I wanted to create a set of images in the style of Birthe Piontek. This is the image that inspired me.

Firstly, I chose 2images to edit. I would edit 1 with no face, and create the hole in the head effect. And 1 of the face inside and 1 outside the head, as I think it relates to hiding your identity and the opposite showing your identity.

I chose these 2 images to edit :

Process of editing the hole in the head.

I started off by removing the background. I used the object selection tool then select and mask option then I refined the edges to make it smooth.

I then put the background in, which was a normal cloudy day. The problem was that the subject was a different colour to the background and it didn’t match. I used the curves adjustment and used the dark colour picker to select the darkest colour in the background then put that on the darkest colour on the subject. I did this for the mid-tones and highlights. This made it so both the subject and background matched. I added gaussian blur to the background.

I used the pen tool to create a smooth mask of the face then I deleted the selection, which made the hole in the face effect.

It didn’t look normal, so I used the pen tool again to create an edge, I changed the colour to a skin tone so it looked normal. Although the whole of the image was 3D except from the hole in the face.

I used the pen tool to create the second layer which signified a 3D aspect. I added a shadow by creating a clipping mask, then using a black brush tool with 0% hardness. To contrast the shadow I added highlights by using a white brush tool with 0% hardness, after I added a soft light blend option, which made it more smooth.

These were all the layers with adjustments, so you can see the structure.

Final Image – 1

Reviewing my image, I really like how it turned out, as it is similar to Birthe Piontek’s image where he removed the face and you can see behind it. The background is clean and fits well.
I feel that the gaussian blur in the background makes you focus on the subject more.
I also like how you can clearly see through the background through the hole.

Critique

I don’t really like how the inside of the hole is fake, maybe I could of taken a sample of the skin off the face and textured the inside to make it realistic.

Process of editing face inside the head/off the head.

Firstly, I used the pen tool to create a clean mask selection of the face.
For the face inside I had to make sure that the mask wasn’t touching the edge. For the face outside the head I had to make sure that it was over the edge, to get all the side of the face. I moved the face outside the head to create the effect that it was coming off.

Next I used a black brush tool to create shadows and to blend the face into the shadows, which create a nice blend.

I used a black and white adjustment layer and put it on everything except of the mask of the face, because I think it gave a unique touch.

Final Images – 2

Evaluation

I like how this image turned out, as it unique and in the style of Birthe Piontek. I feel like the black and white filter works well, as the saying “showing your true colours” I think that it represents it as the face is the only coloured part in this image.
I think this image shows someone that is confident, and someone that “puts their face out there.”

Final Image – 3

Evaluation

I think this images composition, is better. Not only is it in the same style as Birthe Piontek, but I think it shows someone that is more shy, therefore hiding their identity. It shows that as the face is hiding behind in the head.

Critique

I think the original mask of the face could be smoother as there is some ridges in the image, such as the pointy chin in the image where the face is coming off.
Also if the photo was a bit more clear, and facing towards the camera, it would be easier to mask out, instead its at an awkward angle, therefore harder to accurately mask a selection of the face.

You can see how similar they are side by side.

Firstly, I started out to create an image in the style of Evilsabeth Schmitz-Garcia.

I would use the photographs from Photo Shoot 1. These were the photos that I took that were simplistic, and had a variety of facial expressions. This was because that was one of the key aspects of Evilsabeth Schmitz-Garcia’s work, other than the warped and manipulated effect.

Overall, I chose the photo where the subject was smiling as most of Evilsabeth Schmitz-Garcia’s work has their mouth open or semi-open, as the manipulation effect works better.

This is the photo I chose to edit :

Process

In Photoshop I would need to :
– Edit the background black (as all of Evilsabeth Schmitz-Garcia’s photos have a dark background)
– Add some green/yellow particles into the background (In Evilsabeth Schmitz-Garcia’s photos there is always some colouration in the background)
– Add grain/noise (to get the scan effect)
– Experiment with overlays, such as the hands I took in Photo Shoot 3.

After Photoshop I would print out the image and place it on the scanner. Whilst it is scanning i would move the printed photo along, this is how the manipulation effect occurs.

These are all the layers in Photoshop.

Firstly, I selected the object with the quick selection tool, then clicked the select and mask option. This would remove the white background so I could replace it with a black background.
To clean up the edges, I used the refine edge brush in the select and mask screen. This blurs the edges so any white space; cause by the lights, in the hair would get removed. This gave the cut out a clean look. After I outputted it onto a new layer then renamed it “fin”.

I created a black background layer under the “fin” layer, this made the edges of the face stand out too much and created a sharp line, which I didn’t want. To fix this I created a Clipping Mask then used the brush tool (black) with a hardness of 0% and smoothing of 0%. This made it so the brush wasn’t harsh and gave it a “gradient” effect, so it faded into the background.
On the left side of his face I added some “highlights” using the brush tool (white) at 0% hardness, I used a clipping mask then used the brush to create the shine effect, where the light was coming from. I had to turn down the opacity to 65%, otherwise the white was too overpowering.
I added a green tint to a part of the face, the layer named “green”. I used an adjustment layer then changed the hue to green. This made the whole face green, so I used the eraser tool with a hardness of 0% to remove the green from 70% of the face.

To add the background colours I used the brush tool with 0% hardness, the colours I used were green and yellow. I added motion blur to the colours, so they weren’t just block of colour in the background. I also turned down the opacity so the colours weren’t as bright to match the tones Evilsabeth Schmitz-Garcia used.

I experimented by adding a hand into the photo. I started by removing the background with quick selection and select and mask, which is the same process as the face cut-out. First of all, it seemed out of place as it was really bright, so I added an adjustment layer for brightness and contrast, which I turned down the brightness and turned up the contrast. After I turned down the opacity to make it so that was almost hidden, therefore not contrasting the main focus point.

I printed the image, although it was a bit dark so the increased the brightness and reprinted it.
After, I placed the image on the scanner. As it started to scan I moved the image to manipulate the outcome. I did this about 20 times. I photographed the best 4 so I can take them into photoshop, and refine them. these were the 4 scanner outcomes:

I took these 4 images into Photoshop. Firstly I, found my base layer, which was the one in the top row far left in the selection above.
Then, I removed the background of the tall image with the eraser, then added it on top of the base layer. I used the eraser tool with a hardness of 0% to create a gentle gradient into the base layer.
Next, I only masked out the lips from the tall face, and made duplicate copies of it. I used the warp tool to change the aspect ratio of it to match the image so it would look like it is being stretched and pulled between the faces. After, I added motion blur to smoothen it out.

After it all matched, I added another face as Evilsabeth Schmitz-Garcia normally uses 3 faces. I removed the background then uses the eraser tool again to fade it into the base layer (middle face).
After, I masked out the right eye from the new face then used the warp tool the connect it to the middle faces eye. I would need to use the eraser tool to get rid of the sharp edges.#

Once I had finished the composition of the image, I renamed all of the layers, then fattened the image. I added adjustment layers to make it more in the style of Evilsabeth Schmitz-Garcia.
I used a hue/saturation where I added the green effect that Schmitz-Garcia uses in here final images.
The brightness/contrast adjustment is a normal adjustment where I brightened the images and made the blacks more dark.

Finally I added a camera-RAW filter to touch up the final image. I started off by changing the tint, highlights, shadows, blacks, and the white. (right image).
Secondly, I changed the individual colours, but mostly the greens, yellows, and oranges. The greens I increased the most as it was one of the more distinguishable colours. The yellows and oranges I also increased to counter the green. As it was too strong in some areas.

After, I realised that the background was too shiny as I took the images of the paper with a camera. So, I decided to go over the background with the black brush tool and made opacity 75%. It fixed the problem and removed the lighter areas.

That is how I edited my image in the style of Evilsabeth Schmitz-Garcia.

Final Image

Evaluation

Reviewing my image, I like how it turned out, and I feel that there is a strong connection between my image and Evilsabeth Schmitz-Garcia’s image.
The main reason she displayed her images in her style was to capture people with multiple personality disorder. I feel that the manipulation in my image shows that perfectly as there is no sharp interrupting lines between images, instead it looks like it is all one image.
The colours mostly match. I feel that the camera raw filter really helped me achieve this look.
The scanner produced lines on the my images similar to Evilsabeth Schmitz-Garcia image. This is because I actually used a scanner and was a good idea even though it was risky, and I didn’t think it would work.

This is my image side by side with Evilsabeth Schmitz-Garcia’s image that I based mine off, and inspired me.
As you can see they are fairly equal. Overall i think it turned out well.

Critique

Looking back it all went smoothly, except from when I went to print it and it turned out really dark. This is an easy fix, I could of printed it on higher quality paper or better printer. I fixed it by making the image really bright before printing, so when it printed it would be how it was on the screen.

Also if the printer saved a digital copy of the scan I wouldn’t need to take photos of the manipulated results, therefore getting a clearer version. Although, it did add more texture to the image, so it turned out better.

Originally, I was going the use the liquify filter in Photoshop to create the result. In the end I didn’t use it at all. Instead, I used the photocopier, which was a good idea.

Photo Shoot 1 – Simple Photos

I plan to merge these photos together in Photoshop, create a hole in the head, or use a scanner to disfigure them in the style of Evilsabeth Schmitz-Garcia’s work.

Photo Shoot 2 – Colour / Blur Photos

I use different colour lights to experiment which produces better tonal values and highlights.

Photo Shoot 3 – Hands

I plan to edit the background out in Photoshop, then add it to another photo.

Photo Shoot 4 – Leaves And Cables

I looked for leaves and cables that would be a material to edit coming out of the face when I edit it in Photoshop in the style of Birthe Piontek.

Birthe Piontek is a Vancouver-based photographer is most widely recognised for her intimate, narrative-driven portraits.

Most of her work has a straightforward approach. In her recent series “Mimesis” she’s uses images that have a meaning and background to create collages which displays her personal portraits with an investigation into the complexity of human identity.

Piontek searches for found images on Ebay, in thrift stores and flea markets. She primarily looks for images like studio portraits and other non-candid scenarios in which the subject has direct eye contact with the camera.

She knows little about the people in the photographs, she uses them as source material to create her own fictions about their identities, she said, “I usually spend quite a bit of time with the image, looking at it and familiarising myself with it.”

Once she likes the outcome of a photograph, Piontek scans it, then reproduces the image, in many cases working from its copy. She begins manipulating the copy, sometimes cutting into it and incorporating other materials like glass, paint, foil and fabric to give the image an entirely new form. 

I would like to experiment in Photoshop in the style of Birthe Piontek. I would like my final outcome to be like the first image in this post, where the face out of the head.

Technical

Cahun organises the photoshoot and brings preps, such as the ripped piece of paper then, she takes the photo which pretty much the final image. Where as, Schmitz-Garcia takes the photo then edits after using scannographies. this, shows that there is more of a process with Schmitz-Garcia’s photographs. This is partly due to the fact that equipment has been evolved, so there is more potential.

Schmitz-Garcia’s used a dark environment then lights up the face, usually there a a green tint. Schmitz-Garcia uses a more increased saturation. Cahun uses a more natural looking light, during the day.

Schmitz-Garcia’s looks like it would be a long shutter speed as the image is manipulated. Although it is slightly underexposed. Cahun uses a fast shutter speed to make sure there is no blur, also it is perfectly exposed.

Contextual

Cahun is representing more obscure identities within here photographs, it has a high historical context as it was in 1900s-1950s.

Schmitz-Garcia’s is displaying multi-personality disorder in the modern world, which is more relevant to our current time period, which is why i’d like to focus on it more.

Visual

Cahun’s photos are mostly in black and white, as it was the standard in the 1900s. Her shots tend to have an empty background, which makes you focus on the subject more.

Schmitz-Garcia’s photos are coloured but use more dull colours as they’re taken in low light, and have a more serious context. There seems to be some grain in her final results. This is due to the effect that the scanner creates. Schmitz-Garcia’s focus point takes up more of the whole space, as the image is moved out of place.

Conceptual

Schmitz-Garcia’s concept was to stretch the image to visually show different facial expressions and manipulate the figure, it shows something similar to what people with multiple personality disorder would display.

Cahun’s concept was to question identity, gender and the subconscious mind. Successfully she did it by using mirrors, teared paper, outfits and other props to piece together her individual identity and photograph it.

She uses photography to represent Borderline Personality Disorder symptoms with photographs. She decided to use scannographies instead of photos because the pictures she took with her scanner gave her the look she wanted, like “someone trapped inside a dark place”, a dark place which could be a Borderline’s mind.

Her Life

Scanography is the art of recording a subject using a flatbed scanner. It is created in the same way that Xerox art is created using a photocopier, however scanners typically have the ability to create larger, higher quality digital files.

They capture movement in exciting ways, such as Evilsabeth Schmitz-Garcia’s ‘Borderline Personality Disorder’ portraits above, which have been distorted and stretched as the scanner arm moves across the screen. Scanners can also be used to take scans of objects place upon existing photographs, as per the example below.

She began her art studies in 2003, at “Escuela de Arte La Palma, Madrid”, where she had photography as an optional subject. She found out that she was fascinated with how photography worked so she used to spend hours taking pictures and developing them.

She began her own scannography experiments, in the end she chose this as her final project. She started scannographies as her teacher showed her example which inspired her.

How i would include her style?

I would like to include the merge aspect, where she merges multiple faces which I would accomplish using Photoshop, or long exposure to create a blur, therefore you see multiple faces.

I may use hands and edit them in, around the edge. To create a manipulative, and creative idea. It would make a uncomfortable, crawly image.

Finally, I may take the idea where she uses multiple faces to create a single image. I would use about 5 faces then make all of them blank, then show the process of editing facial features on which shows the development of identity.

Who is Claude Cahun?

Claude Cahun was born Lucy Renee Mathilde Schwob on 25th October 1894, was a French lesbian photographer, sculptor and writer. Who died on the 8th December 1954.

Schwob adopted the name Claude Cahun in 1917 and is best known for self-portraits, in which Cahun assumed a variety of characteristics.

Cahun’s work was both political and personal, she explained, “Masculine? Feminine? It depends on the situation. Neuter is the only gender that always suits me.”

My opinion

She has a unique style, which is extremely experimental, and shows gender identity. I like how it is unusual and different, making her photos question her self-identity and give an illusion of questionable choices.

Personally I like how she has merged images together and also objects before taking the photo. I would like to try and include this idea in my photography, where I merge faces together.