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identity experimentation –

within this photo I edited by cropping it so each face is in one 3rd each and as been put into a black and white which makes it seem more like its been taken when most photos would be taken in black and white which is similar to Ilse Bing, which is quite similar to the one I edited below. however within this photo its slightly blurry, so dose not capture the full essence of the photographs that are similar to this photograph. (image above)

The edits in this photograph create a vintage, artistic vibe through the use of a black-and-white filter, which adds a timeless and nostalgic feel. The high contrast emphasizes textures and details, such as the reflection in the mirror and the roller skate in the foreground, while the composition, using the mirror and layered elements, adds depth and intrigue. Additionally, the graininess evokes a film photography aesthetic, enhancing the analogue feel and transforming a casual self-portrait into a stylistic and expressive piece. (image above)

this photo has a similar pose to a photos which Anastasia jobson took and how its been done in black and white however in all of her photos there is more of an facial expression , which in the photos is similar to Ilse Bing. (image above)

The edits in this image create a dramatic and emotional effect through the use of black-and-white conversion, high contrast, and sharp details. By removing colour, the focus shifts to the subject’s expression and textures, while the strong contrast highlights key features like the eyes and facial structure, adding intensity. The dramatic lighting creates depth and a sense of mystery, emphasizing vulnerability or introspection. Together, these techniques evoke a powerful emotional connection with the viewer. (image above)

the edits in this black and white photo create a moody and timeless atmosphere. the absence of colour emphasizes texture and contrast, bringing attention to the subjects posture, expression, and surroundings. the gritty details, like wood grain floor and soft fabric of the chair, contribute to a vintage, reflective feel. (image above)

the edits enhance the photo by using dramatic lighting and a dark background to make the subject stand out, while the muted pastel tones and warm skin hues create a nostalgic, vintage feel. the focus on textures, like skates and hoodie, adds detail, while the soft emphasis on the subjects face and evokes an intimate and timeless aesthetic. (image above)

the edits in the photo creates a striking and intimate effect by emphasizing the subjects expression with soft lighting and dark background, which isolates and draws attention to her. the warm skin tones and subtle blush add a natural, emotional touch, while the pastel tones of roller-skates contribute to a nostalgic and youthful vibe. these elements work together to evoke a sense of quiet reflection and simplicity.

the edits in the image creates a dramatic and emotional tone by using a silhouette effect, where the subject is fully un shadow, contrasting sharply with a bright background. the high contrast enhances the textures of the ground and water, while the backlighting highlights the subjects edges, drawing focus to the glowing effect of the setting sun. the black and white filter removes colour distractions, emphasizing composition, light and texture, while adding a timeless and nostalgic quality. altogether, these elements combine to evoke a reflective, serene, or melancholic mood. (image above)

the edits in this image builds on the pervious image on the dramatic mood by maintaining the subjects is now standing still, facing the light, the background further highlights their shape while leaving their features undefined, emphasizing form and posture. the black and white tone enhances the reflective and timeless quality, while the textures of cracked ground and shimmering water adds dept. the stationary stance and quite composition evoke a scene of calm contemplation or solitude.

all of the black and white ones are quite similar by that in most of the its a black out subject that the shape is quite prominent but the photo below that’s in black and white show the facial features and expression and how is quite a sad tone within this photo.

the image shifts the tone by revealing the subjects face and details, breaking away from the pervious silhouette style. the natural light creates contrast, but emphases the texture of subjects clothing and reflective background, adding depth. the subjects posture and expression feel candid and contemplative, while the monochrome palette maintains the timeless and nostalgic atmosphere. the inclusion of the skates and casual attire adds a scene of personality, blending a reflective mood with subtle dynamism. (image above)

the edits of this photo give a very cold effect to this image, which also with the subjects face facing downs its shows the mood of sadness and the blue background adds to this dramatically.

within theses 3 photos it gives a similar effect of timelessness but there is a more lighter pale shade within the photos.

this style of editing is what i will be doing on the day of the exam (2 photos above) these photos give off an effect of timelessness and the vibrant colours in the background make the subject more dramatic.

some of these edits don’t have the final edits on it.

some of these photos will be give their final edits on exam day.

edited photos that need final edits

Final Images

Set 1

Presentation

The photos I have chosen to be my final ones, create a storyline. They represent freedom and how the subject is finding and accepting her identity. Each photo has a shadow, which almost looks like a soul, leaving the subjects body, and as you go down the photos, the soul becomes further and further away from her body. This symbolises the subject letting go and accepting who she is.

Virtual Gallery

If these photos were to be put in a gallery, I would want to present them as either one of the virtual images below.

Final Photos

In this image, you can see how the subject is holding her arm up, almost shielding herself. This shows how she doesn’t want to accept her identity and wants it to stop.

Here you can tell how the subject is slowly giving in and letting herself go.

This image represents ‘question of self’ as she is facing herself, almost questioning herself and what her identity is, but also accepting it.

Set 2

In this final piece, These photos show the subject’s identity as a dancer. The facial expressions in the images show how happy she feels when dancing. The double exposure images shows how the subject moves and captures her dancing more.

Virtual Gallery

This is how I would want my photos presented if they were to be put in a gallery.

Final Photos

These images give an angelic effect to the subject’s identity. The double exposure shows the movements and emotion being put into the images.

Evaluation

How successful was your final outcome?

I would say that my final outcome was successful, although i could have done better and taken some more photos in various different areas with different angles of the subject. I think I did well with what I had. I got a story across to the viewers and I believe my images represent that story and ‘finding your identity’ quite well.

I intended to capture the subject’s emotions and movements using a slow shutter speed and a long exposure from the beginning, what I did not intend to do is create a storyline from it. I was halfway through editing before I had realised that these images would work really well together and that’s when I decided to create the storyline.

I did make a few references to Francesca Woodman‘s technical aspect of her images as I used a long exposure but I used the flash and I relied on a high contrast to make my images look interesting which she did not.

Francesca Woodman’s images were all in black and white, whereas mine are in colour, although, the form and the pattern of both of our images are quite alike.

Some of Francesca’s photos represented ‘isolation’ and ‘questions of self’ which my images can represent as well, because mine indicate letting go of past self and accepting who you are.

I think, if i had the chance, I would change the outfits to something a bit more flowy to get more dimension in the images and really capture the slow shutter speed that I used. I would also change the setting of the images to somewhere more open and outside with nature. A different setting would allow the subject to express herself more as the studio didn’t have enough room for that.

Identity Photos Experimentation Ideas

To enhance my images and make them standout I am going to edit my images in a manner which allows for more detail to pop out and prioritise what I want to be seen in the photograph itself.

Photograph #1

Unedited
Edited

Photograph #2

Unedited
Edited

Photograph #3

Unedited
Edited

Photograph #4

Unedited
Edited

Photograph #5

Unedited
Edited

Photograph #6

Unedited
Edited

Identity Photo-shoots

For my Photoshoot I aimed to follow closely to the style of Clare Rae’s photography, In Clare Rae’s photos (The Entre Nous Collection) You can see that she often balances herself and presents herself in weird ways. whether is standing, climbing on rocks or positioning herself in a way where her full body is not always seen in the picture which was done to unsettle the traditional representation of the female figure. To achieve those same results I tried to get my subject to pose herself looking away and hiding some of her figure next to the rocks and old buildings that were around us. As a result it ended up creating a good series of images which looked very appealing to look at. Using a different landscape every 20 to 25 photos I took and posing differently each time made these photos look more appealing and different to each other. The different structures such as the inner rock arch, the giant rock near the edge of the cliff or the old remains of what used to be a building, All of it helped to compliment the subject with the background and build a connection between the subjects figure and the place it was taken at which was one of Clare Rae’s aim when taking her series of photos.

Contact sheet

For my photoshoot I took about 200 Photos to ensure that I would have a few good pictures to choose from and edit my final ideas into them. Most of the images taken I felt did not meet my expectations of what I was looking for, however there was a good amount of photos that did meet my expectations and may be used for my final images.

My Top Choices

I have chosen these images as my top choices because they all utilise different poses and environments which makes them unique to each other, they also all have potential to look better and more effective and eye catching when edited as I will be able to crop what I want in view and highlight certain details by making the image black and white or by adjusting certain settings such as contrast or highlights which will help bring out more detail in the image. With Clare Rae as my artist reference these photos are going to be mostly inspired from her hence why I have tried to get the landscape in clear view along with my subject posing in different and unique positions.

Identity Project Ideas and Mind Board

Mood board

I have added these images to my mood board for inspiration as they mostly match the style I am going to be going for in my own photographs. To match Clare Rae’s photos I will be taking my photos in an outside environment with the scenery and landscape visible to give it more detail and more meaning. I will also be attempting to add on to her style and maybe try taking a different approach to the photos such as trying new positions.

Image Ideas

For the images I want to achieve I will be aiming to try find different and unique landscapes which can help make the image standout more alongside the subject. I will be taking most images with a wide aperture to ensure the whole landscape and subject can be viewed clearly. I will also try and attempt to make my subject do various amounts of poses and stand or move in different positions which I believe could produce some interesting photographs, to follow similarly to Clare Rae I will try to get my subject to reveal more of their limbs rather than their head or torso which can be effective in the right environment. I may also want to take close shots to keep as much detail as I can into my images and make it look appealing to the viewer.

Editing

Process of Editing

First, I cropped the photo to square, and then I selected what I wanted to remove from the photo and selected ‘generative fill’ which then edited it into just a hand without holding anything.

I then duplicated the layer, in case I made any mistakes, and I adjusted the brightness and contrast.

I then duplicated the layer, in case I made any mistakes, and I adjusted the brightness and contrast.

After that, I modified my exposure and gamma correction.

Then I decided to change the vibrance of the image.

I then moved on to switching up the hue of the image, just slightly, to give the photo some dimension.

The three images were all edited the same way so that I could guarantee that they work well and look good together.

The femininity images had the same concept to editing except different settings.

I cropped it to square and modified the brightness and contrast, increasing both of them to brighten up the image.

I then moved on to adjusting the exposure which I reduced, and the gamma correction which I increased. This gave a more eerie effect to the image, while still keeping the pink tint.

I then increased the saturation which brought back more of the pink colour that I lost when doing the gamma correction and exposure.

I started off with this photo.

I then decided to add on another image on the top and blend them together by reducing the opacity on the top layer.

pped the image to get rid of negative space and so that it is square. I also flattened the image to make it all one layer.

After that, I adjusted the brightness and contrast to make it a little darker as it was too light.

I decreased the exposure and increased the gamma correction to improve the quality of my image and also give it an angelic effect.

I modified the vibrance by increasing both the vibrance and saturation to give it a little tint.

I then adjusted the curves to adjust the contrast and the lighting of my image.

Before and After Editing

With these images, I brought up the brightness and contrast, exposure, vibrance and the gamma correction to create this soul effect. I reduced the hue only slightly to make the image look more like fire. I cropped it into a square with the subject in the middle of the image.

In this set of images, I went for the theme of femininity. I increased the brightness, contrast, gamma correction, vibrance and the saturation. I reduced the vibrance saturation, and the exposure. I cropped two of them to squares and one of them to get rid of negative space throughout the image.

With these images, I increased the brightness, contrast, vibrance, saturation and gamma correction and reduced the hue saturation slightly.

Presentation

This is how I would want my final photos to be presented.

Contact Sheet + Photoshoot

In my photoshoot, I started off with 102 photos, using black or white backgrounds and a slow shutter speed. Most of these photos are 1/2 body photos or 1/4 body photos. I then took another 215 photos using a black background but with pink studio lighting, still using a slow shutter speed. I ended up with 317 photos in my contact sheet.

I then narrowed it down to 19 photos by flagging them, which will be the photos I use for my editing and some possibly for my final photos.

Unedited Photos

Identity

Identity in photography can be seen as the representation of an individual’s or group’s essence through visual imagery. It encompasses various aspects, such as gender identity, cultural identity, social identity, geographical identity, and political identity. Each of these identities can be expressed and explored through photographic work, allowing for a deeper understanding of the subjects and the contexts they inhabit. 

Masculinity and Femininity

Femininity and masculinity in photography often manifest through the portrayal of subjects in ways that align with or challenge traditional gender norms. For example, images that depict women in nurturing roles may reinforce femininity, while those showcasing men in assertive or dominant positions may emphasize masculinity. However, contemporary photography increasingly seeks to subvert these stereotypes, presenting a more nuanced view of gender that reflects the complexities of identity.

The influence of place and belonging is significant in photography. An individual’s environment and upbringing shape their perspectives and experiences, which can be conveyed through their work. For instance, a photographer from a particular geographical region may capture the cultural identity of their community, highlighting local traditions and social dynamics. Conversely, the lack of or loss of identity can be explored through themes of alienation or disconnection in photography. Stereotypes and prejudices can also be challenged through visual narratives, prompting viewers to reconsider their perceptions and assumptions about different identities. Ultimately, photography serves as a powerful medium for exploring and expressing the multifaceted nature of identity.

Key Artists with References

Cindy Sherman and Claude Cahun are two influential artists known for their explorations of identity, gender, and the self through photography. 

Claude Cahun

Claude Cahun, a pioneering figure in the early 20th century, also focused on identity and gender, but her approach was more avant-garde and surrealist. Cahun’s work often involved self-portraiture as well, but she used it to explore themes of androgyny and the fluidity of identity. In her photographs, she frequently manipulated her appearance, employing costumes, makeup, and props to challenge conventional gender norms. Cahun’s work emphasizes the performative aspects of identity, suggesting that it is not a fixed state but rather a series of roles that individuals play.

Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman is renowned for her conceptual self-portraits, where she often adopts various personas and characters. Through her work, Sherman challenges traditional notions of femininity and the representation of women in media and art. By transforming herself into different roles—ranging from the glamorous to the grotesque—she critiques the stereotypes and societal expectations placed on women. Her series “Untitled Film Stills” is particularly notable, as it presents her as the protagonist in staged scenes that mimic film stills, allowing viewers to question the authenticity and construction of identity in visual culture.

Both artists use photography to interrogate the construction of identity, but they do so in distinct ways. Sherman’s work often reflects a critique of popular culture and the roles women are expected to play, while Cahun’s work delves into the complexities of gender and self-representation. Together, they highlight how photography can serve as a powerful tool for exploring and deconstructing identity, encouraging viewers to reconsider their perceptions of gender, self, and the roles imposed by society.

Mood Board

Idea of “Loss of Identity”

I conducted a lot of research into the theme of “Identity”, and came across these images. They are quite dark and monochromatic and when I asked for my teachers view of these images, he said they almost created the sense of “Loss of Identity”

Researching further into the theme “Loss of Identity” in photography, I found out that it can evoke a range of emotional and conceptual effects. It often creates a sense of disconnection, alienation, or introspection. When photographers explore this theme, they use techniques such as blurred images, fragmented compositions, or abstract representations to symbolize the struggle of individuals to maintain their sense of self in a rapidly changing world. 

This theme can also provoke viewers to reflect on their own identities and the factors that contribute to their sense of self. It can lead to a deeper understanding of societal pressures, personal experiences, or cultural shifts that influence identity. Additionally, photographs focusing on loss of identity can foster empathy, as viewers may connect with the feelings of confusion or loss portrayed in the images. Overall, it opens up a dialogue about what it means to be oneself in various contexts.

Artists related to my Theme of Identity

Andreas Poupoutsis

Andreas Poupoutsis is a contemporary photographer known for focusing on themes like identity and memory. His work often blends portraiture with conceptual photography, creating thought-provoking images that evoke emotions. He uses techniques like mixed media and digital manipulation, which add depth to his subjects. His photography reflects personal and collective experiences, encouraging viewers to think about their own identities and how they are shaped by their surroundings.

Poupoutsis takes his images from a close-up shot, to make the person in the image the whole focus. The person being the main focus is also created by the background being extremely dark: in the image on the middle it appears to be a vignette effect used, whereas the image on the left is fully black.

He talks a lot about his inspiration for his work and what he did to achieve these creative images.

“Metamorphosis” would best describe my creative process.  I am influenced by Cubism, shapes, shadows and textures.  Creating beautiful and abstract images intrigues me. I am fascinated by people’s faces and especially by the transformation they go through in my photographs. We are complex and unique individuals with our own experiences, fears and losses and use our life experience to view the world. Being true to ourselves is one of the most challenging thing we can do.

He further talks about his fascination with faces and how he prepares himself before his photoshoots to make sure everything is going according to plan.

“As for my fascination with faces, I have always been intrigued by abstract portraits, every face is unique in its own way and that sparks my imagination. At the same time I’m always looking for ways to transform that uniqueness and go deeper into analysing the identities of people.

My process is always different depending on the project. It all starts out with an idea which then turns into small sketches. I always have a diary in which I write down all my ideas. Pre-visualising the shoot is also very important and the search for the appropriate materials, textures, urban locations is needed. I prefer studio work because there I have total control of the light.

Overall, Poupoutsis’s work highlights the power of visual storytelling in exploring human experiences.

Michael Wills

Michael Wills is a notable photographer recognized for his contributions to the field, particularly in documentary and fine art photography. His work often focuses on capturing the essence of human experiences and social issues, using a narrative approach to tell stories through his images. Wills’s photography is characterized by its emotional depth and attention to detail, allowing viewers to connect with the subjects on a personal level. He has explored various themes, including identity, community, and the passage of time, making his work significant in contemporary photography.

My Photo-Shoot Response

These are my Photoshoot Responses of Andreas Poupoutsis. I tried experimenting with the light and discovered quite a unique and interesting way to manipulate it. I first started adjusting the brightness of the flash and physically moving the light stand and proceeded to take the photos. I was taking Photos of my model and was repeatedly pressing the button for it, giving the flash less time to light up the room. This helped me focus the light only on my model and not the entire room.

I communicated with my model, explaining to them that their body can also convey their emotions, not just the face. This made my images stand out and feel more connected to them. For me at least.

Experimentation/Editing

After uploading my Photos to my Hard drive, I used Adobe Lightroom Classic to browse through my photos and see which ones came out…Bad, Good or Great.

I flagged the Photographs which caught my attention and followed up by moving/editing them further into Adobe Photoshop. I decided to play around a bit with the settings in Photoshop to create these Monochrome based images. The settings that I used was…

This is the Before and After of the Original Image with the Black and White Filter applied. All of my Images for the theme of Identity will all have the exact same Black and White filtered applied.

Slowly my photographs started looking like Andreas Poupoutsis. I could see similarities.

I experimented further by blending in different images such as a Landscape photograph that I took with my Identity Photos. Below is the image used to blend into my Photograph and the settings that I used to do this.

This is the Before and After of the Original Image with the blended image applied. I will be implementing this into some other Images.

Its a work in progress but I am slowly getting there.

Final Photos

These are my Final images that have been produced/edited. There were 56 Images taken and as I said before I used Adobe Lightroom Classic to browse through my photos and select my Best Images from my Photoshoot. In this case, I chose these 14 images and applied all the filters and overlaying as said in the previous Section.

Now comes the hard part. For my Exam I have to choose a certain amount of images to be sent and printed off to be displayed on a visual canvas of our choice. What I mean by this is that Firstly, I need to decide on which images to use. Secondly, I need to decide how big or how small I want my Images to be printed off and Lastly, I need to decide how big I want the canvas that’s going to be holding my images to be cut out.

Chosen Images For Printing

After careful thought and consideration, these are the photographs that I want to be Displayed/Printed.

Andreas Poupoutsis shows his theme of identity through the uniqueness of facial expressions. He takes his images from a close-up shot, and makes the background extremely dark to highlight the figure to being the main focus. These 6 images I think have achieved the closest resemblance of Andreas Poupoutsis work. There is a photograph that utilises a grey background, this was intentional as Poupoutsis uses both a vignette effect for the background or changes the background to be fully black.

I transferred my Images into Art Steps so that I can visualize what my Images would look like in real life at Exhibition/Museum/Display etc..

Clare Rae

Photoshoot 1

These are the specific 3 photos I have taken inspiration from and I am going to try and replicate in my photoshoot.

Contact Sheet 1

There were three photos that really stood out to me in this photo shoot.

After editing this is how they came out.

Photoshoot 2

In my second photoshoot, I’m going to push myself to be more creative and take photos that are bolder and more unconventional, experimenting with interesting shapes and compositions. I plan to focus on using negative space more intentionally, paying attention to how it can enhance the overall visual impact of each shot. By playing with the balance between the subject and the empty space around it, I hope to create images that evoke a sense of tension, mystery, or simplicity. I want to explore how negative space can help direct the viewer’s attention and add depth or meaning to the scene. This will be a great opportunity to experiment with new angles, perspectives, and framing techniques, making my photos more dynamic.

Contact sheet 2

Here are 7 of my favourites edited

For the editing process, I decided to convert the photos into black and white, as I wanted to emulate Clare Rae’s distinctive black-and-white identity photo style. The black and white removes any distractions on colour, putting more focus on the shape and form.

Extended Research

Mirrors and Windows

The idea of mirrors and windows within photography is the metaphorical term of a window representing the photographer capturing the world in its reality around them without interfering in it. The mirror represents an expression of the photographers own feelings and ideas built into their work artificially.

Reality Vs Constructed Reality

The concept of reality versus constructed reality in photography is the idea that every image tells a story about the version of reality its portraying. This will be impacted by the framing, subject, position of the camera and composition.

Tableaux

A painting or photograph where the characters and surrounding has been arranged for dramatic effect and appear unaware of the camera.

Surrealism

Where photographers use editing or props or positions to create dreamlike and unnatural settings using imaginative composition often to represent unconscious ideas.