4. This idea came about when looking at the themes Nature and Fear.
I was trying to merge two ideas as well as using the different experimental
photography techniques.
Multiple Exposure is used here because I felt that it would be the best way to
show the fear in the piece.
Having something which is not seen as the norm and almost surreal will make the
person looking at it think.
The process was made using Adobe Photoshop. The idea behind multiple
exposure is the changing of the layers and merging the two images together.
The two images I took were both imported onto the software. I Then placed the
image of the face behind the other picture but above the background. Then I
changed the tool above on the right hand side from ‘Normal’ to ‘Overlay’.
The idea of using an elderly person was brought into light when experimenting
and finding out that the wrinkles an older person possesses can be used with the
bark of a tree and look very effective.
The taking of the image was premeditated so that the person in question would
have a certain facial expression. This is to tie in the theme of fear.
This piece will be considered developed upon even further and I will consider
making multiple faces or body parts through the natural objects I find when
taking more images.
(1/3)
5. I feel that I have indeed produced what I had imagined and pictured beforehand in the planning stages of this experimental photography unit. When
looking at the mood board and mind map, it is clear that the theme of nature and using that to combine the idea of fear has remained the same
throughout.
Jerry Uelsmann’s work was an influence in the making of this particular piece because he demonstrated that Fine Art can come in any forms and using
the simplistic of techniques can produce very unique pieces.
The idea beforehand was to produce a set of images to tell a story and link the images, now after I have made this piece, I share that idea but have
moved towards having a set human body parts merged into natural subjects.
When comparing both my work and Uelsmann’s it is clear that he has used more older techniques compared to my contemporary ways of production,
however, I feel that the themes become clear through the surrealism of the work in both.
My intentions now involve using this idea as a platform to produce much greater advanced pieces and have a set of images with the same style
photographs but produced on Photoshop in different ways to multiple exposure.
The idea of using an older person in the work is to try show the idea of fear and that fear of dying at that age of their life.
When looking at the work in an aesthetic way I would consider it to be of a professional piece that focuses on two images and sticks to the brief given.
The aspects I like about the piece are that of the bold bark, had this been poor image or of a different tree I believe it wouldn’t bring the same effect.
Using a tree bark that stands out gives the impression of the work being more life like.
I also like the way the eyes and mouth merged well into the other image and did not ruin the composition.
However, I feel that the image could have been developed further and maybe built a full body on a tree instead of just the head.
As it was just an experimental stage, should the piece be seen as a good technique and a good use of the equipment then this is an idea that can be
explored later.
Having the original image of the face put in black and white helped bring out the bark and make the image look more realistic.
The technical qualities of the images themselves I believe are up to a good standard for the project. As this topic is all about experimenting with
images and all types of media, I took the two photographs for this piece on a phone and therefore did not have to set the shutter speed or aperture. If
I was to use these I would make sure that I had a low paced shutter to capture all light in the picture and make sure the facial features were clear.
I felt that I did not need to use a DSLR on this particular piece because there was going to be a lot of post production and as long as the images were
not out of focus and relevant then it would work for developing upon.
In the planning stages I did mention I was to use a camera of that type, however for the purposes of the first experimental stage, I felt that the
resources nor time was needed. Should this piece be a success then I would have to use a much more professional camera.
6. The ways in which I could improve the work would be using the piece as a slight platform to work upon. I could make a collection of images with human
body parts merging into natural surroundings. Such as I have looked into before in the images (Slide 3). I have started developing a human hand but using
the same multiple exposure technique to make it look very peculiar.
To advance from this, I would experiment further by taking more images and also brainstorming more ideas of how I can merge the two themes
together.
When Looking at the other pieces I made I believe that I can produce much more then the minimum of three final pieces in the brief. I can produce a
Surreal Nature/Fear collection of work that is of a professional style.
All the work made share some of the same ideas, and many are just developments from each other, such as the hand turning the page of the two images
being worked upon since the first post production on the hand.
I believe that not only does the work have a hidden meaning, it uses shapes and patterns to entice the viewer more. With the image (Slide 4) it includes
the pattern of the bark to merge in with the elderly persons face and their facial appearance. It also produces lines coming across the work in an almost
life like manner.
The pattern remains similar in all the multiple exposure pieces that involve the bark of a tree and a human body part, that of a grainy type style that
works well and blends in the skin due the wrinkles and the veins.
I found that using a black and white shade for the images with the face work better because it is more realistic and therefore produce more of a reaction
when seen. The developed hand however is better to be in a light contrast so it can show all the detail behind the double exposure.
Should a collection of pieces be made of these then I would produce both black and white and coloured versions of both. When talking about
composition I believe that the image of the hand turning the page would be the best image to explore.
Not only does this use a variety of techniques, but it explores into the surreal way of thinking again. (A pattern starting to emerge for all the work I
produce).
Using the multiple exposure hand to turn the ‘Turned page effect’ page is a good idea. This turned page of the image was made through using the free
transform tool and pulling the bottom right of the page forward. I then used another image I had taken to place underneath that layer to give the
impression of a book and again telling a story (Another pattern throughout my work)
The images I produced did in my eyes meet the requirements on the brief. My work in fact went above and beyond what was asked, It did not say that
two of the themes could be picked instead of one so thinking outside of the box should be commended. The images therefore did meet the theme and
are all starting to produce a similar style
I believe that they are experimental because they are taken using different types of cameras, altered using different methods on Photoshop and of
different objects with keeping one theme throughout.
8. Here I took an original image from the first set of photographs when they were all about
nature and before any specific theme was decided. I imported the image into Photoshop
and then used the 3D effect to create the same image but in a much more unique fashion.
I was experimenting to show that the most normal looking of images can be edited to look
more life like and appropriate to your theme(s).
I will use this idea of 3D imaging and merge it together with the fear aspect in later
experiments.
9. Original images
Alter levels and
colour
saturation in
Photoshop to
make the
image look
more relevant
to the theme.
Turn both 3D
Merge both together.
Have one 3D image and one normal to
show the difference and make the
hand stand out more.
Having the grave 3D with another
image would not work. The idea of
having two dimensions was to
correspond with the two themes (Fear
and Nature) Here. Fear being on 3D
with the natural side being an original
2D photograph.
Development
10. I chose this particular 3D piece as it stood out from the rest I had made. Here I incorporated the familiar
image of the hand I had taken in my previous shoot.
I used this image from a high angle looking down to portray the hand as it is in the ground and a person
trying to get out, hence the grasping movement.
The 3D effect was used on these images to bring out the theme further. It can be seen as obvious due to
the bushes and hand, however it does not hurt to be more clear to the audience.
I consider this piece to be surreal and a development from the original set of photographs.
Using Photoshop to alter the images to 3D was a
good method as the audience is to made think yet
again, not only with the two themes and imagery
but now with their sight.
Using Red and Cyan colours and moving them in
opposite directions created this image. The hand
itself remained neutral to give more clarity to the
image.
The Second stage of development was taking what
had been created from the first and improving
them or using it as a platform for similar ideas.
The idea of using human body parts to feature in
nature where you would not expect is a current
idea that has been looked at thoroughly.
(2/3)
11. Here is another image I have altered on Photoshop to tie in with my themes. I am using this here to
compare it with the one I have chosen on the right.
The idea behind these similar pieces is that I consider the hand as almost a house style and as it may
change in shape, size and position it will still feature in many of the images I produce.
This is to not only make sure all the criteria is met for the brief as I chose two themes, but to keep an
identify in the work I create and have a unique side that others may not have.
The hand symbolises the evil side of nature (hence why it is merged in with photographs of less beauty
such as litter and nettles instead of Bright colourful flowers. The hand can suggest the human beings
choices and that dropping litter or destruction to nature.
The 3D aspect is to make the message more clear and to psychologically tell you that if the image looks
real then the piece itself has to be and makes the viewer question it which all great pieces of Art do.
12. I feel that I have realised what I want to achieve in this project now. I have a clear theme and idea set out and all that is left is to produce
what I believe will be very professional images.
When I compare the second stage of images and looking at how I have moved on it is very strange. The first stage was about looking at
many ideas and choosing which particular one would work and which techniques could help bring the theme across.
As now I have a better understanding on what needs to be done, I can take much more accurate photographs and more relevant to the
theme rather than a broad collection.
The qualities I believe my work possesses are that of looking very surreal as well as keeping a natural look to them, with many images (such
as the one chosen on slide 9) the second theme of fear is seen later to the original one of nature.
This is exactly how it was meant to be seen, the idea was that the longer you look at something which you believe to be the norm, the more
you start to see something that does not quite look right and almost out of place.
I believe that the 3D aspect makes the work look very unique as it shares many components. The theme being of two parts, the images also
of two parts and now with the use of both red and cyan to manipulate the viewers thoughts.
In particular I like the camera angle itself, the way I have taken the photograph makes the hand harder to notice at first glance and brings
the natural surroundings out more.
I believe the strongest elements of the piece are that of the simplicity and surrealism combined to make a very unusual piece of Fine Art.
Weaknesses however I think could be that of the image quality. As this topic was all about Experimental photography I chose to take the
images on my Android Phone rather than a much greater pixel camera. Using an DSLR may have produced a much more clear image to help
see the hand better.
The technical qualities of the images and especially the one chosen on slide 9 are that of being well thought through and developed on
Photoshop. A good use of tools have been used from Rotoscoping the hands tool, Using the magic Eraser tool to remove unwanted
background colour and the use of the Levels and saturation to adjust the colour in the photographs, this was to help make the images look
more appropriate to the theme of fear.
I believe that images and their development has been done well so far and that with more time on the production stage I can produce more
and use these experiments as a platform to produce a set of good quality pieces of Art.
13. I could improve my work my taking many more images on both themes, from this I can start to get a much greater
understanding of what I will produce.
I could also improve my work by spending time researching previous work made for the ideas I have looked into and
take a lot of encouragement from what has been made and then try to emulate or even strive to produce better pieces
of work.
In addition I would also use the images I had taken of much more relevant pieces and then use a variety of
Experimental techniques not just the Multiple Exposure and 3D then try to produce one which will look good for the
themes and brief in hand.
When looking at my work I like to think that I have spent a lot of time looking into the topic and researching what was
involved in the themes. This can be seen through my work.
The piece seen here on the right shares many aspects with the
other images taken.
The colour of the work has remained similar in each due to the
3D effect and only changed when looking into double exposure
and exploring facial features on natural substances.
I believe that the images do meet what I wanted to produce as
they are still linking to the original idea thought about in the
mind map and proposal.
When answering the question of are the images experimental I
have to explore this image in particular.
Yes, they are. When looking at the image you can see a variety
of mediums used. Not just the two contrasting themes but the
way in which the images are of the same style but can still be
adapted from double exposure to 3D.
14. Development
3D Background of a natural object.
Incorporating the ‘hand’ idea to the design.
Having images within images gives a
surreal look to the piece.
Using a 3D Background adds that extra look to the work which makes it look very peculiar. This piece I made on Photoshop is a collection of
all my ideas and thoughts as well as merging all the themes and techniques that I have considered during the experimental photography
unit.
I wanted to keep to the theme of telling a story through my images, also keeping along the idea of both nature and fear together.
Here on this particular piece of work I believe that it shares all the qualities and ideas. The bark of the tree being incorporated as the
background rather than for the multiple exposure. The hand being used as the main attraction that appears from the background to the
front. (The 3D effect attempting to make this look more life like)
The reason behind the Ellipse shape in the hand is that I wanted to portray the fear more clearly. Having an unusual image(s) makes the
piece more interesting to look at. The idea is that the hand is looking at a journey of life (Hence the image above being a path) and the
second being of a grave. All these include nature and fear. The fear would be the fear of dying (Hence the old persons hand holding the
Ellipse shape.
When exploring the techniques used in manipulating the photographs
I came to the understanding of using a variety of methods in one
image.
This is showing progression through my work as all the recent images
I have taken all play a part in the composition of this piece of Art.
15.
16. Here is another image I have
taken to further explore the
themes of both Fear and
Nature.
I decided to move away from
the human aspect and turn to
the animals.
Having a wild animal coming
from the horizon suggests that
fear of not knowing what might
happen and the use of the
surroundings enhance this.
I have used a 3D effect to make
the piece come to life and make
the viewer believe what they
are seeing.
I wanted the dog here to be close enough to be visible
but a good way back to see the facial expression.
Using the path again in this image links to the previous
photographs and stays with the proposal of creating a
story or journey.
17. Here I wanted to explore into the
two themes I chose but to keep the
image simplistic.
Instead of using Body parts or
animals to suggest the theme of
fear I wanted to experiment taking
photographs of nature itself but
looking rather peculiar.
The many branches coming out of
the tree may suggest both themes
together.
Again, looking into the realm of 3D. I Want to make all the images I took into another
dimension because it makes it stand out as well looking more life like and therefore
professional.
Having the camera at a low angle looking up can also enhance the theme and suggest the
idea of fear to the audience.
18. Here I have returned to
multiple exposure and back
to the idea of a face behind
the natural subject of a tree.
I have taken the advice from
the first set of images and
tried to take a better set in
this stage of the
experimental Photography.
I was told to try find a better
image of a tree, with many
different shades and tones
as well as having multiple
areas of bumps.
I like this particular one as
you can see some of the
background at the top right.
I also like the way that the
bend in the branch has altered
the look of the eye and made it
squint.
The way in which the image of
the elderly person is positioned
behind brings the best out of
both themes.
Using the circular shaped tool
at the rear of the right hand
side to change the colour into
black and white was a good
way to make the images look
more realistic.
Using the dodge tool to bring
the features out further was
also very useful as it provides
more clarity. This can help the
viewer when they are looking
at the piece of Art made.
20. I feel that I have produced what I set out to in the planning stage. I feel I have also produced what was wanted by the brief
and gone above and beyond the theme given.
The results I have found were not exactly what I thought they would be, however did remain in the topic and initial ideas I
came up with.
I wanted to produce a set of images that related to the two themes I had chosen. This was to be in the style of a journey
and portrayed as a story.
I feel this has happened in the images and more so in the last one (Slide 19). The parts where I felt I may have strayed away
from the ideas was the development stage leading to the second image.
The human aspect was incorporated in the image, however it was very hard to see and could have been made more
obvious.
To compare the three I believe that the development can be seen and that the images get better the further the production
process went on.
The qualities the work has in a aesthetical sense would be that they all share the same theme and can all be related to each
other. The use of the experimental photography techniques have been made to a high level and the two chosen I believe
were the best for the themes I chose.
The strongest elements of the work I would consider to be the Pre Production, in each of the three final pieces they have
advanced editing done to them. The multiple exposure one using the layering and Rotoscope tools well and the 3D ones
using the colours to an advanced level.
The weakest parts I would consider to be the actual photography itself. As a lot of freedom was given, the images were
taken using a normal android phone and a low megapixel camera. The images would have been of better quality if I had
used an DSLR.
The technical qualities I believe would be the use of the tools on the images.
21. I could improve the work further by going back to the original images I took and taking more relevant ones to the
themes. Using a DSLR Camera to retake images would produce better quality images as well.
To improve the work again I would have to consider using a wider variety of experimental techniques such as Harris
Shutter or the Joiners.
This would show more development and push the work to a higher grade.
When looking at the work collectively you can see many shapes and patterns, this is not artificial but through the
photography itself.
The first image (Slide 4) has many lines going through the face, this is the bark of the tree and it’s grain. I wanted that
effect to merge with the elderly persons skin and their wrinkles.
The second image focuses on the colour and content rather than the elements such as patterns, however you can say
that the hand itself is a certain shape. The composition in this piece has to be the more thought about out the three,
deciding where to place the hand after it had been cropped was important.
The last image uses the natural light to manipulate the piece. It as taken to let the sun come through the trees onto
the subject coming towards you.
After many images taken this was the best as it shares both the nature and fear side of the themes.
Do the images meet the brief? Yes, I believe they do. All that was asked on the brief has been created plus much more.
I would consider the pieces to be experimental as I have shown a great deal of development throughout and you can
clearly see from the first set of images to the last.
In the early stages of the production a slight grasp on the idea was taken, however now after multiple experiments and
photographs taken you can see that I have understood the brief and produced what I wanted to.
