For my next photo  shoot, I’m developing my previous idea further. Still using the same concepts and photographer as inspiration I decided to photograph a model in a different setting. I wanted to go somewhere where I could have an open space, like Woodman did in her work- and also somewhere that had quite a gloomy old feeling so I chose to conduct my photo shoot in a car park, using a wall as my background.  I took the same approach to this photo shoot as I did with my previous one. I made sure to utilise the same type of clothing on my model, and I also wanted the model to use body language in order to express certain concepts and feelings that i felt could be associated with a loss or lack of identity. I also used long exposure combined with a lower ISO in order to achieve the blurry effects in the images you can see below.

Contact sheets

(add 3rd contact sheet)

Best Outcomes

 

Analysing

Technical

This image was taken using quite a slow shutter speed and a low ISO.

visual

In the photo we see a female figure were black clothing blurrily holding he arms up to hold her face. She appears to be quite sad/mad/distressed as her pose looks like an emotional outburst. The model is surrounded by a large,open, plain space.

conceptual

This image is supposed to portray the feelings that may be associated with loosing or lacking an identity. The female in the image clearly feeling quite distressed. This emotional outburst is something I would consider to be associated with not being sure who you were. The fact that she’s also dressed very plainly and that the image is taken in an open space is also representative of not having an identity, as her clothing and the space that she’s in is very plain and not individualised.

 

For my third photo shoot I wanted to convey the feeling and theme of lack of identity while also exploring gender identity. I will be using Francesca’s work as inspiration for this photo shoot.  For this particular shoot I was inspired by the images below.

The 3 images above show female figures moving around, while Woodman photographed them using a slow shutter speed. I will be doing the same, as I think its very interesting the way she represents these women questioning their identity by making them appear almost ghost like, and making them almost disappear into the image as they look blurry. I also think its interesting how all their features are blurred as that also symbolises that the women don’t have identities since we cant see anything that makes them look individual. For my photo shoot I will make sure my models are wearing simple dresses, just as the women in the image are wearing, as I think it’s a very successful piece of clothing when using long exposure as it’s loose and will flow meaning that it will help me achieve the effect where it almost looks like the models are blending into their surroundings. I will also be photographing my model in a studio to begin with so that I have a more controlled environment to perfect the long exposure technique. Later I plan on using more interesting settings when I further develop my set of images inspired by Woodman.

Contact sheets

Best Outcomes

 

Analysing

Technical

While taking this image I set my camera settings at a slow shutter speed along with a low ISO. I did this because the slow shutter speed meant the exposure time would be very long, so by lowering the ISO the image didn’t turn out overexposed.

Visual

In this image we can see a female figure dressed in a black dress. Due to long exposure it seems as though there are 2 people standing in the same space, but in different positions as she was moving while the image was being taken. In the photo we can see one of the faces smiling, and another face like figure with their face hidden so only the side is visible.

Conceptual

This image is meant to convey a feeling of a lack of identity. I feel as though this has been done quite well. One reason for this is because it looks like the model in the image is there twice, showing a lack of individuality as they both the figures look the same. It also conveys 2 different feelings. As the model was moving and making different facial expressions, we see one version of her face smiling like she’s happy and we see another version where she concealed her face by turning her head, which meant that we could only see her jaw. This could symbolise the emotions that come with feeling like you have a lack of identity as she appears happy but there’s also part of her who may feel as though she was self-conscious to show her face.

In this post I will be referring back to this mood board:

Now that I have my 2 contrasting set of images completed I’m now going on to editing them using the mood board above as inspiration. The reasoning behind editing my images like this is so that it is clear to viewers that that one image will be a stereotypical representation, and the other will be a different version challenging the view. Conceptually, I’m hoping to show that there is more than one possible way for someone to look, as people feel differently and represent themselves in different ways, giving them different variations of identity.

Editing

Initial final outcome

This is the outcome that I got from the above process. I think that this outcome was quite successful because we’re able to see both of the contrasting images through each other, and its clearly noticeable that one image symbolises a more feminine identity and the other shows an opposite variation. By having both images displayed directly on top of each other its a lot easier to be able to notice all of the contrasts in the model’s appearance, meaning that the image is more successful at getting its meaning across

 

 

Initial final outcome

This is the final outcome from editing my 2 images together the second time. Like the last outcome, we are able to see the model on both of the images. I think that this outcome is also able to get the concept of differing identities within the same gender, because we see the same model presenting herself in two different way directly over each other which makes it a lot easier to be able to spot all the contrasts.

 

 

 

 

Comparing my outcomes

I think that both of my outcomes using layering, both show the differing appearance of the model quite effectively. However, I think that my 1st outcome (image right above this text) is the most successful one. I think this because with the other outcome we’re not clearly able to see the model’s whole body due to them being directly over each other. I think that being able to see how the model has positioned her body is very important in showing her identity as the way someone uses body langue says a lot about how they see themselves, meaning its their identity.

 

 

 

 

Final outcome overall

 

 

 

 

 

Editing

Next I will be using a technique where I create a pattern on Photoshop and use it as an overlay for another image.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final outcome

Overall I’m very happy with my final outcome. In the image we can see the “feminine female” image being made up of lots of smaller versions of the same model from the contrasting shoot. This outcome is another way of showing how the way a gender represents themselves can vary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final 2 images

 

For my 2nd photo shoot I wanted to something that contrasted with the 1st. I wanted this to represent a more masculine female identity. So for this I will have my model pose in a less feminine way. In contrast to the 1st I will not have my model wearing any sort of feminine clothing (skirt), or makeup. Instead I will have her wear trousers and  baggy cardigan as it’s plain clothing that isn’t usually associated with typical females in the media.

 

Contact sheets

Best outcomes

 

Analysing

 Technical

In this image the model is positioned in the centre of the spotlight in front of a white back drop.

Visual

In this image we see the same model from the previous photo shoot. This time she is dressed in black jeans, a black cardigan and white trainers. She’s sat on a stool with her left leg hanging off, and her left leg folded inwards. Her back is also slightly slouched so her arms can support her leg.

Conceptual

I think that this photo is quite effective in showing that there are variations of what people see as the “typical women”. In this image the model is wearing a lot of black, which typically isn’t a colour associated with femininity. The model is also posed in way that could be typically associated with “masculinity” as she is slightly slouching. Her long hair is also tied back  to make it less obvious, as long hair can often be associated with femininity.

 

 

 

Technical

In this image, the model is situated in the studio with a spot light positioned in front of her.

Visual

In the photo, we can see a female model wearing an over sized black cardigan, black jeans, a white top and white trainers. She is posed sitting on the ground with both her hands outstretched behind her.

Conceptual

This image, similar to the one above is effective in showing an opposite view to stereotypical dressed up females in the media. Here, the model is wearing dark and less feminine clothing. I especially like how in this image her posing is quite relaxed, as this is not normally seen in the media, such as magazine covers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For my first photo shoot I will be photographing the individual as how the “modern day women”. I will be using how women are portrayed in the modern day media as inspiration. Below is my mood board and mind map and planning, in order for me to achieve the stereotypical vision in my images.I plan to have my model dressed up in typical “feminine clothing”, something like a dress or a skirt.

Mood board

Mind Map

Contact sheet

Successful outcomes

   

Editing

Analysing

Technical

This image was taken in a studio with a white background and a spotlight placed in front of my model.

Visual

In this image we see a female posed in the centre of a spotlight. She is wearing a black top and also a pink skirt. She is posing with her left hand rested on her hip, and her right hand is held up to her face as she laughs.

Concept

I wanted this photo shoot to represent a very typical type of feminine woman. By having the model wear a pink skirt- and matching scrunchie on her wrist- I think this is conveyed as pink could be considered a stereotypical colour associated with women. The choice of a skirt was also intentional as it is a clothing item traditionally worn by females. The pose is also helpful in conveying a “feminine” vibe as the hand on the hip can be seen as a typical female pose, and the hand near the mouth while she’s laughing can make the model seem quite delicate, which is also a stereotypical feminine trait.

 

 

 

Technical

This photo was taken in the studio with a spotlight.

Visual

This image shows a female with her body sideways to the camera, and with her face looking directly into the lens. Her hands are neatly by her side and her hair has been flipped back, and the photo shows it moving in mid air as its pushed backwards.

Concept

Similar to the last image, this photo conveys stereotypical feminine traits. As I’ve mentioned previously, I used the colour pink, to represent femininity, as it is typically a colour associated with females. However, whats different with this image is that the model is posing with another “feminine pose”, as it is one where her long hair attracts a lot of attention. I think this pose is effective in showing typical femininity as long hair is a stereotypical image that can be associated with girls.