Claude Cahun, born 1894 and died in 1954 , was a French lesbian photographer, sculptor and writer. In 1917 Claude was best known for self-portraits. These portraits where photographed to show off the culture or identity of lesbian/gay people. As for it was frowned apron to be that type of person in that time, these images (portraits) that Claude took were strong, powerful images that were hated by some but loved but others. The torture that if people in around 1917 chose to be somebody different to what society wanted us to be like , people would be beaten up, tormented , or even killed.

MOOD BOARD –

This image of Claude herself shows her transformation of a girl into a boy like style. As for the short hair and the no makeup look as well as the boy fleece. In 1921 when this image had been taken, it was a horrible era for gay/trans people as for it was so disgusted by others. This image shows a reflection of Claudes face in the mirror, this may indicate that she looks at herself as a boy/lesbian, even in her own reflection. She looks at the camera with a strong look in her eyes that she’s not disheartened of who she is , she seems to give off a sense that she is proud of who she is. This reflection in the mirror gives off two sides to her life as for her being born one way and identifying as another.

Phillip Toledano

Phillip Toledano was born in 1968. He was a British photographer living and working in New York City. Hes photography is based apron the lives of individual people that suffer from either a loss or a tragic event that has happened in their life. He captures photographs of people who seem to be going through a hard, painful part of their life. His work links to the theme of Identity as for this part of his models life can effect who they are and how they identity themselves to others. Here are a few examples of his work

MOOD BOARD –

These Images by Phillip Toledano seem to all have a cold, down approach to them as for they are all sad and disheartening. They all seem to have a story behind the photo. For example, the bottom left photograph is a man holding his dog in a sorrow way. A downwards look to the floor, a gloomy setting with the curtains shut and a black T-shirt gives of the impression that this man is feeling some sort of loss or grief . He holds his dog tight to his chest , as if its the only thing that is left to keep him standing. No expression is given off in his face which suggests that hes hurt, lonely or suffering from something in his life. This effects his Identity of who he is as a whole , is he missing someone? Is he lonely?

Nancy Borowick

Nancy Borowick is an American photographer. Her work primarily documents family structures and personal histories to dissect how humans interact with, grieve, and memorialize loved ones. This relates to how we cope and deal with relationships and those people that are close in out lives.

These images in black and white show the love these couples or loved ones have for each other. The emotion expressed on these peoples faces seems to be a kind , loving and warm feeling. They seem to be there for each other such as the bottom left image. This image shows a lady holding an elderly man whilst he is in hospital. A part in these peoples identity shows that they have a kind heart towards others that may not be doing so well. Nancy seems to capture these images in the moment, they seem to be real day to day life experiences. As a viewer, these images in my opinion gives off a strong message as to be there for your loved ones if they aren’t doing as well as you.

IDENTITY

The definition of “Identity” can be described in many different ways, such as the dictionary definition – “the fact of being who or what a person or thing is.” But also peoples own opinion on what identity is described, shown or photographed as. In my opinion , Identity is is a way in which someone truly shows their inner being is , as for us humans the way we take control in our personality, appearance and behavior around others such as family, friends and ourselves. A big part of the meaning of identity evolves around love and passion. Being passionate or loving something in your life can really shape someone into who they are and who they identify themselves to be. Capturing this in day to day life can be difficult as we live in a very stereotypical world. The love that people have in e.g. “a sport or an appearance” can be fround apron and hated which indicates seeing a person doing or being who they identify as to themselves can be hated by others.

PLACE

The definition of “Place” is simple in terms of where/area or a position someone is in. The dictionary definition – “a particular position, point, or area in space; a location.” A place such as a country or city someone is found in can describe themselves as for where they are from. A place such as an environment can capture what a person does in their life. A setting or scene in which someone is seen in can describe what they might be facing in real life. Whether it be a difficult place or happy environment a person or group of people are in , a place can affect someones life very heavily. For example it can effect their mental-health, their living situation, their lifestyle etc…

This whole concept of a place or what a place is to someone can influence and be a part of a persons identity. Whether this is someones upbringing environment or where you live (a city , country side) It all links into a persons identity and who they are seen as.

MIND MAP

CULTURE – SKATER STYLE –

Identity and Place (Skateboarders) –

These young people are identified as skaters in the city of London. Their appearance is a massive part of their identity, such as for clothing. The baggy , casual look, known as “cool” aesthetic look. Their personal look … tattoos , messy hair , piercings. Their love and passion of skating contributes towards how they are seen to others which is their identity. The fitness and skills for the sport is something that needs to be practiced on over time.

This means the place of which they skate involves their identity. Skateboarding is fairly fround apron around London by much of the public. Therefore skateboarders can be found in usually underground areas, car parks, skate parks, quiet streets of London or any city where others wouldn’t normally visit. Theses areas seem to be either run down, abandoned or adapted to create a skate area.

For my next photo shoot I will be playing around with the colour of the studio lighting , making strong shadows and creating detailed portraits. I will be asking my model to pose with their hands and where to direct their face. My camera set up is the following….

Camera settings (continuous lighting)
Tripod: recommended to avoid camera shake
Manual exposure mode
White balance: tungsten light (3200K)
ISO: 400-1600 – depending on how many light sources
Exposure: Manual 1/60-1/125 shutter-speed > f/4-f/8 aperture
– check settings before shooting
Focal lenght: 50mm portrait lens

Studio Set Up –

Contact Sheet…..

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History –

The invention of photography came around from a guy named Louis Daguerre, who first introduced the concept in 1839. That same year, Robert Cornelius produced what’s considered the first photographic self-portrait. Portrait studios started to become more popular in the next year. This was used to identify someone’s self in ID cards for upper class people. Or studios were used to create books to log in photos of wealthy locals in a particular country. Here is some examples of early portraiture…..

What Is Portrait Photography? –

Portrait photography, or portraiture, is a type of photography aimed toward capturing the personality of a person or group of people by using effective lighting, backdrops, and poses. This captures different facial expressions which indicates on a mood that the person is in the photo. The use of colours effects this, for example – The use of red indicates anger or love. Portraits can be used to show someone’s personality such as what they wear or what makeup they have on. Backdrops/scenery suggests what the models life is based upon or simply to make the photograph more effective. Here is an example of a more modern portrait photographer…

David Bailey

David is a British Portrait Photographer who was born in 1939 (age 81). He is known for his advertising, celebrity, and fashion photographs. Having been interested from his youth in painting and photography, in 1959 he apprenticed at the John French Studio, where he became involved in fashion photography.

Mood Board –

Analysis –

This Portrait above of Jude Law taken in 2004 is a studio portrait photograph. We can indicate that this photo was taken in a studio as for the backdrop – a white infinity backdrop. This is a long white thick paper like material which has a curve when reaching the floor. This creates the curve which on a camera looks like a white setting with no ending or any corners ect. This photo , edited in black and white, has a quite harsh artificial light coming from the left side of his face. This contrasts with the dark shadow formed on the right side of his face. The colour balance between black and white is equal as for the black blazer being one type of shade as well as the shirt being on type of shade of white. This is known as a dull image for any colour captured. The portrait is symmetrical as for the face and body facing the camera straight on. As for Jude’s eyes, they give off a deep gaze directly into the camera. No emotion seems to be shown from his facial expression. The cigarette suggests more of a reckless personality to viewers.

Photoshoot 1

Studio Set Up –

Camera Settings –

(flash lighting)
Tripod: optional
Use transmitter on hotshoe
White balance: daylight (5000K)
ISO: 100
Exposure: Manual 1/125 shutter-speed > f/16 aperture
– check settings before shooting
Focal lenght: 105mm portrait lens

Contact Sheet…

My Best Portraits –

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Here , above is one of my images that I have related to David Bailey’s work as for the strong contrast between the light facial features and the shadow formed on the left side of the face. To capture a more sophisticated image , using a more of a harsh key light to bring out a more white colour on the right would link to David’s work better.

Inspiration –

Henry Mullins was a profile picture photographer who producing over 9,000 portrait photos of islanders in Jersey between the time of 1852 – 1873. In this time period, the population of islanders was 55,000. He had a base studio known as the Royal Saloon at 7 Royal Square in Jersey where he would photograph Jersey political elite, mercantile families, military officers and professional classes. His portraits were printed in albums using egg whites to bind the photographic chemicals to the paper. To create the head shot he desired to get he would first take a portrait photo of someones feet/knees and above. Then he would simply cut around the body to create a photo of shoulders and above. These photos were placed together (mainly in a group of four different head shots) by the same person to create a diamond cameo …….

As we can see Henry’s work is based upon upper class workers who seem to be wealthy locals from Jersey. They are photographed wearing their best uniform next to posh and expensive furniture to show off their wealthiness for their profile pictures. Here are some of my own diamond cameo’s….

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My Best Portraits –

Studio Set Up –

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The studio set up involved a tripod for the camera, two flash head lights to cancel out the shadow that would appear in the background as well as to capture good lighting of the face. A white infinity backdrop is hung behind the model for a blank background.

Contact Sheet –

Best Photos –

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These images relate to street photography in the sense that having to take images of people without them noticing. This captures them in that exact time with no interference of them knowing that they are getting photographed. This will indicate there exact expression and mood with everything happening naturally and no staging with what the image should look like. Candid Photography seems to be the type of photography that captures the person individually rather than more than one person.

For my street photography photo shoot , I decided to go to town to photograph people in the streets doing their own thing. As for this is what I thought would relate to ‘the decisive moment’. The people I am going to be photographing I will try my best for them to not notice that they are being photographed as for this creates a better street photography environment. Some of my photographs will be relating back to Henri Cartier’s work.

My Editing Process –

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My Best Photos –

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These photos relate to Henri Cartier’s work as for their positioning of the camera and when the moment is captured in time. Personally, taking these photos was hard in a sense that it was very awkward taking photos of random people in public without them knowing. But as for the best street photography being in Henri Cartier’s eyes ‘The decisive moment’ and many other photographers, this was the best way of taking photos for my shoot.

Henri Cartier was a french humanist photographer who was born in 1908 and died in 2004. He was well known all over most of Europe and France for his talent and was considered a master at candid photography (street photography). He was inspired when he was young by his father who was a wealthy textile merchant as well as his uncle, an accomplished painter.

The Decisive Moment –

 The decisive moment refers to capturing an event that is spontaneous, where the image represents the essence of the event itself. This simply means that the event/scene is not set up , its all natural and it captures the day to day life of whatever is being photographed . No poses , no acting , just all original moments. To capture a decisive moment , first you can find a good background, and wait for your subject to enter the frame at the right time, and then click to capture ‘the decisive moment. ‘ Or if wanting a more quicker moment to capture simply taking a photo so quick without the public/ whatever you are photographing knowing. This phrase ‘ the decisive moment’ is known mostly for street photographers such as Henri Cartier who was a co- founder.

Mood Board-

Analysis –

In this Photograph we can clearly make out that there are children playing down a street next to a concrete wall that seems to have barbed wire/ electric fence at the top. In fact this wall was the Berlin Wall that physically divided Berlin from east Germany. This wall was created in 1961 as for this photo being taken in 1962 , these children seem to have been interested in such a big change to their town/city.

The image itself was taken in black and white and we can see that the natural light floods in from the top right hand corner. We can tell its day time as there is no artificial lighting. The lighting makes the image look like a gloomy , dull day. In some parts of this image the exposure levels are a bit over what they should be , creating harsh black objects that contrast with the over exposed parts (the bright sky). As for the children being in shorts and dresses , this images seems to be set in a warm environment. As for this photograph being in black and white , the tonal range from light the dark is quite equal . They don’t overall each other. The lines in this image seem to be even and straight mostly. There isn’t much pattern to this image. But when looking at the image first glance, your eyes are drawn down the stretch of alley was as for the angle the picture was taken.

Linking back to ‘ The Decisive Moment ‘ this scene of children playing along the Berlin Wall captures a moment in time as for the children doing there own thing. For example… no acting , they are playing among themselves . Henri does a great job at showing off his talent of understanding what exactly ‘ The Decisive Moment ‘ is, but not only that , he captures a great street photography image.

Comparing and Contrasting Henri Cartier’s Work to John Bulmer’s work –

John was known for his use of colour in photojournalism. His street photography links to Henri Cartier as for capturing ‘ The Decisive Moment ‘ . His photography captures moments in time/scene/event. As for his photography is a bit more modern than Henri’s , he still photographs in style of Henri’s images. For example…..

Comparing Johns and Henri’s photography –

Both images have similarities such as the setting the photo was taken in. Both images have children playing among themselves and are set in a street/alley with concrete walls surrounding the children. The dull atmosphere such as the bare skies and grey flooring creates a cold/boring scene. The colours that stands out in Johns work (the red jumper or the blue dress) gives off a more intriguing look towards the photograph. This draws the viewers eyes more to johns work then Henri’s work. Another similarity found would be that both images have a stretch of alley way looking down the picture which draws our eyes towards the natural light down the image to the right. Even though both images are set in different areas of Europe, they both have that olden feel to them. As for in present time children are found using their free time on technology, in the years 1962-1964 (when these images were taken) children would be found playing in the streets with whatever they can find.