The aim of these edits was to replicate some of the famous propaganda which was used during the second world war, which had an impact on Jersey’s journey through this time period. I will also be experimenting with the images in the style of Kruger, and will also be creating some propaganda of my own which has taken inspiration from all the artists I have researched. These edits should show my ability to use photoshop to create, posters, where image and text are combined to create a powerful and meaningful final outcome. I want to experiment with colour, drop shadows, blur, pixilation and the use of moving images (GIF).
In my first edit I decided to replicate the ‘we can do it!’ propaganda which was used to motivate people to join the army and win the war. This edit is an example of tableaux photography as the image and text are used to tell a story and inform us on what we should be doing. In order to accomplish this edit, I started off by levelling the image for dramatic effect. I then used the quick selection tool to outline and cut out my model onto a separate layer, layer via cut. Then I created a new layer and moved it underneath the layer with my model on it, using the paint bucket tool I made the background a mustard yellow colour (like the original propaganda). I then wanted to showcase the pictures time frame, so I decided to add in my own noise, by going into filter and pixilate and experimenting with the different blurs to create the nose on my model. I then created a new layer and drew out the navy blue speech bubble to which the words will then be placed on. I then added the text using the text tool, the font was a standard bold and the colour is white. To make the bubble and text send out I added drop shadows to them, in the fx panel. I believe that this edit is very successful as it is a clear replication of the original image, moreover it shows my ability to critically make decisions and has shown further understanding of my photoshop skills.
In my next edit I decided to recreate the image with Lord Kitchener. This image was much harder to replicate as the steps involved where more complex, needless to say I managed to replicate it, but it is not as strong as the replication of the we can do it. To start off this edit I loaded up the image I wanted to use and levelled it for effect. I then cut out my model using the quick selection tool and layer via cut. I then deleted the background. In the original image the Lord seems like it is a drawing so I attempted to make my model a drawing. To do this I made the image black and white, and duplicated the layer by pressing ctrl +j. On the new layer I inverted my model, ctrl + I . Then I changed the blending mode to colour add, and added a Gaussian blur which made my model seem like he has been drawn. I then moved him to the middle of the page and made him smaller using the transformation tool, ctrl + t. I then simply added a background, a parcel paper colour, and added all the text, in the same colours as the original image, which created the final outcome. Although this edit is not as successful, I have been able to experiment with different tools and features of photoshop in order to create an outcome.
GIF:
A GIF is a lossless format for image files that supports both animated and static images.
In order to further explore the idea of replicating the more well known pieces of propaganda, I decided to make gif’s of my model’s moving into the famous stance. I made this decision as it almost modernises this idea of what propaganda is, and showcases how photography can be used to develop into using moving images. I wanted to keep both gifs simplistic and so I only levelled all of the images, and added in the text. I did not change the background colour or the blurs or the drawing. I made this decision as I wanted to emphasis how these posters still contain a lot of meaning even when you strip off some of the features, moreover it showcases the impact the images have on us in todays society. I am very pleased with how the two gifs turned out and believe they showcase the same meanings and showcase the journey of propaganda which influenced the journey of Jersey through WW2.
Images used to achieve this outcome:
Images used to achieve this outcome:
Barbara Kruger Inspired:
For my next two edits, I wanted to create propaganda which followed the style of Kruger’s work. One of the main elements of her work was the image was kept in black and white, and she would use boxes and the text to present colour, which meant the words had a more powerful meaning and impact. To achieve the edits below, I simply levelled them to adjust the dramatic effect. I then used the rectangular marquee tool to create the rectangles, which are filled with colour (this was done on different layers). I then adjusted the angle of the red boxes using the transformation tool, ctrl +t. I then added in the text using basic fonts and simplistic colours. Finally, I added drop shadows to make the boxes and words stand out. I think that these edits follow the style of Kruger accurately as they address something relevant in that times society, in this case it addresses joining the war. The top image in my eyes is the more successful one, as the image itself is successful due to the camera skills and settings. Moreover, I prefer the use of slanted words as it makes the poster more eye catching. Needless to say, they are both strong images as they have strong links with the artist, showcase my confidence in using different camera settings and show my ability to use the different tools in photoshop.
Comparison:
My Image 
Kruger’s Image
In comparison, my final outcome holds a lot of similarities with Kruger’s work, but also showcase differences due to our own artistic style. One similarity is that we have both used men as out models and subjects, due to the target audience mainly being aimed at men, which allows the message to have more clarity and meaning. Moreover, both models are seen. covering their mouth, which showcases the idea that they should stay quiet, no questions and do exactly what the posters are telling them to do. Another similarity is that both images are presented in black and white, which allows the subject to more subtle and have the text stand out. As well as having the image show more tone throughout the piece. A major difference is that Kruger’s work presents more of a vintage vibe due to the noise which is being presented on the subject, which has been done through adjusting the ISO higher. Where as my image is more ‘modern’ as noise is not being created, however both effects work nicely to help convey meaning. Another difference is the text being used, Kruger’s text is talking about opening up about your sexuality, which was relevant at that time, but does not have strong links to WW2. I decided to create text which will convey meaning to the time period of WW2, where solider recruitment was high, which impacted Jersey’s journey through the second world war. Needless to say, my image took inspiration from Kruger’s colour scheme as I felt the colours worked to help draw attention to certain words, for emphasis, and overall worked well to help convey the representations being presented. Another key difference is the lighting, although we have both used artificial lighting, Kruger has used 1 point lighting to create a chiaroscuro effect. Where as, I used 2 point lighting to light up all of my models face, to create a wider depth of field, it also allows the whole face to be emphasised. As you can tell both images share a lot of similarities and the difference are due to our of photographic taste and preference.
Further Experimentations:
Then using the different techniques acquired from the remaking of propaganda and Kruger’s work I then used my creativity to caption and edit my images to create propaganda. When creating them I considered, font style, colour schemes, positioning of texts and how the image and text come together to create a meaning. The photographs themselves showcase photography techniques such as chiaroscuro which contrasts light and shadow, depth of field, formal elements and focus point. The images below clearly demonstrate these techniques. When editing all the images I started off by levelling them and adjusting the curves for dramatic effect. For the first image I then turned it black and white by adjusting the saturation slider, ctrl + U, and then added the text. The second image I made my image seem like a drawing by making it seem like the second piece of propaganda I created, by adjusting blending modes and adding a gaussian blur. The final image was kept in colour and had text added. In my opinion I like the way all of these edits have turned out, but critically speaking the image below is the most successful, as I believe the photograph (techniques and overall looks) and text work well together and produces the most powerful and persuading meaning, thus creating a successful piece of propaganda.
Displaying Idea:
As I was creating these edits, I knew that I wanted to use them as a final piece but I was not sure how. It wasn’t until I was scrolling through Pinterest when I sore some propaganda from WW2 being displayed on a pin board, which sparked my idea to display my propaganda on a pin board. I believe that this idea showcases contextual factors, as it was a way of actually displaying the propaganda during the second world war, which will showcase part of Jersey’s Journey through the second world war. Moreover, It is a nice way to display all of the outcomes, as it is ascetically pleasing and all the images work together to create an overall powerful effect, and remind people about the impact propaganda has on people’s lives during the second world war.
Below is an image displaying how I would arrange the images on a cork board. I used a background image off a cork board (taken from google) and placed it on a new document on photoshop. I then added all of my propaganda onto the page, adjusting their size (ctrl + t). I then randomly placed them around the board, with them overlapping one another, creating a messy but ascetically pleasing effect.
Evaluation:
To evaluate these edits, I believe that I have produced strong outcomes which showcase my ability to critically decide on images, my competence in using different photoshop tools and my exploration to different ideas to present these images. I have been able to clearly replicate some of the more ‘famous’ propaganda, which showcases my ability of tableaux photography. I then transformed these edits into GIFs, which shows my ability to further explore an idea and showcase a different form and style of presenting a set of images. I then successfully created my own work which have been inspired by Kruger. The images showcase my ability to take inspiration but add my own artistic style to create an overall successful image. Afterwards, I then created my own propaganda using the different techniques, given by the artists, and different photoshop tools in order to create powerful propaganda. Then looking at displaying my works allows me to see how all the images work well together and present a strong final image, which impacts viewers on how propaganda played a massive role in Jersey during the second world war, which reinforces to project itself. In my opinion these edits are some of strongest so far, making this idea worth while and the most successful.