Digital Tech two- Richard Mosses's

Richard Mosses's

Through out 2012 Richard Mosse's traveled the democratic republic of Congo to document the rebel groups, Richard uses a Infrared Aerochrome film which was developed for the military in the 1940's because it captures greens (live foliage) in shades of pinks and reds so they can pick out areas of camouflage. Richard uses Infrared film because he says just like it reveals the camouflaged areas for the military, for him it reveals the areas of conflict and the war thats on going. The images he takes are very beautiful considering the fact that it is of war zones and people have been slaughtered in those area's. His work recieves a lot of criticism because well why would he want to make something so horrible look stunning? It doesnt fit together, but what if he photographed people dead? or people being slaughtered? I think the critics would then complain about how his work is too graphic, no matter what he does he is going to be judged so he may as well do what he feels is right. "Mosse makes vivid how cruelty can be sublime and violence can ravage or remake a landscape in ways we may politically detest but also find visually arresting, even beautiful.” -quote from the 'Republic . Richard has been to the Congo 8 times over 4 years, he says that it gives him a ghostly haunting experience which makes him go back for more, Richard comes from a nice small town in Ireland and a quaker background which could also have an input in why he is so interested and drawn to the Congo because it goes against what he believes in. 

 no matter how horrific it is or whom he is photographing. His images a stunning and yet so unsettling

Uxbridge- Joyce Campbell

Joyce Campbell

I really loved Joyce Campbell's work, it had a real ghostly feel to it. The ghostly feel did not just come from the way she printed the work with strange flares through it and Vignette edges from the camera lens, the fact that her work was based on Maori legends gives me the chills considering i grew up in a small town that has lots of spiritual connections with the Maori community. Joyce's photo series 'Te Taniwha' is based on a Maori Myth in Waikaremoana about the great Taniwha's (Long finned eels) that travelled through time creating the rivers and creeks that go out to sea in that region. These Taniwhas were believed to have shaped the landscape that people walk on today in Waikaremoana.

I really love her images because they are a piece of New Zealand history and its not all about the 'Beautiful Lanscapes' its about the Maori Culture, which I really like. Everything is so much more interesting when there is a story behind it and you notice the things you wouldn't have if you were just having a quick look.

Experimentation!

For my experimentation I wanted to give that spooky blurred effect that joyce has in her's, i want my viewers to feel like they should be scared. I don't know much of the Maori history behind Otara so i decided not to go down that path because i know that id be forever finding and researching. I chose to photograph the neighbours property as it does give me chills, its a very run down place and Im always hearing strange noises coming from it. Theres a little old shed at the end of the driveway that gives me the absolute creeps and id hate to know whats inside there so for now i chose to stay outside and photograph it from afar! I stuck to the B&W like Joyce because it makes the photos look older, I also edited the three photos on photoshop giving them each a funny blur just like Joyce has in her photographs, even though the blur in her images a created because she used a low F Stop. I was going to 'Free Lens' in these photos but it doesn't work as well on my 18-135 mml Lens compared to my 50mml lens that is now broken.

Final Portfolio.

Final images and layout.

I found it a bit of a challenge to pick my final photos because there were so many to choose from and i had to make sure the genre of ' Fashion' was visible because my photoshoot of Samantha ended up being more portraits of her Ballet dancing rather than actual street photography. The photos of Tessa were obvious Fashion photography so thats why I used more photographs from the shoot with her rather than the shoot with Samantha even though I feel my photographs with Samantha were more successful.

I had many different layout ideas (which I will show below) but when we did the class Critique I had inspiration and liked the idea of the line of photographs but these photographs will be split into Triptychs and hung separately. I will hang my triptychs either with small nails or Clear plastic drawing pins. How I chose what photo goes where was by creating a pattern where the more close up photographs were on the sides and the images photographed from further away were placed in the middle of each triptych which created an upside down triangle, because these triptychs are going to be placed side by side it will create one big Triptych where the coloured photographs are on the ends and the BW photographs are in the middle. Im very excited to present my work, I feel really proud of it and cant wait to see it hanging!

Other Layout ideas.

I liked these layouts but felt they were not 'Professional' enough for a portfolio Layout. I want to present the photos like I would to clients and agencies and in Galleries. I feel like these layouts are something I would do on my bedroom wall with photographs of myself and my friends. As you can see in these layouts my original choice of photos is slightly different compared to my final choice, I added two more Black and whites of Tessa and converted two photographs of Samantha to colour. I added the two BW photographs of Tessa because they worked really well as a triptych.

Haru Sameshima

Haru Sameshima

Haru was born in 1958 Shizuoka City, Japan and immigrated to New Zealand in 1973. Haru started out working inmall Duniden photography studio and then went to Otago Polytechnic art school in 1980. He completed his BFA in 1982 and then he moved to Auckland and studied at Elam School of fine arts where he then completed his MFA in 1985. When we went to go and visit Haru, his 'Studio' was a cluttered room that almost seemed to be falling apart, I had not looked at his work before I went  but when he showed us his books he has had published I could not believe it! Perfection. He is very good at photographing ceramic and glass objects, I don't get into that style of photography but I must say his work really captured my eye. The way he used studio lighting to almost spotlight the subject, and how the colours have come out almost creamy was really beautiful. I loved his use of reflections and shadowing, giving the effect the object is floating.

Experimentation

Because I didn't have the proper gear to take a photo like Haru, I had to use what I had which was Soy sauce bottles, the inbuilt flash on my camera and a steel top bench. For my experimentation I wanted to create the reflections and shadows Haru has created in his photographs, I also used the idea of using Glass and tin subjects to create the shiny reflections. I started of by using the carpet as the backdrop but i wasn't getting reflections as such more like shadows, I then remembered that last year I did a project on Sugimoto who has similar ideas in his work as Haru, Sugimoto did a photo series on internal gear he uses similar lighting techniques highlighting certain parts and casting shadows.  I tried making the background black like in Haru's images but it didn't work very well, but I was okay with that, I still feel like my experimentation includes Haru's ideas.

Russ Flatt- Digital tech week 3

Russ Flatt

Born in 1971 Russ Flatt is a New Zealand photographer who specialises is Fashion and portraiture photography. Russ was born in singapore even though his mother is Maori and his Father is English Russ was brought up a European.One of Russ Flatts work is based on Memories he has from his childhood ,this series was called Paper Planes. Russ Flat was over seas for 15 years 10 years in New York 5 years in London, Russ had to come over to New Zealand for his Fathers Funeral and then came to know that his Mother and sister were diagnosed with terminal cancer both past away within a year of his Fathers funeral. This caused Russ to suffer from depression but i think he channeled his depression into his photography creating some very beautiful and touching imagery. Russ Would have very graphic dreams about his childhood, this would probably be because he was always thinking about his childhood past and how its made him who is today and then he was thinking about the future and who is going to be, Russ was looking through old family photos and came up with the idea of re-shooting the photographs of his Childhood memories. Russ then rented a house for a weekend where he was going to get models to Re-in act his childhood memories and he would photograph, Russ had to think about many things for this photo shoot because he only had 3 days to come up with a body of imagery, because he only had a short amount of time he had to plan the times of the day that he would Re-shoot certain family photographs so he could have the perfect light composition and he also had to think about where he would shoot the scenes, after three days Russ only came out with 11 photographs. Russ Flatt's images all tell a story which makes it more of a personal experience for who ever is looking at his work, It could also bring back childhood memories for the viewers giving them mixed emotions. I feel I can really relate to Russ's work because I come from a small country town myself and was brought up by my grandparents so i was influenced in everything i do by an older generation, just like him.

Experimentation

Here are some portraits i took which was inspired by Russ Flatts photo series 'Perceiving Identity'. In this photo series he has Portraits shot just below the chest and up of men. I took the idea of how he framed the portraits and how he left a bit of a gap above the subject and put into my own photographs. For my images i wanted to photograph people who meant something to me and how i knew them, wether it be for their laugh, smile or love for cricket. These portraits below are of my friends in the village, i feel I've captured their personalities perfectly! Ive photographed each person in their everyday environment so they feel relaxed then i can capture who they are, not the face they put on for the outside world

I actually tried to do an exact replica of this portrait below

And this is my emulation of it... I feel it was successful. The framing of the subject is almost exact only difference is the Tattoo on the chest and obviously the model. Even the facial expressions are similar. 

Portfolio recent photoshoot.

Samantha

I absolutely loved this photoshoot! Samantha is perfect and a stunning ballet dancer. For this photoshoot we went to the city and drove around until we found some inspiration as a backdrop. I was going for more of a street scene Eg: Graffitied walls and rundown buildings , which i did stick to but i also photographed her in front of a beautiful big building.. unsure what the name of it was. Some images worked better than others and that was because of the background, i noticed that the more modern scenes (Manukau train station, Spark payphone) were not successful images because they didn't quite go with the run down streets and car parks i was photographing earlier in the photoshoot.
After the photoshoot when I was looking through the photos with Caryline I realised that not all photos were 'Fashion photography' infact they were more portraiture, so now im thinking ill have two separate parts to my portfolio, some images of fashion photography and then some portraiture photography... i still want to stick to the idea of studio lighting and natural lighting.

Unsuccessful images

The images below are examples of the 'Modern' look that i did not like. I felt it was to 'Pretty' compared to graffiti, old car parks and buildings. Possibly would have worked better if she wasn't wearing her tutu and just some more modern clothing, but not for the look i was going for. I also feel like there is too much going on in the images. 

First Portfolio images.

Tessa

This was my first photoshoot for my portfolio, I prepared for this shoot by using pinterest to collect 'Fashion photography' images that I really liked and used for inspiration. Tessa is apart of a modelling agency called 'Clyne' she was so much fun to photograph and was fabulous when it came to posing. 

I feel far more comfortable with lighting now so was able to play around using 3 point lighting, gels and also spotlighting. If I could change anything it would be to get someone to come do her hair. I felt like i was forever trying to perfect her hair and makeup i had no time to focus on the actual photography. I did try to organise a hairdresser but she never got back in touch with me to say she wanted to help. In our class photo critique there were a few comments about the poses being too awkward which made me really happy because that was the look I was going for, I wanted the viewer to feel uncomfortable. This photoshoot flowed really smoothly mostly because we had so many clothes to choose from... we were never bored. I really like how Tessa is the main focus, she really worked with that empty space well, photos could easily be boring in a studio but she managed to add something really interesting to the photos. 

AIPA Research.

AIPA

Overall i found this website extremely resourceful! It suggests really good photographers and provides Lawyers so that if you run into any difficulties along the way you have the best legal support. AIPA organises and holds seminars and professional training run by other photographers around New Zealand. I feel it is all about educating up and coming photographers and giving them the best possible experience in the photography world.

Carolyn Haslett:                                                  

For two decades Carolyn has had a career in fashion and photography, she also specialises in makeup artistry. She caught my eye because not only does she do photography for fashion but she also does makeup, which is a lot like me! 

These two images are really stunning, for some reason i love awkward poses.

In the first image you can see she has used a close camera crop whereas in the second one it is taken further away. Both photos have been photographed in the studio, i get the feeling she has used one key light because of the shadowing on her right side. I feel these photographs fit into the creative genre- sub genre is fashion.

Photo Assistant

Kate Van Der Drift: I really liked Kate's profile, she included enough information like an overall write up on where she studied, where she is based, Skills, Equipment knowledge, Additional information and a client list of who she has worked with. Kate provides her Cell number and email address so you can contact her. I feel Kate had the strongest profile because she provided the most information out of all of the assistants and comes across really resourceful. 

Portfolio week 2.

Genre

Creative Genre: So Ive had a bit of trouble trying to figure out what genre my portfolio images are going to be because at first I said fashion photography and that was what I was looking up on pinterest but when we had a group discussion and got asked whose my designer going to be I didn't know because I wasn't really thinking about the fashion side of things I was more leaning towards intense makeup, hair and over exaggerated poses. I then searched glamour shoots up on pinterest which was more nudity and beauty but they had the poses I was looking for. I then went on Wikipaedia and searched 'Fashion photography' and came up with these two definitions  

"Fashion photography is a genre of photography devoted to displaying clothing and                                                                                            other fashion items."

"Over time, fashion photography has developed its own aesthetic in which the clothes and fashions are enhanced by the presence of exotic locations or accessories."

after reading those two definitions i came to the conclusion that my portfolio was going to be fashion and beauty genre. When i was on pinterest and searched up fashion photography the images that came up were very beautiful, but fashion was not the main focus in the image, it was the way the models were posing and making use of what they had around them that made the image.

I want to show the difference between photography in the studio and photography on the street, also natural and studio lighting. My two main photoshoots are going to be of Tessa in the studio and Samantha on the streets of auckland.. Doing Ballet, something different and more natural for her.

These two images below are good examples of how the fashion is not the main focus.

Kingsize studio's research.

Kingsize

Kingsize studios offers high quality photography gear , professionals to help you with shoots and also four different studios for you to hire. Kingsize studios also offers education programmes for beginners right through to expert levels.

The four studios are really nice and are a great ideal for any photographer wether they are professional or beginners, I myself think the garden studio is really beautiful and wouldn't mind hiring it one day. Just from looking at the Kingsize Studio website you can tell straight away you would be working with professionals who are eager to help you and teach you what they know and give you the guidance needed to produce amazing images.
After going to kingsize it is safe to say they are all extremely helpful, as soon as I walked into their office I felt welcomed and every question that i had was answered. The guy who spoke to us was very passionate about education and really wanted to make sure we were on the right track with our portfolios and even suggested photographers that could give us inspiration.
He gave me http://www.danwintersphoto.com/#/index Dan winters is a well known photographer based in america. He takes very formal portraits of famous people.

We were unable to go and look at the studios so i had to look on their site for information about their studios.
Studio one: "Studio One offers a full production facility including a second space (5.3m x 4.8m) which can be used for production, extra styling space or as a second studio. Included is your own kitchen with espresso machine; generous self contained makeup and styling room; comfortable client area and bathroom."

Studio 1.

Studio three: "This, our largest upstairs studio is perfect for small-medium size fashion / people / food / still-life work. There is a 3m stud / ceiling height. The studio is 5x8m. The floor, and walls are painted white, and down one side are blackout curtains. This studio has a separate bathroom with shower / separate kitchen with stove, (ideal for food photography) / separate makeup-styling room / separate entrance… and it’s own espresso machine. (Including air conditioning)"

Garden studio.

Studio 3.

Studio 4.

Studio four: "The Daylight Studio at Kingsize is a stunning natural light studio space, featuring a large skylight (with black out option). Perfect for fashion, portraiture, look-books, still-life, castings, boutique events, film location, and so much more. There are three main shooting walls, with full length people shooting capability."


Garden Studio: "The Garden Studio at Kingsize is a fantastic space for Summertime shoots. We have designed this space to perfectly use the natural light in this spot. The morning is predominately shaded, while the afternoon is increasingly back lit. Soft light bounces off the main wall, creating beautiful light."

Chris Sisarich Experimentation.

When we went to Kingsize Studios Luke suggested some photography agencies, I really liked the look of Match photographers. I found Chris Sisarich on the Match photographers website I fell inlove with his 'Lifestyle' images so I have chosen to experiment with this series. Theres something beautiful and natural about his images. I like how he has used a warm filter to give the idea that its summer, the warmth in the photographs give me a sense of happiness and i really peaceful feeling. When I experiment with these photos I'm going to make sure its not too staged and the people are relaxed and actually enjoying each others company.

For my experiment I went around the student village and pretty much just told people to carry on talking or doing what they are doing and i was going to photograph them. I wanted to make the photos as natural as i could so that is why i photographed everyone in their natural and comfortable environment. At first they would be awkward and unsure what to do next but most managed to carry on and build up some really hilarious conversations. There's only one staged photograph out of all the images and that is the one of Celeste sitting on the couch, luckily she is a performing arts student so pulled it off really well. For my photographs i warmed them up on Camera Raw because I wanted to try to create the warmth that Chris does in his portraits. I then noticed that in Chris's photos theres a lot of lens flares so I went onto photoshop and tried the lens Flares on that but I didn't like them to much because they didn't look natural enough for the scene of the photographs. I then remembered an online editing site that had different flares, the site was called 'Fotor' so I used this to create some strange flares, i'm still unsure if I like the look of the flares or not but I think that is because I've never used them in my photographs before so its something new for me.