This photoshoot I decided to mainly focus on the topic of FEMININITY and teenage girlhood. This shoot consisted of female behaviours that may occur in female friendships and relationships.
Here is my mood board for this photoshoot.
Photoshoot, Best Images.
These photos perfectly demonstrate stereotypical female activities. This includes making yourself smell nice, for others and making yourself look nice, for others. This portrays a female pressure to look a certain way and act a certain way to ‘fit in’ with a specific category. This general beauty standard puts women under immense pressure to e.g. be of a slimmer build or wear a certain type of clothes. This may turn in to impacting the way women feel about their own body image and affect their self love and confidence. A specific beauty standard of a “thin” figure is put in the classification as someone with a slender shape, flat stomach, and small waist, while the “fit” body type represented toned and athletic female physiques.
I chose this topic to take inspiration from because of how the theme of ‘Femininity and Masculinity’ hugely highlights gender stereotypes due to clothing, body image, appearances, personality and social statuses. I have placed together an array of photos which show examples of photography with inclusive and diverse viewpoints on body image which ties into femininity particularly.
Mar Armengol.
Melody Melamed.
Carlota Guerrero.
Alba Yruela.
Jade Beall.
Kristina Varaksina.
Alba Duque.
Jade Beall.
Kristina Varaksina.
Alba Duque.
Sofía Suars.
Bruna Avellaneda.
Rosie Alice Foster.
This list is examples of female empowerment photographers who specialise in normalising femininity in human bodies. In particular, the work of the photographer Carlota Gurrero fascinated me. I think her photography surrounding femininity is extremely meaningful and has inspired my future work. She is a Spanish photographer and has collaborated with huge brands such as Nike and Dior. She is an artist I would most definitely take inspiration from in my Masculinity vs Femininity project.
Female Relationships
These photos I think perfectly show the human relationships of females through social media and technology. As it is such an influential use of every day life, it is said that females particularly become affected by communication online, such as bullying, gossiping and messaging. This is due to the fact the person is hiding behind a screen, instead of showing their real identity and expressing themselves through writing something instead of saying it in person and including tone, pace and facial expressions. My models are showing emotions of…
Disgust
Shock
Betrayal
Deception
Trust
Bullying
Stress
I then decided to make a diamond cameo to present these images as I feel It gives me the opportunity to display them easily but effectively. In inspiration of Henry Mullins, I have my photo on the left looking to the right. The photo on my left looking to the left. My image at the top looking down and my image at the bottom looking up. This is the perfect option to show contrasting emotions which all tie into together.
They aren’t identical but I got inspiration from Claude Cahun in general and these gave me inspiration for this photo I took specifically and others I have similar to it. They are similar and inspired because they are females doing masculine things, like poses or having a common mellow face without emotion.
These photos to me give similar vibes with the masculine jawline and the way the head is facing and similar zipped clothing. They aren’t that similar and I did take some photos more similar and inspired by Claude Cahun using a mirror which didn’t plan out how I wanted and this one was just giving the same vibe.
This was my reference photo cindy sherman used a lot of similar vibes but this is what I was going off and I liked how it turned off. they are very similar due to both mouth and eye being cut out and placed on to a black and white face, the difference in my one though is that different people’s faces and not match it completely.
I tried to make mine similar but it didn’t plan out as well as I wanted I like the lip and pupil flower and think that worked and there are very clear similarities mine just doesn’t look as good, but i did like the way Claude Cahun had done this and that’s why i just really wanted to try and create the same vibe, i like the creepy twist and distorted heads and faces.
This is one of Claude Cahun’s most famous photos and I gave a vibe of replicating or creating a similar photo, it has the similarities of a dark background and two faces looking in different directions. In Claude Cahun’s photo, The pair appears locked in a fierce struggle, each head reflecting contrasting emotions. One face appears awake, tense, and empathetic, gazing beyond the frame, eager to engage with the world. The other face is turned inward, fixated on its twin, masking its sinister intentions behind a single hooded eye. When I think in my photo one face is locked in a fierce struggle as she looks desperately angry but also shameful or sadness tense and empathetic, because the other head is facing away, doesn’t have the dignity to look and it maybe trying to hide her true self covering in makeup.
Cynthia Morris Sherman (born 1954) is an American artist whose work consists primarily of photographic self-portraits in which she depicts herself in various situations and in various imaginary ways. Her ground breaking work is a series of 70 black-and-white photographs of her performance that evokes typical female roles in media (particularly art house films and popular B-movies). It is believed to be a collection called “Untitled Film Stills”. In the 1980s, she used colour film and large prints, focusing on costume, lighting, and facial expression. Sherman was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey in 1954, the youngest of five children of Dorothy and Charles Sherman. Shortly after she was born, her family moved to Huntington Township, Long Island. Her father worked as an engineer for Grumman Aircraft. Her mother taught reading to children with learning disabilities. Sherman said that her mother was very well behaved and that her father was strict and cruel. She was raised in an episcopal manner.
She challenges her audience to think about the fluidity and malleability of identity by subverting traditional gender roles. Her photographs invite us to consider how society shapes and imposes gender norms on individuals. Cindy Sherman’s work questions images and the authenticity of the self. To create her images, she assumes the multiple roles of photographer, model, makeup artist, hairdresser, and stylist. Whether portraying a career girl, a blond bombshell, a fashion victim, a clown, or a society lady of a certain age, for over thirty-five years this relentlessly adventurous artist has created an eloquent and provocative body of work that resonates deeply in our visual culture.
Sherman works in collection, and every of her our bodies of labour is self-contained and internally coherent; but there are issues which have recurred during her career. The exhibition showcases the artist`s person collection and additionally provides works grouped thematically round such not un usual place threads as cinema and performance; horror and the grotesque; myth, carnival, and fairy tales; and gender and sophistication identity.
Sherman`s ground-breaking pictures have interrogated issues round illustration and identification in current media for over 4 decades. Since the early 2000s, Sherman has built personae with virtual manipulation, shooting the fractured experience of self in current society—a problem the artist has uniquely encapsulated from the outset of her career. As critic and curator Gabriele Schor writes on her method, `Sherman`s complicated evaluation of her face and her diffused employment of expression shows that the running technique of creating up and costuming the self allows processes: an intuitive and fluid method stimulated with the aid of using curiosity, and an meant method whose stimulus is conceptual and which has a ‘problem matter’.
Cindy Sherman’s photographs is a perfect example of femininity because it shows how girls are and what they normally do. For example the image above shows Cindy Sherman is looking at herself in the mirror and getting ready which is what girls love to do. And the last image shows that she is cooking which is also connected to femininity because back in the days women’s would always be the ones cooking and sometimes till this day its still same.
A culture war is a cultural conflict between social groups and the struggle for control of their values, beliefs, and customs. This generally refers to issues where there is disagreement or polarization of social values across society.
Identity politics
Identity politics is when people of a particular religion, race, social background, class, or other identifying element form exclusive social political alliances and support political movements apart from broader coalition politics. It is a term that describes the political approach pursued. A special quality of identification with them. Its purpose is to support and focus on the concerns, agendas, and projects of specific groups in line with specific social and political changes. The term was coined in 1977 by the Combahee River Collective. It was popularized in the early 1980s, and was used in countless cases over the next few decades with completely different meanings depending on the context of the term. It has become more prominent with the rise of social activism and is present in various conversations such as feminists, the American civil rights and LGBT movements, disability groups, some nationalist and postcolonial organizations, such as the Black Lives Matter movement. Politics has a huge impact on our daily lives because it directly affects the world we live in.
Social identity theory posits that people strive to achieve and maintain a sense of positive uniqueness in their group membership (Tajfel & Turner, 1986). Positive uniqueness means feeling valued and different from other groups. However, the downside is that it can lead to social pressure and out-group prejudice. Outgroup bias affects attitudes and negative behaviours toward people who are not seen as part of a particular group identity. This can lead to stereotyping and exclusion. Furthermore, a shared ingroup identity can be created directly by increasing the importance of an existing shared parent membership (e.g., team, school, company, nation) or category (e.g., student) or by introducing elements. It can be achieved. Membership (i.e., a common goal or destiny).
Tribalism refers to the possession of a strong cultural or ethnic identity that separates members of one group from other groups on the basis of strong proximity. Tribe members tend to have strong identities. Psychologically, people feel safe and secure when they feel part of something bigger than themselves, but tribalism excludes individuals and groups and denies them rights, status, and independence. If used for this purpose, it can have very negative consequences. Tribalism is defined as a social phenomenon related to the identity of members of one or more competing communal groups who seek to protect and promote their interests in a political system. Relevant community factors may include language, culture, race, religion, and/or shared history.
There are loads of types of identity such as:
Cultural identity – Cultural identification refers to a person`s experience of belonging to a specific lifestyle or group. This system entails mastering approximately and accepting traditions, heritage, language, religion, ancestry, aesthetics, wondering patterns, and social systems of a lifestyle.
Social identity – Social identification is the part of an individual’s self-idea derived from perceived club in a applicable social group.
Geographical identity – An person or group`s feel of attachment to the country, region, city, or village wherein they live. The key traits with which a selected country, region, city, or village is associated.
Political identity – Political identification is a shape of social identification marking club of sure organizations that proportion a not unusual place conflict for a sure shape of power. This can encompass identity with a political party, however additionally positions on precise political issues, nationalism, inter-ethnic members of the family or greater summary ideological themes.
Femininity is the set of attributes, behaviours, and roles commonly associated with women and girls. Femininity can be understood as socially constructed and there is also evidence that certain behaviours considered feminine are influenced by both cultural and biological factors. The extent to which biological and social femininity is influenced by femininity remains controversial. It is conceptually distinct from biological sex and female femininity, as all humans can exhibit feminine and masculine characteristics, regardless of gender and gender. Traditionally considered feminine traits include grace, gentleness, and empathy, modesty, and sensitivity, although the traits associated with femininity vary between societies and individuals and are influenced by different cultural and social factors.
MASCULINITY:
Masculinity is the set of attributes, behaviours and roles associated with men and boys. Masculinity can theoretically be understood as socially constructed, and there is also evidence that some behaviours considered masculine are influenced by both cultural and biological factors.
The extent to to which masculinity is biologically or socially influenced remains controversial. It differs from the definition of biological male because anyone can display masculine characteristics. Standards of masculinity or masculinity vary across cultures, subcultures, peoples, and historical periods. Traits traditionally considered masculine in Western society include strength, courage, independence, leadership, and assertiveness. As women’s participation in the workforce increases, some men feel less comfortable with their masculinity because it becomes increasingly difficult for them to reaffirm their status as breadwinners.
BINARY OPPOSITION: Is the system of language and/or thought by which two theoretical opposites are strictly defined and set off against one another. It is the contrast between two mutually exclusive terms, such as on and off, up and down, left and right.
common stereotypes of women:
Women are expected to be slender and graceful, while men are expected to be tall and muscular. Both men and women are expected to dress and groom themselves according to their gender (men wear pants and short hairstyles).
Personality traits — For example, women are often expected to be accommodating and emotional.
Domestic behaviours — For example, some people expect that women will take care of the children, cook, and clean the home.
Some people are quick to assume that teachers and nurses are women.
Common stereotyped of men:
Men are expected to be tall and muscular. Both men and women are expected to dress and groom themselves according to their gender (women wear dresses and make-up).
Personality traits — For example, men are usually expected to be self-confident and aggressive. Men on television are less likely to show emotions compared to the female characters, including empathy.
Domestic behaviours — For example, men take care of finances, work on the car, and do the home repairs.
Occupations — Some people are quick to assume that pilots, doctors, and engineers are men.
means that the portrait photo is cropped somewhere in the middle torso – so that the focus is on your face.
To take photoshoots for headshots you can either use:
Flash Lighting:
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 length: 105mm portrait lens
or, Continuous Lighting:
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
The deadpan aesthetic
The term “Deadpan” first appeared in print in 1927 in Vanity Fair Magazine, which combined the terms “dead” and “pan,” a colloquial term for a face, to create a noun. It was introduced as an adjective by the New York Times in 1928 to characterise Buster Keaton’s artwork. A deadpan aesthetic is a technically flawless shot with a straightforward, center-focused composition that captures a person, a landscape, or a still life. The background is typically neglected, neutral, and sterile, or it has a single primary topic (a face, a mound of clay, a mining tower, etc.); this does not apply to conceptions that are more sociologically oriented.
Passport Photos
The UK government has a specific list on what passports must include, this can be found on the UK government website.
FACE:
eyes must be open and clearly visible, with no flash reflections and no ‘red eye’
facial expression must be neutral (neither frowning nor smiling), with the mouth closed
photos must show both edges of the face clearly
photos must show a full front view of face and shoulders, squared to the camera
the face and shoulder image must be centred in the photo; the subject must not be looking over one shoulder (portrait style), or tilting their head to one side or backwards or forwards
there must be no hair across the eyes
hats or head coverings are not permitted except when worn for religious reasons and only if the full facial features are clearly visible
photos with shadows on the face are unacceptable
photos must reflect/represent natural skin tone
BACKGROUND:
Photos must have a background which:
has no shadows
has uniform lighting, with no shadows or flash reflection on the face and head
shows a plain, uniform, light grey or cream background (5% to 10% grey is recommended)
This is one of my Outcomes laid out in a virtual gallery. I presented it like this because if it was a real gallery you would be able to walk through and see the story it tells, firstly you see a stereotypical masculine selection of photos and then a stereotypical feminine selection of photos. So the viewer can see the life we are presented with since we are children. After seeing those selections, there is a final selection of masculine and feminine photos presented by the opposite gender, to fight against gender norms and society’s thoughts.
I like all the selections, I prefer the masculine and feminine separate selections as they are all similar colours and work together when the mix between both they are a mix of colours looks more oddly placed, but in a way, it does work as there is no stereotypical colour to gender and it shows more you can be whoever you want and whatever you want, you don’t need to set and stay to societies standards of gender norms, but in a way, I find it quite annoying and uneven.
I like how I edited these photos and enjoyed putting them in a collage for this way of expressing photos but I do think more would look good separately and edited slightly differently which I want to try, other outcomes that I will make I believe they would all together fit in a massive gallery and collectively tell a story.
Outcome 2:
This is my second gallery which i actually really like because i have the pink tinted photo for a male who is sat in a common female pose, and then opposite is a female in a common male pose in a blue colouring, to show opposites and also how gender is seen but also how it can be presented. In the final photo the main one is in a yellow tint as it is gender neutral with both male and female sat in their poses, showing opposites as they look different ways, and it is taken in the same place.
These are the photos in large to be seen better, I like them because the setting and how they are sat in same place in each photo, I had to edit out some rubbish and things that was on the bottom because I think they took away from the photo, I didn’t edit them too much apart from changing exposure and lighting colour over them. I really like them but there is still room for improvement as in the third photo of them both together I don’t think they are full even and that bugs me but other then that they work out quite well and accurate.
Some photos I want to present just on there own in a gallery because I think they look good by themselves.
Final outcome 3
This photo i really like but I do find it’s a bit basic and not very exciting, the lighting wasn’t very good at first which I fixed but I feel like there is more I can add maybe make it brighter or add some colouring but I was a bit unsure on what I wanted to do with this photos and I still did like it as it clearly showed what I was looking for as they makes, yet they are doing make up and are helping each-other as girls would with each other.
Final outcome 4:
these two photos give similar vibes with the same lighting, I thought the grey and black worked better as it gave a more classically masculine and showed off the stereotypical features of a male like the muscles and Adam’s apple. I thought they looked quite cool actually and that was enough editing, these photos are also shown in my first final outcome, to show signs of masculinity, but also means that even though you can see these stereotypical masculine features does not mean that is all there is about these people and maybe even the lack of colour is showing them hiding their true self, and true colours and hiding behind things they think they should be.
Outcome 5
This is one of my favourite photos as I think the pink tint on that back works, I had to fix the exposure which again just looks better, I am very pleased with the outcome of this photo and upped the brightness just because I wanted to the pinky sparked of the perfume to come out more. I think it gives the vibes of a perfume advert you would see on tv, I especially like it because he committed very well to the photos I was taking and it not only clearly shows his jawline and Adam’s apple but also the perfume and glow from the makeup which just adds to the mixing of stereotypes, and he looks so confidence showing the viewer that he is confident in his gender that he decided and showing a feminine or masculine side to himself.
This photo is also slightly linked to the one above as they go together with the side of femininity, with the piece of jewellery and the masculine Adam’s apple. If I was going to do anything to fix this photo I might make it a more pink tinted colouring or at least brighten it more to show the emotions through the image of happiness and joy and confidence instead of it looking a little dark and gloomy, other then that t portrays what I am looking for again and links with the one above and I think they would look good together in a gallery.
Outcome 6
these four photos I love, I think they all go together really well as well as they go with the second outcome, I edited the vibrance of them which went together better, but I just like the masculine posing and contrast with the women going into the men’s bathroom and a man picking a flower or they women manspreading, it is just really denying gender norms like how Claude Cahun did they just please me and just show exactly what I was looking for and I plan to put them in a virtual gallery. I think the first two especially the flower one could use a bit more brightness and vibrance to match the vibe of the other two as I would love for the flowers to pop out more and also have it genuinely not looking so dark.
Outcome 7
The first two very much work together as a man and woman using the same lipgloss, I like the third one and added it in with these as I like it and it was the same person and clearly showed feminity in a strong powerful woman way. Although in the first photo he is adding lipgloss he is still giving a powerful strong manly look which is also why I think it matches with the third one as they are both showing powerful sides of femininity and masculinity.
These are some of the final ones that I think were edited quite well and are mainly similar to my artist references and compare well with them, I love the lighting and poses in these photos and the second one did take some time to edit and I still think could be improved as there aren’t really enough misshapen faces and object around or not that you can fully see clearly.
Within this image, personally I think in adobe Lightroom my editing went well. The shadows are visible and play a large factor in this image and I prefer this lighting technique (chiaroscuro) and glad I chose to execute this technique as it creates a sense of mysterious, gentle and beauty which is a big part of femininity. I like how I used warm tones to make it look vintage and not modern although it was shot on a modern camera I tried my best. I decreased the texture and clarity to create a soft focus and more professional look to the image which links to Cameron’s work. I preferred using a black background as it makes the subjects left side of the face unable to see as the way she is standing you would, this emphasizes the shadows and technique I chose to do to create it almost the first thing to notice as a viewer. Then I continued on photoshop and created another layer with the same image and turned it upside down and experimented with the highlights and filters. When I found the correct one for me I loved the way it looks purposely imperfect which could imply that females and males have a pressure to reach expectations but we are all imperfect and make mistakes. To make this image better I would move the first split/line more to the left to make the image equal in thirds. To experiment I tried to blend the images however I didn’t like it as much as it didn’t give off the same abstract effect.
