Final Concentration Blog Post

1. What is the central idea of your concentration? You should include the formal description that we came up with, as well as any other explanation you feel you need to adequately describe to a stranger what you did and how you did it. (500 character limit)

I will explore contrast through portraiture using texture, shadows and black and white. I will utilize patterns to reflect the inner emotions of the subject. I inspected the influence of light on the natural curves and crevasses of the human face and attempted to gain a deeper understanding of what is on the inside of the subject I am examining based on what I add to the façade of the model.

https://flic.kr/s/aHskuRxnYb

2. How does the work in your concentration demonstrate the exploration of your idea? You may refer to specific images as examples. (1,350 character limit)

My work demonstrates my exploration through the effects of shadows on the human form and the impact that similar high contrast editing techniques have on the rhythm of a variety of photos. I believe that in portraits the most important feature is the eyes. Because of this, I decided that my portraits would emphasize the role of the eyes in relation to the shadows of my pictures. In photo 1 I started to investigate the relationship between the shadows of that played a role on the face of the model and how it contrasted with the non-shadowed component. For my second photo, I wanted to focus on emphasizing the contrast of the shadows and having the eyes of my model play a more integral role in a photo. For my third and fourth photos, I wanted to try an use more organic shapes to create my shadows. For photo #5 I discovered a framing technique that provided the appropriate emphasis on the shape of the face as well as the background. I continued to use that framing technique for through photo #10 as I started to understand that the most dramatic shadows were the result of careful planning and set up instead of only organic shadows. I wanted to challenge myself at the end of my concentration and shoot pictures 11 and 12 with a focus on not only the contrast of the shadows but the importance of value as well.

Week 10 Blog Post

To this date, I think I have followed the plan I put forth in my blog post maybe twice. I want to get better at that so that I can be more prepared to take my pictures earlier in the week. This week I am going to revert back to my plan for last week that I never completed.

 

I want to create a radial shadow image where the light creates rays of light from an eye. I like the introduction of a hand to counter just the head shape. I will cut the shapes into a sheet of construction paper. I want to take this photo on a white or light background so that there is a nice contrast.

This will be the only picture I take this week.

 

I hope it goes well this week!!!

 

 

Week 9 Blog Post

 

I want to create a radial shadow image where the light creates rays of light from an eye. I like the introduction of a hand to counter just the head shape. I will cut the shapes into a sheet of construction paper. I want to take this photo on a white or light background so that there is nice contrast.

This will be the only picture I take this week.

Week 7/8 Blog Post

I didn’t end up using the idea I had for last week so I think that I will try and shoot that picture this week. Instead last week I used my heart concept that I have been thinking about but not quite sure how to get into words and into the frame.

Last weeks blog post repurposed for this week:

 

I want to take a picture where I utilized the use of a doily or patterned cloth to create a textured shadow portrait. For this picture, I have to be more deliberate with my background and I will need to use a dark background to so that the shadows the design really pop. It looks like the above image was shot in a studio so I might want to take another shot at using the studio. I will bump up the contrast in the post and bring out the highlights in the eyes. I will take one picture this week.

 

 

For my week 8 photo, I want to utilize a simple hand shape that I presented in my concentration jumpstart. I want to use the shadow of ones hand over their face to almost give the illusion that a hand is grabbing their face.

 

For this picture as with man of my others, I will turn up the contrast and focus on the eyes of the model to bring home the message being the photo.  I like how the above photo of Denzel Washington utilizes a white background and I think that I will try to use a similar white wall to my advantage as well. This will be my only picture that week.

Week 6 Blog Post

 

I want to take a picture where I utilized the use of a doily or patterned cloth to create a textured shadow portrait. For this picture, I have to be more deliberate with my background and I will need to use a dark background to so that the shadows the design really pop. It looks like the above image was shot in a studio so I might want to take another shot at using the studio. I will bump up the contrast in post and bring out the highlights in the eyes. I will take one picture this week.

 

 

 

Week 5 Blog Post

I want to take a shot where there is a simple burst of light on top of an all black face. In order to have a uniform background like the shot above, I might have to make an artificial light in the studio. I might be able to take this shot in the studio, but I will see what I have to do.

I will take one picture this week. I will also try to come up with a uniform editing technique for all of the pictures. I will take one picture this week.

Week 4 Blog Post

This week I want the textured shadows to be produced by the shadows of a fence.

 

Above is a picture that I want to try and replicate the disheveled mood and general effect of. The above picture does a great job of placing the subject in front of a vacant backdrop so that the subject feels inherently lonely and distant.

 

I will take one picture this week. I will also try to come up with a uniform editing technique for all of the pictures.

Below is likely the type of fence that I will have to use.

Week 3 Blog Post

For this week I am going to take a photo of the shadows of the holes of a colander strainer on the face. Above is a picture of a woman with the shadows of the holes on her face.

above is a picture of a similar colander to one that I will use. I like the desaturated look so much that I am rethinking my past pictures as to if I should change my editing from black and white to just desaturated edits. For this concentration I am inspired by Alessio Albi, a photographer from Italy. I look forward to meeting with you.

I will take 1 picture this week.

Week 2 Blog Post

For this week I am going to take a photo of a palm branches shadow on the face. Above is a picture of a woman with the shadow of the palm tree, however, I want to take a picture that almost divides the face into two like below.

 

I want to go for a more serious and moody picture this time so I will use a darker background and a more expressionless face.

again like last week,

In my editing process, I will turn the picture to black and white and try to make the picture look like it is shot in film. Having a somewhat grainy texture to the image on top of the textured shadow will add another dimension to the photo.

I will take one photo this week. Thanks.

Week 1 Blog Post

Sorry for the delayed blog post, I was busy being burnt in Guatemala! I want to take a picture similar to one that I have in my concentration jump start.

I hope to take the picture using a love seat that I have at home and using the shadows of the wicker to create the shadows on my subjects face.

 

I will use take the picture near a window so there is natural light that creates realistic shadows that have depth to them. I like the idea of framing the model with the different parts of the fabric so I plan on buying burlap to use as a frame for the protrait.

In my editing process I will turn the picture to black and white and try to make the picture look like it is shot in film. Having a somewhat grainy texture to the image on top of the textured shadow will add another demension to the the photo.

 

I plan to only take one picture this week.