Within this photo shoot, I didn't want to look at the theme of 'Outlines' directly; I wanted to outline a topic that I felt I needed to explore in order to experiment and be more creative. Therefore, I researched many photographers (which I will analyse) based around surreal photography, that could inspire and influence my work to be more creative. This theme also shows off more editing skills within photo shop.
analysis of photographers
Within this final topic, I looked at a selection of surrealist photographers that could inspire my creativity for my final ‘Outlining a surreal world’ photo shoot and edits.
Laura Williams
Within Williams’ photographs, she uses a model holding a mirror in front of part of their body – which creates reflections that are similar to the background seen within the frame. She does this within different settings. As a result, this reflection creates an abstract look; that part of the model’s body is missing and you can see through them to view the background. The subject matter here is the repetition of the image, between the background and the reflection – that the mirror creates. In addition, there is quite a lot of negative space in the background. Thus, another subject matter that compensates for this is the contrast between light and dark values between the (dark) trees and the (lighter) grass. Overall, this adds a striking diversity to the duller looking background. I notice other formal elements such as texture within this image. This is due to the fact that Laura Williams uses a faster shutter speed (and lower aperture) to capture a really crisp focus on the entire composition. As a result, the soft texture of each strand of grass is really apparent in the background. The light is natural, directed from a high angle and level, so it must be roughly midday. This is obvious because the grass is brilliantly lit in the mid ground, whilst there are many shadows within the vegetation area in the background. Furthermore, the curved line of the mirror creates a really organic, circular shape – in contrast to the geometric shapes created by the strands of grass. As a result, this enhances the spatial illusion of the bodiless model, created by the reflection in the mirror. Personally, by removing a section of the model’s body, I think Williams may be outlining the issue of anxiety and depression. This is due to the fact that these illnesses often absorb the personality of the sufferer and also prevent them from possessing a voice in society – thus, covering up part of their soul. Overall, this image differs to other surreal images that I have seen, since many other surrealist photographers focus on one particular body part; whereas Williams focuses on the whole body of the model. In response to Williams’ work, I will attempt to replicate the illusion of a bodiless model. However, to add my own creativity to it, I will not use a mirror to create a reflection, but a photo frame. Then I will use photo shop to crop out the centre of the frame and overlay another image behind the original one, with the same background (but no model). Thus, it should appear as if my model has no body and you can see right through it.
Jerry Uelsmann
Within this image, there is a pitch black background. In the mid ground, there is a pair of hands cupped together and in the foreground, an image of a coastal setting has been overlaid and merged into the hands. This edit is in monochrome. The subject matter of this image is the depth of field, created by a surreal spatial illusion within the composition. The scenery overlaid onto the hands makes the image have a greater depth, as it appears as if the hands are holding another world. The negative space is created by the black background, whilst the positive space is created by the hands in the centre of the frame. This does not follow the rule of thirds effectively, since the positive space is filled directly in the centre of the frame; however, this doesn’t matter, as there is nothing else (important) going on in the remainder of the composition. In addition, this positive space possesses the lighter values and the background possesses the darker values – creating a monochrome tone contrast. The edges of the hands possess shadows, showing that the artificial light is manipulated from above, directed onto the centre of the hands. The hands are cupped, creating a very organic shape (with curved lines), adding a soft effect to the image. Furthermore, the horizontal, linear lines on the sea create the depth and direction within the scenery. The scenery also has vignette images, so that is naturally fades into the shape of the hands. Personally, I think that the meaning of this photograph is lusting another world. Therefore, the use of the hands symbolises praying and hoping, as well as the beach representing the sense of relaxation and joy. Uelsmann’s work is different, since he works with merging two completely different objects/settings – to create a surreal overlay and a more personal meaning. Therefore, I would like to replicate his style by picking out different body parts and overlaying different settings over the top. Nonetheless, to add my own style, I would like to experiment with different textures, shapes, colours, tones and composition and also repetition within my overlays, to enhance my use of the formal elements. I would also like to add different filters to add a sense of mystery and a real shockingly surreal look to the images.
Laura Williams
Within Williams’ photographs, she uses a model holding a mirror in front of part of their body – which creates reflections that are similar to the background seen within the frame. She does this within different settings. As a result, this reflection creates an abstract look; that part of the model’s body is missing and you can see through them to view the background. The subject matter here is the repetition of the image, between the background and the reflection – that the mirror creates. In addition, there is quite a lot of negative space in the background. Thus, another subject matter that compensates for this is the contrast between light and dark values between the (dark) trees and the (lighter) grass. Overall, this adds a striking diversity to the duller looking background. I notice other formal elements such as texture within this image. This is due to the fact that Laura Williams uses a faster shutter speed (and lower aperture) to capture a really crisp focus on the entire composition. As a result, the soft texture of each strand of grass is really apparent in the background. The light is natural, directed from a high angle and level, so it must be roughly midday. This is obvious because the grass is brilliantly lit in the mid ground, whilst there are many shadows within the vegetation area in the background. Furthermore, the curved line of the mirror creates a really organic, circular shape – in contrast to the geometric shapes created by the strands of grass. As a result, this enhances the spatial illusion of the bodiless model, created by the reflection in the mirror. Personally, by removing a section of the model’s body, I think Williams may be outlining the issue of anxiety and depression. This is due to the fact that these illnesses often absorb the personality of the sufferer and also prevent them from possessing a voice in society – thus, covering up part of their soul. Overall, this image differs to other surreal images that I have seen, since many other surrealist photographers focus on one particular body part; whereas Williams focuses on the whole body of the model. In response to Williams’ work, I will attempt to replicate the illusion of a bodiless model. However, to add my own creativity to it, I will not use a mirror to create a reflection, but a photo frame. Then I will use photo shop to crop out the centre of the frame and overlay another image behind the original one, with the same background (but no model). Thus, it should appear as if my model has no body and you can see right through it.
Jerry Uelsmann
Within this image, there is a pitch black background. In the mid ground, there is a pair of hands cupped together and in the foreground, an image of a coastal setting has been overlaid and merged into the hands. This edit is in monochrome. The subject matter of this image is the depth of field, created by a surreal spatial illusion within the composition. The scenery overlaid onto the hands makes the image have a greater depth, as it appears as if the hands are holding another world. The negative space is created by the black background, whilst the positive space is created by the hands in the centre of the frame. This does not follow the rule of thirds effectively, since the positive space is filled directly in the centre of the frame; however, this doesn’t matter, as there is nothing else (important) going on in the remainder of the composition. In addition, this positive space possesses the lighter values and the background possesses the darker values – creating a monochrome tone contrast. The edges of the hands possess shadows, showing that the artificial light is manipulated from above, directed onto the centre of the hands. The hands are cupped, creating a very organic shape (with curved lines), adding a soft effect to the image. Furthermore, the horizontal, linear lines on the sea create the depth and direction within the scenery. The scenery also has vignette images, so that is naturally fades into the shape of the hands. Personally, I think that the meaning of this photograph is lusting another world. Therefore, the use of the hands symbolises praying and hoping, as well as the beach representing the sense of relaxation and joy. Uelsmann’s work is different, since he works with merging two completely different objects/settings – to create a surreal overlay and a more personal meaning. Therefore, I would like to replicate his style by picking out different body parts and overlaying different settings over the top. Nonetheless, to add my own style, I would like to experiment with different textures, shapes, colours, tones and composition and also repetition within my overlays, to enhance my use of the formal elements. I would also like to add different filters to add a sense of mystery and a real shockingly surreal look to the images.
photo shoot plan
My intentions within this photo shoot were to create surreal images that appear very unnatural and shock the viewer; I intended to use a lot of photo shop manipulation in order to do this. I also wanted to create a very mysterious, almost disturbing mood, to really make the model appear as if he was from an unnatural world. This photo shoot was influenced by a wide variety of surrealist photographers – two key photographers being: Laura Williams and Jerry Uelsmann. This is due to the fact that similar to how I previously described my intentions, they created very shocking, abstract pieces – adding a very spooky mood. Thus, the viewer could quite possibly believe that the model is supernatural, or originates from an unnatural world, since the things you could see within the composition is impossible to achieve in our own natural world. This photo shoot took place outside, around my garden during midafternoon. I completed it using a Canon Bridge Camera, with the settings on manual (and the aperture at roughly F4-1 to capture a crisp focus of the model).
I considered few angles within this photo shoot, since I simply wanted to focus on the positioning and body language of the model within the frame. Thus, I generally used direct, face on angles and levels to really enhance the body shape. I would then be able to remove sections of the model’s body; this was to address the theme of anxiety and depression, since many people with this illness feel there is a part of them that is no longer there. However, within a few edits I did use a few higher levels (within the close-up images). This was to address the theme of discrimination in society, as many people look down at others due to their appearance, religions, ethnicity etc. As a result, these angles allowed me to created more meaningful responses to the topic. Furthermore, the lighting was natural, so the light was coming in from a high level and a slightly slanted angle (due to the time of day). However, due to the fact that the light is so intense, it is unclear in the photographs the exact angle of the light.
I feel that my creativity within this final photo shoot is the most effective feature – since I really interpreted and produced my own ideas from the work of other influential surrealist photographers. This allowed me to link themes to my images, producing a more meaningful photo shoot. On the other hand, I feel that I could’ve use a few more angles, to provide different perspectives to the images. Therefore, I would be able to link this to the theme of depression/anxiety/discrimination – that different people view these issues in a variety of ways (from different angles). Finally, I intend to develop these images further by for example: cropping, overlaying and blurring them in photo shop. This will allow me to alter the appearance of the model, to make him appear supernatural – creating very unnatural images. Overall, this will provide a very mystical effect within the images, that really shock and capture the viewer’s attention.
photo shoot
edits
annotation of edits***
Within these edits I was attempting to create unnatural and supernatural looking photographs – to astonish the viewer and make them question how this images are possible? I wanted to outline the themes of anxiety and depression (within the images influenced by Laura Williams) – as these edits have removed part of the model’s body. Whilst experiencing these illnesses, the sufferers often feel that a part of their body/soul is missing, similar to the edits. In addition, within the images influenced by Jerry Uelsmann, I wanted to outline the theme of discrimination. This is due to the fact that the camera is focused on specific body parts and some edits are focused from higher angles/levels. As a result, the viewer can interpret that discrimination can be based around an individual’s appearance and those that do discriminate, feel they are above those being discriminated (hence the higher levels). This photo shoot was taken with a Canon Bridge Camera, with the settings on manual (providing an aperture of between F4-1 to capture a crisp focus of the composition). These images were taken outside at roughly mid-afternoon.
The work of Laura Williams and Jerry Uelsmann influenced me in completing these edits due to their creativity, as well as focus on mystery through different editing processes within photo shop.
The work of Laura Williams and Jerry Uelsmann influenced me in completing these edits due to their creativity, as well as focus on mystery through different editing processes within photo shop.