In my photoshoots, I want to experiment to demonstrate more creativity than I did in my portraits to make them more exciting for the viewer.

First experimentation:

For my first plan I am going to use a Diamond Cameo. This is where four small oval portraits (1″ x ³/₄“) were placed on a carte de visite in the shape of a diamond, each portrait being of the same person photographed in a different position. To do this in my photoshoot I am going to have my subject sit straight on, side profiles of the left and right, then looking slightly off to the side of the camera. Then I will arrange it into the correct format shape – the diamond.

Second experimentation:

I am going to use double/multi exposure for my second experiment. This is photographs in which two or more images are superimposed in a single frame which gives off a very mysterious look due to the illusion it gives. I really want to use this experimentation idea because it makes the image become really interesting and adds motion to the image. This can be achieved in the camera settings, or on Adobe Photoshop by creating layers and then using blending options and opacity control.

Third experimentation:

For this I am going to use photomontage as I have used this method before during my art gcse and I took a big liking to it as it was really effective. This method consists of making a composite photograph by cutting, gluing, rearranging and overlapping two or more photographs into a new image. I really like this as you take a regular boring image and create an interesting piece out of it by taking it entirely apart and joining it back together in a completely new way. It adds a new perspective on the image which is something I want to put into my own work.

biography :

enry 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. Initially he was in partnership with a Mr Millward, about whom very little is known. By the following year he was working alone and he continued to work out of the same studio for another 26 years.

His portrait were printed on a carte de visite as a small albumen print, (the first commercial photographic print produced using egg whites to bind the photographic chemicals to the paper) which was a thin paper photograph mounted on a thicker paper card. The size of a carte de visite is 54.0 × 89 mm normally mounted on a card sized 64 × 100 mm. In Mullins case he mounted his carted de visite into an album. 

this work was his style called receipt where he would print his images as 9×5 and create a unique looking set of images.

this style of his work was called cameos where he would take a variety of different portraits and use a few put into a certain layout and presented.

this style of his photography was called vignette where he would bleach the image leaving only specific parts of the image remaining to create a unique effect where the image is shown to fade.

more of Henry Mullins work:

Lighting :

In any photo, the light will fall on the subject in a certain way, creating highlights (bright areas) and shadows (dark areas). The highlights and shadows create contrast, which can help to make the photo more interesting but can also create problems in some situations.

soft lighting :

Soft lighting is a type of light with few hard shadows that’s bright yet balanced

hard lighting :

Hard light is a focused, often bright light that casts harsh shadows and draws attention to a specific part of a photo.

framing :

Framing in photography refers to the process of composing a picture. It involves choosing what you’ll include in the frame and what you’ll leave out. The goal is to create a pleasing composition that directs the viewer’s attention to the subject matter.

headshots :

 a type of portrait photography typically used for websites, press releases, publications, and social-media profiles.

focusing :

Focusing a camera is all about changing the distance between the subject of the image, the lens, and the sensor. 

focusing on the eyes :

expression :

What is meant by means of artistic expression in photography is the way we can make our photograph reach the viewer. 

explore different moods and emotions

pose :

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

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

Chiaroscuro is a high-contrast lighting technique that utilises a low-key lighting setup to achieve contrast between the subject and a dark background.

photographs :

chiaroscuro lighting context/analysis :

Begin by defining your light source, a cardinal rule. Chiaroscuro is a symphony of five zones that flow into one another. These zones are the highlight, mid-tone, deep shadow, reflected light, and cast shadow.

Why should we use chiaroscuro?

chiaroscuro lighting is mainly used in film to create striking images or evoke a certain feeling. The contrast between light and shade can help frame a subject more prominently, drawing viewers’ eyes to things they might not focus on otherwise.#

chiaroscuro set up :

this is the setup you would need in order to get good photos of chiaroscuro photography.

my response :

contact sheet :

My best images :

Environmental Portraiture

Chiaroscuro is a high contrast lighting technique, creating contrast between the subject and a dark background. Chiaroscuro portraits first came about during the 15th century, then continued to develop during the 16th century. The dark subjects were lighted by a small source of light, that illuminated parts of the subject, which overall achieved the contrast between light and dark. To create this effect a single light is used to create the brighter effect on the subject, but also stands out from the contrasting dark background.

Chiaroscuro is traditionally used in the film industry, typically to describe Hollywood crime dramas. It was used because it created this interesting and dramatic effect in the photo, which would help engage the viewer creating this meaningful story behind the photo.

Rembrandt lighting, named after Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, is a type of lighting used in photography that lights up the face creating an upside-down light triangle under the eyes of the subject. The light triangle will draw the viewers attention in, this is because of the contrast between the light and dark.

Rembrandt lighting is effective because it creates interesting and attractive depth in the photo. The leading lines created by the upside-down triangle under the eye, helps emphasise and create a dramatic effect in the portrait, making your attention draw closely in on the subject.

To create this effect you can use either flash or continuous light, that is placed slightly above the subject. This illuminates the subjects face, creating a triangle underneath the eyes, and shadow.

My Photos:

The last two photos are my best because they both show a really clear triangle under the eye, that is emphasised on darker side of the face, by the light shining from the opposite side.

Butterfly lighting is a technique where the light source is placed directly above at an angle and slightly in front of the subjects face, this then creates a butterfly-shaped shadow under the nose. Also called paramount lighting, it is often used to photograph some of the famous Hollywood stars as well as in fashion photography, making it commonly well known for defining the subjects cheek bones making the subject look thinner and eyes look bigger.

Butterfly lighting can be achieved by either using flash lights or continuous light, if continuous is can be natural or artificial, meaning using LEDs or strobe lights. To create the butterfly effect you use can use reflectors which reflect the light back, which creates the butterfly shadow.

Print screen 1:

Print screen 2:

Print Screen 3:

Final Virtual Gallery:

This is my final virtual gallery, which overall I feel looks pretty successful. I like how I have incorporated a range of the different lighting techniques we experimented with. I think my favourite lighting technique is the chiaroscuro because it shows a deep contrast between the light and the shadows, and gives a mood of mystery