Development work

Experimentation

After a shoot in the studio, I then decided to experiment with Photoshop and slow exposures in order to get a feel of what I style of photography I would like to go down within this project. I had a shoot with my model in the studio using a black backdrop. I only used one lights, as I wanted to produce dramatic scenes. I wanted the light to be harsh and focus on a specific part of the face. I then started to experiment with various props and exposures. Firstly I started off by just using light and change the position of the light general I put the light to the left hand side of my model.

Slow exposures

Slow exposure

Slow exposure

For the images above I have used a tripod and slowly exposed the models.  For the first images I was pleased with the outcome of my experiment as it gives a sense of fear, as if the victims is hiding away from a punch. The blur of the images creates an anonymous figure for the victims. Often victims tend to remain in secret. However as a viewer we are still aware that the model is in danger. The images on the right I have used a tripod and slowly exposed the models.  For the first images I was pleased with the outcome of my experiment as it gives a sense of fear, as if the victims is hiding away from a punch. The blur of the images creates an anonymous figure for the victims. Often victims tend to remain in secret. However as a viewer we are still aware that the model is in danger.

Props: Partially transparent fabric

For my shoot with Nimra I wanted to use fabric, in order to represent trapped victim. I wanted to produce an elegant presentation of a trapped victim, rather than a literal representation. I wanted to use natural light as I feel this is one of the best lighting to use. They produce powerful images. By using fabric in my shoot I wanted to portray that women can me trapped in a domestic violent relationship. The idea that we can only view a certain part of the relationship and may not understand what happened behind closed doors.

I was please with the out come of my shoot, they lighting worked fairly well for me. The light was fairly suttle, which was effective as this was the looking I was trying to achieve. For my next shoot I would like to experiment with taking photographs in a home setting to bring a realism to my work, as I am still not sure which way I want to approach this topic.

Photoshop

Shoot with Angel

For my shoot with Angel I wanted to represent the visual concept of domestic abuse in family homes. I thought it would be affective if concentrated domestic abuse with in an intimate relationship, rather than exploring it with in a family setting. I staged various scenes by placing my model on the bed, trying to capture various positions. In terms of lighting I used artificial light which was coming from the light in the room. The images produced had warm tones as a result of the natural lighting. It was difficult to focus on specific parts of the face to make darker as I was not in control of the light.


For my shoot I wanted to capture intimate angles, as I felt this would appeal to the target audience. By photographing my model up close, it shows a sense of trust. I wanted the audience to feel as though they had a connection with the victims. I also experimented with using the reflections from the mirror to demonstrate a sense of identity. The model is looking into the mirror to the woman they used to be, how they have changed. Often victims of domestic violence are in denial and I feel as though this is represented in this image. The idea that model is denial and cannot accept what is going on.

I feel as though my photographs were successful; however I would have liked to have been in control of the light source. In order to improve my work, I will experiment with the studio lights located in a home, as I can control the light source. I would also like to experiment with water as I feel water symbolises a sense of purity and innocence. I will place my model in the bath and start shooting 
photographs of them around and in water.


Dark room

I then went on to experiment with using the images that I took from the film camera shoot and development them further in the dark room using double negatives. I experimented with using fabric however I didn't feel that was successful. I will not be using this technique for my future images.

Shoot with Eleanor

For my shoot with Eleanor I tested photographing in the studio and outside. When we as in the studio I ask her to wear white, and used black backdrop. I placed my light directly facing her. I wanted to represent her in a fearful wear as though she lived in constant fear. I feel as though using the black backdrop was effective as it felt as though she was placed in the middle of nowhere in an empty space. Victims of domestic abuse tend feel empty and alone.Her body language is closed and she is curled up into a small ball, after studying body language victims and perpetrators, I discovered that this played a large part into recognising domestic abuse with in couples.

Shoot with Oliver and Joanna

I started to take photographs in the studio using a white backdrop; I dress my models in formal attire and asked them to both wear white. I thought it would be effective to include a perpetrator into my work. The cropped composition was effective the main focus was on the model. I cropped the head of the male model to draw the audience attention directly towards the body language of the victims. The small detail in image can make a different to the way we perceive them. For example on first look I want the audience to view my work and not question anything about it. I want them to see a happy couple, but after looking closely into the image and the body language they start to question what they mean. For example if we look closely in to my images the facial expressions on my models faces appear distressed on neutral , however when we start to study the male model , we begin to notice that his hand a placed on her shoulder slightly tighter than they should be.

 I was pleased with this shoot and felt as though it was a success. There were some image, which included my male model, however I didn’t feel as though these were as strong as the cropped composition.

Experimenting with the blinds shoot symbolised various effects in my work. I felt as though it portrayed imprisonment on my model. The most effective shots were the ones were we could see the models eyes. They were very powerful as all we can see is the eyes. The cropped composition was still power in those shoot as well.

Bruises

Car headlights

For the following shoot I thought it would be interesting to experiment with I photographing my model in the dark using car headlights as my main light source. I placed her in various positions, inside and outside the car to study various effects. I was pleasantly surprised with the effects of placing her directly opposite the light as it made the focal point directly on her. It almost symbolises that specifically her abuser targets her. The effect of placing my model inside the car and using the light source from inside the car was also a successful effect as the background was fairly dark and all we can see in the model. It adds a sense of suspension.  The effect of not focusing on the model was effective as well as the victim appears to be anonymous, her identity is hidden.

If I was to redo the shoot I would park the car under the streets light in order to add more light to my images I felt as though the light was enough and that I had to edit them on Photoshop to achieve these effects.