Task 2

My Image;
Location; Bank Street, London.

Task 1

I chose this image due to the simplicity and tonal, greyscale range. I found it eye-catchingly beautiful and quite vintage looking. - The hair and make-up to the beaded necklace and feathered outfit emphasizes this.

This image represents a sexy and sultry female, without being provocatively ‘in-your-face’, as some images today can be. This photo shows quite an innocent and intimate side to the female.

Personally, Rankin is one of my all-time favourite photographers. I love how he portrays the various sides of women, with his mischievous, playful, tongue-in-cheeky style, which explores women who are comfortable and happy in their own skin, whilst remaining respect for the female form.

Presentation

Still Life

For this project, the still life had to have a meaning behind. 

For me, I work best when a project reflects something personal or reflects a great interest of mine.

With this, I was reflecting my own personal opinion that I don't agree with the British soldiers being out in Afghanistan. In particular, my opinion is that in the beginning, the soldiers were thrown out there not as prepared as they should have been. - like bits of meat.

For this reason, I literally used meat within my image. I still used the medals, as I personally am very proud of our soldiers and no matter what the conditions are, they're proud of their job too. As they should be.

For this, I looked at Owen Silverwood;

 & I also looked at the Army's own website, where I analysed war images taken by photographers who are in the Army themselves;

This image was my first final print, and original plan to show this message

I felt that this image had too much going on and was too complicated for the message and opinion I wanted to get across.

Instead, I chose this image as my final piece.

I felt that this image revealed my opinion a lot better.

I felt that the bandages on the meat reflected the soldiers fighting and being injured. - By placing this meat on the flag, shows that they are British soldiers.

The main part that I love is the 'Quality Assured' stamp on the flesh. - I chose not to use the medals to show  'pride' as I felt it would be too obvious.

Environment

For this project, I looked at different areas and the goings-on within particular towns.

A once popular town, that I spent a lot of days out at the beach as a child, was Margate.

I compared the memories to the present situation of Margate town, and I wanted to document the drastic change. It is a huge contrast to the popular, busy, lively town it once was.

For this I looked at the work of Simon Norfolk;

My Images;

Body

For this project I chose to focus on the female body and the changes it goes through. 

I chose to concentrate on this idea of pregnancy, as when my best friend had a child I was with her every week up to the birth and there after. I saw and experienced the effects that the females go through and I think it is a beautiful, natural process that should be admired and celebrated.

I wanted to show how beautiful and natural this process is, but still enabling this female to reflect her own personality. The 'bump' is the most obvious thing and the changes take over the body, so I wanted to show the 'blooming' beauty of the female not just her tummy.

This shoot was inspired by various artists I looked at, but the main one was Fred Aufray;

& the famous Demi Moore magazine cover, which at the time, shocked and appalled its audience;

My Final Image

At close inspection, this image looks a bit soft and does not have crystal clear focus. - However I like this fact, as I think it reflects the delicacy of a woman and this process.

City

With this project, the first thought was 'London'. I then started thinking about London and what things first come to mind. - Such as; the red buses, the crowds, the smartly dressed people... etc.

I then started thinking about the poorer, run down areas that we don't necessarily see or think of, when we go to, or think of London.

With these photos, I found a run-down estate, that was due to be demolished early this year. Hardly anyone was still living there, as most had already moved out but some people were.

Only a ten minute drive away, was Canary Wharf. - A huge contrast to this estate. 

It goes to show the conditions and the different lifestyles some people live.

My main inspiration for this shoot was Rut Blees Luxemburg;

My Images

Essay

Deconstruct a single image of your choice through its mise-en-scene & technical aspects with relevant contextual research to analyse how the image’s meaning is generated. Consider aspects of semiotics and ideology.

Josie McCann

BA Photography, Year 1

‘Deconstructing an Image’

Hand In: 10/01/2012

Word Count: 1,509 written/1,581 overall

Image ‘A’:


(Actual Essay handed in. Couldn't load it to blogger)

My Shoot

For the content of this shoot, I wanted my model to have the most respect and privacy she deserved. - Therefore I arranged this shoot to be done in a private, heated room.

I personally am very pleased with this shoot. My model looks beautiful, relaxed and I got exactly what I wanted.

I used a plain, white background for this shoot as I wanted my model to be the entire focus. 

I also used two broncola lights with one pack and a soft-box on each light. 

These images were taken using a bronica camera, with a standard lens at F.8, and an even background reading of F.11. 

Quite a few of these images had a few dots and scratches on, which I can only presume happened when I processed the negs.

Also, a few photos that I tried printing looked ok on the contact sheet, but under an enlarger were slightly out of focus. The nearest I could get was a focus that looked a little soft. It wasn't 'crystal clear', which I was really dissapointed about.

I found choosing one final image really difficult. I printed five of my favourite's, and ended up getting stuck between a choice of two.

I was really inspired by the famous Demi Moore magazine shot and a fashion based, pregnant magazine cover, by Christina Aguilera.

I wanted to show the idea that being pregnant is beautiful and natural. - But that the model is still her own person.

The printing of my two favourites;

'Naked Beauty' - Demi Moore inspired;

Final Print

'Yummy Mummy' - Fashion Magazine / Celeb Cover inspired

Final Print

Personally, I think this image reflects more of the message I intended. I love this photo!

Other favourite images I've printed;

(I aim to print more but these are what I've managed so far)

Printing of 2nd/3rd Shoot

Due to the previous shoot being unsuccessful and resulting in underexposed negs, I went to Canary Wharf to re-shoot my pastiche. Due to the large tall buildings and planted trees, I felt this area was more suited.

Due to the store being short on cameras for loan, I shared a camera with a friend. The contact prints below with stars are my images;

Print of favourite image to fit the pastiche;

Final Image - Printed at 40M / 35Y, 8 secs.

These next contact sheets, are from a shoot I done in a run-down estate in London that was due to be demolished early this year.
I wanted to capture the run-down areas that we may not necessarily see when we go to the main City.
At first thought of the City, the crowded streets, tall buildings and red buses come to mind. - Not the back street, poorer areas.

Again, the images with stars are my own;

All six of these images below are my own;

The printing of my 3 favourite images;

Estate;

Final Print - 60M / 100Y. 2 secs.

Flat Entrance

Final Print

Garden

Final Print