I have selected a handful of images to see a comparison between the photographs I have taken. This lets me see which ones I think are good and which styles worked in the images. I have drawn something over some of the images to remind myself of what is happening, if I liked the image and if I would want to edit in the image in various ways such as cropping or by making some of the colours stand out more.
When i first started this project, i was not sure where to begin. i tried to emulate the work of Martin Creed using a scrunched up paper ball on a white background to emphasize the shadows and lines that it creates. I then tried taking pictures of ripped up paper but i feel like it didn’t give the ragged effect that i was looking for. the next day i decided to try it with a black background and i feel like this worked much better as there was a very high contrast between the black and white paper.
I wanted the lines and creases of the paper to be a similar shade to the black behind it to create a 3D image of sorts. As you can see below it worked with varying degrees of success.
I decided to use the flash to take this picture and i like the effect of the shadows that make the paper look very 3D as you can see many of the subtle angles and creases of the paper. For many of the Pictures with a black background, i have increased the contrast and brought the exposure down slightly so that the paper looks like it is floating.
For this picture, i did the same as the previous photo and brought up the contrast, but decided to also decrease the color and vibrance noise, i liked the way it created the very smooth paper with no crinkles or as many imperfections as the previous one. i also like the way the paper was given a cell-shaded style by the reduction of noise and it creates a very unique looking image.
This image was one that i did not think would work as i simply didn’t think it looked particularly interesting. However, while editing, i decided to increase the amount of shadows and also contrast, then put a dark vignette around the edge to give it a more atmospheric look. i feel as though i have achieved the atmosphere that i wanted to create especially because of the abstract elements of the photo.
When we went to see Claude Cahoon and Claire Rae‘s photography exhibition it was obvious that Claude Cahoon had a strong influence on Claire Rae‘s work as their styles are very similar, in addition to both photographers taking only black and white photos.
Both photographers also implement their body into their photos. However, they do this in their owns styles; Claire Rae makes her self look vulnerable, as if one move could end in her falling/getting injured. Whereas Claude Cahoon explored abstract themes which were not commonly talked about at the time.
However, none of the work by these two photographers was my favourite from the visit; in my opinion the pink floyd was the best. This is because it had great use of shape and pattern. The name of the band spread out through edited versions of their most famous album cover ‘dark side of the moon’. This photo appeals to most of the general public due to its uniform structure and the pictures its made of being recognised by nearly everyone.
WHY WE DID THIS –
The aim of this photo shoot was to capture the abstract shapes and forms which can be found all around us.Even when going through school, in mundane things, beauty can be found. I captured images which suit best the theme of “abstract”, incorporating simple shapes and forms in order to do so.
I went to Claude Cahun and Clare Rae’s art exhibition to view their photography. Their photos were very similar and you could see that Clare Rae has been inspired by Claude Cahun’s work, they has almost identical set ups in some of the photos and you could see their meanings of the photos so boldly and clearly behind the photos. However there were dissimilarities in the photos such as Claude Cahun’s photos were self-portraits and they were showing her emotions and struggles with gender identity, where as Clare Rae used other women than herself to portray women and her emotional views. Overall the art exhibition was an experience, it showed me new ways to photograph things and how to use other objects in the photos, without making it look setup.
These are a selection of photos by both photographers; 
Clare Rae
Clare Rae 
Claude Cahun
This photo by Clare Rae shows how she was inspired by Claude Cahun’s work, as she has taken this photo in a remote are and is showing female domination in this image of hers. I chose this photo because the mood in this photo is showing a women’s emotion. Her head is hanging low which shows how the gender equality has effected her in a way of having no confidence or no sense or worth. The was Clare Rae decided to have her foot propped up onto the wall gives the photo an extra element to it, it makes it more interesting to look at and effective.
I chose this photo from Claude Cahun’s photographs because I like the way she has used the rope in the images, this adds something extra to the photo, instead of it just being a simple self portrait. This photo creates a sense of mystery, as you can’t see her face, but it makes it more intriguing as you wonder why she has decided to do this. I interpenetrate this photo as Claude Cahun going through a stage of unknowing and embarrassment as she has hidden her face almost as if she doesn’t want anyone to see her until she has figured out her gender
Clare Rae has mainly used females throughout her photos as did Claude Cahun but she also put herself in the photos. Clare Rae’s photos are showing that females are equal to men, by photographing them in an working environment, also in some of her photos she has covered women’s body parts, suggesting they are figuring out their identity and this is similar to Claude Cahun as she was trying to figure out her identity. Their photos helped get their emotions and opinions across to everyone through photography.
Both these images caught my eye when at the exhibition but both for different reasons. Clare’s work all had her in it as the focal point but the positions she took up didn’t overpower the photos they blended in with the surrounding well and even though some of the positions looked uncomfortable they created a delicate feel to the photo, like in the one below. Her clothes also add to this they where clearly thought out, in the photo above she wears a mid-length skirt which adds to the modesty of the photo and how she doesn’t want to be spotted she wants to blend in with her surrounding and not stand out. Whereas I feel the opposite with some of Claude’s work, as she dresses up very boldly to make a statement, but in the photo below I felt differently because her naked body seemed to fit perfectly with the surroundings. The low position meant she could become closer to her surroundings creating a more natural pose. The seaweed wrapped around her is a subtle but genius addition to the photo, it’s as if the water is trying to grab onto her and bring her closer. Even though being naked isn’t subtle, to me it feels delicate and it’s our natural state, so it matches the natural state of the rocks and the sand. Cahun is well known for exploring the world of gender within her work, I feel that Rae has also emphasized that in her work. The two photos above both exhibit a great deal of gender confusion as the people in the photos could be either male or female. Both positions show a lack of control over themselves and how they can’t move a certain way, they are who they are, and they can’t do anything about it, they are stuck that way. Also, the fact that neither of their faces are showing expresses how you can’t define gender by a certain look, facial features don’t have anything to do with your gender, you make your gender, your looks don’t define you.
