Final 3 Black and White Images:

Above are the original raw untouched images. I have sent the edited versions in my pdf submission file. 

For the black and white images I new what I wanted to do. I had a specific thing in mind as I had seen a lot of black and white images I liked before. I wanted something quite dark and moody but I wanted my model be quite highlighted in the images but with shadows to get a great amount of dimension in the face. 

I had asked Annie to model for me again as we had had such success with the first shoot. I wanted her to look quite natural but to keep the focus on her eyes. This time Annie did her own makeup as I had seen the makeup she had worn in the day and felt it was perfect for the shoot. She did a winged eyeliner look with a semi-dark lip. The lip however didn't look right with this shoot so Annie suggested putting on a nude lipstick shade. It totally worked and totally softened the whole look creating quite a doe eye  look and when we got the set up right it created such a beautiful outcome. I did however notice that when we started shooting in black and white Annie's makeup wouldn't come through. I really needed to contour Annie for her to look like herself and bring the dimension back to her face. 

Set up:

1. I used the cove for the backdrop of this shoot.
2. I set up 2 large foam reflective boards between the camera and Annie.
3. I had 2 lights facing the boards 
4. I had the camera setup. raw image, 1/160, manual with the SD card clicked in.
5. Sync cable connected the (through the hot shoe adapter) camera to one of the lights. and another cable connected the camera to the computer
6. Turn both lights on and one cell switch on one of the lights. 
7. Turn on the computer after plugging it in and sign into a new session on capture 1. 
8. make sure everything is safe.
9. make sure the model is comfortable and warm.

I wanted there to be quite a contrast between both shoots so I set up the lighting using a beauty box and a black and white background. We tested this out though and it didn't suit Annie's colouring and wasn't flattering for her at all. We tested out some different settings but this set up just wouldn't work so I had to think on my feet. I didn't want Annie to feel disheartened or lose momentum because I feel that if the model doesn't feel good in the images they wont be able to give their best to the shoot.  I thought about going back to the beauty dish set up we did for the last shoot. So we set this up and luckily had the use of the cove which was great for lighting. I wanted a slight change for this one though so instead of being behind the big white reflective boards I came in a little closer. This evened out the lighting and created the most beautiful effect. It created a real vintage look. I decide not to use a stand and to just create the right composition free hand. I like this as it gave me a lot more control and allowed me to move around Annie freely creating different angles and creating a more intimate portrait. 

I have slightly edited the Images to lighten the contrast and sharpen them as they were a little dark. I do love the original lighting outcome but I feel that for the sake of this project I needed to edit them slightly so that you can see my skills as a photographer. I have also edited Annie's blemishes. 

I'm really happy with the final 3. I feel that even though the set up is really similar to the first by me moving around this totally changed the lighting and end result. As my first idea for this shoot didnt work I really wanted an old Hollywood style shoot for my second idea. I really feel that I have created something special with the help of Annie again and even though there were challenges I was proud of both me and Annie for persevering with the shoot. By pushing through the wall we created something really beautiful. Again these mistakes and challenges have given me more knowledge that I can take with me. I actually enjoy making mistakes now which I never thought I would say. I have learned so much from both of these shoots and have faced different challenges with each of them. 

I think the only way to improve with photography is to educate yourself by practicing and doing it over and over. I still really enjoy photography and I think if I keep practicing and work on my Photoshopping skills and computer editing skill I could be really successful at this.      

Final Evaluation: Who do you think you are David Bailey?

What an amazingly inspiring first project. From literally the first day I have felt so impassioned about photography. I have loved learning about the amazing photographers who have trail blazed the industry of fashion photography. I have had such strong emotional reactions from there work. I have loved finding out more about them too and finding out what inspires them as people and as artists. They have all been completely different and come from different backgrounds and traveled completely different journeys. Its incredibly Inspiring and a beautiful thing to know that every artist has something to offer through their art including myself. I'm excited to learn more about myself through my own creative projects and find out what of myself comes through my art. 

 I have really enjoyed the practical lessons I have had with Chris Overend. Hes very passionate about photography and really wants you to learn the craft. Ive learned a lot in his lessons and have definitely used my skills gained in this project. Every mistake I have made whilst completing this project has been valuable. I have learned so many skills with this project and not just technical but even learning how to keep good fluidity on a shoot and keep the model happy and comfortable. One of the most important lessons I have learned in this project is perseverance and determination. I have learned not to give up if things go wrong. I have gained so much patience and I'm really proud of myself and the journey I have been on in this short amount of time. I'm really pleased with how much I have learned and I feel that really comes through with my final images. 

I'm incredibly happy with my final images and with how the shoots went so successfully. I loved working with my model Annie on the shoots as I felt we really made a great creative team. The communication was strong and the outcomes surpassed my expectations.

I did find post production quite challenging and felt I would struggle with this but after realising that this is just a fear of technology and not my incapabilities I will persevere with this and try some Photoshop courses to gain more skills in this area. I also feel that I need to be more organised with course work as I didn't do as much as I wanted to. I feel that I can only improve from here and I'm really interested in outside projects to strengthen my skills as a photographer. I feel this combined with my other makeup and hair skills gained this semester will make for some really great projects. 

 

Final 3 colour images:

Apart of the brief for digital production was to create 3 colour images. 1st had to be a front on shot the 2nd a back shot and one of either the profile or 3/4 shot of my model. I already new what lighting I wanted for this shoot as we had previously done it in another class with Chris and I loved how flattering it was. I had also seen this in a Photograph shot by famed photographer Tony Duran. It was of Beyonce and she was lit from behind. It was an incredibly flattering light with an ethereal feel to it. I new from seeing this that I wanted to use this lighting and then the rest of the shoot was inspired by this.
I decided that I was going to shoot a few weeks before Chris booked the studios as I felt this gave me more time to think of the concept of the shoot. I felt I could create something really great if I had more time. 

Annie my model for this shoot is a fellow student and friend and I new she would be perfect for this as she has a really unique look to her. She's a very independent and strong person and through getting to know her I found out that she has done a lot of performing in the past so I had an inkling that she would have a certain type of confidence and be comfortable in front of the camera. My instinct proved right and she really delivered on the shoot. I did her makeup before hand and I had bought a large diamond necklace for the shoot (not real though unfortunately). She looked amazing and was really great at taking direction. She understood what I wanted her to do and I felt we had really great creative chemistry. I had Audrey Hepburn in mind when thinking of the look I was going for with Annie. This was quite immediate when asking Annie to model for me. Annie has short dark hair and big eyes with dark brows and really reminded me of Audrey Hepburn. I am really happy with the images I took and how the look came together.

Set up:

1. Set up white back ground
2. set up camera. put it on stand,  set it to manual, shutter speed 1/160, IOS 8, set to RAW image, put the hot shoe adapter on the top and SD card into the slot. 
3. connect camera to computer and to light using the sync lead. 
4. put lights on stand and plug them in and turn them on. connect one to the camera and turn the cell switch on on the other for the flash. 
5. Get two large foam stands and put them together in front of the model with about a 30cm gap to just allow the camera to see through. The camera will be in front of the stands next to the computer to see the images.
6. position the model behind the boards. quite close to the boards. 
7. set up the computer and go to capture 1 and set up your session. 

With regards to challenges with this shoot we did come across some problems. The first set up we did the lights weren't equal in the photo's. We couldn't figure out what was wrong as we had changed a lot of the set up around and played with the settings but still didn't know why it seemed brighter on one side of the image then on the other. Luckily Chris was around the studio's and checked to see if we needed any help. He had a look and found that we didn't have the main light on and we also didn't have both lights on either. Once this was changed everything went smoothly. I felt that even this going wrong was a good lesson that I wont forget. Ive really valued these mistakes as I am adding it on to my list of knowledge in photography.  

I have lightly edited the images of Annie. Mostly shadows under the eyes and blemishes. I know that Chris didn't want them touched too much as it doesn't allow for the photography to shine through. I have played with the contrast and sharpness to give clarity to the image. They were also quite under cast too so had to lighten them slightly. Above are the original untouched images and I have put the edited versions into my final submission PDF. This will allow you to see my post production skills. 

I have absolutely loved this project. I feel that all of my ideas and preparation have really come together nicely. Everything worked with this shoot and we had a great time doing it which I think only adds to the final photographs. I'm very grateful to Annie my model for really putting her all into the shoot.   I learned so much and these experiences in the studio's have been hugely educational. Knowing I have chosen each part of the shoot and built it from an idea is very satisfying and has only grown my passion for photography.  

Lights, Camera, Beauty shot!

Me in action. 

Setting up.

I really feel passionate about photography so me and a couple of friends from class decided to test shoot our final assessment. I have asked Annie to be my model as I really want to do a beauty shoot inspired by the lighting of old Hollywood but I want to put my own twist on it. I think Annie is the perfect model for what I want to achieve as I feel she has that classic beauty look. She reminds me a bit of Audrey Hepburn with her dark hair and eyebrows so I thought she would be perfect. Today we had 4 hours spare so we spent the first 2 hours getting each other camera ready. I wanted to see how my makeup idea for the beauty shoot translated on camera. We had a bit of trouble with the sync cable and could either use the sync cable or the flash. It wasn't working and we were running out of time because someone was using the studio after us. So with the help of Chris Overend we changed the lighting and just used the camera on its own without the use of the flash or the computer. I actually loved using the camera freehand. I felt like I had more control and the camera became an extension of me. 

I am really happy with the test shots and think Annie looks beautiful. She took direction really well and was such a natural in front of the camera. This made it so much easier to shoot because I felt that she understood what I needed her to do. 

Apart from the set backs I think to today was really inspiring. A happy accident happened and I ended up with some really beautiful shots. I'm confident now that I can achieve what I want to with the end assessment. I'm so enjoying this part of the course and feel that This is something I really want to explore. 

I did also play with the face tune app as well to see what could be done with the shots. I cleaned up a couple of blemishes and sharpened up a few details around her eyes. I think they look beautiful before but after they just pop that little bit more. I had to be careful to not change too much as I still wanted Annie to look like herself.  

Below are some of the shots I loved the most. I have also included the post production shots as well. 

One of the test shots that I love. Before Post production

Before Post production. 

I love this shot it feels really soft and youthful. After post production.

After post production. This is my favourite. I think its a really strong image. 

Lighting with Chris Overend

 We learned about lighting today in class and how to re-create some of our favourite beauty images. We learned about settings for the camera too and how to change them depending on the lighting or look of the image you are going for. We set the camera to JPEG we then changed the aperture to help reduce exposure. We also changed the white balance to change the the temperature of the image from either cool to warm or vice versa. We chose the daylight setting as this was the perfect setting for an indoor shoot. We could then change the lighting accordingly. 

1. For the first shoot (pic 1 above) the lighting was from a light box placed behind her. She was then holding a large light reflector in front of her. The end result was a soft focus and glowing appearance. I loved this one as I feel it would be really good for vintage shoots where the light was soft and flattering. 

 2. (photo above top right) I had the opportunity to recreate an image I loved. I wanted to re-create this image of JLo I love the lighting and love how glowing she looks. It's still warm though which I love and I like how she's been lit from everywhere. I wanted to create this but without the over use of Photoshop.
We set the aperture to F stop 4. we then put a soft box above her but slightly in front and then used two large reflectors either side underneath her face to create light from everywhere. I then put her into position and then played with the lighting and exposure until I felt it was accurate.

Liberty 

I was really happy with the end result as she has very little shadows on and around her face (like the image of JLo) and its a warm tone. I definitely want to use this lighting in the future. I feel that this was a really good re-creation of this photo and was really useful in seeing what you have to change in order to create the images you want. I feel that I came pretty close. 

3. In the third photo above we explored brighter exposure to get a brighter crisper image. This is an easy way of getting great even lighting and this technique can be used at home also. Chris put Bethany in front of the white back ground. He then positioned the camera straight in front and eye line height. He then positioned a light behind him facing the wall behind him. He then took the photo and with the light reflecting from the wall behind Chris and the flash it created light all around Bethany, creating a very bright but clear and crisp image. You can also play with the contrast etc afterwards in order to create an arty, creative effect. I liked this one as I feel this was really flattering for Bethany. It made her skin look really smooth and flawless.

4. For the fourth photo (Bottom Left) Chris changed the light completely. He placed two lights facing the wall at the back of the white hub. He then changed the camera lens to a 85mm lens. He then placed Charli at the front of the white hub but central to the 2 lights at the back. Then Chris placed the camera about a metre away directly in front of Charli. He then stood  two big light reflectors in front of Charli that folded around almost creating a mini room with about a metre gap between them at the front so the camera wouldn't get them in the shot. The end result was a beautiful back lit image. This is a very flattering light. Glowing from the back but still lit from the front. I really love this one I think its a beautiful Image.

Chris re-created this image by Tony Duran.

5. (Bottom Right Image at top of page) This one is probably My favourite I think its such a beautiful image. Its very soft and almost ethereal. Chris created this effect by Keeping everything the same but moving the two lighting reflecting boards from Charli's shoot and moving them closer so the camera could just about see through them. Leaving just under a foot in space, gap between them.  I want to use this lighting setups for my final shoot. 

Image of myself

Glamourous 1920's socialites represent wealth to me. They were born into families with long lines of accumulated wealth. Its in their blood. It was in the clothes they wore, the jewellery that adorned their bodies. The champagne they drunk, the houses they lived in, the cars they drove, the events they attended and the people they associated with. It seemed as though they lived lives of frivolous spending partying. They had Material wealth. 

For my second image I was asked to take a selfie containing things that symbolise me and my life and loves and who I am.

I think I'm quite a self reflective person. That is a big part of who I am. Self development is a huge part of who I am too and I always want to grow. I'm also a very passionate person that enjoys the richness of the world art, music, culture etc. I have also got my daughter in my image as she is the biggest part of my life. She grounds me and is my biggest inspiration and motivation to be the best version of myself. She is my compass and she is with me with whatever I do. 

I feel this image represents me really well. It incorporates everything that I am that is the most important to me. 

First Lesson and Practice shoot.

Our first practical lesson took place in one of the new studio's. we began by learning the setup techniques for the computer and the camera and we learned the camera and lighting settings. I made sure to take notes as it was quite complicated. I really enjoyed this lesson. 

I love photography specifically fashion photography so I was really excited to start learning the techniques needed. I love being able to capture a moment , a mood or a feeling in a photograph. I also love combining my love of fashion, make up, art and photography. Its a physical thing that you can build and build. You can make it as big or as small as you like. You can re-create a picture in your mind and I find it quite cathartic. 

Me and a couple of girls from my class really wanted a head start so we booked a studio and rented out a camera and equipment for the next day. We set up the studio, computer and lighting first and began testing the lighting and settings etc. we found it quite hard to get the lighting perfect so I think this is something that comes with practice. Also finding the perfect camera position and lighting positions was difficult as it has to change with every subject. We also realised the importance of good  makeup application and good hair styling. It can look completely different in front of the camera. Although it was challenging I really enjoyed it and have a lot of ideas for shoots when I have gotten a bit more practise.

Technical File

Technical File