Development of the music and drugs concept. Mr Yorkshire

Photographed within a make shift studio in my flat, I have merged the presence of music and narcotics with a controlled studio environment. Just an experiment...

Dan Spence, also referred to as 'Yorkshire' was enjoying his own selection of music. We were simply just taking portraits where he would just stare into the camera, until Yorkshire spontaneously said "Gab, does this make me look crazy". Yorkshire is without a doubt one of the most kindest yet psychotic people I have ever met. It is strange how the context of time can cause such unusual things to occur. 

Mad yet calm...strange. 

Andy Warhol's Screen Test/ Ann, the girl who cried a tear.

Simple yet powerful. 

You learn so much about Ann just by staring at her for those few minutes.

Why is she crying? 

I intend to incorporate film and photography together... in a sense merging the photographic styles of Bailey or Avedon, with the film work of Warhol.

I believe it will turn out very interesting to say the least.

Time x Projection

Time played an important roll within these photographs. The deliberate use of a slow shutter meant that Rebecca could not move at all. Even the slightest movement would cause blur. I simply asked her to stare into the lens. Utter silence... a rare moment where everyone and everything was silent. 

It is almost as if Rebecca has subconsciously went into a state of pure tranquillity, where the mind can wander without being aware of myself or the camera. It is a side of the model I have never seen before, no smiling or movement. It's a bit scary.

The projector isn't symbolic of time. Just a unique idea from DunnoS...

Experimentation- Representing time through fashion.

Initially, when approaching the concept of time as the main theme for unit X, I was immediately drawn to the unique relationship between photography and fashion. After all, every fashion photograph you will ever look at has been influenced by time. The clothes, the make up, the hair, the model...even the style of lighting is a product of time. It has been dictated by the context of time. 

Fashion photography is something I have always wanted to get into, however, until a month or so ago I was yet to have the opportunity. Through my own personal desire to create (from my perspective) photographs which defy the usual norms of fashion photography, I have contacted and worked with a few agencies, fashion designers, art directors and make up artists.  However, I was told that this was far too fashion related when compared to what is looked for by those who mark and judge my work. Although I do disagree with this opinion, I trust the lecturers judgement and will therefore pursue portraiture through time. 

In response to this statement, however, I would still like to establish my own personal opinion...

Although the clothes can be regarded as the main focal point of these photographs, is it not true that the faces of each model I have worked with make the clothes look far better? After all, it is there presence, personality and character which provides the clothes they are wearing with such life, style and passion.

The clothes are not as important as those who wear them. 

If you saw Kate Moss and a general member of the public wearing the same outfit, who would personify the clothes better?

The following selected photographs are a product of the past two months. Just to make sure you don't think i'm dossing.

Picasso's 'Blue Period'.

Although I am anything but a novice when it comes drawing or painting, one can still admire and learn from the masters of art. Picasso's 'Blue Period' works, are impeccable from both a technical and metaphorical/symbolical point of view. The almost monochromatic darkish shades of blue within their own sense act as a form of pathetic fallacy. Reflecting both Picasso's negative outlook towards what was expected from painters at that moment in time, and the depressive nature of his subjects. After all, they were either all homeless, prostitutes or characters from a negatively associated background.
What I admire most about this period of work, when acknowledging it from the perspective of 'time', is how Picasso uses the dark shades of blue to reinforce a sense of context. The dark tones, alongside the almost robotic expressions of his subjects emphasise and exemplify Picasso's emotions throughout that particular time. It is TIME which has had an influence on the production of these paintings.
After all, if his perception of art at that time was positive, would he have painted characters who represent positivity and virtue? Would the colours be far more bright, positive and over emphasised?


TIME, DESPITE BEING HIDDEN, IS ALWAYS PRESENT. IT WILL ALWAYS INFLUENCE ART.

Reflective period

I am currently back home in Northampton. It is this absence from Manchester as well as the principle that I only shoot in film, that I am unable to upload any of the experimental work that has taken place within the past week or so.
So far, I have merely done a few fashion shoots and two portraiture sessions in relation to the concept of time. However, it is this lack of productivity (in comparison to the amount of work I am used to doing) that is making me that bit more anxious to return to the studio and explore the diverse relationship between portraiture and time. And although experimentation is still very important at this point, due to the ever decreasing nature of time, I have decided to simply produce a series of photographs which both physically and symbolically represent time-
The camera and lighting techniques used will show the constant presence of time, whilst the actual attributes of the photograph (whether this be an object placed on the subjects face or a style of make up which portrays time) reinforce and establish the theme.




I will still experiment with natural portraiture! After all, it would be interesting to practice and adapt the portraiture technique used by the photographers and artists I admire.

Experimentation- Time represented through symbolism.

A mere moment of spontaneous inspiration from a poster I found. The repetitive nature of the pattern in a sense symbolically represents the never ending nature of time. Just as the patterns structure can be regarded as infinite, so is time. Achieved through layering two negatives on top of each other and exposed onto photographic paper. Au natural. 

I am not 100% sure as to whether I would like to experiment with this style further, I find it far too predictable. However, I wont be surprised if I use this technique again soon.

Studio practice- Preparation and experimentation.

  Although the principle of time is within itself the main focal point/theme of this unit, I still believe that experimentation with studio lighting is still necessary. After all, it is essential that each image I produce and exemplify to the public is unique and edgy. Therefore, during my free time, I have experimented with different colours and filters. My initial intentions when approaching this experimental process were to create a style of coloured lighting which can be applied to any of lighting set up I use when photographing.
I admired the lighting style of the photograph above. It is abstract yet realistic... I don't believe an artist should copy another's work instead he or she should steal. Therefore, through this first form of experimentation with this lighting technique, I merely intend adopt the photographer's style. Throughout the next experimentations I will then attempt to modify and improve the lighting style.

 

Implementing the concept of time into this unit is extremely important. After all, without the presence of time, the photographs will not have any relevance from the viewers perspective. In response to this, a slow shutter alongside the use of a rear flash has allowed the subject to become motion blurred whilst still retaining the facial structure of the mannequin. The only problem with this session is evident; mannequins don't move, the camera must be shifted whilst exposed. The movement presented isn't real, nor is it natural.
However, I do intend on using the techniques exemplified from this practice session on a model. It will be his/her movement that will reinforce and emphasise the power of time.

Portraiture x time- A portraiture style to take into consideration.

 

For a moment, forget about fancy lighting, forget about dramatic poses... 

Use time to replace all of this.

The story behind this photograph has inspired me to approach portraiture from a different angle. When photographing the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Avedon noticed how both characters weren't revealing their true personalities, instead merely smiling as if it was a photograph for the New York Times or something. It was fake. 

Avedon had noticed how the couple had a great deal of admiration for their bulldog, their pride and joy. It was during this moment of realisation that Avedon stated how his taxi had run over a similar looking dog earlier that day. Both of their faces dropped and Avedon shot this remarkable portrait.

Interaction and awareness with regards to the lifestyle his subjects had lived, Avedon has cleverly manipulated the couple into revealing a side of them rarely seen by the public. It is genius. 

Throughout my next period of experimentation, I will adopt this approach to portraiture. Merely using just a camera, time and my own perception of the character to perhaps reveal a side of them that is rarely seen.

Inspiration- Richard Avedon, Darkness and Light documentary.

Richard Avedon, Darkness and Light

A documentary which has had a strong impact on the way I approach portraiture and fashion photographer.
Darkness and Light reveals the thoughts, emotions and secrets of Avedon's photographic career. The devil style portrait of Charlie Chaplin for example gives you an alternative outlook towards the way Avedon photographs. In this instance, it was Chaplin that provided the photograph with such a memorable and distinctive attitude. Both Chaplin and time and given Avedon a gift during that studio session, this being the unpredictability of human nature and what is expected from a certain situation.


Although it is rather discrete, the influence time has had on this photograph, as well as many of portraits Avedon has taken, is phenomenal. This represented through both a physical and technical perspective. The slow exposure used by Avedon shows both the movement and life of Chaplin; he is revealing a great deal of himself to the camera. However, from a more theoretical perspective, without time, this photograph would not have been possible. Time has allowed Avedon to interact and bond with Charlie Chaplin. And therefore, time has allowed and caused Chaplin to feel empowered and passionate enough to characterise himself in such a way to Avedon.

Returned from a vacation- Now work begins...

Returning from a family holiday, I am now ready to engage this unit from a serious perspective.

Portraiture in relation to time...

Initial experimental ideas- Before research has taken place.

Desired form of photographic experimentation to represent time-
Slow shutter portraits- Both motion blurred and clear: A rather simple yet practical technique.
Double exposures to emphasise movement or motion: This within itself is a product of time.

Different lighting styles to emphasise time.

Black and white.

Colour, also using different colour filters.

Time in relation to the human face and it’s structure.

Pin hole.

Fine art style portraits with objects perhaps to reinforce the principal of time.

Avedon style with natural lighting.

I must also analyse the many ways that time can be represented.

Double exposures with objects that are relevant to time.

Layering of negatives. Old with the young.

Through artist research my ideas regarding experimentation will broaden .

Initial plan regarding the production of portraits in relation to time.

Due to the previous uncertainty regarding the focal point of my unit-x project, I am now merely left with 5 weeks. The first three of these weeks, the studio is unavailable due to it being the Easter holidays. Therefore, I will allow this given amount of time to be purely based around experimentation. I will look explore the relationship between time and portraiture using natural lighting and whatever artificial light sources I can get my hands on. This will within a sense provide me with a raw understanding/impression of what style of portraiture I will focus on when returning to the studio after the holidays have come to an end.
It will be through this broad sense of experimentation which will define my style of lighting and approach to portraiture, therefore allowing me to produce a series of images that each relate/are similar to each other.
In relation to this, what I learn from my period of experimentation will merely be emphasised within the studio through make-up, the presence of a model/influential character, and a trademark lighting style.

Portraiture through time- Rebecca Farrington Whittam

Without a doubt one of the most passionate and talented characters I am yet to meet. Rebecca, myself and my stylist ,DunnoS had a studio session. My desires for this session of experimentation was to show the relationship between time and light and there impacts on the human facial structure. A longer exposure time alongside the adopted/adapted lighting style of David Bailey and Duffy enabled me to show the beautiful facial structure of Rebecca. The presence of a longer exposure allows more light to be absorbed by the face, whilst in a similar sense, allows the darker tones of the image to naturally flow.
Personally, I have enjoyed this style of portraiture in relation to light. However, I would like to get slightly more creative from a technical perspective to emphasise the principal of time and how it can alter the representation of a photograph.

Update #2 regarding ideas for unit x.

Although I haven't produced any work regarding still-life photography in relation to time. I had decided to meet up with Alan Jones again to try and re-evaluate my focal point for unit-x. It has came to both of our attentions that still-life isn't an aspect of photography I am too interested to explore. Without sounding to naive or arrogant, if it was something I'd enjoy, I would have already explored the wonders of still-life photography. Therefore, Alan and myself have explored ideas in which I can develop and progress my lighting skills, whilst also venturing into the principal of time through photography.
Therefore, for my unit-x work, I will be focusing on portraiture through time. It will be entirely based around the face and how time can have an impact on the representation of it's unique structure.
This is an aspect of photography I am extremely interested in, and will therefore approach with great passion.
In order for this project to powerful, bold, desirable and original, I will be working with two selected make up artists. These two lovely girls being Abi Pulleyn and Kat Whittaker. Their skills alongside my photography will be magical. They are two characters who I have worked with before. Initially they charge a relatively reasonable amount of money for their services, however, I have charmed them to collaborating with me for free.
Tres bien.

April 1st- Update regarding ideas.

Throughout the past week or so my practical time has been primarily focused on my fashion work with agencies and selected stylists. I acknowledge that this is not part of my unit x work, however, it is far too addictive and satisfying to turn down. This, however, is not to suggest that I have neglected my my unit x work. I have been applying the studio lighting I inter to use on my still life work to my fashion and portraiture photographs. Although I am yet to produce any work, day by day I am constantly collecting items that have a strong relationship with time; in this case, the sincere force and power of time. 

My intentions are too also rent out lighting equipment throughout the Easter period. This will allow me to work from home…constantly producing work.