FINAL

Last minute shoot

(Authors Own, Contact Sheet)

 Here you can see the product of a very last minute shoot. I used my mum, who was willing to show off more than just her face and superimposed my original models head onto her body.I continued to portray the older woman's insecure nature by photographing just the back. When all the images were put together in the final layout I noticed that orange was the dominant colour, I intended for the shoot to be a variety of colours but as two of my images work well in black-and-white I had to find an alternative. with the lack of accessible garments I decided to revert back to the original idea of colour correction in photo shop. Taking inspiration from ID magazine I produced a realistic layout using appropriate text, design, style and dimensions. On the next page, displayed, are my final selection of images incorporated into my final layout design, appropriate for ID magazine.  During one of the shoots my model unintentionally posed covering her left eye, I later realised that this was relevant for my magazine choice. To conclude my photo shoot I decided to design a mockup of the issue my editorial could be exhibited in.

(Authors Own, Editing Process)

(Authors Own, Layout Design)

Final Shoot

Above shows some images on set. The first image shows make up and hair artist in action, the others show me taking the photos. The lighting used was a soft box and flash to create images with minimal shadows and a natural glow, the natural daylight from the windows helps to achieve this effect. To create one of my images using the pink garment, I created a small set (inspired by rhea Theirstein) using to polystyrene boards. I pinned each individual tassle to the board in order to give the garment a second appearance, in the same way the other garments have.

(Authors Own, Contact Sheets)

(Authors Own, Photography)

(Authors Own, Photography)

Cut & Paste

(Photography Damien Blottiere, Styling Robbie Spencer, Models Christian Ochsenfahrt at Major, Victoire Macon Dauxerre at Elite)

Cut and Paste -Dazed & Confused.This is a shoot that Robbie Spencer worked on for Dazed and Confused - Calvin Klein - with photographer Damien Blottiere. Each image is merged by two separate shots in a collage manner, creating shapes and gaps that unveil a little of the other. These days images appear flawless and almost perfect with little need for physical alteration, but I think that the beauty of these images lie in the simple, old fashioned medium of cut and past. They're abstracted by this practice, creating another dimension to each image. Although these images are highly modified and very abstract, I do not intend to replicate this visualisation entirely through my own work. I do however aim to experiment with this idea of manipulating two images together to create one. I explained previously that I lacked whole outfits with the samples I wanted to photograph, so the idea of manipulating the two together could ensure than my idea goes further.

(Photography, Bela Borsodi in Cut & Paste" by Richard Brereton)

Bela Borsodi.I came across an amazing book called "Cut & Paste" by Richard Brereton which brings together over 250 images from more than 40 contemporary collage artists. In the digital age that we are living, most images are created using computer based programs, that tend to look very "computerised" and sometimes obvious. When exploring the idea of cut and paste in Fashion photography it became apparent that traditional methods of visual art are fading I aim to try and use the medium of cut and paste in my final imagery to create new ideas based on the smaller samples I have collected from my designer. I came across graphic designer and photographer Bela Borsodi, through combining aspects of fine art, graphic design, craft, and psychology, his work offers a surreal imagery that makes clothing and accessories 3-dimensional. Borsodi says of his work “I love making things and putting things in an unusual context incorporating various visual languages coming from art and graphic design–eroticism is also a fascination of me that I love exploring". Borsodi does in fact use a meticulous method on a computer based programme like photoshop to create these amazing cut and paste images, but they still have a traditional feel about them. I would like to experiment with the idea of cut and paste and play around with scale and proportion in the same way.

(Authors own, experiments with samples)

In the images above I have tried to capture the diverse nature of the garments that I intend to use, and how would like them to be portrayed. The green garment is curvaceous and and quirky and works well with the female body, whereas The pink garment is fun and bouncy and has a lot of volume and character to it. With this in mind I think I have already achieved depicting the green garment in this way, and the plans I have for the pink garment coincide with its characteristics. I recently discovered the concept of using one garment and displaying in two very unique with ways, and as I now intend to use the idea of cut-and-paste in my work, I have come up with an idea that can transform a small orange sample into a finished garment. A problem I initially faced was not having enough samples to create garments suitable to cover the body, I was also in doubt as to how I could use one of my models for a second time throughout the editorial. But with my recent experimentation with the idea of cut-and-paste I aim to use the same sample that appears as a collar in one photo and transform it into a dress for another. I have suggested way I could display the collar as a dress on a miniature figure, but a problem I have faced is finding out ways in which I can display it on the body without making it look too sexy. I aim to re-photograph the orange sample and style it in ways in which I think is suited to my model.

After researching various artists that use the technique of cut and paste I decided to roughly try it out myself. As I have only photographed head shots of my model (that I would like to be seen in the longer garment sample), I had to improvise with images on Google to create the rest of the body, which I would like to avoid in the final outcome. For my final outcome I will have to re-photograph the models body in tightly fitting clothes e.g. a leotard or underwear, so that everything is in proportion and looks realistic. As you can see above I have experimented with with scale, I photographed some of the pieces in a studio so that the quality was of a professional, usable standard. I think the idea is progressing but it needs a lot more attention to detail so that the final outcome will appear more professional.  I aim to re-photograph the models body in in a studio So that I have a realistic backdrop with realistic shadows etc... Below shows how I have experimented with repetition using cut and paste with a sample or garment. I think the continuous flow of the curvy samples is effective, and in some cases works really well e.g. the shoulder piece that is presented in image one.  This idea could also help me to create a final image, depicting  larger garments that can cover the entire body, to work alongside a full body shot but I aim to capture. 

Initial Photo Shoots

Below shows a selective sample of contact sheets from three photo shoot I produced over the last week. As you can see my models vary in height age and ethnicity. I did not choose my models as a way of tokenising them just to suit the theme of diversity, but I chose them to compliment each individual piece in a unique way based on their unique appearance. The green sample is complemented by a young female model with short hair and quirky tattoos, her pale skin and short hair compliment the form and colour of the piece. In this particular session I decided to experiment with some reflective material in order to emphasise and celebrate the colour of the garment. I feel that the idea could have worked well but as it was a last-minute decision, the space I photographed in was not complimentary of the reflective material. Following this shoot, I decided to cast a very tall and elegant female model, to complement a long slender dress. Using the failed method of reflective material from the previous shoot I decided to experiment with it one more time. This time I decided to place it on the floor so that the oranges and yellows of the dress could be reflected, I think it worked really well reflecting colours onto the floor rather than the backdrop. As this is the only finalised garment in my shoot, I decided that I could show its diversity by adorning the body with the dress in an unconventional way.  I challenge my own preconception of a "dress" and experimented with styling the model in different ways using it. The idea that seem to work the best, which we discovered quite quickly, was to let the dress hang around the neck as if it had not been put on properly or only halfway. Learning that single garment can be placed on the body in multiple ways has led to visualise my final outcome.  I would like my four models to display one garment or sample in two very different ways, this way I will be demonstrating the theme of diversity through the garments. At this point I have also decided that I would prefer to shoot just female models for my final outcome, have experimented with using male models and it seemed that the male physique does not complements the samples as much as the female figure does. I have plans for two full body compositions that I would like to photograph in my final shoot. I think this composition will complement the specific garment perfectly, and with this in mind I decided that it would be mandatory to shoot head shots for my third shoot. Unintentionally, but undoubtably aesthetically pleasing, my third model also had short hair, which compliments all of the garments and samples. I used an orange collar to accentuate and compliment the texture and colour of my models hair and skin tone. I am yet to discover what shot i would like to use this model for again, but for now I have a great head shot that works with the other final images flawlessly.

(Photography, Authors Own - Knitwear, Karen Moore - Model, Nelly Smith)

(Photography, Authors Own - Knitwear, Karen Moore)

(Photography, Authors Own - Knitwear, Karen Moore - Model, Cynthia Granfield)

At first I decided that I would use simple white paint across the eyes to show purity and freshness.  I didn't want my imagery to be too contrived or to be seen as tokenising the idea of African tribal body art,  so this simple makeup technique seemed appropriate. When I composed the first shoot with the green garment and tattooed female model I forgot to apply the white paint around the eyes, at first I was disappointed and wanted to shoot again with makeup,  but as I began to upload images on my computer to edit them in photo shop I actually preferred this natural look. Although the model wearing the orange collar was not one of my first, I didn't intend to apply makeup to her as I wanted to keep her looking natural and celebrate her age and identity.

Final Images - 1205 - Group & Individual

(Group final images in blog format. 

Assessed Format, A3 with thin black boarder.)

(Week 1 Experimentation, Authors Own)

(Week 2, Photo shoot, Authors Own)

(Week 3&4 Collage & Set Design, Authors Own)

(Week 5 Typography, Authors Own)

Prompt 6 - Final Images - 1205

Skip My ProgrammePROMPT 6:

Prompt 6:

As a group, look through the group work you have created so far and prepare three potential sets of 5/6 images for critique in next week's session. The same image/s can be used more than once, and the sets can combine images from different prompts.

The images below are what we chose as a group that we thought could work well together as a final set. We took these images to the peer critique and later decided which ones we were going to use for the final 6.

What was mentioned in the critique:

• The images should not be restrained to squares (although this display was simply presented for our blog)
• The images without a face work better with the designer
• The monochromatic tint on all the images work really well
• Some images work better with different sets of images

We went away after the critique and thought about what our peers and tutors had commented and used these point to improve. It was quite hard for our group to decide which images to choose ,as it was made clear in the critique most of our imagery was strong. 

Prompt 2 - Photo shoot Portraying Designers Initial Felt Emotion - 1205

As a group we had to determine an emotion or feeling that can relate to our assigned designer's work. The aim was to create 5-6 photographic images to represent the work in relation to this chosen emotion or feeling. .

(Authors Own Moodboard - iImages Google)

To begin with, as a group, we came up with a bunch of words we instantly thought of when looking at Paula Gerbase' work. The general consensus was that the monochrome tones and simple photography used to promote her collections, gave it a melancholic feel. We also came to an agreement that the collection wasn't particularly sad or depressing but it was calm and comforting with a sombre approach. We considered most of the initial words, trying to criticise each one constructively until we found the perfect medium between comfort, relaxing, solemn, quiet etc… The outcome was the word Tranquility...

We conducted a photo shoot soon after we agreed on an emotion/feeling. We took inspiration from different imagery, looking closely at interiors, photo shoots and textiles. We each brought images we thought related and created a mood board that would help direct us in the studio. To make sure the shoot represented 1205's aesthetic we went on a shopping trip to Westfield and purchased clothes (to return) that would demonstrate this. We made sure each person in our group had a part to play in the final outcome. Whilst everyone had a go at taking some shots, we decided that it would be more efficient to give everyone individual roles too:

• Guy too responsibility of lighting and mood 
• Yoon helped with makeup, Hair and photography
• Anushka took charge of photography and location
• Seunghee and I styled the outfits and modelled 

Prior  to the photo shoot I visited luxury heritage fashion retailer Browns on South Molten street to see 1205's collection. I thought it would really help me to get a feel for the brand and experience the garments. I tried some of the items on so I could analyse quality, fit and style. The visit was really helpful and insightful, the clothes are a very modern and organic twist on tailoring and they are beautifully crafted using unusual materials. Visiting the store has inspired me to create a shoot on location with new garments. I have recently ordered some clothes on the online store Asos so that I can create this experimental shoot i have in mind

I think the majority of our images strongly related to Gerbase' work, but we had to narrow 380 images down to 5 to meet the brief criteria. Everyone chose 5 images out of the 380 taken and edited them to their own personal standard. We shared the images and deliberated as a team what worked well together as a series. To our advantage most of us had similar ideas so it wasn't difficult to decide. To the right were some of the images I edited myself, I decided that maybe the monochrome outcome would be too obvious. Instead I experimented with creating a sense of tranquility though blue tones whilst sticking to the theme and aesthetic of 1205.

It was difficult being in front of the camera rather that behind it where I am more comfortable, but to our groups advantage I knew the desired appearance of the shoot. Knowing exactly what we required made it slightly easier to define poses and necessary props / lighting. Something else I found difficult was not being able to have my creative input on the framing of some shots. Overall I think the images we have presented as our finals represent the Designer and the word perfectly.

Final Images:

(Authors Own Editing, Styling & Photography of image 1&3)

Prompt 1 - Designers Aesthetic - 1205

PROMPT 1: 

As a group, choose 5/6 words that describe your designer’s aesthetic.

Together as a team, create 5/6 images that visualise the words you have chosen. It is up to the group to decide how the images are made, what materials you use and how you collaborate together to make them. 

As I chose the words Geometrical and Tactile I decided to use these words to experiment with. I looked for geometric architectural structures and/or patterns and simply photographed them. Photoshop manipulation is something I feel confident using, so i decided to use this skill to manipulate some of my imagery. I also experimented with manipulating some of 1205's previous photo shoots so that the group could get an idea of how it can work for the brand.

(GROUPS FINAL IMAGES, Highlighted Red - Authors Own)

(Authors Own)

Although our final images appear to be just photographical, a number of us did experiment with different mediums. We thought that as "Tactile" was one of our descriptive words, we would try to portray this concept through manipulation. As we had already used photography as our initial response we thought it would be silly to start over. We decided to use paper  manipulation both physical and photoshop based to achieve this concept. We explored many avenues of paper manipulation: Crushing, Burning, Tearing, Crunching even simple cut and paste. We discovered that some worked better than others based on the collection. 

In addition to that, we found a medium that gives tactile property – Moulding Paste. Modeling paste is an acrylic medium that is filled with solid material. The result is a thick white substance that can create a controlled textural surface. With brush or any tools, we can make the texture that we want and leave it dry. When it dries, it becomes an opaque white when it dries. After that, we can paint, write, or do anything on top of the texture. Therefore, this is considered to be a good medium to be incorporated in following prompts.

For the word "Geometric" we came up with some ideas for pencil drawing where we looked into unique building structures in different parts of london and roughly drew them on a sketchbook(which we carried everywhere). 

We found it quite hard to represent the word "Androgynous" without using the human form (which we didn't want to use at this stage in the project). So close to giving up with the word an image was created through printing technique using a gloss varnish.

(Experimental Techniques - Photoshop, Authors Own)

(Experiments - Photoshop, Authors Own)