A photo sequence is a group of photographs that go in a specific order to tell a story. Probably most popularly used by Duane Michals, the photo sequence can be a strong tool in communicating actions that happen over time in a still photograph.
My Edits
A photomontage is the combination of 2 or more photographs joined together to make one single image. This can be done either digitally or manually using scissors. Photomontage is often used as a means of expressing political dissent. It was first used as a technique by the Dadaists in 1915 in their protests against the First World War.
My Edits
The origins of the word “Deadpan” can be traced to 1927 when Vanity Fair Magazine compounded the words dead and pan, a slang word for a face, and used it as a noun. In 1928 the New York Times used it as adjective to describe the work of Buster Keaton.
This style originated in Germany and is descended from Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity) a German art movement of the 1920s that influenced the photographer August Sander who systematically documented the people of the Weimar Republic .
In the 1970s, Bernd and Hilla Becher, known for their devotion to the principles of New Objectivity, began to influence a new generation of German artists at the Dusseldorf School of Photography. These young German photographers included Thomas Struth, Andreas Gursky, Candida Hofer and Thomas Ruff. The Bechers are best remembered for their studies of the industrial landscape, where they systematically photographed large structures such as water towers, coal bunkers or pit heads to document a soon-to-disappear landscape in a formalistic manner as much akin to industrial archaeology as art. The Bechers’ set of “rules” included clean, black and white pictures taken in a flat grey light with straight-on compositions that perfectly lent themselves to their presentation methodology of large prints containing a montage of nine or more similar objects to allow the study of types (typology) in the style of an entomologist.
Contact Sheets
During this photoshoot I aimed for getting deadpan photographs by taking passport like images. I tried keeping the lighting as consistent as possible in order for the images to look the same.
My Edits
In photography, juxtaposition is the act of placing two images close together or side by side. This is often done in order to compare/contrast the two, to show similarities or differences and tell some kind of story.
My Edits
The (patent) diamond cameo photograph was registered by F.R. Window of London in 1864. Four small oval portraits (1″ x 3/4“) were placed in the shape of a diamond, each portrait being of the same person photographed in a different position. A special camera made by Dallmeyer was used in which the one glass negative was moved to a new position in the back of camera after each portrait had been taken, and when the paper print had been pasted on the card a special press was used to punch the four portraits up into a convex cameo shape.
Final Edits
I used the photographs from two of my photoshoots and experimented with a diamond cameo. I did this in order to make my images look older and more interesting. They would’ve probably looked better if I had taken more pictures of the face from more angles.
For this edit I did a diamond cameo by selecting four pictures o the same person and placing them in a diamond shape (one at the top, bottom and both sides). The top pictures is them facing forward with the light hitting the right side of their face and making it more visible than the other. In the bottom image, their face is slightly tilted to one side and the whole face is visible because the light is inn front of them. On the right, there’s a picture of them without their glasses and facing that direction and on the left there’s another side profile but with glasses this time. I did this in order to show all of the sides of the person’s face. I like how it turned out and I think it’s interesting.
I made another diamond cameo using a different person and the same technique. I like how it turned out however, I don’t like how the left and right picture look together even though they’re both side profiles. I think they don’t go well because on the one on the right you can see a bit of the other side of the face and I don’t like the way it looks. I should’ve asked them to turn their head all the way and then taken the picture.
In photography and cinematography, a multiple exposure is the the placing of one image on top of another to create an exposure and a single image. You can use as many images as you want and they can either be identical to each other or not.
Final Edits
I used the photographs I took in my last 3 shoots and experimented with different photography techniques like: multi exposure and diamond cameo. I did this in order to make my images look more interesting and give them personality. I found it quite fun as I was able to experiment and get different outcomes each time.
For this edit I did a double exposure using two pictures on photoshop. The base photograph is one of them looking to the top right (image had a slight blue colour because I turned the temperature down in order to get a blue background) and the top layer is their side profile (this one was purple/pink because the tint was increased to get a softer look). I simply just took the second image (made it bigger) and placed it on the background. I moved it higher up so that the face aligns with the other image then used ‘lighten’ for the exposure. I like how it turned out because it almost looks like their soul is leaving their body.
I made this edit by using the double exposure technique in order to get something that looks interesting and different. I used the same image twice and placed one of them upside down. I turned the opacity down (in order to see both images) and moved the image so that it would line up with the other one and then I used the ‘lighter colour ‘ multi exposure setting. I used this specific one because it got rid of the background and made only the two heads visible. Then I went over some areas with the patch tool and spot cleaning brush to clean the background.
Camera settings (flash lighting)
Tripod: optional
Use transmitter on hotshot
White balance: daylight (5000K)
ISO: 100
Exposure: Manual 1/125 shutter-speed > f/16 aperture
– check settings before shooting
Focal length: 105mm portrait lens
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 length: 50mm portrait lens
I took some headshots in black and white of four of my friends using a side light and rembrandt. For this they were either sat down on a stool or stood up. I took some pictures of them looking straight at the camera and some of them looking to the side. I also took some photographs from the waist up. We used different crops like scarves and hats in order to make the pictures look more interesting. If I were to re do this photoshoot I would make sure to take more images and use more lighting set ups, as well as camera set ups.
Contact Sheet
Final Edits
Camera settings (flash lighting)
Tripod: optional
Use transmitter on hotshot
White balance: daylight (5000K)
ISO: 100
Exposure: Manual 1/125 shutter-speed > f/16 aperture
– check settings before shooting
Focal length: 105mm portrait lens
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 length: 50mm portrait lens
For my second photoshoot, I took full face photographs and side profiles, as well as some silhouettes. I also tried a different camera setup with a black background. If I were to re do this photoshoot I would spend more time on taking photos in order to have a bigger selection.
Contact Sheet
Final Edits
Camera settings (flash lighting)
Tripod: optional
Use transmitter on hotshot
White balance: daylight (5000K)
ISO: 100
Exposure: Manual 1/125 shutter-speed > f/16 aperture
– check settings before shooting
Focal length: 105mm portrait lens
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 length: 50mm portrait lens
During my first photoshoot, I focused more on the whole face and used a side light. My model sat on a chair and I took pictures of them while they looked straight at he camera and sometimes to the side. I tried keeping it simple and in the style of Oliver Doran by using only one lighting set up. If I were to re do this photoshoot I would make sure to take more images so that I can have a bigger range of options. I would also try different set ups and more poses.
Contact Sheet – 1st Photoshoot
Final Edits
Studio Photography
Rembrandt
This technique is inspired by Rembrandt who was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker and draughtsman. He used to paint shadows in his paintings in order to add more depth and make them more realistic. This technique created a triangle on the side of the face and makes the model look more attractive. It is used in studio portrait photography and cinematography. It can be achieved using one light and a reflector, or two lights, and is popular because it is capable of producing images which appear both natural and compelling with a minimum of equipment.
Chiaroscuro/side light
Chiaroscuro (from Italian chiaro, “light,” and scuro, “dark”) is a film lighting style that emphasizes shadow and light. Chiaroscuro first emerged during the Renaissance as a painting technique used to create tension between the light and dark elements in portraits and other still life. To achieve this you just need to put your light on the side of the model and use a flash.
Butterfly
Butterfly lighting is a portrait lighting pattern where the key light is placed above and directly centred with the model’s face. This creates a shadow under the nose that resembles a butterfly. It’s also known as ‘Paramount lighting,’ named for classic Hollywood glamour photography.
Oliver Doran
Oliver Doran is a commercial, editorial and portrait photographer from Jersey, Channel Islands. He has over 15 years of experience and he photographs some of the most recognisable faces on the planet. He is known for his skilful use of light and mood to create striking visual breakthroughs that also strike the right chords and achieve diverse briefs and business goals.
His passion for travel, meeting new people and appreciating cultures different from his own lights the fire beneath everything he does. His roster of experiences includes working for the royal families in Bahrain and Dubai, an honour that he cherishes. Some find working with famous people intimidating, but for Oliver, the experience has made him empathetic to the innate human spirit.
Oliver creates vibrant, cinematic images using both flash, natural light and a mixture of both. He is comfortable in and out of the studio with complex lighting setups as well as working with ambient light in any location; day or night.
