Tim Burton Style Photoshoot

 

On Friday, Some of the Media Make-Up students had a final project to complete, which was producing something in the style of Tim Burton. There were around 15 students, which meant 15 models to shoot, all relating to different themes and unique ideas. When I first started working with the media make-up students, it was definitely and very new and interesting experience. With the students being on the same floor as us, we are able to easily contact one another with help for photographing for their portfolios and the MUA to produce any request of make-up we need for our personal photo-shoots. After looking through my images when I got home, there were a certain set of images that really stood out for me and they were the strongest images from the bunch I had previously shot. Named, 'The Skeleton', I was really excited about shooting this specific model because it was the model that most stood out for me. I don't know whether it was because she was dressed in all white against a black backdrop or because of the attention to detail of the transformation, but it was definitely the transformation that was definitely my favourite.

I edited my images only very slightly, just to bring the detail out on the skin and to really emphasise the hair and each strand that was out of place. I am so pleased with how these images have come out, after quite a long afternoon, and this was the last model to be shot, it was definitely worth the wait to capture these stunning images, for not only my benefit but to do the work of the MUA justice through these images.

 

  

 

 

I hope you love these images as much as I do!

X

Digital Imaging - Iconic Image

I have been struggling for a while to think of how I can re-create an iconic image. I have spent days thinking of what image would be good to re-create and that has some meaning behind it. After a good old think, I actually came up with the idea of re-creating or capturing an image from Harry Potter. Being a big fan of all things Harry Potter and my generation being the generation growing up with it when I was little, it was sort of something that was part of my childhood, going into my teenage years, and that was also close to home.

Parts of the first two films of Harry Potter were filmed in Lacock, and with it only being a 5 minute drive from where I live, back in 2001 and 2002, my family and I spent hours in Lacock on the evenings it was being filmed to see if we could get a glimpse of some of the cast. I saw a couple of heads, but it was hard to see a lot with everyone else trying to catch a glimpse of the cast, but a couple of heads was enough for me, just to even say I was there was definitely an experience!!

Some of the very first scenes of Harry Potter were filmed in the centre of Lacock, and I wanted to capture a moment that was very iconic in the film. So I decided to pick rather than inside the Abbey where classroom scenes were filmed, I was going to shoot the house of Harry Potters parents and the scene of the exterior.

The image below is the original image in the film (sorry its not very clear!!)

And here is my image (taken in the day!)

For this image below, I tried to use my shadow as the shadow of 'Voldemort' to get it as close as possible to the original image.

I also shot other significant buildings which made an impact in the film, which were Lacock Abbey and Cantax House, used in the Half Blood Prince  as Prof. Slughorns house.

 

 

If you ever get the chance to go to Lacock or if you are just passing by, its a lovely small historic village that is so nice to walk round. I hope you like my images as much as I do.


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Digital Imaging - HDR

Another digital imaging task up on my blog today, this time its HDR photography - in other words 'High Dynamic Range' photography. HDR is a process and technique in photography that combines either one image, or a series of images in which they are merged together and adjusted, by changing and improving the contrast ratios, which are impossible to produce through a single shot image and its aperture and shutter speed. HDR photography is in a sense, images merged together to create one. But these images are of the same scene, but all at different shutter speeds. It can range from 1 image, to anything around 10 of the same image but all of different exposures. In other words, an overexposed image, a normal exposed image and a underexposed image. Once we pop these images into Photoshop, the process should bring out all the detail from the shadows and highlights that would be impossible to shoot from just one single shot from the lens, from all three images bought together to create a scene or a final image that really produces a striking and intricate photograph.

I actually used an image I shot from Buscot Park last year as it looked like the perfect image to work with when producing a HDR image. I created my final image from 4 different images, one underexposed, one overexposed, one unedited image and one which I just increased the brightness and contrast slightly so I had 4 images to work with.

 

 

To create something that looked like this...

I am very pleased with this image, apart from the sky which I think looks too edited and almost like a painting, so I need to practice getting the detail balanced well on all parts of the image to make it look detailed as a whole. But other than that I couldn't be happier with my final image. The detail on the grass is amazing and I cant believe how different this image looks from my single images above and what it can produce when combining images together. I cant wait to be using more of this technique in my work and it was a technique I was definitely most excited about trying out after being set the task!


Until next time guys! :)

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Digital Imaging - Focus Stacking

Another one of our weekly digital imaging tasks was to produce an image that involves focus stacking. Focus stacking is a technique used in which you can create a deep depth of field by combining a couple of different images within one image all with different focus points. When combining these images together, it will create an image with a variety of depth of fields which is impossible to create when shooting just one image. Focus stacking is most useful in both close-up and macro photography as opposed to anything else, since because we are using a high f-stop it often prevents us from gathering everything in focus if we were to photograph anything else.

I actually found this technique rather difficult, as I have never actually used this technique before in my photography, so it was definitely a challenge for me, but one that I was willing to try and do the best I could at it. I decided to shoot a close-up of a flower, due to the detail and how close I could get to shooting it to get the best focus stacking I could. I layered on a couple of images, to create different depths of fields and to demonstrate the use of focus stacking in the photography world.

Below is my image.

I was actually very pleased with how my image turned out. I believe it includes both focus stacking, different and a variety of depth of field and it is also a very striking and colourful image which is off centre (which I did deliberately!) to include the depth of field within the background and to give it a more artistic and interesting look. It was a very useful and important skill and technique to understand and learn how to do, especially for future jobs or assignments. I will definitely be practicing this technique within different situations and shooting different subjects, as it will take a few more times to get it completely right.


Laura x

Digital Imaging - Triptych Photography

Triptych is the technique used when photographs or images are arranged as three separate images with a common or similar theme running through them and produced into one image with a plain border between the three images. It can also be used as one image, split into three. Triptych is a photographic style and technique that is used widely in the photography world and mostly in modern commercial work. 

 

I had never actually tried triptych until we were set it for a weekly assignment, so I thought id give it my best shot (I didn't know where to start!!). I decided on using three separate images, rather than one image and separating them into three as it looked a lot more like the modern day triptych style. I used three images of some blossom which was growing outside my house on a blossom tree and shot three different angles to create a nice group of images that would complement each other when I used them for my triptych. I also converted them all into black and white to make them stand out and I think it really brings out the detail in the flowers, especially with added contrast. I arranged them as the images with the black background on the outside and the image in the middle with the white background to balance the whole image out, and I decided against the plain boarder between the three as I much preferred the image without boarders!

 

 

 

 

I'm actually really happy with how these images have come out and how good they look together as a triptych image, especially in black and white and I could definitely see the difference in how effective the image looks in black and white, rather than in colour and after I added in some contrast and brightness to it. I am very pleased with my first attempt and I will definitely be using this technique again. perhaps next time with one image, and splitting them into three.


Another blog will be up soon! :)
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Digital Imagery - Food (Jamie Oliver Style!)

I have been so busy with assignment deadlines and laptop troubles in the past few weeks that I have only just got round to completing my digital imagery tasks which are being set for another assignment! But as I say, better late than never and I am getting round to doing them :) For this task we had to photograph 'Food'. This can be anything including food, my favourite food, a theme to do with food or food I haven't tried before. I decided to focus on the idea around Jamie Oliver and his 15 minute meals. If you have ever watched this programme you know that Jamie Oliver presents his food on a cookery board rather than the usual plate. It really makes the food stand out, and he presents it in a really creative and imaginative way. different from any other chef. So I wanted to do my own take on this.

I wanted to create my own, 'Fruit and Veg' board with the fruit and veg I had handy in my house! I used to love art at school so I took my artistic skills and produced a creative board, similar to the one like Jamie Oliver would produce with a variety of colourful fruit and vegetables arranged around the board

I actually also really love working with low saturation on my images and really think that it brings out a lot of detail that is either hidden or what we don't recognise when we add contrast and brightness to our images. Instead, I increased the contrast, decreased the brightness slightly and really decreased the saturation and I really prefer this bottom image..

Ill be blogging again in the next few days!

Laura xx

The Liebster Award

 

Thank you Dannielle for the nomination! Here are my answers to your questions :)


Why did you start blogging?
I started blogging as part of our college assignment and I will definitely be carrying on for my own personal improvement now we have officially handed in our blog to be marked.

Best and worst trait about yourself?
My best trait would be that I am a very caring person and my worst trait about me would be, that I'm always late (I'm not sure if this is a trait but its something that even annoys myself haha!)

Where is your favourite place you've been to in the whole world?
Id have to say either Barcelona or Austria - both being the complete opposite to each other, they were absolutely beautiful in completely different ways, from the scenic landscape of Austria to the buzz of Barcelona city.

Who inspires you?
Id say my parents inspire me. They have been the most amazing parents that have always encouraged me to do well in anything that I do and achieve the most I can with their help always there if I need it.

What would be the first thing you bought if you won the lottery?
I honestly wouldn't know where to begin! Id probably start by getting a white mini! :) I just know that id definitely spend it wisely on myself, my family and my boyfriend and his family!

Favourite song. Ever??
I don't have a favourite song ever as I have a favourite song about every week as I love all sorts of music :)

What is your biggest problem/challenge when it comes to blogging?
My biggest problem is that I don't think that many people read my blogs - Id love to have a wider and bigger audience that read my blogs.

Best photograph you've ever taken and why?
My best photograph I have taken would be the images I recently shot for Bunny Pumpkin Boutique's shoe collection. I shot in the most amazing American airstream diner and my images were published in a magazine!

What was your dream job as a child?
My dream job as a child was to be a dancer in music videos. I really liked dancing when I was little!

Cat or Dog?
Definitely Cat! I have the most soppy and cutest cat in the whole world!

Where do you see yourself in 25 years?

I see myself doing photography in the advertising industry whilst being married and having a family.


My questions are:

1. What can't you leave the house without?
2. What makes you happy?
3. What do you hope to accomplish this year?
4. What is your best feature?
5. Night in or a night out?
6. What is the best piece of clothing that you own?
7. If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be, and why?
8. What did you have for lunch today?
9. What is your favourite time of the year?
10. When you listen to music, what is the first song you play?
11. Tell me a secret...


And I now nominate:

1. Olivia - @OliviaPPhotog
2. Diandra - @ADigitalWay
3. Grace - @wiles_grace
4. Mica - @MicaJWPhoto
5. Paige - @PaigeDyball


Sorry if you have already been nominated! :)
xxx

Digital Imaging - Temperature

With this technique being set for a while as homework, I wanted to make sure I got it done today before I went back to University on Thursday. I have had an idea in mind for this for quite a while, but I haven't had the time to get round to doing it!

So for this task I used half of a frozen cocktail and a wine glass. I popped the bright red cocktail into the glass and then I placed the wine glass next to the French doors in my house so there was plenty of sunshine coming through and on to the glass. This allowed for the cocktail to melt and create really interesting images, and to show most importantly, how temperature can effect something.

I actually captured some images that I am very pleased with. I had a lot of fun shooting the glass at different angles to creating different shadows and to emphasise the ice melting and what was happening to the glass as hot and cold came together.

Here are my final images. I think they look abit like a lava lamp!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Ill be posting again soon!

Laura xx

Digital Imaging - Fire

I have been rather busy during my two weeks off, but we have been set a few digital imaging techniques for when we return back to University next week. One technique we have been set is to photograph fire. After focusing on fire for one of my previous projects last year and really loving my final image, I thought I would use this as one of my images for this task. I spent a lot of time and effort in getting the right image last year. I was in the studio and it took me atleast 50-60 images before I got the right one that really expressed fire in the way that I wanted it to be conveyed.

I used a model the accompany the fire itself to add something different to the whole concept. I wanted the fire to be the main part of the image, but at the same time, I wanted the model to be in the background to allow for people to understand the dangers of fire, how it causes a phobia and almost the dark and dreary side of fire and what it can cause, rather than the beauty of it. I am so pleased with how my final image came out. The image below was my final image (which took a lot of patience to capture!). I wanted the end of the flame to be in line with the models eyes and for it to be gradually moving out of the image, towards the viewer. I did this by opening the shutter speed up slightly for a few seconds, and when I pressed the shutter, id slowly turn the lens from its smallest aperture to the widest the lens could go. With just a slow turn of the lens, I was able to capture and image like this one, which was really what I wanted my image to look like, spooky and dream like against the pitch black background, yet technical and interesting to look at.

 

 

 

Below are some images I took recently to go with overall task to round off the task as a whole.

 

 

 

I would definitely love to do something like this again. I chose fire because it was something that I probably wouldn't think about photographing, and it really took me out of my comfort zone as a photographer. I really enjoyed using a model within my images as it added something extra to the whole task and concept. I believe it makes the image look a lot more effective, especially as the image is quite spontaneous to where the light, flames and models face ends up in the final image. I didn't know how the image was going to turn out so it was definitely a trial and error type of shoot but I couldn't be happier with the outcomes :)