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Diamond Cameos

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These 4 images above have been chosen as my final outcomes. In my opinion they successfully show a vast understanding and application of Henry Mullin’s work as we both have used similar techniques, such as: we both have used the diamond shape, have captured our models in 4 different angles, have a similar, old style and our images are similar in colour too as we both have this brown, crème effect.

I have used the Sony Alpha 380 DSLR Camera with the portrait mode to emphasize subjects by blurring away background and reproduce soft skin tones, with a shutter speed of 1/30 and an ISO equal to 400. Additionally, I have used manual focus to successfully bring the subject into focus and blurring out the background. The camera was still during the shoot as I used a tripod

I have edited these images using photoshop to cut and create the diamond shapes on my images but have also used Snapseed to edit my images by adjusting the Retrolux and Grunge tools on the application. Have also used it to adjust the brightness of my images so they are the best they can be.

In comparison to Henry Mullin’s diamond cameo project, as mentioned above, “we both have used similar techniques, such as we both have used the diamond shape, have captured our models in 4 different angles, have a similar, old-style and our images are similar in colour too as we both have this brown, crème effect.” However, Henry Mullins portrays his images in a photograph book whereas mine is digital, his subjects are adults and mine is a young adult, he has a border around his work, and I do not, and finally, his shots kind of fade around the oval shape which in comparison to mine, the images are fixed and aren’t fading.

Independent, Resource, Task

headshots – diamond cameo

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HENRY MULLINS

Henry Mullins started working at 230 Regent Street in London in the 1840s and moved to Jersey in July 1848, setting up a studio known as the Royal Saloon, at 7 Royal Square. He would photograph the upper class such as doctors and political elites as they were able to afford to visit his studio. He would photograph the upper class such as doctors and political elites as they were able to afford to visit his studio.

File:E16MullinsMulti2.jpg

MY RESPONSE

Before I started working on the diamond cameo, I adjusted the brightness and vibrance by selecting the image tab, then adjustments, then brightness/contrast first, then vibrance. Then I used the Marquee tool in PhotoShop to draw an oval shape around my subject, then I copied and pasted the image onto a plain white background. I repeated this four times, and I also added a black and white filter onto my images.

Independent, Task

Diamond Cameo

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Henry Mullins

Henry Mullins was the first professional photographer to arrive in Jersey and start a portraiture business in the very early days of photography. Henry Mullins started working at 230 Regent Street in London in the 1840s and moved to Jersey in July 1848, setting up a studio known as the Royal Saloon, at 7 Royal Square. He would photograph the upper class such as doctors and political elites as they were able to afford to visit his studio.

Henry Mullins| Headshot of Philip Baudains

Above is a diamond cameo, created by Mullins, of Constable and Deputy of St Helier Philip Baudains taken in the 1800’s. I wish to recreate this style of photography by capturing the same subject in the same setting, turning their head to different positions, with a monotone facial expression. My plan is to experiment with two-point lighting to produce bright clear images that will be easily seen in the diamond cameo format.

More examples of Henry Mullins’ Work

My Images

Editing Process

To create my diamond cameos, inspired by Henry Mullins, I first produced a photoshoot using two-point lighting. My camera’s white balance was set to daylight (5000K) and I used a fast shutter speed of 1/125 in order to capture bright portraits with limited shadows on the subjects face. When editing my images I slightly heightened the exposure and brightness to further this effect. Next I used the Elliptical Marquee tool in photoshop to draw an oval shape around the subject, I then copied and pasted this circular image onto a white background. I repeated this four times to produce my final diamond cameo portraits, I also experimented with editing a black and white filter onto my cameos to mirror Mullins’ work further.

Final Diamond Cameos

Independent, Task

Diamond Cameos

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Henry Mullins

“Edward Joseph Bellew, 2nd Baron Bellew” – Henry Mullins (circa 1862)

Henry Mullins moved from London to Jersey in 1848. He set up his studio knows as the “Royal Saloon” at 7 Royal Square, where he worked in partnership with Mr Millward for a year. He then worked alone in the same studio for another 26 years. He would take multiple portraits of high class people such as police officers and the Royal Militia, and narrow his portraits down into a set of 4 images cut into oval shapes, and placed into a diamond formation.

Analysis of Diamond Cameo images

Headshot of Philip Baudins – Henry Mullins (circa 1850)

Henry Mullins uses 2-point-lighting in his portrait photographs to gently illuminate the face. The soft lighting subtly highlights the high points of the face without creating harsh shadows. However, some of Henry Mullins photographs can be seen as over-exposed as not a lot of detail of the face is captured, and the photos tend towards lightness although the clothing creates a strong contrast between light and dark.

He instructs the model to turn themselves at different angles in order to capture multiple perspectives of the face. Mullins uses a white background so that nothing is distracted from the face. He would usually take photographs of the models entire body and cut down the selection of images to create headshots

Once Henry Mullins takes the images, he cuts them down into a card which was commonly traded amongst both friends and visitors around the island.

Photoshoot Plan

Diamond Cameos inspired photoshoot

For this photoshoot, I used two-point lighting with soft box lighting to gently alluminate the face without creating harsh shadows. I took photos of the face at different angles and used a tripod in order to keep the camera still and prevent the photos from blurring.

Photoshop Development

Original Image
Original Image
Original Image
Edited Image
Edited Images

To edit these images into the diamond cameo style similar to the technique used by Henry Mullins, I used the elliptical marquee tool and cut oval shapes over the face of the model. I then copied and pasted these onto a new page on Photoshop and arranged them into a diamond configuration. For one of my diamond cameos, I used the monochrome filter to achieve the same effect that Mullins does in his images, however I tried a more vintage look on my second diamond portrait to give it a more modern look without discarding the aged appearance of the photographs.