Planning
Task – Produce 100-200 images showing your understanding and control of studio lighting.
Models/props – White Backdrop for bright images, Black Backdrop for darker images, spotlight, reflectors, filters, models.
Camera settings – I intend to use an ISO value on 100 to ensure the quality is kept to a high standard and the shutter speed of about 1/125 however i will alter it to fit the lighting used at the time.
Lighting – I will be using red head lights, spotlights, natural light and flash to capture a wide range of images.
Location – School studio
Concept – To capture a range of studio photographs in the style of David Bailey whilst incorporating the style of chiaroscuro.
David Baily
David Bailey was born in Leytonstone East London to Herbert Bailey, a tailor’s cutter, and his wife, Sharon, a machinist.
Bailey developed a love of natural history, and this led him into photography. Suffering from undiagnosed dyslexia, he experienced problems at school. He attended a private school, Calrk’s College in ilford, where he says they taught him less than the more basic council school. As well as dyslexia he also has the motor skill disorder dyspraxia.
In one school year, he claims he only attended 33 times. He left school on his fifteenth birthday, to become a copy boy at the Fleet Street offices of the Yorkshire post. He raced through a series of dead end jobs, before his call up for National Service in 1956, serving with the Royal Air Force in Singapore in 1957. The appropriation of his trumpet forced him to consider other creative outlets, and he bought a Rolleiflex camera.
He was demobbed in August 1958, and determined to pursue a career in photography, he bought a Canon rangefinder camera. Unable to obtain a place at the London COllage of Prinitng because of his school record, he became a second assistant to David Ollins, in Charlotte Mews. He earned £3.50 a week, and acted as studio dogsbody. He was delighted to be called to an interview with photographer John French.
Photo Analysis
I am inspired by this image due to the sheer simplicity of it, yet effectiveness it has. It has a large tonal range with strong contrast which helps to bring out certain and important elements of the photograph. There is a high contrast between the background which is completely white and the mans coat which he appears to be wearing which is all blackened. I think that a low ISO of about 100 or 200 would have been used due to the fact the image is of such high quality. The bright light upon his face has been implemented through the use of spotlights directed into the right side of his face (his left). This use of lighting has created a strong contrast on the opposing side of his face. This effect may have been deliberately used to create a sense of mystery or secrecy. The composition of this photo is effective in the way that we are drawn to look at the eyes of the model which helps the viewer to engage with the photo.
Contact Sheet
Edits
