INITIAL IDEAS

My idea for my second shoot is to explore the theme of gender identity. In order to portray this theme effectively, my plan is to use a handheld projector to project different images onto my subject’s face and body. After I have printed these images out, I will use a needle and various colours of thread to sew around different parts of the photograph. I think that this will be a successful way to show the concept of gender identity because I will be able to portray how people can choose to hide behind their presumed ‘identity’ in order to conceal who they really are. Additionally, it will also be able to show how members of society can sometimes project their views and opinions on others.

INSPIRATION

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FIRST CONTACT SHEETS

For this shoot I used a handheld projector against a plain white background, which helped to create my desired three dimensional effect. I chose and downloaded different images from the internet to project onto my subject because I wanted a range of dark and light tones. Additionally, the different images create contrasting moods and feelings. In order to ensure that my images are the best quality possible, I will edit and adjust some of the colouring on PhotoShop, as well as the sharpness and shadows.

EDITING PROCESS

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PHOTOSHOP EDITING

To start with, I adjusted the brightness and contrast on all of my base images until I got an end result that I was happy with. I did this by selecting the image tab at the top of the screen and clicking adjustments, then brightness/contrast. For my second and fourth images, I brought the brightness most of the way down so that the shadows across my subject’s face would be more noticeable. Next, I decided to adjust the vibrance of my images, by selecting the image tab, then adjustments, then vibrance. I did this because I wanted all the colours in my photographs to be brighter. Then, I adjusted the saturation by selecting the image tab, then adjustments, then hue/saturation. I increased the saturation the most in my fourth image, as I wanted the viewer to be able to see the orange-toned colours more clearly. After that, I wanted to change the colour balance of my images. I did this by selecting the image tab, then adjustments, then colour balance. I slid my mouse across all three of the different colour scales until I was happy with the result, and the right colours had been emphasised.

After I had made all the adjustments to my base images, I selected the one which I liked the most to use for my final image. I chose my second image and opened it in PhotoShop. I decided I wanted to duplicate my subject and have three of her all next to one another. To do this I selected the layer on the right hand side of my screen and duplicated it by pressing control c. Now that I had two layers I selected the new one and used the object selection tool to pick out my subject. I then copied the area outlined by the object selection tool and pasted it onto my background layer. I did this once more to get three subjects, and I then moved and adjusted them until I got an end result that I was happy with.

After I had finished duplicating my subject and arranged them into the position I wanted, I decided to add something else to my image so that it wouldn’t just be plain. I selected the brush tool and changed the size and hardness using the corresponding scales at the top of my screen. I then selected the soft round brush from the different options. I used the eyedropper tool to sample one of the colours from my image; I chose a pale blue colour which is as close to white as I could find. I began to trace the outline of my subjects with the brush, making small horizontal dashes which were close together. To finish, I adjusted the sharpness of the photograph by selecting the filter tab, then sharpen.

FINAL IMAGE