This task was to take four different portraits : a passport photo, family portrait, police portrait and a mugshot.
For each portrait there were different rules to follow, for example the passport photo could only include the head and shoulder and the person in the photo couldn’t have any expression on their face. II think my most successful portrait was the mugshot. I like this image because of the angle it is taken and the different expression of the people in the photograph, however if I were to improve it I would maybe have |
Lasly Maholy-Nagy, made this photogram, between 1895 - 1946. He placed a flower on top of a photo sensitive surface, and exposed it to light, leaving a a white impression. Some areas are darker than others. This may because of how certain areas have been raised higher than others, being less exposed to the light. This can create different shadows and depths to the image.
I like how the object has a very clear outline, which contrast with the very dark, dramatic background. It is not as abstract as other photograms, instead the photographer has chosen to keep it very simple by only using a single object. |
The subject of this portrait is Helene Amouzou herself, which would make this photograph a self portrait. She has used movement, which creates this ghostly effect and the background of this photograph is very empty and it creates a sense of loneliness and sadness. The lack of colour and expression on her face, helps to emphasise this, and create an eerie mood in her portrait. Her portraits appear nostalgic and there is an atmosphere of remembrance or time passed or passing. The background objects in her portrait could symbolise something. For example, the suitcase could be representing travel or visit. There are elements of line, shape and depth.
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Single Colour Photocopying
In response to the Rankin Destroy project, one way i experimented , was by using single colour photo copying. I created this image by cutting up my original photograph and arranging it onto the photocopyer. Then i photocopied it in a colour of my choice. To create this effect i then put my image back into the printer and rearranged my cut up photo in a different way, and photocopying with another colour. I chose the colours dark blue and green (light and a dark colour)as they are very effective, because they contrast with each other really well and I think that these two colours create a dramatic mood/feeling. I really like this way of "destroying" a photograph as there are endless ways to experiment with it, like colours, or the way you can arrange and cut up your images. |
Photopea experiment
The second way i responded to Rankins Project, was by using and online editing app, called Photopea. This allowed me to experiment with a range of tools, such as changing colours, exposure and light intensity. I chose this as my final experimented photo because i like how the white space it filled with the purple colour, really emphasising the contrast between light and shadows. |
Cyanotype
Another way we experimented was by creating cyanotype self portraits, which is a photographic printing process that produces blue prints using coated paper and light. To create my cyanotype i put inside UV light box, with some string and this circle design, which i think came out really well. I really enjoyed this process and i think it is very creative and it shows that there is more than one way to interpret a self-portrait. I think if i were to improve this cyanotype, i would make myself more visible in the image, instead of having the objects the main subjects of the photograph. |
Photogram
The final experiment I did was a photogram. The materials I used were, light sensitive paper, a darkroom, acetate and chemicals. Personally i think that this image is quite unusual however the process of making it was very fun and interesting. The image looks very dramatic as there is contrast of really dark areas and light areas, which were made by placing glass bottles and string on top of my photogram. |
All of Ziqian’s work are self-portraits. In her work, she combines her body, plants, and mirror images, and constantly explores the coexistence between humans and nature. In terms of visual presentation, she keeps the backgrounds off her portraits very simple. Its interesting because these plain background colours contrast really well with the bright objects that she includes. Her work is very minimalistic but has very unusual aspects, like how she uses herself as an object in her images. I think her portraits are very well balanced with the themes of human and nature. I like the simplicity and how they create a sense of calmness and serenity but how they are very well thought out making them appear very effective. She uses her certain parts of her body as props which blend very well into the minimalistic backgrounds, colours and shapes. There is a sense of shyness, to me as a viewer as she choose not to show her entire portrait which contribute well to the atmosphere of tranquillity in her images.
Personally I really like her work and she is one of my favourites artists that i have seen. I like how her photos are subtle but also very effective, and how she uses a mirror in most of her portraits. Ten words that I would use to describe her work: elegant, minimalistic, tranquil, effective, natural, perfect, balanced, symmetry, quiet and thoughtful. |