version of the image I decided to split the top half into 4 in an abstract way, and with the left half of the composition I decided to crumple the paper and distress it to create an abstract look. Additionally to this, I decided to make the image slightly uneven to create connotational meaning. The way that the image is not completely straight could connote the feelings that the subject has are uneven and are abstract, which is reflected in the style of work I have chosen to make this composition. This relates to juxtaposition by showing the juxtaposition between everyday feelings compared to the slightly more uneven and dark feelings that everyone experiences sometimes. I feel as though this links to my initial idea well as I was able to print out two copies of the same image, and physically manipulate and distress one image and layer it onto the original copy to create images in the same style as Alma Haser, which is something that I had decided to do for this second shoot. I feel as though this image does fit in with the style of Alma Haser due to the fact that her images have also been physically manipulated to create an abstract style of composition. This reflects the style of John Stezaker, which is also something that I said I wanted to do in my initial shoot plan. I feel as though this links to my exam topic of Juxtaposition well, as it can be seen as a contrast or juxtaposition of many different things, one of which being a juxtaposition of positive and negative or abstract feelings and thoughts.
This particular composition could present a few different meanings that an audience could take from this image or interpret from the composition as a whole. For example, when editing the image I felt that it would be a good image to demonstrate the juxtaposition between someone with a mental health condition and someone without a mental health condition, as it is often hard to notice. I decided to layer a distressed version of the same image on top of the original to show that although someone may be suffering with their mental health, they are still the same person and they are no different to anyone else that may not suffer with a mental health condition. The way that I have left the top right corner as the original and also have some parts of the original image visible through rips also suggests that although they may be restricted by the mental health condition they are still the same person underneath. I feel as though this links to my initial idea well as I was able to print out two copies of the same image, and physically manipulate and distress one image and layer it onto the original copy to create images in the same style as Alma Haser, which is something that I had decided to do for this second shoot. I feel as though this image does fit in with the style of Alma Haser due to the fact that her images have also been physically manipulated to create an abstract style of composition and create connotational meaning. I feel as though this links to my exam topic of Juxtaposition well, as it can be seen as a contrast or juxtaposition of many different things, one of which being a juxtaposition of someone with a mental health condition and someone without a mental health condition.
This particular image could present a few different meanings that an audience could take from this image or interpret from the composition. For example, it could show the juxtaposition between external thoughts and internal feelings. I chose to only use the eye to distress in this particular image due to the fact that it is the main part of the image. Additionally to this, I feel that the eyes can show the most emotions in a person's face and in this image I feel like they have a melancholy look to them. By distressing the image further, it could possibly give connotations of sadness and a contrast between how the subject feels on the inside and how they must present themselves to the outside world. I feel as though this links to my initial idea well as I was able to print out two copies of the same image, and physically manipulate and distress one image and layer it onto the original copy to create images in the same style as Alma Haser, which is something that I had decided to do for this second shoot. I feel as though this image does fit in with the style of Alma Haser due to the fact that her images have also been physically manipulated to create an abstract style of composition and create connotational meaning, and in the fact that I have only chosen part of the composition to physically manipulate and distress. I feel as though this links to my exam topic of Juxtaposition well, as it can be seen as a contrast or juxtaposition of many different things, one of which being a juxtaposition of how someone presents themselves to others and how they feel themselves internally.
This next composition that I have created as part of my exam topic of Juxtaposition could possibly demonstrate a few different connotational meanings. For example, it could represent a juxtaposition between styles of editing but also again, between internal feelings versus external feelings and how somenoe presents themselves to others. By distressing the image further, it could possibly give connotations of sadness and a contrast between how the subject feels on the inside and how they must present themselves to the outside world. The contrast between colour and black and white could reflect how the subject feels internally and the fact that the colour version has also been distressed and separated could represent that although the person does not feel damaged, they are. It could also show the separation from other people that they feel. I feel as though this links to my initial idea well as I was able to print out two copies of the same image, and physically manipulate and distress one image and layer it onto the original copy to create images in the same style as Alma Haser, which is something that I had decided to do for this second shoot. I feel as though this image does fit in with the style of Alma Haser due to the fact that her images have also been physically manipulated to create an abstract style of composition and create connotational meaning. However, I have decided to make this composition slightly more abstract than Alma Haser's work. I feel as though this links to my exam topic of Juxtaposition well, as it can be seen as a contrast or juxtaposition of many different things, one of which being a juxtaposition of expectation versus reality.
Similarly to the previous composition, this particular image could present a few different meanings that an audience could take from this image or interpret from the composition. For example, when creating this image I felt that it could be a good image to show a juxtaposition between expectation versus reality, which is an idea that I experimented with in the previous composition. The contrast between colour and black and white could reflect how the subject feels internally and the fact that the colour version has also been distressed and separated could represent that although the person does not feel damaged, they are. It could also show the separation from other people that they feel. I feel as though this links to my initial idea well as I was able to print out two copies of the same image, and physically manipulate and distress one image and layer it onto the original copy to create images in the same style as Alma Haser, which is something that I had decided to do for this second shoot. I feel as though this image does fit in with the style of Alma Haser due to the fact that her images have also been physically manipulated to create an abstract style of composition and create connotational meaning. However, I have decided to make this composition slightly more abstract than Alma Haser's work. I also feel as though I incorporated the style of Stezaker into this piece in the way that I have divided the layers. I feel as though this links to my exam topic of Juxtaposition well, as it can be seen as a contrast or juxtaposition of many different things, one of which being a juxtaposition of expectation versus reality.
No comments:
Post a Comment