Messages |
Statement of Intent |
For my exam, I have chosen to do it based on Messages. I believe that is a very broad topic, hence why I chose it. Messages can come under different themes such as; Text Messages, News Papers, Billboards to express a meaning. A theme I have chosen is on Condolences and Life Cycle. This idea branches off into different aspects. You would interpret condolences with missing loves ones, or tributes. The concept of "Life Cycle" comes under stages of ; Birth, Adulthood etc. For my portfolio I am going to do it based on missing loved ones. I have chosen it as I have had the experience recently of missing someone who is close to me. I wish I had said a few things before it. For this project I would like to put my thoughts into work. I have a variety of ideas on how to perform my pictures and outcomes on Photoshop. I aim to have completed a high level standard of outcomes.
As I am going to be focusing my work on Condolences of giving messages. My first photo shoot will be based on going to the cemetery. It would be closely linked to my idea on my portfolio on Weird and Wonderful. However, I am going to to do it based on someone missing someone and their messages to them. This would be done on Photoshop. For my second photo shoot, I hope to do it based on Nature and Life which would still follow my theme on condolences in messages. I have seen a few photos on the internet which do inspire me to do my own like theirs. To put my creative ideas into work, I will be using Photoshop to edit my photos into the out comes I want them to be. From my previous project on Landscapes, I had learn a lot of new techniques and ways to make an excellent level of work. For example, in my Landscapes work, I managed to learn how to glowing edges and then expand my work on that. For this project, I hope to watch multiple tutorials which I believe will help me massively on my exam. The types of tutorials I am hoping to watch is based around using tool such as cloning, magic wand etc. To consolidate my work , At the end of my work, I will write up a detailed evaluation to show the examiner I have been successfully able to do my work to the standard I wanted it to be. I hope to gain a well deserved grade linked to my effort. I know that my Condolences theme on Messages will do me very well. |
Mind map to show the broad theme of Messages |
Mood Board to portray my ideas towards my theme
Scott Hortop News |
Scott Barbour |
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LONDON - MAY 19: A message of condolence is left in memory of Kiyan Prince outside of the London Academy in Edgware on May 19, 2006 in London, England. Schoolboy Kiyan Prince was stabbed to death yesterday as children were leaving to go home.
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Photography research using the 5'Cs
Eve Arnold
Eve Arnold was an American photographer from the year 1946. Shes from News York. Her whole life she documented the poor such as migrant workers and civil workers. She had also taken photograph of iconic people. Later on in her life she focused on colour photographer.
Eve's iconic person was Marilyn Monroe. Eve had interpreted her lifestyle into her photos. She believed it helped her a lot. Her photos showed the differences between the lives of the poor and the fortunate. |
Using the 5C's
Composition |
Content |
Context |
The focal point of this image is on the girl in the center on the image. This could be to show that the world is surrounding her but she has no one in it. The lighting is very dimmed and it sets the mood to be quite depressed. The soft lighting could be to show the vulnerability of the girls feelings. The photographer has clearly thought about the structure of the image. The drinks being in front of her maybe to show how she hides her thoughts to drinking continuously. The girl is the main focus point which is ironic as in my opinion this image is to portray how isolated she is. On the other hand, she is ignored by everyone. The photo is done in black and white to emphasize the theme of having no entertainment in life.
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This artist has created an image of a girl who is sat in the bar alone. Statistically, a bar is made to be a place where you would socialise with people. However, the girl is sat by herself. Its pictured in black and white which shows this was done to emphasize the idea that it was done in the olden times. In my opinion I think that is based in Texas. The outfit the woman is wearing related to my idea of the countryside. There is one person sitting by herself which shows she may be lonely. There are drinks in front her which could imply she is upset as her facial expression is sad. One cup isn't used. This meaning could be to show she was expecting someone but they did not arrive.
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This picture was taken on assignment in Cuba. At first glance, it could be a film still or one of Arnold's backstage shots of a star in repose, but it is a portrait of individual sadness and isolation, as well as great beauty. Once, when asked what made a good portrait, the great Cartier-Bronson replied: "I am looking for the silence in somebody." Eve Arnold captured, and transmitted, that silence again and again in her quietly powerful photographs.
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Comment |
Connection |
I like the key idea to this photo. The photographer has purposely used her techniques to portray this photo to its main messages. The main theme to this is very abstract. I believe that thousands of people can relate to this image. The idea of being lonely and connecting it to drinking is a problem which many people do. The first thing people do when they are feeling troubled would be to drink as it gets rid of their feelings.
The picture is quite dull and boring but this may have been the aim of the photographer. The meaning of this image could be to create a sense of feeling powerless. |
This type of picture relates to my key theme to take pictures of. My first photo shoot will be based on people feeling lonely and departed from their loved ones. From that I would manipulate these on Photoshop to follow my purpose of lost messages. I am hoping to fulfill 3 photo shoots that link to a main idea of messages which are unsent.
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John Cohn
John Cohen had started doing photography in 1954. His photos were shown in many photographic libraries. During this time, photography was only done for advertisements and newspapers. Instead he made his own personal photographs and documented artists and musicians. His photographs lead him to take photography of traditional musicians in their own home settings. His photographs were used on records. John Conn had photographed landscapes. landmarks and underwater scenes. However he had a passion for taking pictures which conveyed a message to the public. |
Using the 4C's
Compostion |
Context |
In this photograph, the photographer had taken a picture of a homeless person who was sat on the street with his dog. The picture is taken in black and white with a brown type of tint on it. The idea that its black and white could signify how there is no light and hope left in these people. There life had been destroyed as they have nothing to look up to anymore. The main focal point, the man and the dog, could show how they have nothing else in their life but what is with them. This touches the heart of a viewer as its a main struggle which many are in at this very moment. The mans face is covered with a black umbrella. This could be to show how they would cover shame. Alternatively it could be to express how shade is cast upon them from people walking by. No one has interest in helping them. The word "everyone" is aimed at everyone. There is a thin vignette border which could show how there is just pain crawling to them.
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Residents of a Bowery flophouse, patients in a cancer hospice, the subways of 1970s New York City, and, starting three years ago, the homeless of Manhattan.“Walking the streets I began to take notice of their signs,” he says. He’s called each sign “an introduction”—to a story, a situation, possibly a scam. “There was the physical presence of the person, and then there was what was written, what they chose to present: ‘Please help me,’ ‘God Bless,’ ‘Every little bit helps.’ One of them wrote, ‘Why lie? I need a beer.’”He walks up, his Nikon D800 hanging off his shoulder or in his camera bag. “Eye contact opens a line of communication,” Conn says, “and that opens a line of obligation, of commitment. If I’m going to communicate with someone, I have an obligation to find common ground to open up to what they’re feeling or doing. When I make eye contact I’m acknowledging that person as more than a subject. These aren’t one-way streets we’re on.”
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Comment |
Connection |
Personally, I really like how the photographer has set out this photo. It express the situations which thousands of people have to go through continuously around the globe. The idea that the dog is in the picture really makes me feel sympathy towards this man as its the only thing he has with him. What I dont really like about the picture is that its quite simple and subtle. The picture is based on a homeless man in a background. In my opinion the background is quite boring. It doesn't show any meaning.
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This connects to my theme of Messages. The homeless man with a sign shows a powerful messages to show how many people need to help the unfortunate. The outward symbol is the written message. My project will be based on powerful lost messages. The sign in this photo seems like a lost message as no one is willing to help him. It is big yet still so small to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, My photos wont be based on homeless people and messages.
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Edgar Allen Poe
Edgar Allen did a powerful poem called The Raven. His poem depict the idea of supernatural being and the overall atmosphere idea of a bird stalking a man who eventually goes into madness. The Gothic theme is portrayed in this. This has a close link to my photography as it links with my theme of death and messages. I like this artwork as it has a messy look which emphasises the idea of the whole artwork.
I like this artists photos as it inspires me to create one of my own and recreate it on Photoshop to make it look more advanced. The artists has made this photo really wacky and it brings out the bizarre mood by the skull and the raven. The writing of "nevermore" looks like it is written in blood which makes his image more crazy. I want my outcomes to express the same thing. Edgar's poem is based on death and my work which I want to do on Photoshop is quite similar. The messages in my outcomes will be related to the key idea of death and condolences. |
First Photo Shoot Plan
Part 1 idea for my outcome on Photoshop
Part 2 idea on photoshop
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Project Title: Lost Messages
My First shoot - how will you refine and develop your work? I am going to refine my photos on Photoshop by watching tutorials which will make my work outstanding. Description of aims and ideas for your shoot – what do you want your photography to communicate I would like my photo to show the idea of someone wanting to share some messages with another. These messages are powerful quotes from the internet. This will be added on when I manipulate my images. Location notes – permission, studio, weather: I want to base my first photo shoot in the cemetery. The type of I am to get is a person reading religion references which are powerful and its floating out of the book into the air. This shows my idea of lost messages. I want to manipulate this on Photoshop by creating a lighting effect coming out of the book. Photographer/campaign inspiration: I have done lots of research on what type of outcome I am aiming to have. The type of techniques I want to do will come together to portray a good outcome which portrays a wide range of techniques. An example of the tutorial I want to have is this picture. This however will be part 1 of my outcome. Techniques/processes you will use to achieve your aims: I have chosen different tutorials on YouTube which I believe will boost my grade with my final outcomes. However for my photos, I am going to use the rule of thirds technique. I think that it will bring out the meaning of my images more effectively. I will also want to attempt to use the ISO for one of my outcomes. When I manipulate my images, I want one of my outcomes to be in black and white but the words which are in the floating to be in colour wrapped around a shed of light. Equipment notes Camera Tripod Models: 1 model needed. My model must be wearing casual clothes. Props: I will be needing a book, preferably brown or old looking. |
My First Shoot In The Southern Cemetery
Messages on headstones
Personal Messages
Prayers
Monuments
Using Photoshop
Photo 1
Before and After Part 1
In this photo, I had made my model pose to reading a book. I have an idea on how I am going to structure this image in Photoshop. I will need to use lots of different tools to formulate my aimed outcome. For my first part of the outcome I had to create the light coming out of the book. My next photoshop work will be based on having words floating out of the picture. It is not fully done yet I sill need to do some correcting of colour.
Tutorial I am going to use to help me for my first step.
Photoshop work
Before and After Part 2
Photoshop work
Outcome of 1st photo
Further outcome
Photo 2
Before and After Part 1
Photoshop
Outcome of 2nd photo
2nd set of photos |
Preparation for part 1 of the shoot - Taking pictures of the skull
For my next set of photos, I am going to use the idea of the crow poem and put together my own pictures to manipulate on photoshop. I have gathered some material that I think I could use for my photo shoot. I am planning to form a neutral background where I will put a skull in the corner of the camera. I want the center of attention to be the writing which I will add through photoshop.
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Outcome pictures of the skull
With 2 Lights |
With 1 Light |
Photo 3
Before and After Outcome 1/2
Outcome of Part 1
Furthur Outcome 2/2
3rd Photo Shoot Plan
For my 3rd shoot, I am going to do it based on the big concept of "Life cycle of birth to death". This is going to be my preparation for my exam as I want to manipulate these photos during the exam time of 10 hours. I am going to search up photos for ideas. I am also going to find on the internet what people believe are the most important stages of a persons life. With these ideas, I plan to produce photos on the main stages and put them together for my outcomes. In the next set of work, I am going to portray my interests and adapt it to my over all idea of death. However there wil be a difference. I am putting together a contrast which will be the idea of birth. This brings out happiness where as death strins onto my idea of condolences and lost. I believe it will help boost my grade massively.
4 most important stages of life |
Photoshoot plan |
Ideas through photos onlineProps:
1st Day 1) Toys 2) Tea cups 3) Laptop 4) Books 5) Pens 2nd Day 6) Sewing with mum 7) Scarf for mum Photoshop Globe any type |
Project Title: Life Cycle
My First shoot - how will you refine and develop your work? I am planning on having my baby niece to create the first idea of my outcome of birth. My second idea will be taking photos of elder nieces to make it link it to my childhood idea. taker a picture of the sky My third idea will be based on having my cousin be the center of my photos with her in a working attire and normal My 4th idea will be taking pictures of my mum as a grandma My last idea i will bring for photo shop is using my grave yard pictures and including that in my outcomes. Location notes – permission, studio, weather: 1) picture- Baby niece in mothers arms 2) picture- 2 nieces playing around together 3) picture- 3 elder cousins enjoying working life and 2 marriage together 4) picture- Mother sewing clothes 5) picture- graveyard photo Models: Baby Niece 3 cousins 2 toddler nieces Mother |
Photo Example of each stage
Similar photoshop outcomes I hope to achieve |
Tutorials I will use |
Photos
Baby
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Nieces
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Chosen Skull Photos
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Cousins - Children relations
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Globe photos
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Marriage
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Photo 3
Photoshop
Outcome
Photo 5
For this further outcome, I am going to create an image which revolves the idea of being a child to death. The time being so fast. I want my outcome to have a mysterious theme to it. I am going to add a fog look to my picture. I am following my theme of The Raven. However it doesn't involve the bird but the idea of horror and thriller. |
Photoshop
Outcome
Plan for final outcome in exam time
1) I am going to structure my last photo to be very different compares to my other outcomes. I plan to put together at least 3 frames together. Each with my niece, baby niece and cousin. After, I am going to bring a Quran and prayer beads which will show my religious involvement.
For my exam, I am planning to create an overall finalised outcome based on my whole theme out together. It will be based on religion and life. The religion I will be using is Islam as I can bring in a Quran to put together an outcome. Whilst doing my course work I developed many skills that I plan to use for my exam. For example, a new skill I know, is how to warp text. I want to use different texts and layers to create a spooky theme. I want to also change my fonts to an old fashion type writing. It was quite challenging to put together many outcomes as it made me think a lot deeper into making sure I don't make my outcomes all similar.
For my exam, I am planning to create an overall finalised outcome based on my whole theme out together. It will be based on religion and life. The religion I will be using is Islam as I can bring in a Quran to put together an outcome. Whilst doing my course work I developed many skills that I plan to use for my exam. For example, a new skill I know, is how to warp text. I want to use different texts and layers to create a spooky theme. I want to also change my fonts to an old fashion type writing. It was quite challenging to put together many outcomes as it made me think a lot deeper into making sure I don't make my outcomes all similar.
Photos
29/04/19 - From this point on is my exam work
Chosen Photo 1
For my first outcome of my exam, I have created more pictures which had been based on my whole theme of messages. This idea of "Life Cycle" wraps up the whole theme into a few outcomes. For my first photo I am going to use my previous skills from my work and adapt it onto these last few outcomes. On Photoshop, I am aiming to create a formal piece of this picture displaying my ideas. I chose to add religion into my work as I think it portrays me having more of an understanding of my theme. I thought outside of the box to develop my photos. |
Photoshop
Outcome 1
For this outcome, I first decided to change my picture into black and white. I did this so I was able to do selective colouring. I left my photo frames and in black and white. This is was to portray the idea of the pictures being old. The photo I had chosen linked to my life cycle theme as I had chosen from pictures of a younger age to old age. After this step, I had then thought of some Quranic verses to add on to it. A problem I did encounter was remembering a few however I managed to overcome this. Once adding them in, to slightly change the tone, I faded in some grey shadowing.
Chosen Photo 2
For this photo, I am planning to add different layers of other photo to achieve the look of the brain bringing up these memories. I want to try different font types to portray a feeling of thrill whilst viewing the picture. In Photoshop I am going to combine a range of photos of my previous shoots and layer them up to form a piece. |
Photoshop
Outcome 2
Overall for this outcome I had done, I am very proud of it. First I had brought up my basic picture and got another one. I lassoed around the candle and brought it to the other picture. I had to use the rubber to clean the picture around it. I then added it in front of the same candle and changed the opacity. Once doing so, I changed the picture to black and white and did selective colouring on the main aspects I wanted shown. After this, I had brought up a skull photo and a love heart with an angle photo doing the same. I changed the opacity of them both and then as I was layering it on top of the actual picture, It was an imperative to change the opacity of the rubber when going round them because if I didn't do so, it would be visible to see the outline. Towards the end, I included some quotes to add to the messages theme more.
Chosen Photo 3
Photoshop
Outcome 3
Chosen photos 4
For my chosen 2 photos, I hope to blend the baby picture in to my globe photo. I think it portrays the idea of a child being someones own world. This link to my theme of a "Life Cycle" as I am going to create a "Baby's stage" of life for my outcomes. Previously I had done one of an adult with her children. That outcome fits into the stage of adulthood and parent life. |
Photoshop
Outcome 4
Chosen photos 5
Photoshop
Outcome
Chosen photo 6
Photoshop
Outcome
Overall Outcomes
Life Cycle
Evaluation
For my exam, I chose the theme of messages. I believe it was the right choice as I could think of many ideas related to this topic. During the course of my preparation for my exam, I had put together many ideas for my final outcomes. The first shoot I did was based on an idea of condolence messages. I went to the cemetery to gather pictures of peoples messages to their lost family. Many were very sad as there was graves who had lost children from birth , all the way to someone with an old age. It was very sensitive which I think would've made my work heart touching.
To begin my exam preparation, I had created a statement of intent to give a brief idea of what I was planning to do for my exam. Then I had put together a mood board to portray a visual plan of my vague ideas. I had researched a few photographers that did photos based on condolences of other people. I looked deeper into the methods and reasons as to why the photographer had done the pictures in this certain way. All photographers who did pictures based on messages had one thing in common which was idea of lost messages or memories of another. For example Scott Barbour had created images of messages which others had done for their families. They inspired me to do a similar thing. So I had thought where would I be able to see more of these. The cemetery would be full of them. I liked his pictures and they were all zoomed in onto very specific subjects.
For my first shoot, I had brought a friend to the cemetery to help me with my photos. I had first taken pictures of graves with peoples personal messages and then a few with my friend so I can use them to photo shop as a base picture. I had taken my camera and a tripod to make sure my angles were correct. I had to change my white balance and aperture quite a lot as it was the case that the weather kept on changing or I was taking photos in the shade or in the bright sun. Using these photos, I managed to create an outcome and a further outcome of the same picture. I was also able to do a picture of a full row of graves. I discovered a new skill on how to warp my text to give a flowing spooky effect.
In my second shoot, I was able to get a skull model from the science lab to go with my idea of death. I gathered 2 lights and a black background to achieve the professional look. I switched the lights to get different shadows. Using these pictures, I ordered them into their groups and managed to create a few outcomes with it.
In my third shoot, I wanted to start my other idea for my exam of a "life cycle from birth to death" messages. I took photos of my nieces, baby nieces and elder cousin. This aided me to form many outcomes. What I found difficult was coming up with different outcome plans, hence why I did a 4th shoot.
For my exam, I had managed to create a few more outcomes from my new pictures. I also had the spare time to do individual outcomes based on each life stage. The whole concept of religion and life. The religion I used was Islam as I was able bring in a Quran to put together an outcome. Also, its my belief so I had easy access to everything I used. Whilst doing my course work I developed many skills that I plan to use for my exam. For example, a new skill I learn was how to warp text. I used different texts and layers to create a spooky theme. I also changed my fonts to an old fashion type writing. It was quite challenging to put together many outcomes as it made me think a lot deeper into making sure I don't make my outcomes all similar. In addition to, I used some skills from my "Weird and Wonderful" project such as using the cloning tool. This was needed to hide any spots I didn't like on my pictures when editing.
Overall, my chosen question of doing "Messages" was very inspiring and thoughtful and it allowed me to expand my knowledge and ideas to an extent of I feel more smarter and have the ability to differentiate.