Specialist Practice HND Photography and digital Imaging 2011
Introduction
I have chosen a varied group of my contemporary practitioners all of witch are relevant for my chosen specialist practice. Which is simply going to be about photogenic people. the definition for photogenic is “looking attractive in photographs: tending to look good in photographs” as we all know looking attractive/good is only in the eye of the beholder. I intend to demonstrate what I feel is attractive and looking good, from both a technical and aesthetical aspect. I have broadly out lined how I intend to achieve this.
The project
The title of the project will be simply Photogenic. Featuring Portrait, Fashion Beauty, Club photography, and Glamour with a little fine art thrown in. although it seems unnecessary more than required this is only as the subjects are closely related and when scrutinized it would arguably boil down to portraiture and fashion.
The Execution
The way I would like to achieve this is by demonstrating the correct use of digital medium format camera opposed to a 35mm digital camera when there is a choice of two. I shall be using a variety of industry-recognized software; this will be to enhance the images along with completely manipulating them.
The shoots
Many of the shoots will take place on location and within the studio environment using a number of lighting techniques. They will be worked out in such a manor that some shoots will be doubling and in some cases trebling up to be used in many different aspects of digital manipulation techniques. I will be using a variety of lighting set setups to help display many different aspects of my specialist practice project.
The Models
I am hoping that many or all my models will be happy to receive images of them self’s in payment for there time.
I shall be using both male and female models for all aspects of the project ensuring no favouritism towards one gender or the other. This should prove that my photography is not about exploitation but about promoting the beauty of the model, as well as being able to show both genders examples of my work.
The out come
I will have a portfolio I can be proud of, and will be an on going project that can develop with me.
I love the preciseness of these beauty images almost a none human look about them with over whelming smooth skin. Comparable to a china doll The use of strong vibrant colours Rebecca Parkers work and the blends of reds and blues with the contracting darks in Frank Wartenberg image with the lady blowing smoke coupled with the dangling fairy lights is quite inspirational I love the way the girl looking at the camera, with what I perceive to be hesitant eyes as if sizing the camera up before ripping it off its tripod, or could she be visualising what she would do to the photographer if it didn’t involve a prison sentence.
Frank Wartenberg
Rebecca Parker
Glamour
Yet again I find myself paying homage to vivid colour and texture. Marco Tenaglia’s earlier glamour work involved using a lot of colour and textures which I presume is why I was drawn to it, comparable with much of the grunge imagery of today. Tenaglia texture on the print do achieve a sense of hunting or some what of a mystical feel. While Specht concentrates more on giving the skin texture usually by means of illumination as seen clearly on the lower right were I presume that he has used a gel and a gobo.
Chris Collier use of colour caught my attention some of his work reminded me of Nan Goldin’s. I like the cross processed look.
Frank Wartenberg
Marco Tenaglia
Juergen Specht
I have included the Rolling stone magazine and Courtney Love simply to demonstrate masking and in particular hair masking and its importance in the world of digital media today. While Manuel Lavel
demonstrates the effectiveness of colour adjustments available to us ,Michelle Monique has a very good example of combining images into a realistic yet surreal composition. Pat Brennan’s piece shows the versatility of software when in the hands of an artist.
Michelle Monique deviant art
Manuel Laval
Pat Brennan
Rolling Stone Courtney Love
Portrait
I have chosen a few images that roughly represent a few ideas I would like to realise though out the duration of the project, Hoffmeyer's use of colourful light projected on to the upper torso of the model works well, however looks a little dull in the this reproduction. I think the black jacket against the graffiti almost camouflaging its self in to the wall along with her hair. Nick Knight has captured the grimier side of life very well in his publication “Skin heads” In this composition it would seem very simple. its what you see is what you get. He has captured a look of an attitude of its time, words could hardly say more. Frank Watenberg's image on the top right is another example of you know exactly what your looking at, at first glance. I feel there is a fair argument that a portrait picture should include the subject and what there about or what they want to be perceived to be about. Although you may not need something as obvious as a boxing ring behind a prize fighter, It can be a case of less is more for example Hoffmeyer on the lower left, There is no background ensuring the focal point is the gentleman featured along with his body language.
Nick Night
Frank Wartenberg
Isak Hoffmeyer
Night Club Photography
I have included night club photography as part of my specialist practice not only because it makes up a substantial part of my income but I feel its largely under represented and under rated as a genera of photography, which I find a little odd as clubs can be paying a top DJ or celebrity many times more than a grand wedding would cost.
The UK’s night-time economy was worth £66bn in 2010 according to the “Publican” trade magazine. Many clubs require photographers who will get it right under very trying circumstances the first time, as each club battles there neighbours for feet through the door.
I have used Merlin Bronques as an example as he has had books published on the American club scene however I really don’t think he has done it to much justice as he usually just catches the action of the subject and not the ambience within the environment. Clubs are colourful places with colour full caricatures frequenting them, I feel the camera is the perfect tool to represent clubs in everyway.
As I have tried to show with the rest of the pictures.
Merlin Bronques
Kutski Radio 1 unknown photographer
Judge Jules Radio 1
