Reflection
I have chosen to investigate reflection, I think that reflection gives a wide range of opportunity and gives a wide range of techniques and ideas to work and experiment with. Reflection can be interepreted in lots of different ways, for example reflection on water/shiny objects or a reflection could be how people see things/themselves or different angles and different perspectives reflecting with in each other. I want to show a different side to reflection not just the basic and stereotypical thought towards reflection, e.g water reflections and mirrors.
My Ideas
I have chosen to investigate reflection, I think that reflection gives a wide range of opportunity and gives a wide range of techniques and ideas to work and experiment with. Reflection can be interepreted in lots of different ways, for example reflection on water/shiny objects or a reflection could be how people see things/themselves or different angles and different perspectives reflecting with in each other. I want to show a different side to reflection not just the basic and stereotypical thought towards reflection, e.g water reflections and mirrors.
My Ideas
- I may use water for my reflection project. I could use water to create a distorted image of whatever is being reflected. It could reflect different landscapes or people or animals or city scapes. I could do this with puddles, lakes, rivers, ponds and waterfalls.
- I could use eyes to show reflection. I could take a picture of someones eyes and what they are seeing in the pupil of the eye. I could be the opposite of what they want to see or the ideal thing they want to see. I could also incorporate different emotions, for example crying.
- I could use mirrors for reflection, but develop on from that, to show how people see themselves and their "reflection" of themselves. How they feel about themselves in the mirror is reflected in their image and how they act . I could Photoshop different parts of what they see in the mirror to emphasize a distorted reflection or what they see as bad or good. I could also use mirrors to hide parts of people like the some of the photos in the mood board.
- I could use mirrors in a fantasy context to imply movement between two different worlds or environments.
- I could use metallic/reflective objects to show reflection a for example bubbles and metal pans. It could have the object and the background behind be perfectly normal and then in the refection of the object something odd, weird or out of place is happening.
mood board
mindmap
I have chosen to continue with the theme of reflection, specifically mirrors. I want to experiment with mirrors and how they can imply something other than a simple real life reflection.
mood board
mindmap
Jenna Martin
Jenna Martin is a fine art and underwater photographer. She originally trained and achieved a masters degree in psychiatric rehabilitation, she then changed her career and now takes photographs that are surreal and unlike reality. She focuses on underwater portraiture. Here are some examples of her work.
Jenna Martin is a fine art and underwater photographer. She originally trained and achieved a masters degree in psychiatric rehabilitation, she then changed her career and now takes photographs that are surreal and unlike reality. She focuses on underwater portraiture. Here are some examples of her work.
Critical analysis
This photo was taken by Jenna Martin, using underwater photography. She takes the photos at her own underwater camera housing. In this photo I think she is trying to stick with her theme of her photographs being surreal. As it looks as if she is kind of breathing and relaxing underwater. The mood of the photograph is moody and grumpy but also slightly relaxing as you look at the girl. It's as if there is a storm going on above land and underneath its calm and peaceful. I think because the photo is black and white it emphasizes this. The textures in this photograph are very interesting and they contrast with each other, the sky looks fluffy and soft even though its gloomy and dark, and at the bottom of the sea it looks rough and pebbly. Above and below the water appear to almost be from different worlds. I like the way the photographer has used black and white and how there is lots of contrast in the photo. I think the photographer could also possibly of added in a facial expression on the girl so we have a better understanding, but this may be deliberate to add mystery.
This photo was taken by Jenna Martin, using underwater photography. She takes the photos at her own underwater camera housing. In this photo I think she is trying to stick with her theme of her photographs being surreal. As it looks as if she is kind of breathing and relaxing underwater. The mood of the photograph is moody and grumpy but also slightly relaxing as you look at the girl. It's as if there is a storm going on above land and underneath its calm and peaceful. I think because the photo is black and white it emphasizes this. The textures in this photograph are very interesting and they contrast with each other, the sky looks fluffy and soft even though its gloomy and dark, and at the bottom of the sea it looks rough and pebbly. Above and below the water appear to almost be from different worlds. I like the way the photographer has used black and white and how there is lots of contrast in the photo. I think the photographer could also possibly of added in a facial expression on the girl so we have a better understanding, but this may be deliberate to add mystery.
Paul Apalkin
He is a photographer that focuses on fine art photography and also portraiture. He is said to have a 'original and fresh artistic point of view'. His photographs are mainly black and white and if they are not they are mainly focused on one color e.g yellow. On his website he has three projects Portrait, Personal and Conceptual. Of all his photos only one is really reflection and that photo is below, I have been very inspired by this photo.
He is a photographer that focuses on fine art photography and also portraiture. He is said to have a 'original and fresh artistic point of view'. His photographs are mainly black and white and if they are not they are mainly focused on one color e.g yellow. On his website he has three projects Portrait, Personal and Conceptual. Of all his photos only one is really reflection and that photo is below, I have been very inspired by this photo.
Critical Analysis
This photography was taken by Paul Apalkin and its a portrait one of the things he focuses on. I think this photo was inspired by the title conceptual as it's different a bit odd and quirky and quite abstract. I think the mood of this photo is mystery and confusion and also a sense of being on edge. I think this is because i think the mirror is showing that you can't always see everything, but it doesn't mean it isn't there, he effectively uses the mirror to reveal this. Its also mysterious because there are too many arms in the photo graph which leaves you wondering and questioning who the other person is. The woman in the photo also looks fragile and almost weak, which is indicated through the very small subtle tattoo, dark nails and thin loose hair, the use of more arms implies that she can she can barely hold up the mirror and that someone is helping; this implies she has little strength. The person in the mirror could be the person she wants us to see and the other hand could be of that persona. Her eyes in the photo are bold and dark as if she is in charge and not afraid to directly face the camera whereas the image not in the mirror is in profile and turned away from the camera.
This photography was taken by Paul Apalkin and its a portrait one of the things he focuses on. I think this photo was inspired by the title conceptual as it's different a bit odd and quirky and quite abstract. I think the mood of this photo is mystery and confusion and also a sense of being on edge. I think this is because i think the mirror is showing that you can't always see everything, but it doesn't mean it isn't there, he effectively uses the mirror to reveal this. Its also mysterious because there are too many arms in the photo graph which leaves you wondering and questioning who the other person is. The woman in the photo also looks fragile and almost weak, which is indicated through the very small subtle tattoo, dark nails and thin loose hair, the use of more arms implies that she can she can barely hold up the mirror and that someone is helping; this implies she has little strength. The person in the mirror could be the person she wants us to see and the other hand could be of that persona. Her eyes in the photo are bold and dark as if she is in charge and not afraid to directly face the camera whereas the image not in the mirror is in profile and turned away from the camera.
Laura Williams
Laura Williams is a 21 year old artist from Cambridge, but she is currently living in Brighton. She studied at Cambridge doing a foundation course in art and design and is currently doing a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design at the University of Brighton. Her work has been used and featured in many magazines. In her photography she focuses of self portraiture and also commissions and multiple exposures. Here are some examples of here work.
Critical Analysis
This photo was taken by Laura Williams in 2013 and the photo is called invisible, which is part of a series of photos all called invisible. This photo fits in to my project reflection as there are reflections in the mirror. Her work is often described as surreal and this is a good example of one of them. She said she enjoyed playing with illusions and different moods. She also felt it was expressing how people can feel invisible and showing that everyone has the feeling that 'they want to be heard'. She took these photo completely by her self which she said was very 'challenging', so she used self portraiture. The name of the photo 'invisible' does relate to the photograph, as Laura Williams in the photograph is covering part of her body making it invisible, helping to express how people don't always get heard; especially young people. The photo has a very natural feel to it as all the background is very calm and clear and all green with grass, trees and bushes. Also in the photo you can't see any clothes on the girl making it look more natural, the natural feel to the photo creates quite a calm and quiet mood. The girl in the photograph creates quite a contrast, her hair is very dark and so is her eye makeup creating a darker edge to the photograph. This helps to create mystery, raises question and adds a slightly darker mood. The darker background of the photo also adds to the darker atmosphere. The calm and darker mood create a bigger contrast. There are lots of different textures in the photo, the grass is a very spiky texture and looks very sharp, this is a complete contrast to the girls legs in the photograph, which look very smooth. The composition of the photo is effective as the position of the girl in the photo draws your eyes to her as she is completely central. I like the way Laura Williams has used effective contrast in the moods and textures in the photograph, I also like how she is trying to express something in her photograph. If she were to do the project again I would have been interested to see how she could have added different images into the mirror, but this may have taken away the fact that she was trying to portray part of the girl as invisible.
This photo was taken by Laura Williams in 2013 and the photo is called invisible, which is part of a series of photos all called invisible. This photo fits in to my project reflection as there are reflections in the mirror. Her work is often described as surreal and this is a good example of one of them. She said she enjoyed playing with illusions and different moods. She also felt it was expressing how people can feel invisible and showing that everyone has the feeling that 'they want to be heard'. She took these photo completely by her self which she said was very 'challenging', so she used self portraiture. The name of the photo 'invisible' does relate to the photograph, as Laura Williams in the photograph is covering part of her body making it invisible, helping to express how people don't always get heard; especially young people. The photo has a very natural feel to it as all the background is very calm and clear and all green with grass, trees and bushes. Also in the photo you can't see any clothes on the girl making it look more natural, the natural feel to the photo creates quite a calm and quiet mood. The girl in the photograph creates quite a contrast, her hair is very dark and so is her eye makeup creating a darker edge to the photograph. This helps to create mystery, raises question and adds a slightly darker mood. The darker background of the photo also adds to the darker atmosphere. The calm and darker mood create a bigger contrast. There are lots of different textures in the photo, the grass is a very spiky texture and looks very sharp, this is a complete contrast to the girls legs in the photograph, which look very smooth. The composition of the photo is effective as the position of the girl in the photo draws your eyes to her as she is completely central. I like the way Laura Williams has used effective contrast in the moods and textures in the photograph, I also like how she is trying to express something in her photograph. If she were to do the project again I would have been interested to see how she could have added different images into the mirror, but this may have taken away the fact that she was trying to portray part of the girl as invisible.
SHOOT one
Plan:
My ideas for this shoot are to experiment with using a mirror to show reflection. I want the mirror to cover the models face and reflect something, this will possibly make their head look slightly invisible and/or incorporate a different image in the mirror, i.e. whatever is in the background. I need a camera, a mirror and a model for this shoot. My inspirations for this shoot are Laura Williams, Paul Apalkin and Jenna Martin.
My ideas for this shoot are to experiment with using a mirror to show reflection. I want the mirror to cover the models face and reflect something, this will possibly make their head look slightly invisible and/or incorporate a different image in the mirror, i.e. whatever is in the background. I need a camera, a mirror and a model for this shoot. My inspirations for this shoot are Laura Williams, Paul Apalkin and Jenna Martin.
I used Photoshop to edit my favorite and best photographs from my first shoot. They can be seen below. I adjusted the levels, contrast and saturation of the photo. Here is how I edited them and the final outcome of this shoot.
I used the same process for both photos.
Critique:
WWW: I took lots of photos using a mirror to show reflection and this followed my theme well. The face is fully covered by the mirror which I was pleased with as it was inspired by Laura Williams and it looks as if it was. I was also pleased with these images in particular because I like the sharp contrast of the image in the mirror. I feel that this begins to add an idea of mystery as portrayed by all the artists I studied.
EBI: Next time I will conduct my shoot in a non school environment and I will use a model who isn't wearing school uniform. I also want to find a mirror with an edge to it as I think this will look more like the work of Laura Williams. I think these changes will make the images look more professional and will help my images better reflect my studied artists. I will also want to use Photoshop this time to make the look of 'invisible' as seen in Laura Williams work more obvious, this will help to show how I was inspired by the photographers I researched.
WWW: I took lots of photos using a mirror to show reflection and this followed my theme well. The face is fully covered by the mirror which I was pleased with as it was inspired by Laura Williams and it looks as if it was. I was also pleased with these images in particular because I like the sharp contrast of the image in the mirror. I feel that this begins to add an idea of mystery as portrayed by all the artists I studied.
EBI: Next time I will conduct my shoot in a non school environment and I will use a model who isn't wearing school uniform. I also want to find a mirror with an edge to it as I think this will look more like the work of Laura Williams. I think these changes will make the images look more professional and will help my images better reflect my studied artists. I will also want to use Photoshop this time to make the look of 'invisible' as seen in Laura Williams work more obvious, this will help to show how I was inspired by the photographers I researched.
SHOOT TWO
Plan:
For this shoot I will need a camera, a tripod, a mirror and a model. I will be conducting this shoot in a natural environment; the nature reserve in Wick. My inspirations for the shoot are Laura Williams, Paul Apalkin and Jenna Martin. I'm going to take a photo of the background I want first using a tripod and then get my model to stand in the photo with the mirror covering their face with the mirror. Then I am going to use Photoshop to edit the picture of the plain background (the part where the mirror is) on to the photo with the model and the mirror. This will help to create the invisible look.
For this shoot I will need a camera, a tripod, a mirror and a model. I will be conducting this shoot in a natural environment; the nature reserve in Wick. My inspirations for the shoot are Laura Williams, Paul Apalkin and Jenna Martin. I'm going to take a photo of the background I want first using a tripod and then get my model to stand in the photo with the mirror covering their face with the mirror. Then I am going to use Photoshop to edit the picture of the plain background (the part where the mirror is) on to the photo with the model and the mirror. This will help to create the invisible look.
Below are the original photos of just the background and also the backgrounds with the mirrors and model in. I will then edit them together.
These are my edited pictures, and how I did them.
Critical Analysis
WWW: I was really pleased with this photo shoot. I think the use of the natural environment worked well as it helped to create beautiful autumnal backgrounds and reflections. I also think having the model out of uniform worked well and I feel that this worked well with a more natural environment. I was very pleased to find mirrors with ornate edges to use as I think they work well. The use of the tripod was very effective as it successfully enabled me take images that could then be layered accurately using photoshop. I think the final images reflect well the influence of Laura Williams on my work as I think they successfully portray the theme of 'invisible' and begin to look at ways of creating surreal images and playing with illusion.
EBI: Whilst I was pleased with this shoot I think it mostly reflects my appreciation of Laura Williams work and whilst it begins to develop the idea of surreal images and the creation of illusion I think this could be developed more fully by combining the work of the other photographers I have studied. As I develop this project I would like to continue with the idea of the surreal illusions but also add into this ideas of mystery and confusion as portrayed by Paul Apalkin and the creation of contrasting worlds as demonstrated by Jenna Martin. I also want to further study artists who do this.
WWW: I was really pleased with this photo shoot. I think the use of the natural environment worked well as it helped to create beautiful autumnal backgrounds and reflections. I also think having the model out of uniform worked well and I feel that this worked well with a more natural environment. I was very pleased to find mirrors with ornate edges to use as I think they work well. The use of the tripod was very effective as it successfully enabled me take images that could then be layered accurately using photoshop. I think the final images reflect well the influence of Laura Williams on my work as I think they successfully portray the theme of 'invisible' and begin to look at ways of creating surreal images and playing with illusion.
EBI: Whilst I was pleased with this shoot I think it mostly reflects my appreciation of Laura Williams work and whilst it begins to develop the idea of surreal images and the creation of illusion I think this could be developed more fully by combining the work of the other photographers I have studied. As I develop this project I would like to continue with the idea of the surreal illusions but also add into this ideas of mystery and confusion as portrayed by Paul Apalkin and the creation of contrasting worlds as demonstrated by Jenna Martin. I also want to further study artists who do this.
"monster in the mirror" by pretty as a picture
Critical Analysis
The photo was taken by an unknown photographer who's calls themselves 'pretty as a picture' which is probably is a username. The photo is called 'Monster in the Mirror'. The mood of this photo is very intense, tricking and slightly sinister. I think the photo is trying to show what the girl really sees in the mirror, or something that is happening in her life, a distorted image. This gives off the intensity in the photo and leaves people wondering and thinking. The photographer has taken an original image and then another image that they wanted in the mirror and photo shopped them together. The composition of the photograph is also interesting and adds to the photo. There are lots of curves in this photo which is think is effective, because it makes the photo flows more; there are curves in the back mirror and just above the curve. I think this photo is very effective and makes people think and evokes emotions. I want to incorporate the ideas of this photographers work into mine, by using the idea of having a different photo in the mirror instead of a background/invisible image. I think that using a contrasting image allows the photographer to imply either a different emotion or that something different is happening.
The photo was taken by an unknown photographer who's calls themselves 'pretty as a picture' which is probably is a username. The photo is called 'Monster in the Mirror'. The mood of this photo is very intense, tricking and slightly sinister. I think the photo is trying to show what the girl really sees in the mirror, or something that is happening in her life, a distorted image. This gives off the intensity in the photo and leaves people wondering and thinking. The photographer has taken an original image and then another image that they wanted in the mirror and photo shopped them together. The composition of the photograph is also interesting and adds to the photo. There are lots of curves in this photo which is think is effective, because it makes the photo flows more; there are curves in the back mirror and just above the curve. I think this photo is very effective and makes people think and evokes emotions. I want to incorporate the ideas of this photographers work into mine, by using the idea of having a different photo in the mirror instead of a background/invisible image. I think that using a contrasting image allows the photographer to imply either a different emotion or that something different is happening.
DAVID KUKLA
David Kukla is a photographer who lives and works in New York City and he was the artist in residence at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. I like this image as I feel it uses a mirror effectively to create an illusion of contrasting environments. Whilst the background around the mirror is cold and snowy with a dull winter sky, the contrasting image in the mirror is of a bright sunny possibly summer sky. It almost feels as if the mirror is creating a portal into another world. The photographer has made the viewer feel as if they could leave the cold of winter and step through a portal into the warmth of summer. I really like the idea of using ' a mirror as a portal' and hope that I can incorporate this idea into my project as it develops.
interim reveiw
For my project I chose the topic of reflection out of the three choices that were given. I then began to research and explore different types of reflection photography. I wrote down my initial ideas for my reflection project, which ranged from mirrors to reflecting objects to water. I created a mind map with lots of examples of reflection photography and then I wanted to refine my ideas even more so I created a mind map on popplet to help me choose my theme in reflection. After all this I decided for my project I wanted to focus on reflection in mirrors, and wanted to explore different way to use them in photographs, I also wanted to experiment with Photoshop to create illusion/unreal/surreal/fantasy photos. I then went on to research some photographers that used mirrors and reflection in their work.
I originally found three artists to support my exploration of these ideas, they were Laura Williams, Paul Apalkin and Jenna Martin. I firstly found Jenna Martin, she takes portraits using water and the water creates reflection in her work. Her work inspired me and made me realize I wanted to incorporate portrait/people in my photos, she also inspired me as her photos sometimes have an element of fantasy and weird which I liked and wanted to incorporate into my work. I also liked the way in which she used the water line to create contrasting environments above and below the water.
After that I researched the work of Paul Apalkin, not all his work is based on reflection or mirrors, but I found one photograph using a mirror that I found especially interesting. I then critically analysed this photograph. I found the photograph had an element of the surreal to it like Jenna Martins work. I liked this about his work, I also think his photo was trying to say that what you see in the mirror isn't always true and sometimes you only see things you the way you want to see them and this could be different, as you don't really know whose eyes are in the mirror. This made me think I also wanted to conduct shoots that show a distorted and/or contrasting image (i.e. something different in the mirror to what was on the outside) and to create mystery by portraying something different than the viewer expects to see.
The final artist from my initial research was Laura Williams. I found her work very intriguing as she uses tricks and illusions in her photos but also adds in an element of fantasy. Many of her images look as if they could have been used as illustrations or are stills from a fantast film set. She also uses mirrors in some of her photos and I found those picture extremely inspiring for my project. All the research I did into the artist helped me realize exactly what I wanted to do with my project. I wanted to create photographs using mirrors that have an element of mystery, illusion, confusion and fantasy to them.
I then went on to conduct my first shoot where I used a mirror. I made sure the mirror was completely in front of the models face and then in the mirror something interesting was reflected. I took a range of photos and then chose my best two to improve and edit on Photoshop. I wasn't completely happy with the results as the photos were taken in school, not always in focus, quite boring and unprofessional. With this in mind I decided to conduct my second shoot outside of school and use a different technique more inspired by Laura Williams.
I took a picture of a plain background and then the same picture with a model holding a mirror in front of their body, I had to use a tripod to do this to make sure the photos were in line. I then went on to Photoshop and layered the photos together and rubbed out the mirror part to create an invisible look. This was very much inspired by my artists, as I used mirrors and the overall affect was slightly mysterious and confusing as it was creating an invisible look.
After this I decided I wanted to create shoots with an even more heightened fantasy element and I also wanted to explore using distorted or contrasting images in the mirrors and how a mirror can help the viewer to see things differently. I felt further research was needed before I went on to do this so I researched further artists and found inspirational work by both David Kukla and 'Pretty as a Picture'. Both of them had created work that I liked and critical analysis of their work helped me to develop ideas that I wanted to incorporate into to my project.
I think so far for this project I have successfully researched and developed by ideas and also researched many artists and critically analysed their work successfully. Shoot two was particularly successful as it was very inspired by my artist and I think the outcome/final photos were good.
My next steps are to conduct and create more shoots, and for them to incorporate the ideas I haven't already experimented with. In my next shoots I want to develop the ideas of using contrasting images in a mirror to create an illusion and a feeling of fantasy. I want these photos to make the viewer think and question exactly what they are seeing.
I hope that this will lead me to create a final piece that incorporates all these ideas and images successfully.
I originally found three artists to support my exploration of these ideas, they were Laura Williams, Paul Apalkin and Jenna Martin. I firstly found Jenna Martin, she takes portraits using water and the water creates reflection in her work. Her work inspired me and made me realize I wanted to incorporate portrait/people in my photos, she also inspired me as her photos sometimes have an element of fantasy and weird which I liked and wanted to incorporate into my work. I also liked the way in which she used the water line to create contrasting environments above and below the water.
After that I researched the work of Paul Apalkin, not all his work is based on reflection or mirrors, but I found one photograph using a mirror that I found especially interesting. I then critically analysed this photograph. I found the photograph had an element of the surreal to it like Jenna Martins work. I liked this about his work, I also think his photo was trying to say that what you see in the mirror isn't always true and sometimes you only see things you the way you want to see them and this could be different, as you don't really know whose eyes are in the mirror. This made me think I also wanted to conduct shoots that show a distorted and/or contrasting image (i.e. something different in the mirror to what was on the outside) and to create mystery by portraying something different than the viewer expects to see.
The final artist from my initial research was Laura Williams. I found her work very intriguing as she uses tricks and illusions in her photos but also adds in an element of fantasy. Many of her images look as if they could have been used as illustrations or are stills from a fantast film set. She also uses mirrors in some of her photos and I found those picture extremely inspiring for my project. All the research I did into the artist helped me realize exactly what I wanted to do with my project. I wanted to create photographs using mirrors that have an element of mystery, illusion, confusion and fantasy to them.
I then went on to conduct my first shoot where I used a mirror. I made sure the mirror was completely in front of the models face and then in the mirror something interesting was reflected. I took a range of photos and then chose my best two to improve and edit on Photoshop. I wasn't completely happy with the results as the photos were taken in school, not always in focus, quite boring and unprofessional. With this in mind I decided to conduct my second shoot outside of school and use a different technique more inspired by Laura Williams.
I took a picture of a plain background and then the same picture with a model holding a mirror in front of their body, I had to use a tripod to do this to make sure the photos were in line. I then went on to Photoshop and layered the photos together and rubbed out the mirror part to create an invisible look. This was very much inspired by my artists, as I used mirrors and the overall affect was slightly mysterious and confusing as it was creating an invisible look.
After this I decided I wanted to create shoots with an even more heightened fantasy element and I also wanted to explore using distorted or contrasting images in the mirrors and how a mirror can help the viewer to see things differently. I felt further research was needed before I went on to do this so I researched further artists and found inspirational work by both David Kukla and 'Pretty as a Picture'. Both of them had created work that I liked and critical analysis of their work helped me to develop ideas that I wanted to incorporate into to my project.
I think so far for this project I have successfully researched and developed by ideas and also researched many artists and critically analysed their work successfully. Shoot two was particularly successful as it was very inspired by my artist and I think the outcome/final photos were good.
My next steps are to conduct and create more shoots, and for them to incorporate the ideas I haven't already experimented with. In my next shoots I want to develop the ideas of using contrasting images in a mirror to create an illusion and a feeling of fantasy. I want these photos to make the viewer think and question exactly what they are seeing.
I hope that this will lead me to create a final piece that incorporates all these ideas and images successfully.
shoot three AND FOUr
Plan:
For this shoot I want to continue using mirrors. After writing my interim review I began to think about how I could incorporate contrasting images in the mirror. Initially I wondered how I would be able to do this as all my shoots for this project were taken in school or in the woods and at the same time of year. I was very perplexed at how I could create the illusion of stepping into not only another environment but also another season like the image created by David Kukla. Luckily as I was considering this I took a trip to the coast and was lucky enough to have fantastic weather thus allowing me to take some seascapes. I realised that these could potentially provide me with the perfect images for creating a contrasting image in my mirror just like David Kukla had.
I am therefore going to take photos similar to shoot two. My model is going to be holding the mirror again but not in front of the body this time. This shoot I want the mirror to be on the ground and in the environment as well. I want my model to be looking into the mirror and also to look as if they are also discovering the mirrors and the surprising contrasting environments within them. Once I have taken these photos I plan to edit them on Photoshop; I plan to take the photos with the model and the mirror and edit the seascape into the mirror. I want it to give the effect of a portal into another environment and season, as if the model is looking into the portal and wondering if they could jump in. I am going to take this shoot in the nature reserve in Wick and I will need a model, camera, tripod and ornate edged mirrors.
For this shoot I want to continue using mirrors. After writing my interim review I began to think about how I could incorporate contrasting images in the mirror. Initially I wondered how I would be able to do this as all my shoots for this project were taken in school or in the woods and at the same time of year. I was very perplexed at how I could create the illusion of stepping into not only another environment but also another season like the image created by David Kukla. Luckily as I was considering this I took a trip to the coast and was lucky enough to have fantastic weather thus allowing me to take some seascapes. I realised that these could potentially provide me with the perfect images for creating a contrasting image in my mirror just like David Kukla had.
I am therefore going to take photos similar to shoot two. My model is going to be holding the mirror again but not in front of the body this time. This shoot I want the mirror to be on the ground and in the environment as well. I want my model to be looking into the mirror and also to look as if they are also discovering the mirrors and the surprising contrasting environments within them. Once I have taken these photos I plan to edit them on Photoshop; I plan to take the photos with the model and the mirror and edit the seascape into the mirror. I want it to give the effect of a portal into another environment and season, as if the model is looking into the portal and wondering if they could jump in. I am going to take this shoot in the nature reserve in Wick and I will need a model, camera, tripod and ornate edged mirrors.
Here are my seascapes for this shoot. (unedited)
Here are my photos with the model and mirror. (unedited)
Here are my final photographs from this shoot. (edited)
Critique:
WWW: I feel this shoot was very successful because I believe I have successfully achieved my aims. I have managed to incorporate images from two shoots in two contrasting environments to create a fantasy style image which reflects the artists I have studied and creates mystery for the viewer. I successfully edited my Photoshop to look like a portal into a contrasting environment and season and I think the model looks as if he is discovering the portals. I think this shoot reflects particularly well my interest in the work of Laura Williams and David Kukla and combines well the ideas presented in their work. I have used ornate edged mirrors, models holding and looking mirrors and contrasting environments and seasons to create a mysterious fantasy picture of portal to another place.
EBI: I think the shoot would be more effective if I used more than one mirror, to further develop the idea of portal fantasy style photography. I would like to create the illusion that if you go in one portal you could come out anywhere. I think I could work on editing as it's not the same/constant the whole way through.
Next Steps: For shoot five I want to include two mirrors in my shoot.
WWW: I feel this shoot was very successful because I believe I have successfully achieved my aims. I have managed to incorporate images from two shoots in two contrasting environments to create a fantasy style image which reflects the artists I have studied and creates mystery for the viewer. I successfully edited my Photoshop to look like a portal into a contrasting environment and season and I think the model looks as if he is discovering the portals. I think this shoot reflects particularly well my interest in the work of Laura Williams and David Kukla and combines well the ideas presented in their work. I have used ornate edged mirrors, models holding and looking mirrors and contrasting environments and seasons to create a mysterious fantasy picture of portal to another place.
EBI: I think the shoot would be more effective if I used more than one mirror, to further develop the idea of portal fantasy style photography. I would like to create the illusion that if you go in one portal you could come out anywhere. I think I could work on editing as it's not the same/constant the whole way through.
Next Steps: For shoot five I want to include two mirrors in my shoot.
shoot fIVE
Plan:
For this shoot I am planning to use two mirrors and edit them in the same way as my combined shoots three and four, again I will use my seascape shoot again to do this. Further seascape shoots allowed me to take some sunset images and I would like to experiment with these to create the idea of a portal leading to another time of day as well as a different environment and season. This will hopefully create the illusion of two portals and a sense of the unknown and mystery as if the viewer doesn't know where anything leads too. I am going to conduct this shoot in the nature reserve in Wick, and I will need a model, camera and two mirrors and further seascapes images from my previous shoot.
For this shoot I am planning to use two mirrors and edit them in the same way as my combined shoots three and four, again I will use my seascape shoot again to do this. Further seascape shoots allowed me to take some sunset images and I would like to experiment with these to create the idea of a portal leading to another time of day as well as a different environment and season. This will hopefully create the illusion of two portals and a sense of the unknown and mystery as if the viewer doesn't know where anything leads too. I am going to conduct this shoot in the nature reserve in Wick, and I will need a model, camera and two mirrors and further seascapes images from my previous shoot.
Here are my seascapes for this shoot. (unedited)
These are the photos I took for this shoot, that have the model and mirrors in. (unedited)
These are my final edited photographs from this shoot. (edited)
Critique:
www: I think by editing in this shoot was more effective and more consistent. I also think the composition of the photos were effective. I think these images effectively achieve my aim. I think they give the impression of the mirrors acting as portals into a different time, season and environment. I think the model effectively looks as if they are intrigued by the portals and is wondering where they would take him if he were to enter them. I think they look like a mysterious fantasy image.
EBI: I think next time to emphasize that the mirrors are portals I need the models to be interacting with the portal instead of just looking at them, for example they could be going in and out of the portal. Partly because I think that this will further develop and create my theme of mysterious fantasy image but also because I think it will challenge me further in my use of editing techniques. I also think the colors need to be more vibrant in my photos.
Next Steps: I need to make my model look as if they are entering and exiting the mirrors/portals. Also when editing my photos I need to make sure they look vibrant enough by adjusting the vibrence and saturation.
www: I think by editing in this shoot was more effective and more consistent. I also think the composition of the photos were effective. I think these images effectively achieve my aim. I think they give the impression of the mirrors acting as portals into a different time, season and environment. I think the model effectively looks as if they are intrigued by the portals and is wondering where they would take him if he were to enter them. I think they look like a mysterious fantasy image.
EBI: I think next time to emphasize that the mirrors are portals I need the models to be interacting with the portal instead of just looking at them, for example they could be going in and out of the portal. Partly because I think that this will further develop and create my theme of mysterious fantasy image but also because I think it will challenge me further in my use of editing techniques. I also think the colors need to be more vibrant in my photos.
Next Steps: I need to make my model look as if they are entering and exiting the mirrors/portals. Also when editing my photos I need to make sure they look vibrant enough by adjusting the vibrence and saturation.
shoot SIX
Plan:
For this shoot I am going to use two mirrors again and continue the theme of portals but this time I want the model to look as if they are going in and out of the portals. I am going to do this by having the model have parts of their body against the mirror as if trying to enter.I am going to edit this on Photoshop. I am going to take the shoot in Golden Valley in Wick and I will need a camera, model and two mirrors.
For this shoot I am going to use two mirrors again and continue the theme of portals but this time I want the model to look as if they are going in and out of the portals. I am going to do this by having the model have parts of their body against the mirror as if trying to enter.I am going to edit this on Photoshop. I am going to take the shoot in Golden Valley in Wick and I will need a camera, model and two mirrors.
The seascapes from shoot four that I plan to edit into this shoot are above and my photos with the model and the mirror are below, they are the photos I will be using in my shoot. (unedited)
Here are the final products from shoot five. (edited)
Critque:
WWW: I think my shoot was successful as I have developed the positioning of the model to show that the model is trying to enter the portal. I also think the colours in this shoot were more effective. The editing of this shoot was more challenging as I had to edit in the portal image whilst a part of the models body was still covering it. I am really pleased how effective this. I think incorporating images from a different time of day as well as season and environment helps to imply that the two mirrors are creating two different portals to two different places and times. I think that the model interacting more with portals creates more of a fantasy story feel to the pictures and raises more questions for the viewer. I feel that this shoot has successfully developed my theme of mysterious fantasy images using mirrors as portals.
EBI: To improve this shoot I could have further challenged my editing skills to make it look more like the model is entering or exiting the portal and therefore only part of their body can be seen as the rest of them is still in the contrasting environment. I think this would further add to the mysterious story telling element of my project and would successfully develop the mood of a mysterious contrasting environment as explored by Jenna Martin, David Kukla and Laura Williams.
Next Steps: My next steps are to conduct my final shoot. Within the shoot I want to incorporate all the successful elements from my previous shoots whilst also further challenging my editing techniques in order to make the model to look more like they are leaving and entering the portal.
WWW: I think my shoot was successful as I have developed the positioning of the model to show that the model is trying to enter the portal. I also think the colours in this shoot were more effective. The editing of this shoot was more challenging as I had to edit in the portal image whilst a part of the models body was still covering it. I am really pleased how effective this. I think incorporating images from a different time of day as well as season and environment helps to imply that the two mirrors are creating two different portals to two different places and times. I think that the model interacting more with portals creates more of a fantasy story feel to the pictures and raises more questions for the viewer. I feel that this shoot has successfully developed my theme of mysterious fantasy images using mirrors as portals.
EBI: To improve this shoot I could have further challenged my editing skills to make it look more like the model is entering or exiting the portal and therefore only part of their body can be seen as the rest of them is still in the contrasting environment. I think this would further add to the mysterious story telling element of my project and would successfully develop the mood of a mysterious contrasting environment as explored by Jenna Martin, David Kukla and Laura Williams.
Next Steps: My next steps are to conduct my final shoot. Within the shoot I want to incorporate all the successful elements from my previous shoots whilst also further challenging my editing techniques in order to make the model to look more like they are leaving and entering the portal.
final shoot
Ideas:
Plan:
For this shoot I want to incorporate all the successful elements and ideas from my previous shoots into one. I also hope to include the themes from my critical analysis of my key influential photographers. I am going to be using models in my work just like my first photographer, Jenna Martin. I am going to have something in a mirror just like Paul Apalkin's and David Kukla's photographs. I am also going to incorporate Laura Williams work and ideas into my work as well, as she used people and mirrors to create illusions and also like her I plan to make it look like a fantasy image.
For my final shoot I also want to challenge my editing skills even further as I want to create photographs that look as if they have people climbing in and out of portals (mirrors), as a development of my penultimate shoot. I am going to create this my taking all the photos and then editing it on photoshop. This will mean I will need to make multiple images of the model as I will need to edit different body parts into different places. For this shoot I will need a camera, model, mirror and photoshop. I will conduct this shoot in the Nature Reserve in Wick and also incorporate my seascapes images from shoot four. Underneath is a plan of what the final peice is going to look like and what I will need to direct the model to do in order to create a successful final image.
For this shoot I want to incorporate all the successful elements and ideas from my previous shoots into one. I also hope to include the themes from my critical analysis of my key influential photographers. I am going to be using models in my work just like my first photographer, Jenna Martin. I am going to have something in a mirror just like Paul Apalkin's and David Kukla's photographs. I am also going to incorporate Laura Williams work and ideas into my work as well, as she used people and mirrors to create illusions and also like her I plan to make it look like a fantasy image.
For my final shoot I also want to challenge my editing skills even further as I want to create photographs that look as if they have people climbing in and out of portals (mirrors), as a development of my penultimate shoot. I am going to create this my taking all the photos and then editing it on photoshop. This will mean I will need to make multiple images of the model as I will need to edit different body parts into different places. For this shoot I will need a camera, model, mirror and photoshop. I will conduct this shoot in the Nature Reserve in Wick and also incorporate my seascapes images from shoot four. Underneath is a plan of what the final peice is going to look like and what I will need to direct the model to do in order to create a successful final image.
Below are the photos I took for this shoot. (unedited)
The final photos are below, I decided in the end to have the portals in the same place and not have a split screen. (edited)
Critque:
WWW: I think the shoot was sucessful as it incorporates all the successful elements of previous shoots. On top of this I have successfully challenged and developed my editing skills to make it look as if the model is entering and leaving the mirror/portal. It creates a mysterious fantasy image that makes the viewer question what is going on and raises confusion about the time, season, environment and in which environment the model really exists.
EBI: The first photo where the model is coming out could have included an arm or hand as I think it would of made it more effective and made it look less like a floating head and for this reason I think the second final image is more successful.
WWW: I think the shoot was sucessful as it incorporates all the successful elements of previous shoots. On top of this I have successfully challenged and developed my editing skills to make it look as if the model is entering and leaving the mirror/portal. It creates a mysterious fantasy image that makes the viewer question what is going on and raises confusion about the time, season, environment and in which environment the model really exists.
EBI: The first photo where the model is coming out could have included an arm or hand as I think it would of made it more effective and made it look less like a floating head and for this reason I think the second final image is more successful.
final evaluation (of final piece)
The main theme of my work is reflection, which is the topic I choose at the beginning of the project. I chose reflection and then chose to focus on mirrors and reflection. Overall I have made fantasy images using mirrors and reflection as the main theme of my work and my final piece is the culmination of this project as it successfully includes all the elements I have been working on. The other themes within my project and final piece have been the creation of a mysterious/ surreal/ confusing image using mirrors, mirrors allowing the viewer to see something different to what they expect to see as a mirror image, how a mirror can reveal something that you didn't know was there and finally how a mirror can be used to display contrasting images within one image. I think all these ideas are evident in my final image.
My project includes all of the above themes as it includes mirrors showing an unexpected image/reflection, it shows you dont always see what you expect in the mirror, you would not expect to see the contrasting seascape images in a woodland, and finally the theme of using these images to create the idea of portals builds a mysterious/surreal/ fantasy feeling in my photographs. My final peice inludes all all three of these themes as I have included mirrors, portals and a contrasting image in the mirror. My final peice implies the story of a boy (the model) in the forest who has discovered portals and is investigating them, in the photograph he is entering and leaving some portals that he has found.
This final piece also reflects well my initial research and inspiration for this project. Jenna Martin uses people/models in her photographs and creates a feeling of different worlds using reflection and I think this is idea is reflected in my final piece. Paul Apalkin's work uses a mirror to reveal things that may or may not be there and creates an image in the mirror that is different and confusing, I incorperated his work and was influced by him in my final peice through my work on using a mirror as a portal, these portal images were also influenced by Paul Kukla's contrasting mirror images. The combination of the work of these two artists led me to successfully develop the idea of contrasting images implying the presence of a portal that the viewer wouldn't have expected to find there. I was also influenced by Laura Williams in my final peice as her work is often described as surreal and she enjoys playing with illusion and fantasy. Therefore I incorporated many ideas from her work into mine as I tried to create the illusion of fantasy portals and the illusion of the same person appearing in the photograph twice. I was also inspired by an unknown photographer with a user name of 'Pretty as a Picture', her work was very like a fantasy and also she had a different image in the mirror to what would truly exist there, just as the portal image in my mirrors would not have existed in the woodland environment.
For the composition of my final peice I have the mirror and the model on either side of each other then a gap in between them, I used this formal element to make my work more interesting for the viewer and it also helps explain what is happening in my photograph and makes the story behind the image clearer. I have also used the formal element of colour in my final peice, I have chosen to keep the colours quite neutral as there is lots of things going on in the photograph so I thought keeping the colour quite neutral would help the photograph not to get to busy. I took the photographs in a natural forest enviroment so as to keep the colours natural and nuetral. This was also inspired by Laura Williams as she uses very natural and neutral colours in photographs.
The mood of my final peice is mystical, exciting, surreal and also confusing. I think and hope that it will make the auidence question what is going on and also make them think. I think the editing work that I challenged myself to do on Photoshop as helped to create this not real, fantasy image which makes people question and feel as if they are viewing a mystical fantasy world. My final piece is a picture of a boy entering and leaving a portal, the portal is the mirror. In the mirrors are portals from the beach. I achieved this final piece by editing five different photos for each final photograph, two sea scenes, on background with just mirrors, one with model entering mirror and finally one with model leaving the mirror. I then worked on Photoshop to edit all these photos to create my final piece. I did this by adjusting the layers, cutting things out and rubbing things out and also editing the brightness and contrast. On photoshop I had to begin by opening the photo with just the mirors in and then adding a plain layer and cutting out that parts where the mirror should be to reveal the plain layer. Next I had to add in the sea scapes and put them underneath that background, so that they can be seen through the mirrors. Then I merged the layers together. Then I added in the photo where the model was entering the mirror and layered it underneath and then used the rubber tool to reveal him from underneath (only part of him), and the I used a blurr tool to make it look as if he was going into the mirror. I then locked the layers again and repeated the same process for the model leaving the mirror (portal). I then merged the layers again. Finally I did the finishing touches, where I cropped it, and adjusted things like colour, contrast and brightness.
In conclusion I am very pleased with my final piece for three reasons. First of all I feel it contains many of the elements I so admired in my critical analysis of other photographers as discussed in detail above. I also think that whilst being influenced by these photographers and responding to their work I have developed a clear theme in my own work, that off using mirrors as portals to create mysterious fantasy images that challenge the viewer. Finally I am pleased with the way the aims and themes of this project have challenged me to develop my editing skills using Photoshop and therefore this project has really helped me to develop as a photographer.
My project includes all of the above themes as it includes mirrors showing an unexpected image/reflection, it shows you dont always see what you expect in the mirror, you would not expect to see the contrasting seascape images in a woodland, and finally the theme of using these images to create the idea of portals builds a mysterious/surreal/ fantasy feeling in my photographs. My final peice inludes all all three of these themes as I have included mirrors, portals and a contrasting image in the mirror. My final peice implies the story of a boy (the model) in the forest who has discovered portals and is investigating them, in the photograph he is entering and leaving some portals that he has found.
This final piece also reflects well my initial research and inspiration for this project. Jenna Martin uses people/models in her photographs and creates a feeling of different worlds using reflection and I think this is idea is reflected in my final piece. Paul Apalkin's work uses a mirror to reveal things that may or may not be there and creates an image in the mirror that is different and confusing, I incorperated his work and was influced by him in my final peice through my work on using a mirror as a portal, these portal images were also influenced by Paul Kukla's contrasting mirror images. The combination of the work of these two artists led me to successfully develop the idea of contrasting images implying the presence of a portal that the viewer wouldn't have expected to find there. I was also influenced by Laura Williams in my final peice as her work is often described as surreal and she enjoys playing with illusion and fantasy. Therefore I incorporated many ideas from her work into mine as I tried to create the illusion of fantasy portals and the illusion of the same person appearing in the photograph twice. I was also inspired by an unknown photographer with a user name of 'Pretty as a Picture', her work was very like a fantasy and also she had a different image in the mirror to what would truly exist there, just as the portal image in my mirrors would not have existed in the woodland environment.
For the composition of my final peice I have the mirror and the model on either side of each other then a gap in between them, I used this formal element to make my work more interesting for the viewer and it also helps explain what is happening in my photograph and makes the story behind the image clearer. I have also used the formal element of colour in my final peice, I have chosen to keep the colours quite neutral as there is lots of things going on in the photograph so I thought keeping the colour quite neutral would help the photograph not to get to busy. I took the photographs in a natural forest enviroment so as to keep the colours natural and nuetral. This was also inspired by Laura Williams as she uses very natural and neutral colours in photographs.
The mood of my final peice is mystical, exciting, surreal and also confusing. I think and hope that it will make the auidence question what is going on and also make them think. I think the editing work that I challenged myself to do on Photoshop as helped to create this not real, fantasy image which makes people question and feel as if they are viewing a mystical fantasy world. My final piece is a picture of a boy entering and leaving a portal, the portal is the mirror. In the mirrors are portals from the beach. I achieved this final piece by editing five different photos for each final photograph, two sea scenes, on background with just mirrors, one with model entering mirror and finally one with model leaving the mirror. I then worked on Photoshop to edit all these photos to create my final piece. I did this by adjusting the layers, cutting things out and rubbing things out and also editing the brightness and contrast. On photoshop I had to begin by opening the photo with just the mirors in and then adding a plain layer and cutting out that parts where the mirror should be to reveal the plain layer. Next I had to add in the sea scapes and put them underneath that background, so that they can be seen through the mirrors. Then I merged the layers together. Then I added in the photo where the model was entering the mirror and layered it underneath and then used the rubber tool to reveal him from underneath (only part of him), and the I used a blurr tool to make it look as if he was going into the mirror. I then locked the layers again and repeated the same process for the model leaving the mirror (portal). I then merged the layers again. Finally I did the finishing touches, where I cropped it, and adjusted things like colour, contrast and brightness.
In conclusion I am very pleased with my final piece for three reasons. First of all I feel it contains many of the elements I so admired in my critical analysis of other photographers as discussed in detail above. I also think that whilst being influenced by these photographers and responding to their work I have developed a clear theme in my own work, that off using mirrors as portals to create mysterious fantasy images that challenge the viewer. Finally I am pleased with the way the aims and themes of this project have challenged me to develop my editing skills using Photoshop and therefore this project has really helped me to develop as a photographer.