Portraits in Muswell Hill
In this task I walked around my local area asking strangers if I could take their portrait. A lot of people declined and were not happy for their photograph to be taken. However, a select few agreed. The main purpose of this shoot was to try and build my confidence for my practical task as for my first development I plan on documenting people that I'm not necessarily familiar with. I tried to keep the background the same, although not white. This aim became difficult when I had to move location. If I were to develop this I would carry around a backdrop to use so that it is mobile. Moreover, my intention was to capture the demographic of Muswell Hill, looking at their personality and characteristics conveyed through their choice of external features.
First Devlopment
Link artist -
Joel Meyerowitz
Joel Meyerowitz
Joel Meyerowitz was born in 1938 in the Bronx. Meyerowitz began by using colour film, although photographers of that era believed that black and white was the 'art' of photography. Meyerowitz met and became friends with Garry Winogrand, where together they walked and worked Fifth Avenue daily for nearly five years.
In this photograph, the subject is the child on the right and the couple on a motorcycle on the left. The lighting is quite natural, with the daylight shining through the buildings in the background, reflecting off the shop window behind the child. Moreover, the photo is taken from eye level, and is nor close up or far away however, its close enough to frame the image well with the subject matter made clear. The whole photograph is quite sharp, this could be the photographers intention as it allows the audience to view the whole image rather than deciding for them which parts to focus on. Its interesting how deserted the area is considering it is broad daylight. Also, the audience may wonder whether the child is accompanied as the couple on the motorcycle look as though they are driving away, with the child looking lost, directly at the camera. The photograph looks as though it hasn't been cropped, leaving it in its original form. I think this is a nice touch as it doesn't pre-determine what is the core of the photo.
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In this photograph, the subject is the couple. It is taken using a film camera and natural lighting. It is interesting how the artist has chosen not to crop it so that the by-passers are not in the shot however, this could be the artists intention so that the audience can decide themselves which part of the photograph they would like to focus on. Moreover, the photo is taken from eye level, relatively close in order to frame the image well. All elements of the photograph are sharp, giving the audience a lot to take in. Considering it is during the day, it is considerably quiet for NYC, with only a couple of passers-by in the frame. The audience may also question what is happening in the shot as the woman appears to be walking away from the man who seems to be signalling her attention. Due to the film nature of the photograph I believe that it has not been cropped or photoshopped. This gives the photograph a raw edge and shows the authenticity.
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Gary Winogrand
Gary Winogrand was born 14 January 1928 and passed away on 19 March 1984. Growing up in the Bronx, for much of Winogrand's life he was a street life photographer essentially based in New York. His photography often looked at U.S life and social issues in the mid 20th-century. Winogrand met and became friends with Joel Meyerowitz, where together they walked and worked Fifth Avenue daily for nearly five years.
Shoot
For my first practical shoot I decided to explore documentary photography, like the works of Corrine Day. After spending time brain-storming, I thought I would find it hard to recreate this in the fashion industry as I have no ties, so I concluded that I would try and investigate it within our society. Personally, I prefer documentary photography to be shot on film as it adds to the authenticity of the outcome.
I really like the outcome of my shoot. However, one of the problems I faced was that each photo on my contact sheet was a different exposure and required different times when I was developing them in the dark room. For this reason, it took me a lot longer to develop and sort out my contact sheet to the standard I wanted.
After looking at my contact sheet in more detail, I chose 7 that I thought would come out the best. Then, I used the dark room to develop each individual picture. However, due to the fact that each picture was different exposure, I had to do a test strip for each photo in order to determine the best exposure time to allow it to come out with the best contrast.
After looking at my contact sheet in more detail, I chose 7 that I thought would come out the best. Then, I used the dark room to develop each individual picture. However, due to the fact that each picture was different exposure, I had to do a test strip for each photo in order to determine the best exposure time to allow it to come out with the best contrast.
This is my unedited result:
After developing my photos, I realised that there were weird marks on my negatives which in turn caused the photos to develop with a water like stain. Although, this was unintended and a mistake, I really like the outcome as it adds to the authenticity and frames the image as raw and original. Therefore, I didn't make any attempt to rectify them so they looked 'normal'
I decided to edit my photos to make the contrast better - here is my edited result:
WWW: I took some good photos and framed them well
EBI: It would be better if I used a better film camera to have more control over certain factors. This would be useful because half of the photos I took didn't develop properly due to the quality of the camera
EBI: It would be better if I used a better film camera to have more control over certain factors. This would be useful because half of the photos I took didn't develop properly due to the quality of the camera
Second Development
Link artist - Marco Larousse
Marco Larousse, born 1973 in Hamburg, Germany is a digital fine art, street and documentary photographer. In the 1990’s he developed his passion for classic street and documentary photograph. He shares this passion in his workshops, books/articles, or public speeches on street photography. Larousse strives to create a positive awareness for this important art form by documenting contemporary daily life for future generations in a world where cameras in public are increasingly seen as a threat.
Shoot
For my second practical shoot I decided to go to Brick Line and Shoreditch. I wanted to pursue my first practical shoot further but in a different location than the first, I made this decision because I thought it would be best to photograph people in a different area of London, looking at both the culture, ethnic makeup and social standing. I chose this area as I know it well and I knew prior to this that there is a lot of diversity confined in such a small area. Once I arrived, I started walking around. In total I was walking for around four hours. I went through Whitechapel, Shoreditch, Brick lane, finishing at Liverpool Street Station. The end of my journey was unplanned however, for me, it was interesting to see the difference in people from Brick Lane to the City. So close, yet such different lives. I also got to witness people from areas like Shoreditch, on the streets in the City. Some pictures I took during my shoot were hard as sometimes I couldn't always ask for permission and other times, I wanted to take a picture but simply couldn't, whether it was because I didn't want to offend, or it just wasn't really acceptable. Moreover, many of my photos are taken zoomed in, as I couldn't intrude on peoples personal space in order to get a picture, therefore, I'm not sure what the quality of the pictures is going to be like.
Many of the photos I took didn't come out as the shutter speed was too slow and they ended up being blurry. The ones that did come out were hard to develop due to how dark they were.
My favourite image is the one shown below. This is my favourite because it is a simple shot of a person who lives on the street. After speaking for a long time to this man, he told me about how he emigrated to London and comes to Brick Lane everyday and sits on the same electricity box and makes art pieces out of metal wire. He showed me his website and shared how he has a passion for photography, art and sociology but doesn't have the platform or opportunities to explore this further. In his suitcase he carries around was lots of plastic bags to wrap up his art work, his bag of metal wire, and a tattered sociology book. This is what interested me about him.
My favourite image is the one shown below. This is my favourite because it is a simple shot of a person who lives on the street. After speaking for a long time to this man, he told me about how he emigrated to London and comes to Brick Lane everyday and sits on the same electricity box and makes art pieces out of metal wire. He showed me his website and shared how he has a passion for photography, art and sociology but doesn't have the platform or opportunities to explore this further. In his suitcase he carries around was lots of plastic bags to wrap up his art work, his bag of metal wire, and a tattered sociology book. This is what interested me about him.
WWW: My subject choice was good and the area was good
EBI: If I corrected the exposure
EBI: If I corrected the exposure
Brainstorming for further developments
After completing two sets of documentary photography, focusing on individuals and fashion, I decided to brainstorm again and see what I could experiment with. Linking directly to fashion photography.
Fourth Development
Makeup
In this development I looked at makeup. I specifically looked at how it looks visually to the eye. I mainly photographed it once it had been defaced, showing the detrimental impact it can have on individuals. The following photos are presented in three different ways. I think these three ways place emphasis on different aspects of makeup.
Link artist -
Dan Tobin Smith
Dan Tobin Smith
Dan Tobin Smith has over a decade of experience working as a photographer specialising in installation and still life photography. His work has been commissioned by clients across the fields of fashion, music, publishing and advertising.
Within Dan Tobin Smith's work I like how he breaks u the beauty product but still maintains it's beauty. This work has inspired me to photograph makeup in a similar way, instead making it less beautiful and somewhat problematic.
Shoot
My first representation of makeup was in black and white. This places emphasis on the shapes and contrasting colours, rather than the product itself. This is interesting because it allows the audience to view it as if it is an alien object that has never been seen. With nothing to judge it on except for its physique. The subliminal interpretation could also be that it is particularly dark and morbid, possibly hinting at the darkness of what it does to individuals too.
My third representation of makeup was in a vibrant way. This places emphasis on the colour, making it positive and aesthetically pleasing. These images portray makeup as fun and artistic. A view which many people hold. The emphasis on the colour allows the audience to see makeup how it would be displayed in a shop, enticing customers to buy the product.
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My second representation of makeup was in a saturated manner. This could place emphasis on the draining nature of makeup. The images almost look dull, as if there is colour there but, it is not vibrant. I decided to present the makeup in this way to strip back the colours and show that there are many different aspects of makeup.
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WWW: I liked the idea and the outcome of the makeup shoot
EBI: If I experimented more with the type of makeup I used as well as incorporating people
EBI: If I experimented more with the type of makeup I used as well as incorporating people
Fifth Development
The Impact of Makeup on Youths
My experimentation with makeup went extremely well. I believe that I achieved the outcome I set out to accomplish. My next development is to take a simple portrait of a selection of people wearing their everyday makeup on. I will accompany these with their answers to a set of pre-set questions in which I will personally ask them, centered around their use and experience of makeup.
Questions:
1. Do you wear makeup everyday, if so, what products?
2. What's the reason you wear makeup (eg. pressure, choice etc.)?
3. Do you enjoy wearing and doing makeup?
4. Roughly how long does it take you to do your makeup every morning (if you wear it)?
5. Are you comfortable without makeup on?
6. Do you feel like people judge you when you don't wear makeup?
7. How has your view on makeup and the use of it changed over the years?
8. Would you say that social media has an impact on how you feel within yourself (if so, please explain)?
9. Other than physical makeup, what other beauty regimes do you complete in order to feel good about yourself (eg. getting your eyebrows/eyelashes done, fake tanning, shaving etc.)?
10. What would you say your three biggest insecurities are, relating to what you use regular beauty regimes for?
1. Do you wear makeup everyday, if so, what products?
2. What's the reason you wear makeup (eg. pressure, choice etc.)?
3. Do you enjoy wearing and doing makeup?
4. Roughly how long does it take you to do your makeup every morning (if you wear it)?
5. Are you comfortable without makeup on?
6. Do you feel like people judge you when you don't wear makeup?
7. How has your view on makeup and the use of it changed over the years?
8. Would you say that social media has an impact on how you feel within yourself (if so, please explain)?
9. Other than physical makeup, what other beauty regimes do you complete in order to feel good about yourself (eg. getting your eyebrows/eyelashes done, fake tanning, shaving etc.)?
10. What would you say your three biggest insecurities are, relating to what you use regular beauty regimes for?
Tilly
1. Do you wear makeup everyday, if so, what products?
- Not everyday but most days I wear mascara, concealer and eyebrow pencil
2. What's the reason you wear makeup (eg. pressure, choice etc.)?
- I feel more confident when I do
3. Do you enjoy wearing and doing makeup?
- I enjoy it, I find it a creative outlet and relaxing
4. Roughly how long does it take you to do your makeup every morning (if you wear it)?
- 10 minutes on an everyday basis
5. Are you comfortable without makeup on?
- Yes
6. Do you feel like people judge you when you don't wear makeup?
- I used to but not anymore
7. How has your view on makeup and the use of it changed over the years?
- I used to have acne so I used to rely on makeup for confidence but I am much more confident now and don't feel I need it
8. Would you say that social media has an impact on how you feel within yourself (if so, please explain)?
- It is hard to not feel pressure from 'perfect' people all over instagram but I think I am quite good at not getting too obsessed with looking perfect
9. Other than physical makeup, what other beauty regimes do you complete in order to feel good about yourself (eg. getting your eyebrows/eyelashes done, fake tanning, shaving etc.)?
- I get my eyebrows done
10. What would you say your three biggest insecurities are, relating to what you use regular beauty regimes for?
- Acne scars and dark circles so I wear concealer and I use mascara to make my eyes look bigger
- Not everyday but most days I wear mascara, concealer and eyebrow pencil
2. What's the reason you wear makeup (eg. pressure, choice etc.)?
- I feel more confident when I do
3. Do you enjoy wearing and doing makeup?
- I enjoy it, I find it a creative outlet and relaxing
4. Roughly how long does it take you to do your makeup every morning (if you wear it)?
- 10 minutes on an everyday basis
5. Are you comfortable without makeup on?
- Yes
6. Do you feel like people judge you when you don't wear makeup?
- I used to but not anymore
7. How has your view on makeup and the use of it changed over the years?
- I used to have acne so I used to rely on makeup for confidence but I am much more confident now and don't feel I need it
8. Would you say that social media has an impact on how you feel within yourself (if so, please explain)?
- It is hard to not feel pressure from 'perfect' people all over instagram but I think I am quite good at not getting too obsessed with looking perfect
9. Other than physical makeup, what other beauty regimes do you complete in order to feel good about yourself (eg. getting your eyebrows/eyelashes done, fake tanning, shaving etc.)?
- I get my eyebrows done
10. What would you say your three biggest insecurities are, relating to what you use regular beauty regimes for?
- Acne scars and dark circles so I wear concealer and I use mascara to make my eyes look bigger
Eilis
1. Do you wear makeup everyday, if so, what products?
- Yes, I wear makeup but not everyday. Mostly if I am going out with my friends or sometimes when I go to school if I have time or feel like it. When I do I would probably wear primer, concealer, foundation and mascara
2. What's the reason you wear makeup (eg. pressure, choice etc.)?
- The main reason would be to make myself feel better. Sometimes it can be a confidence boost
3. Do you enjoy wearing and doing makeup?
- Yes I do enjoy wearing makeup sometimes, but sometimes I can't be bothered. I don't necessarily enjoy actually doing my makeup, mostly because I'm not very goof at it and I'm not motivated to learn and get better, since I don't wear a lot anyway. However, I enjoy the feeling that makeup can give you as it often can make you feel better and more confident
4. Roughly how long does it take you to do your makeup every morning (if you wear it)?
- To do my makeup in morning it takes me roughly about 10 minutes, if I am using concealer, foundation and mascara. But most morning I wouldn't use all those products so it would be shorter
5. Are you comfortable without makeup on?
- Yes, I am comfortable without makeup, half the time when I'm out I'm not wearing makeup anyway
6. Do you feel like people judge you when you don't wear makeup?
- I feel like some people might judge, but not me specifically, just anyone. I think that if you are someone who wears makeup often then you are more likely to be judged when not wearing it because people aren't used to seeing you bare faced which makes it more of a considerable difference. I have felt like I am being judged before but it's not something that I take to heart because I'm quite comfortable in my own skin. However, the feeling of being judged for not wearing makeup is something I have experienced, especially when I was younger
7. How has your view on makeup and the use of it changed over the years?
- When I was younger I felt more pressure to wear make-up and was less comfortable without it, especially in social settings as I feel more pressure to cover my ‘flaws'. But as I have gotten older I realised it’s not that important since people are going to make judgments of you either way, with or without makeup. Also, as I started not wearing makeup as regularly and I realised the majority of people don't care anyway, they are just worrying about whether people are judging what they look like. Therefore, my view on makeup has changed as in the past I viewed it as a corrective tool to cover any insecurity I had but now I see it as something you can use if you want to but I know that I don’t need to and I can feel good and confident without it.
8. Would you say that social media has an impact on how you feel within yourself (if so, please explain)?
- I’m not very active on social media in terms of posting myself. This is mainly because I don’t often take pictures of myself. This started when I was younger possibly because I was lazy but also possibly because I felt too much pressure to keep up with how you were ‘meant to look’, which I couldn’t do and therefore thought I might as well just retreat from it as a whole. So, at first I guess social media had a negative impact on how I felt. Now though, I have a really good relationship with social media. I now feel like I don't want to post because I don't want to give anyone the opportunity to judge me when I don't care for their opinion anyway. I now only really use social media to keep in contact with friends and keep up to date on news. I think using social media like this is really positive as it means you give less power to those who might try to make you feel bad and over time it will teach you not to care what they think anyway. In the future because of this positive perspective I now have I think I could go back to being active on social media without it making me feel bad within myself as I am more mature now and don’t need validation from others which I did seem to need when I was first using it at 14
9. Other than physical makeup, what other beauty regimes do you complete in order to feel good about yourself (eg. getting your eyebrows/eyelashes done, fake tanning, shaving etc.)?
- I get my eyebrows waxed or threaded. I also shave my legs etc.
10. What would you say your three biggest insecurities are, relating to what you use regular beauty regimes for?
- I would say my three biggest insecurities would be my freckles, my under-eyes and how small my ears are
- Yes, I wear makeup but not everyday. Mostly if I am going out with my friends or sometimes when I go to school if I have time or feel like it. When I do I would probably wear primer, concealer, foundation and mascara
2. What's the reason you wear makeup (eg. pressure, choice etc.)?
- The main reason would be to make myself feel better. Sometimes it can be a confidence boost
3. Do you enjoy wearing and doing makeup?
- Yes I do enjoy wearing makeup sometimes, but sometimes I can't be bothered. I don't necessarily enjoy actually doing my makeup, mostly because I'm not very goof at it and I'm not motivated to learn and get better, since I don't wear a lot anyway. However, I enjoy the feeling that makeup can give you as it often can make you feel better and more confident
4. Roughly how long does it take you to do your makeup every morning (if you wear it)?
- To do my makeup in morning it takes me roughly about 10 minutes, if I am using concealer, foundation and mascara. But most morning I wouldn't use all those products so it would be shorter
5. Are you comfortable without makeup on?
- Yes, I am comfortable without makeup, half the time when I'm out I'm not wearing makeup anyway
6. Do you feel like people judge you when you don't wear makeup?
- I feel like some people might judge, but not me specifically, just anyone. I think that if you are someone who wears makeup often then you are more likely to be judged when not wearing it because people aren't used to seeing you bare faced which makes it more of a considerable difference. I have felt like I am being judged before but it's not something that I take to heart because I'm quite comfortable in my own skin. However, the feeling of being judged for not wearing makeup is something I have experienced, especially when I was younger
7. How has your view on makeup and the use of it changed over the years?
- When I was younger I felt more pressure to wear make-up and was less comfortable without it, especially in social settings as I feel more pressure to cover my ‘flaws'. But as I have gotten older I realised it’s not that important since people are going to make judgments of you either way, with or without makeup. Also, as I started not wearing makeup as regularly and I realised the majority of people don't care anyway, they are just worrying about whether people are judging what they look like. Therefore, my view on makeup has changed as in the past I viewed it as a corrective tool to cover any insecurity I had but now I see it as something you can use if you want to but I know that I don’t need to and I can feel good and confident without it.
8. Would you say that social media has an impact on how you feel within yourself (if so, please explain)?
- I’m not very active on social media in terms of posting myself. This is mainly because I don’t often take pictures of myself. This started when I was younger possibly because I was lazy but also possibly because I felt too much pressure to keep up with how you were ‘meant to look’, which I couldn’t do and therefore thought I might as well just retreat from it as a whole. So, at first I guess social media had a negative impact on how I felt. Now though, I have a really good relationship with social media. I now feel like I don't want to post because I don't want to give anyone the opportunity to judge me when I don't care for their opinion anyway. I now only really use social media to keep in contact with friends and keep up to date on news. I think using social media like this is really positive as it means you give less power to those who might try to make you feel bad and over time it will teach you not to care what they think anyway. In the future because of this positive perspective I now have I think I could go back to being active on social media without it making me feel bad within myself as I am more mature now and don’t need validation from others which I did seem to need when I was first using it at 14
9. Other than physical makeup, what other beauty regimes do you complete in order to feel good about yourself (eg. getting your eyebrows/eyelashes done, fake tanning, shaving etc.)?
- I get my eyebrows waxed or threaded. I also shave my legs etc.
10. What would you say your three biggest insecurities are, relating to what you use regular beauty regimes for?
- I would say my three biggest insecurities would be my freckles, my under-eyes and how small my ears are
After completing Eilis and Tilly's portraits I decided that I wanted a more professional look. For the following portraits I brought the models into the studio to use studio lighting and a better camera in order to obtain the finish that I imagined.
At first I didn't like the idea of just straight portraits however, the idea grew on me as it represents the constraints that makeup and society can put on an individual. Reducing their ability to express themselves as a unique individual. In the future, I may experiment with less formal portraits and photographs
At first I didn't like the idea of just straight portraits however, the idea grew on me as it represents the constraints that makeup and society can put on an individual. Reducing their ability to express themselves as a unique individual. In the future, I may experiment with less formal portraits and photographs
Amber
1. Do you wear makeup everyday, if so, what products?
- If I'm staying at home, no, but if I'm going out then I will always wear makeup. I will normally wear foundation, mascara, eyebrow products and usually some sort of eyeshadow with bronzer and highlighter
2. What's the reason you wear makeup (eg. pressure, choice etc.)?
- I wear makeup because I feel like my eyebrows and eyelashes are non-existent and my skins not the best. Also, the people I hang out with wear makeup so I feel like there is pressure to wear it too
3. Do you enjoy wearing and doing makeup?
- I love doing makeup but, before school it's a bit stressful because I have to wake up earlier
4. Roughly how long does it take you to do your makeup every morning (if you wear it)?
- Every morning probably 10-20 minutes
5. Are you comfortable without makeup on?
- No, like I'm comfortable without makeup on around my family and close friends but, around others, I'm not comfortable without makeup on
6. Do you feel like people judge you when you don't wear makeup?
- Yeah, no one has directly judged me but, I feel like people do it behind my back and think I look different
7. How has your view on makeup and the use of it changed over the years?
- Before I was unskilled but now I spend so much time and money investing in makeup and learning new tricks. I find it so interesting
8. Would you say that social media has an impact on how you feel within yourself (if so, please explain)?
- Yes, but not so much with makeup. It's more to do with body and how the expectation is so high and everybody on instagram is always looking good with a "perfect" body
9. Other than physical makeup, what other beauty regimes do you complete in order to feel good about yourself (eg. getting your eyebrows/eyelashes done, fake tanning, shaving etc.)?
- I do my eyebrows myself because otherwise it's quite expensive. I do my hair to keep my roots done but, I don't like fake tan or get my nails done. I used to get my nails done all the time
10. What would you say your three biggest insecurities are, relating to what you use regular beauty regimes for?
- Probably my skin, without foundation. Definitely my eyebrows when their not tinted and my skin colour, because I'm so pale
- If I'm staying at home, no, but if I'm going out then I will always wear makeup. I will normally wear foundation, mascara, eyebrow products and usually some sort of eyeshadow with bronzer and highlighter
2. What's the reason you wear makeup (eg. pressure, choice etc.)?
- I wear makeup because I feel like my eyebrows and eyelashes are non-existent and my skins not the best. Also, the people I hang out with wear makeup so I feel like there is pressure to wear it too
3. Do you enjoy wearing and doing makeup?
- I love doing makeup but, before school it's a bit stressful because I have to wake up earlier
4. Roughly how long does it take you to do your makeup every morning (if you wear it)?
- Every morning probably 10-20 minutes
5. Are you comfortable without makeup on?
- No, like I'm comfortable without makeup on around my family and close friends but, around others, I'm not comfortable without makeup on
6. Do you feel like people judge you when you don't wear makeup?
- Yeah, no one has directly judged me but, I feel like people do it behind my back and think I look different
7. How has your view on makeup and the use of it changed over the years?
- Before I was unskilled but now I spend so much time and money investing in makeup and learning new tricks. I find it so interesting
8. Would you say that social media has an impact on how you feel within yourself (if so, please explain)?
- Yes, but not so much with makeup. It's more to do with body and how the expectation is so high and everybody on instagram is always looking good with a "perfect" body
9. Other than physical makeup, what other beauty regimes do you complete in order to feel good about yourself (eg. getting your eyebrows/eyelashes done, fake tanning, shaving etc.)?
- I do my eyebrows myself because otherwise it's quite expensive. I do my hair to keep my roots done but, I don't like fake tan or get my nails done. I used to get my nails done all the time
10. What would you say your three biggest insecurities are, relating to what you use regular beauty regimes for?
- Probably my skin, without foundation. Definitely my eyebrows when their not tinted and my skin colour, because I'm so pale
Ella
1. Do you wear makeup everyday, if so, what products?
- I wear a makeup everyday but not always full face. Without a doubt I'll wear foundation which right now is N07 and then i will always do my eyebrows with Rimmel eyebrow gel
2. What's the reason you wear makeup (eg. pressure, choice etc.)?
- I wear foundation as I don't really feel confident without it, unless my skin is having a calm day. I do feel slight pressure to wear makeup but only pressure I put on myself to maintain a certain image
3. Do you enjoy wearing and doing makeup?
- I usually enjoy doing my makeup but it can become tiring when I'm late to things because I am stressing out about it
4. Roughly how long does it take you to do your makeup every morning (if you wear it)?
- It takes me about 40 minutes to do my makeup in the morning but it depends how much I am doing because I can normally do my foundation in 5 minutes
5. Are you comfortable without makeup on?
- I feel physically way more comfortable without makeup and I don't mind not wearing it when I am with my friends but if I am out all day in public, I have to wear makeup
6. Do you feel like people judge you when you don't wear makeup?
- Not as all as I know I don't look that different without makeup
7. How has your view on makeup and the use of it changed over the years?
- I used to hate makeup as I couldn't do it well but I really enjoy putting it on in the mornings or before parties but only if I am in the mood for the effort
8. Would you say that social media has an impact on how you feel within yourself (if so, please explain)?
- Not going to lie, social media probably put the most pressure on me to wear makeup as I feel like I have to maintain a certain image everyday. Trying to eliminate my flaws as much as possible as social media creates the idea that flaws don't exist
9. Other than physical makeup, what other beauty regimes do you complete in order to feel good about yourself (eg. getting your eyebrows/eyelashes done, fake tanning, shaving etc.)?
- I don't get eyebrows or eyelashes done, I try to save money so I do it all myself. But I do enjoy a few times a month having a day where I spend time on eyebrows, pores and shaving
10. What would you say your three biggest insecurities are, relating to what you use regular beauty regimes for?
- Without a doubt my skin and I know for a fact that if my skin was clear I wouldn't wear makeup to school as I wear eyeshadow to school, mainly to distract from my spots
- I wear a makeup everyday but not always full face. Without a doubt I'll wear foundation which right now is N07 and then i will always do my eyebrows with Rimmel eyebrow gel
2. What's the reason you wear makeup (eg. pressure, choice etc.)?
- I wear foundation as I don't really feel confident without it, unless my skin is having a calm day. I do feel slight pressure to wear makeup but only pressure I put on myself to maintain a certain image
3. Do you enjoy wearing and doing makeup?
- I usually enjoy doing my makeup but it can become tiring when I'm late to things because I am stressing out about it
4. Roughly how long does it take you to do your makeup every morning (if you wear it)?
- It takes me about 40 minutes to do my makeup in the morning but it depends how much I am doing because I can normally do my foundation in 5 minutes
5. Are you comfortable without makeup on?
- I feel physically way more comfortable without makeup and I don't mind not wearing it when I am with my friends but if I am out all day in public, I have to wear makeup
6. Do you feel like people judge you when you don't wear makeup?
- Not as all as I know I don't look that different without makeup
7. How has your view on makeup and the use of it changed over the years?
- I used to hate makeup as I couldn't do it well but I really enjoy putting it on in the mornings or before parties but only if I am in the mood for the effort
8. Would you say that social media has an impact on how you feel within yourself (if so, please explain)?
- Not going to lie, social media probably put the most pressure on me to wear makeup as I feel like I have to maintain a certain image everyday. Trying to eliminate my flaws as much as possible as social media creates the idea that flaws don't exist
9. Other than physical makeup, what other beauty regimes do you complete in order to feel good about yourself (eg. getting your eyebrows/eyelashes done, fake tanning, shaving etc.)?
- I don't get eyebrows or eyelashes done, I try to save money so I do it all myself. But I do enjoy a few times a month having a day where I spend time on eyebrows, pores and shaving
10. What would you say your three biggest insecurities are, relating to what you use regular beauty regimes for?
- Without a doubt my skin and I know for a fact that if my skin was clear I wouldn't wear makeup to school as I wear eyeshadow to school, mainly to distract from my spots
Tallulah
1. Do you wear makeup everyday, if so, what products?
- Yes, I wear makeup everyday, I wear MAC makeup. So foundation, concealer, eyeliner, mascara and fenti makeup like highlighter and eyeshadow. I also fill in my eyebrows so they aren't too thin
2. What's the reason you wear makeup (eg. pressure, choice etc.)?
- I wear makeup because I feel it makes me look more attractive and I enjoy trying out new looks everyday
3. Do you enjoy wearing and doing makeup?
- The majority of the time I don't like doing my makeup because every day it becomes very repetitive and tiring. However, I find it enjoyable when I am getting dressed for an event or a party
4. Roughly how long does it take you to do your makeup every morning (if you wear it)?
- It depends, I don't usually wear heavy eye make up, it takes me on average 25 mins. However, if I do my eyes it will take me 40 mins. I'm a perfectionist
5. Are you comfortable without makeup on?
- On a scale of 1-10, I am probably about a 4/10 comfortable going out without any makeup on
6. Do you feel like people judge you when you don't wear makeup?
- I don't think people care whether I wear makeup or not, it's about me feeling comfortable in the way I look
7. How has your view on makeup and the use of it changed over the years?
- I feel as if makeup is an art form not something people use to hide behind, it can be very fun
8. Would you say that social media has an impact on how you feel within yourself (if so, please explain)?
- Yes, social media has impacted me greatly on the way I feel about myself, I always feel the need to look a certain way, just to keep up with what's in style
9. Other than physical makeup, what other beauty regimes do you complete in order to feel good about yourself (eg. getting your eyebrows/eyelashes done, fake tanning, shaving etc.)?
- My hair has to be perfect everyday otherwise I struggle to feel good about myself. And also I have to shave my legs otherwise I feel dirty
10. What would you say your three biggest insecurities are, relating to what you use regular beauty regimes for?
- My three biggest insecurities are my hair, because it's hard to manage and if it doesn't look good, it can affect my day dramatically. My second is my nose, I have to contour it otherwise I feel like it's too big. My final insecurity is my forehead, I have to contour it as well because it looks to big or shiny, there always used to be jokes about my hairline receeding
- Yes, I wear makeup everyday, I wear MAC makeup. So foundation, concealer, eyeliner, mascara and fenti makeup like highlighter and eyeshadow. I also fill in my eyebrows so they aren't too thin
2. What's the reason you wear makeup (eg. pressure, choice etc.)?
- I wear makeup because I feel it makes me look more attractive and I enjoy trying out new looks everyday
3. Do you enjoy wearing and doing makeup?
- The majority of the time I don't like doing my makeup because every day it becomes very repetitive and tiring. However, I find it enjoyable when I am getting dressed for an event or a party
4. Roughly how long does it take you to do your makeup every morning (if you wear it)?
- It depends, I don't usually wear heavy eye make up, it takes me on average 25 mins. However, if I do my eyes it will take me 40 mins. I'm a perfectionist
5. Are you comfortable without makeup on?
- On a scale of 1-10, I am probably about a 4/10 comfortable going out without any makeup on
6. Do you feel like people judge you when you don't wear makeup?
- I don't think people care whether I wear makeup or not, it's about me feeling comfortable in the way I look
7. How has your view on makeup and the use of it changed over the years?
- I feel as if makeup is an art form not something people use to hide behind, it can be very fun
8. Would you say that social media has an impact on how you feel within yourself (if so, please explain)?
- Yes, social media has impacted me greatly on the way I feel about myself, I always feel the need to look a certain way, just to keep up with what's in style
9. Other than physical makeup, what other beauty regimes do you complete in order to feel good about yourself (eg. getting your eyebrows/eyelashes done, fake tanning, shaving etc.)?
- My hair has to be perfect everyday otherwise I struggle to feel good about myself. And also I have to shave my legs otherwise I feel dirty
10. What would you say your three biggest insecurities are, relating to what you use regular beauty regimes for?
- My three biggest insecurities are my hair, because it's hard to manage and if it doesn't look good, it can affect my day dramatically. My second is my nose, I have to contour it otherwise I feel like it's too big. My final insecurity is my forehead, I have to contour it as well because it looks to big or shiny, there always used to be jokes about my hairline receeding
WWW: The idea of using the models personal feelings and experiences
EBI: Not enough visual material
EBI: Not enough visual material
Sixth Development
To develop this further, I am going to use the answers to the questions to deface their portraits according to what they told me about their experiences with makeup.
Link artist - Rankin: 'Destroy' series
John Rankin Waddell, working name Rankin, born in 1966 is an English portrait and fashion photographer. Rankins' "destroy" project was a concept which involved teaming up with a children's music charity; youth music due to the charities 10th birthday, Rankin asked 70 musicians and visual artists to "destroy" their own portraits taken by the iconic photographer.
My Response
Within my response I decided to deface my photographs according to the models answers to my questionnaire prior. I believe that this response is more personal and unique for each model and will give me more opportunities to develop this further. It will also relate more to my project as it focuses on beauty and insecurities rather than Rankins' which was defaced depending on how the individual wanted.
WWW: Use of the personal feelings to deface the photographs
EBI: I used different fonts or drawings
EBI: I used different fonts or drawings
Seventh Development
Link Artist - Daniele Buetti
Daniele Buetti is a Swiss visual artist born in 1955. Buetti is well-known for his photographic series started in 1995 - 'Looking for Love'. The aim of the series was to address the consumeristic society and it's belief in labels and logos. The skin drawings throw an everyday relationship under sharp scrutiny: products, and the brand emblems have the power to get under our skin and make themselves at home in our subconscious.
While looking at artists in the fashion photography field, I came across Daniele Buetti. I was inspired by the creative nature of his work. Buetti used photographs of well-known models from magazines to carve designers names into their skin on the reverse side. This carving then showed through the photograph and gave the appearance of engraved skin. This could be interpreted as ownership or branding like a cow; projecting a negative view of fashion on viewers.
Instead of branding the models with brands, I decided to brand them with negative words that I constantly see used within the media for example, fat. In social media, often when a celebrity or well-known figure posts a picture they are swarmed with negative comments and insults. Through social media I selected some of these words and phrases and engraved them into these models. This links more with my current developments as it's showing how these insults can be worn on the skin and can really affect a person.
My main issue was that the words wouldn't show up, the words were written in the wrong place or the letters would merge together, making it illegible. Once completing the photographs I struggled scanning them into the computer as the paper was glossy, therefore it reflected light, obscuring the words. This is visible in many of the photos above however, I wanted to include those that didn't work and those that did as it was a learning curve for me.
WWW: The idea to make it more unique to my project is good
EBI: I perfected a way of making the words more visible without ripping through the paper
EBI: I perfected a way of making the words more visible without ripping through the paper
Eighth Development
After focusing on insecurities, I have decided to link it more to the fashion industry. I find it interesting how, often in photography, 'imperfections' are photoshopped out of photographs. For example, birth marks, skin imperfections or conditions. To investigate this further I am going to photograph a multitude of 'imperfections' close up to show how there is beauty in the uniqueness of them.
Link artist - Linda Hansen: 'Naevus Flammeus' series
Linda Hansen breaks with established visual standards when she forces viewers not to look away. Hansen uses the condition Naevus Flammeus to explore the beauty within these marks. According to Hansen, birthmarks are like tattoos, with their own story, meaning and history.
Firstly, I experimented by taking photographs of a range of different birth marks, scars and moles to allow myself to see what I prefer. Once deciding which is the best to photograph, I will do a series of a large number all close up.
Next I plan on photographing this on a bigger scale. I want to try and do it in an abstract manner, extremely zoomed in and presented in a grid format.
Final piece
Link artist -
Donovan Smallwood: 'Movement' series
Donovan Smallwood: 'Movement' series
Victor Song
For my final piece I wanted to take a step back from makeup and its affects and focus on the models themselves. After looking at the work of Donovan Smallwood and his series called 'movement', I decided to do a shoot but instead use the movement within the photograph to show how the products, angles, clothes and all other materialistic goods can be used to abstract and obscure the photograph.
Within my response I experimented with different colour film as well as doing some still shots. The darker the film, the longer the shutter took to close. This resulted in a more blurred effect. I liked this effect and chose to continue. The purpose of the colour was to represent filters which people may put on their pictures. Whatever colour the film is, the product is the same. This represents the idea that whatever filters, products and angles you use, it is merely a distortion of the primary figure. To continue this I am going to do both a digital and practical development. Within my digital response I am going to experiment with overlaying, double exposure and changing the saturation. Within my practical response I am going to experiment with the chosen photographs on acetate, further distorting them using chemicals.
My Digital Development - Photoshop
First I experimented by overlapping my still shots and changing the opacity so that the different images were visible and distorted.
After completing this I decided that I liked the faces zoomed in to show the full distortion, without any distractions. Below is my result:
I also experimented by printing these images larger with different filters on them to further distort. I like the idea that the faces within the photograph are the socially constructed faces which are upheld. Creating a distorted sense of self-identity which can be further manipulated.
My Practical Development - Dark Room
In the dark room I will be experimenting with these photographs:
To move my project into the darkroom I printed my four photographs onto acetate - in the process I had to invert them and put them into black and white.
Inverted:
B&W
Acetate:
Darkroom result:
Using chemicals to distort the photographs further:
I achieved these by printing my photographs onto colour photographic paper and destroying them using ink -
After completing these I decided that the face was too obscured, although this was the main aim I believe it went to far and rendered useless to the actual project. I decided to go back to the dark room and produce prints in which I could obscure less with bleach and more with colours to draw attention to necessary elements.
I achieved these using coloured inks and bleach on dark room prints -
This development showcases how products, colours, filters and many other things can be used to distort ones image; implying that not everything you see in photography, specifically fashion, is true. In my chemical experimentation I didn't want to obscure the photograph so much that it was unrecognisable however, I did want to do it a considerable amount to show the considerable effect that distortion can have on ones image.
After completing both my digital and darkroom response I decided to experiment with printing onto different colours and types of paper. I also experimented with size, printing parts of the picture on four pieces of A3 and piecing them together. My favourite size was the picture split between two A3 as it made each element of the picture more detailed but it didn't draw it too far out and make it unrecognisable. Moreover, I enjoyed printing onto the coloured paper and I thought that the ones printed onto black paper made very effective.
These are examples of my experimentation:
These are examples of my experimentation:
I also experimented by printing the photo onto four pieces of A4 in order to create a A2 print, showing more detail.