Portrait

  David Bailey

David Bailey was formally known as a fashion photographer and has photographed some of the most iconic figures of all time. He helped create swinging London in the 1960’s.His photographs are very much thought about carefully.The positioning of the models and the lighting is positioned in way which represents the relationship and the characteristic of the models. .

 I have observed David Bailey's work, and thought it was interesting because it has a 60s

vibe,his work is simpled and studio based but displays so much power though the lighting and the different positioning of the models and also the camera angles.In his photography the expressions and body language of his models show power.In the pictures of Paul Mcartney and John Lennon.This image is black and white and the models are also wearing black and white.They are positioned on top of each other with John's hands on Paul's shoulders this support the fact that they have a positive relationship as a result of proximity. This is through different lighting and also their positioning. For examples the images of Ronnie’s and Reggie the Kray brothers, who were gangsters in the 1960’s ; the images show power and a high status through the clothing i.e. suits. This shows success but most importantly is the slight positioning of the camera it has a low view point; almost as  though we are looking up at them again showing power . Ronnie and Reggie where gangster in their time and everyone feared them, and by adjusting the view point this is displays the feeling of looking up to them.

Shoot 1: Plastic Bag

For my first portrait shoot I experimented with natural light, and photographing myself with a plastic bag placed over my head. The distortion of my features created weird shapes. The lighting was too bright and it just bounced off the plastic bag which caused the images to become even brighter as a result of the reflection. I changed the positioning which I was standing, in order to achieve a different outcome however I was unsuccessful. I realised that photographing directly face facing the camera created interesting images which resulted in capturing my facial features. As a viewer we have to look twice in order to make sense, about what is happening.

Wes Naman
I was very much fascinated by the portraits in the style of Wes Naman because his style of work fits in perfectly with my title ‘weird and wonderful’. The way he changes the perception of people’s faces by distorting their facial features as a result of using tape elastic bands, he stretches and squeezes their facial feature which is fairly humorous but also fascinating. Their personalities are reflected in his photographs due to their facial expression. The lighting is fairly bright and appears to have possibly been using two lights; the background in this pictures are simples and do not distract the viewer away from the model, the background is green and this symbolises envy this could possibly have a connections that the people in the images envy what they look like and so by deforming their features they have nothing to envy. Furthermore his image is thought about carefully and demonstrated a fun, weird and wonderful feel.

Shoot 2 : Wes Naman 

I took an interest to Wes’ work and so thought I would take my own photographs in the same style. I photographed my friend and I, by placing tape all over our faces, as a result of this our facial feature became distorted and bizarre. I did not photograph my images in the studio but instead used the light that came from bulb. Shadows were created behind my models and I was not pleased with that, however I believe if I had taken my photographs in the studio the light may have improved a great amount.

4 useful lighting techniques for Portraiture photography.

Rembrandt light:

This is an old technique used many centuries ago. We place our model in the appropriate position, we then place a light on one side of the subject in a slightly higher position this should then shine the light on one half and create a shadow on the other half of the model.This a slightly dramatic technique and may be used to demonstrate power,mystery and also vulnerability.

Split Light

This type of lighting is similar to Rembrandt lighting however this technique is more dramatic, and he light is much harsher. The lighting is moved directly to the side of the subject and creates a fade. Spit lighting creates a sense of mystery in the viewer as we deprived of viewing the other of the face.

Butterfly lighting

This is an example of butterfly lighting this technique is a flattery technique. The light is placed directly above the subject this creates a shadow on the cheek bones, under the nose and the lips. Women strive to have striking cheek bones, wether this be through make up or surgery and by using this technique this enhanced them, hence why this type of lighting is popular in fashion photography. This technique is commonly used in fashion portraits because this compliments the features in the subject.

Shoot 3: Studio shoot

For this picture I experimented with creating a dramatic light to one side of the subject as though the light is fading of one side of the face this is also known as the split light. I position the model to look directly at the camera but with her body facing the side. The background was black which also added to the effect of the image. My image appeared to be slightly darker even the sight which was supposed to be lighter. The strengths of my image were the positioning of the lighting. I also could have moved back and possibility included all of the models face.

 

I then experimented with Rembrandt lighting in this image. I was pleased with the outcome the shadowing on one side of the models face. I think the image is strong in the sense of lighting effects.

 I went on photoshop and then experimented with different settings, I discovered that the images were improved by using the magic wand and to clear up any marks and spots.

Shoot 4: Experimenting with objects

For this shoot I experimented with different objects such a string glasses and make up. I discovered that photographing my models hair created a weird and wonderful surreal characters’ also discovered that placing sun glass on the back of my models head created interesting shots. As a viewer we sort of look twice to try and make out what the image is, on first look it appears to be the back of the subjects head and then we question why the subjects hair is their face if this is the front of their body. I believe this relates to the weird and wonderful topic. I used a white back drop and the butterfly lighting. I placed the model in the center of the studio and began to experiment with different objects.