The Final 10...(Essay)
Once I had choose to focus on human photography as my focus for the assignment ( CONTRASTS- TEXTURES AND PATTERNS) I then had to figure out where I would shoot, the good thing about human photography is that no matter where you are the focus is not hindered but in some cases it can be heightened.
I found this is the case with where I chose, however I came across this place by accident. Basically the concept was to take 3 people and go explore until I found a place which best heightened the contrasts of them as people.
This is when I found The Duke Of York pub, or more specifically the court yard of the Duke Of York.
The reason this is relevant to the photography is because of the artist qualities.
This area is full of unique character, each wall is painted with representations of human society; rich, poor, young old, different races, different sexuality etc. in Belfast and its this which I found to be helpful with my theme of contrasting different patterns or in other words different people.
As well as the the bright colours and decor offer as a nice complementary setting for my shoot, while also featuring a mural to old time Hollywood clichés and famous personalities.
So this is where I set up.
THE CONCEPT
So to go in hand with what I have already said my interpretation of human photography is being able to represent different qualities or features of humans, which presents itself in a unique fashion.
HOW DOES IT RELATE TO LOCATION PHOTOGRAPHY?
A location can be described as any place or residence so how does human photography relate to a location? Well my concept of the subject was based on what makes a location what it is. A room is one thing but fill it with different groups of people it soon becomes something else. All people of different shapes and sizes inhabit the planet so I felt to best represent location would be to focus on how a place can be different for different people.
HOW DOES IT RELATE TO THE THEME?
The theme for this task is CONTRAST- PATTERNS AND TEXTURES. Throughout the human species there exists many patterns and textures. I chose to look at these.
How my final shoot was set up was take 3 people in this case a boy and two girls and to the best of my photographic ability show how each is similar but at the same time through TEXTURES and PATTERNS are different or CONTRAST.
Now onto my photos… my final 10.
My first 3 Picture act as an introduction to my models individually.
Photo One
Photo Details-
This is Rebekah. The reason I chose this as my first final image is for a number of reasons, the first being the color tones. The contrast between the warm brown and cream tones against the white background highlight the redness and freckles in her face. The second thing is the focus on her face against the out of focus hair blowing in the wind. This helps show her face in its purest texture of her skin and the pattern of her freckles. “Those freckles make you seem like a galaxy of stars, just waiting to be explored and loved.” ― Nikita Gill
Photo Two
Photo Details-
Yet another photo of Rebekah. The reason i chose this as my second image is to do with the representation of view point. Once again shielded behind her hair blowing in the wind the focus is drawn to her eyes. This is to represent contrast with in view points, although this is unseen its shown with her looking at the art on the walls. I also like the colour tones in this photo which i achieved through ISO, rather colder than the one before. The cool tones emphasizes the natural shadows of her face also contributing to the focus on her eyes.
"'Darkness' is a subjective word; it depends what your viewpoint is and how you live life."
-Taylor Momsen
Photo Three
Photo Details-
This is Josh. What I like about this photo is the use of light and focus. First the light through the adjustment of ISO, acts almost as a point of direction leading down the alley way to josh’s face, it emphasis his presence and silhouette. The focus on Josh’s silhouette is again emphasizing his presence with the out of focus people in the background it shows that although he isn’t alone he is what the photo is choosing to look at. “The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche
Photo Four
Photo Details-
This is Madelyn. What I like about my fourth photo is the feeling of colour. while this photo uses the rule of thirds to help contrast the colourful patterns on the wall behind her to the focused sharpness of her facial features. So while the eye is immediately drawn to hers the background helps compliment this to help hold the attention. "If we could but paint with the hand what we see with the eye." - Honore de Balzac
Photo Five
Photo Details-
This photo was chosen due to the contrasts of colour patterns. The girl has a pale complection and dark hair and shadows, this acts as a direct contrast to the bright colourful patterns going on in the background. This makes her stand out and draws focus to the details of her face and upper body. I also like how this photo through the use of lighting emphasizes the detail of the girls hair.
"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light."
-Aristotle Onassis
I then Decided to focus on what close up textures made them unique.
Photo Six
Photo Details-
This photo is a good representation of patterns and that is why I chose it as one of my images. I focused my camera on the dotted shirt as i felt it was the sharpest texture but along with that there are many others. There is also the knitted texture of the hoodie. What i also like was how although following the same colour theme there are a least 3 different patterns going on here. This contributes to the style of josh and although there is the contrast between both patterns and textures represented in this photo there is also the contrast within him showing his unique style.
"Our character is basically a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often unconscious patterns, they constantly, daily, express our character."
-Stephen Covey
Photo Seven
Photo Details-
This photo is of a necklace. The first thing to consider is the bright colours and pattern of this necklace, the next thing is the texture of the beads and metal clasps contrasting against her smooth skin. What i love about this photo though other than the bright colours is the use of focus. i chose to focus on the beads in the upper part of the photo or in terms of rule of thirds the upper third. I feel this is a rather nice touch as it adds something extra to a simple enough photo of a necklace. Another thing i liked was the concept of the necklace itself, something small is often over looked but it is a unique touch none the less and is personal to who ever wears it.
"Colour is what gives jewels their worth. They light up and enhance the face. Nothing is more elegant than a black skirt and sweater worn with a sparkling multi-stoned necklace."
-Christian Dior
Photo Eight
Photo Details-
Again touching on what I said about the necklace the texture of someones skin can often go over looked. But yet it is something everyone has in common. What i like about this photo again is the use of focus and how it highlight the distinct texture of Josh's hands. Its also about what this texture represents, its shows a lot more about a person than is first realized for example it shows these are works man hands. It also highlights the red rawness of them and even focuses of the cut at his knuckle.
“He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.” ― Francis of Assisi
Photo Nine
Photo Details-
The reason i chose this photo is for primarily two reasons. One i like the colour pattern combinations of the pink and the white and how it contrasts against the cold dark tones of the rest of the photo. And second i like the focus on the unique spongy texture of the material. It is another representation of contrasting style choices among people.
“Fashion changes, but style endures.” ― Coco Chanel
Photo Ten
Photo Details-
This is my final photo because it contrast two people together. First the hair, you have the long, blonde, messy hair compared with the neat, short, dark hair. Both these girls have a mixture of textures and patterns about both of them and this photo puts them against each other in the final contrast. I also like how this photo shows that different people complement each other much like colour or environment.
"You have to get along with people, but you also have to recognize that the strength of a team is different people with different perspectives and different personalities."
-Steve Case