Overall Project Evaluation

Overall what I have really enjoyed about this unit of work is the wide variety of projects to choose from and the diverse ways in which these projects could be looked at to make them individual. I chose to look at unusual portraiture as I felt that this would be the area in which I personally could expand and make my own while maintaining a high quality of photography. Whilst mostly using a studio setting, due to this being a common feature I found whilst completing research I was able to incorporate a few shoots that were on location. This helped me to maintain diversity between shoots. In order to ensure that I look at every aspect possible with regards to my project title I created a detailed mind map which allowed me to get down all  of my ideas in a non restrictive yet organised fashion. 

The first tasks I completed during the research stage of this project was the discussion and definition pages. The discussion page looked at my initial ideas after choosing which project I would look at for my unit four. This helped with the overall project as I could look back at my initial thoughts when I needed ideas or a reminder of my initial ideas and aim for this task. The definition page allowed me to look at my project title in a more detailed way by defining the key words in my own way and with a dictionary definition. This worked really well as it cleared up any confusion with regards to the meaning of the project title. This page also allowed me to include a few images from the web so gave me my first detailed look into other photographers interpretation of this idea of 'unusual portraiture'. Overall both of these tasks proved useful as I was able to look back and get more ideas for what to do next. 

For the image bank part of the project I was required to look at 30 images that fall under the category of 'unusual portraiture' and annotate them, discussing the different photographical aspects put together to create each photograph. Despite this being a very time consuming piece of work it gave me a huge range of ideas of what to include in my own shoots by either borrowing ideas from other photographers or just taking influence to create my own unique ideas. The main areas that I looked at during creating the image bank was the composition, lighting, props and facial expression as by that point it was clear that these were the most common conventions of 'Unusual Portraiture'. 

The next task in which I completed for this project was the research log. This included finding existing 'unusual portraiture' Photographers in order to take direct influence from and get even more ideas for my own shoots. I found this part really helpful as by seeing other people work it is a lot easier to understand the task at home than just having the project title. To relay this information in an organised and easily understandable way I created a table including the name of the perspective photographers, the link to their website, one of their images and a brief description of the photograph and the photographer themselves. I then uploaded this to the blog so I could easily refer back to it whenever in need of inspiration or ideas. In order to advance and expand this piece of work I chose the top five of the these photographers and wrote about them in more detail including for images with annotations and how their work will influence my own work throughout the project. This was really useful as some of the photographers had some really unique and effective work that fit the project title really well, whilst also being able to be altered slightly to make my own and unique. 

For the first and second shoot I used the idea of oversized or exaggerated facial expression by either using printed expressions and holding them up to the face of the model in a photo booth style shoot or editing the facial features of the model in photoshop to create the desired effect. In shoot one I printed of various different mouths with different expressions and smiles. I attached them to straws so that they were like sort of masks. In the shoot I got Taylor to hold them up to her mouth and took many various photo booth style photographs. During editing I created animations and straight prints that overall I was really pleased with. I think this shoot was very unique and fitted to the project brief really well and created some interesting, individual photographs. This then inspired shoot number two where I took completely ordinary portrait photographs with some exaggerated facial expression. I then uploaded the photographs and edited them using the liquify tool on photoshop making the mouth and eyes oversized and large for comical effect. I think this shoot went really well and despite having seen it done before the results were still individual and my own. 

For the third shoot I looked at merging the faces of different people into one new face as well as merging the front and back of a persons head to create unique and interesting photographs. I think this went well however I feel that some of the photographs were not as professional with regards to editing as I would have liked however this shoot did have some unique photographs. In shoot four I looked at adding facial hair during the shoot instead of the editing process to achieve different results. This also led to me using a mask to cover the face of the model. I was really pleased with the facial hair photographs as I feel they were really unique but fitted into the project really well. Overall I think these shoots fit in perfectly with the project title and had some really diverse and individual results. 

In the fifth and sixth shoot I looked at using illusion in my work both in the studio and on location. In shoot five I chose to do self portraiture as i felt this was the best way to get exactly what I want from the photographs. I feel this was one of my favourite shoots as the photographs composition and lighting came out brat and the end results of the photographs were really clever. What I would do differently if I were to complete this shoot again is to use a more attractive table or cover it just so that it doest make the photographs look unprofessional. I then went on to shoot six where I decided I would once again look at self portraiture and illusion but on location as I had not done much at this point. Once again I was pleased with the overall outcome of this shoot with specific regards to the composition and lighting. If I were to do this shoot a third time I would look at using more unique and exotic locations just to add a more attractive aspect to the shoot. These shoots fitted in really well to my project title and had some really effective photographs.

In shoot seven I looked at adding face paint to the model in photoshop. I used my nephew in this shoot as I wanted to create a child themed shoot as children are common within portraiture photography. I took as many 'ordinary' portraiture photographs as I could and then uploaded them to photoshop. I then used the various different tools, especially the paint brush tool to create animal faces on the face of my nephew. Despite feeling that these could be improved upon in accuracy I think this shoot worked really well with regards to lighting and composition, especially as this was not in the studio. I also feel the end pictures turned out well and were very unique and individual meeting the requirements of my project. I then came back to this idea in shoot ten when I looked at using real paint in the shoot instead of photoshop. I also decided that I wouldn't create faces but instead would just use the paint in a messy way just to ensure that the shoot differs from others that I have seen and done myself. I was really pleased with the results of this shoot because the lighting worked really well and the focus on the camera came out really clear. 

In the eighth and ninth shoot I used food which would be expected to make a mess and photographed them eating it whilst banning them from licking there lips. This went well because it was something that I hadn't really seen done in this way before. The colour and lighting in this shoot was also really clear and good so overall these shoots created some of my favourite images. The reason that I did this shoot twice is because I felt that there were more options of foods to use and the change in background gave each shoot a slightly more individual outcome. I think the contrast in black and white background in these shoots turned out really well.


For my computer experiments i looked at removing colour from pars of my images as well as adding it and changing it. My computer experiments could have been better however I do feel that the effects in which can be added do become a little bit repetitive and bring. I do however feel that there were some interesting images that create even more unrealistic and unusual portraiture. For the print techniques print techniques we were required to use specific instructions to create the following effects on our photographs; Black & White, Duotone, Repetition, Selective Colour, Photo joiner, Soft Focus, Cluster, Weaving, Multiple Imagery, Image within image , Image and text, Overlay, Montage, Framing. I have really enjoyed this part of the project as it is really nice to use specific techniques on my own work to see how they turn out and they turned out quite nicely given that all of my photographs are portraiture. 

The physical experiments are another part of the project that I found enjoyable as you actually physically edit the photograph instead of using the computer software that becomes repetitive over time. I find it quite difficult to think of different ways to edit the photographs that actually fit in with the theme of my work however I think I did quite a successful job through creating different backgrounds and merging different images from different shoots. To improve upon this part I would try and create more extravagant changes to the photographs. 

For the exam section of this project I redid shoots one, two, six and nine/ten as these were my favourites from the project and had very good results. I was even more pleased with the outcome of the exam shoots than when I did them the first time round as the shoots were consistently good with regards to composition and lighting. Despite finding it difficult to fill the fifteen hours that we were given for the exam I created 15 edits from each shoot which I then compiled down to the best 12 images, three from each of the different shoots. Overall I found the exam a very enjoyable part of the project and am very pleased with my performance during this especially considering I managed to spread and use my time really well. 


Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed this project and it has been my favourite throughout two years studying A level photography. I think this has been reflected in the quality of my work as I have put a lot of thought, time and effort into each shoot that I have done. I have completed all of the work to the highest possible standard to which I am capable and have managed to keep to strict deadlines. 

Connecting Essay Five

In this photograph I have merged the faced of two different models with the top half being from one model and the bottom half from another. I blended the skin tone so that the split is not obvious. The photo is entirely taken up by the models faces with no background on show. The face takes up all three thirds of the photograph with the eyes in the top third. The lighting used in neutral and there is only a slight difference in skin tone. 

In this photo graph the photographer has joined the faces of a little boy and what is assumed to be his father or a related male. The connection is not at all visible which creates a really clever piece of  photography. The photograph has been taken again a plain white background so the models in the photograph are the main focal point. The eyes are placed centrally in the portrait so are the first thing that the audience look at. 

These two photographs connect firstly due to the use of an irrelevant background. In my photograph the background is not shown at all in order to disguise the change in photographs and so that the focus is entirely on the models in the photograph. In the connecting photograph the background in paling white which has allowed the photographer to edit the photograph seamlessly. In both photographs the faces of two separate people have been connected but there is no line that shows this due to the intricate editing. Both use the eyes as an important part of the photograph and they are central in each photograph. Lastly the lighting in each photograph is neutral and neither adds or takes away from the photograph.

Connecting Essay Four

In this photograph I have created the illusion that the model is floating in the middle of a field. The model is placed cent ran to the photograph and the lighting is completely natural. The setting of the photo is natural and is framed by the background. The plain black background allows the model to fully stand out against the background. 

In this photograph the model appears to be being help up by the balloons. She is placed almost centrally and is agains a dark background. The lighting in the photograph is very dark and there is use of a female mode.

These two photographs connect firstly because of the use of the female model. This is useful because the long hair hangs back adding to the effect of the illusion in each and creates another thing going on in each photograph. They also both use illusion in order to create an interesting photograph. Both models are also placed centrally against a background which allows them to sand out and frames them.

Connecting Essay Three

In this photograph I chose to use a very bright and vibrant background in order for the model to stand out. I used a very close up lens so that the detail on the face such as laughter lines are clearly visible making an interestingly detailed photograph. I chose to have the chocolate sauce round the mouth of the model as this makes it unusual and different from other photographs that I had done. The model is placed centrally a a slight tilt with the eyes in the top third of the photograph and the smile in the third. By having the chocolate sauce and the natural smile or laugh of the model I have given this photograph a childish, funny and immature feel. 

In this photograph the photographer has placed the model against a black background in order to allow the brightly coloured hair, icing and make up to stand out. The model has a pale skin tone which also allows the silhouette of the model to be clear. The expression of the model looks very forced and unnatural as well as the over the top make up however this is contrasted by the naturalness shown in the nakedness of the model. The food that has been spread on the body of the model gives the photograph a playful and comedic feel. The model is placed centrally and is framed either side with the black background. The eyes are placed in the top third of the photograph and the lips are in the boron third. 


I have chosen to connect these two photographs firstly because they both use food in order to create an interesting more individual photograph. The food in each is spread onto the model, with my photograph round the mouth and the second once placed around the face and body. Both photographs have a natural feel to them as in my photograph I captured it when the model was actually laughing instead of setting it up. The send photograph has a natural feel to it because of the lack of clothes of the model. The use of colour throughout each photograph is important as in mine the bright clashing colours make for an interesting photograph and maintain the comedic feel. In the connecting photograph the hair and icing are very bright and vibrant colours which stand out against the plain black background. This idea of making a mess with food is also continued through both of these photographs. Both photographs have placed the model centrally in order to frame them with the background. IN each photographs the eyes seem to play an important role and both are looking directly at the camera in order to engage the audience. 

Connecting Essay Two

In this photograph I have placed the model centrally against a plain white background. The lighting that I have used is fairly natural so as not to cast shadows which would distract from the main point of the photograph. I created printed mouths and cut them out in order to mask the models real mouth and sate on my choice of emotion. The lips used in this photograph are oversized in order to give the photograph a comedic feel. I asked the model to maintain a neutral face during this shoot in order for the added expression to be the main focal point. This photograph works especially well due to the use of the red throughout including the dress of the model, the nail varnish and the lips.

In this photograph the photographer has cut out an oversized photograph of eyes and placed them on to the face of the model. The facial expression of the model could either be read as neutral or sad and the eyes are neutral creating an overall unreadable expression. The models head is placed centrally with the eyes in the top third of the photograph. The background is plain white and the lighting is neutral only creating shadows beneath the eyes. The photograph is in black and white tones so once again makes this photograph hard to read and understand. 

These two photographs connect firstly due to the use of a female model. This is most likely due to the easier access however could also be to do with the more diverse emotion expected of women. Both photographs have also used over sized facial features put onto a neutral expression of the model. This creates a photograph that is harder to read by the audience as it is unclear whether this is a fake emotion from the model. Both photographs have also placed the model centrally with the eyes placed in the top half of the photograph making them an important focal point especially in the second photograph. In each photograph colour or lack their of is an important as in my photograph the repetition of the colour red creates a connection throughout the photograph. In the second photograph the lack of colour replaced with the black and white tones makes the meaning of this photograph less obvious to its audience.

Connecting Essay One

In this photograph I chose to use the really bright colour paint to create a very bright and vibrant photograph. I used soft focus in order to make the eyes, which are placed centrally in the top third of the photograph, the main focal point of the photograph. The composition of the photograph is very central with the light directly on the face to emphasise the hands and paint. I used a plain black background which is unlit in order to maintain focus on the face of myself, the model and so that the bright colouring in the nails and the paint really stand out. 

In this photograph the photographer has chosen to focus entirely on the head of the model and it almost seems as if it is floating.  There is use of the plain black background once again drawing attention to the model in the photograph. The models eyes are the main focal point of the photograph. The model has very brightly coloured tribal painting on the face which frame the eyes and sort of give the photograph an evil feel to it. The face paint also disguises the skin colour of the photograph so gives the photograph a very diverse meaning. The face is placed central to the photograph with the nose directly in the middle and the eyes in the top third.

These two photographs connect because of the use of the eye as the main focal point. Both have the eyes placed directly central in the top third of the photograph. This makes both of these photographs diverse in meaning as the eyes are seen as the 'window into the soul' which makes the photographs seem deep and meaningful. Both photographs also use a dark and unlit background allowing the focus to centre entirely around the face and features of the model featured in each. With the head placed centrally in each the black background frames the face and once again draws attention to it. Both photographs also use very brightly coloured face paint however the second photograph has a more organised and tribal theme to it where as my photograph is spontaneous with the use of the paint. Despite this difference both photographs could be suggested to represent race and cultural diversity through the use of many colours instead of just one. Within each picture the facial features of each model are also unrevealed giving each photo a slightly mystic and uncertain feel whilst also allowing the audience to connect with it more. 

Final Pieces

Shoot Ten - Work Record

Inspiration
The inspiration from this shoot came from the previous two food shoots as it gave me this idea of messy photography. I also took the idea of using paint on the face from shoot seven and the work of my research photographer Andy Acala.

What I did

I used myself in this shoot as then I could control exactly how the shoot turns out etc. I used various props such as paint, flowers and glitter to decorate my face and took close up images of the results. I didn't really use any structure when applying the paint as I felt the more spontaneous approach would achieve the desired results.

How I would improve

Despite this shoot working well I would consider using a model as that way I have more control on the camera however I think that it went quite well. I would also use different colour glitter and feathers etc. in order to create den more messy and fun, childlike photographs.

My work

I was pleased with the composition and lighting of this photograph however I feel that the half face may take away from the other things in the photograph such as the flowers. I feel with the eye being placed centrally at the top of the photograph it creates a main focal point within the image. 

This photograph works really well as the focus is on the eyes and the rest is slightly blurred like in soft focus. I think the bright colours against the black background works really well. I also feel that like the work of Andy different meanings can be taken from this shoot with ideas such as race and gender being shown through the use of multiple colours all of which come with their own connotations.

Electronic Portfolio