Society within Beauty and Photography

 

“There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.”

‘Ansel Adams.’

 

 

To begin my project I decided to look at different types of photography and the meaning and overall picture a photograph can paint in a person’s mind.

 

I started my personal study off by looking at a famous quote by ‘Ansel Adams.’ This photographer has inspired me, not due to his work, but this quote that has a strong meaning and relevance within my work. I chosen to look at ‘Exaggeration’ for my theme and look at colour in depth and how it can be portrayed within my images. I interpreted this quote and looked at how I see a particular image but also thought of other ways I could pursue what it means and the reason why the photographer chosen that location, that model, that makeup, that hairstyle, that overall look that makes a image so define and intriguing to any audience.

 

For my personal study I have chosen to look at beauty and fashion within photography. I chosen to focus on how it is used to create a specific theme and subject the artist was aiming for. I will look at society today and how this affects people’s opinions, but also look at how beauty can change a person’s personality in one single shot. I will also be looking at how I have included fashion within my work and how I have portrayed it to get the outcome I was hoping to achieve.

 

The two main photographers I have taken inspiration from for my personal study are Laura Bello and Alexander Straulino. I chosen these two artist in particular due to their heavy use of makeup they apply to their models to achieve a image that doesn’t look elegant, it looks different and it proves being unique and standing out from a crowd is also attractive.

 

The first artist I had taken inspiration from was Laura Bello. I chosen this artist In particular because the artists vary her style of work and the makeup she applies. I wanted to get my theme across to people experimenting with colour at all times within my photos. Bello shows a good use of colour within her work, and exaggerates with the makeup she applies to her models, linking in with my theme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first image I have chosen to focus on within my studies is one of Bello’s images I believe shows a good understanding of colour but also beauty. For this photograph, the artist has chosen to bring the audience’s attention to the model’s eyes. To achieve this outcome the artist has had the makeup on the model done at a high standard which is also a similar colour to the models hair.

 

When viewing this image it gives me the impression the artist has tried to exaggerate beauty and the model is actually not impressed with the outcome. I believe the model looks unhappy and applying makeup around the bottom of the eye area could symbolize how society has changed. Natural beauty is not highly thought of compared to previous centuries.

 

Makeup is a regular appliance the majority of women wear to fit in with society and show the real person they are. For this image in particular I think the artist has achieved a successful image and used bright bold colours to help accomplish this. Using a bright colour such as turquoise stands out, allowing all audience’s to gain an opinion.

 

Beauty is key and different photographers and artists can portray this in their work looking at different styles of portraiture and combining them together. I believe using a bold background for this image has helped bring the subject area forward and achieve the look that they want to pursue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using various lighting and angles can also help a photographer achieve the outcome they are wanting. Using soft lighting will allow the softness of the skin to glow and form a soft effect; however dark lighting will do the opposite. The location of every image is important to any photographer or artist. However for my theme of ‘Exaggeration’ I believe using the studio and taking images using professional lighting is more effective than going outdoors. I have received this information from the photo-shoots I have completed based on my project.

 

I have chosen to look at an image by Alexander Straulino and compare the two artists together and speak about the difference. Both artists’ Laura Bello and Alexander Straulino have the same subject field and focus on the same style of images. Then these two artists develop them further adding different objects and mediums; working back into the photos.

 

For example the image I have chosen to focus on seems to have been taken in a studio with professional lighting. For this piece in particular the artist has chosen to not include makeup within the image and created a natural based shoot. Straulino has then worked back into their image using different mediums such as paints and other materials that compliment the image by applying them in a significant way that shows this photographers style. I chose to look at how I can develop my work by adding makeup/paints within my photographs that can change the outcomes. However when completing my shoots I believed using makeup on my models face relates to my theme more expressing the colour at a higher level.

 

Comparing these two pieces of work by the two artists helped my project develop into using photography in different ways that show my ability to conclude beauty and fashion within my work. The two images I chosen to evaluate are very different pieces, showing different ways makeup and other mediums can develop an image. Editing images and using vibrant colours can change an outcome and the mood it brings. Using these bright, bold colours within photography brings an exciting and happy mood within the artists and my own work.

 

Leading back into taking inspiration from Laura Bello I took different techniques I can use amongst my work. However I wanted to look at two different styles of work Bello creates to show how she portrays beauty within fashion photography that has inspired me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have chosen this piece in particular due to the unusual piece Bello has created which stands out from her ordinary makeup inspired work. I wanted to look at an image that is more natural and shows natural beauty, as this can be under-rated and non successful for some photographers. I have chosen this image, as I believe the lighting used compliments the artists work, using filters or coloured gels as I have experienced within my own work. In my project I have experimented using coloured gels and layering them to create coloured lighting that links in with my theme of ‘Exaggeration’ but also shows off my style and ability using the camera. I also wanted to look at the different ways of portraying beauty in photography and this artist has chosen a clever way of showing this in their work. Bello uses precision within her work, allowing all facial and hair features of the model to be perfect and effortless. Similar to the other image I chosen to look at by this photographer, the artists have asked the model to close her eyes to capture a mood. When analyzing these images I think there could be many different reasons why the artist wanted to do this, relating to my previous quote.

 

I believe using a black background works within all of Bello’s work as some backgrounds can give a distraction and create an over-exaggerated piece that doesn’t compliment beauty and fashion within photography. Also using shadows within photography can create a shady and mysterious mood. For some images I believe creating a shadow could help portray a mood your wanting to pursue. For this image Bello chosen not to use a shadow due to wanting to create more of an elegant and beauty shot that is complimented by the soft and warm colours and lighting used.

 

Within the majority of my work I have used a tripod to create a still image using manual focus to assure my photographs are precise and in full focus. Using manual focus has helped my photography develop being able to set the camera to focus on any part of the model I want to be my main focus. Setting the camera to focus onto a particular part of the model automatically brings the attention to that part which is the subject area of my work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the last image I have chosen to analyze by Alexander Straulino I wanted to choose an image that defines my theme to the highest potential possible. I believe Straulino has decided to use a high intensity of colour within their work capturing various moods using technique that engage me to experiment with.

 

For this particular image, Straulino has used body paints onto the models head and shoulders. Capturing a head and shoulders shot defines the models face only paying attention to the features this photographer has shown. For this image, I believe the artist has chosen to let the paints bleed and smudge. This could be to portray beauty and show how a persons feeling can change through society. By rubbing the makeup down the models face from her eyes shows how tears can be made and how personal thoughts can change on themselves.

 

Due to the model looking direct at the lens of the camera it brings the audience in to question the mood that model is portraying. Using dark, dingy colours around the models eyes also give me this impression and make me to believe that makeup and fashion is judged in every person. Society today is known for almost every female to wear makeup and not express their natural beauty. Straulino has deliberately exaggerated this within their work and using in-accurate shapes and patterns, which helped my theme progress and look at portraiture as a whole.

 

Within all of my artists’ and my own work I believe indoor portraiture has worked best for my theme of ‘exaggeration.’ This has helped my project express my theme, using colour on my model. Rather than focusing my work onto my location and background I was more interested in achieving the correct lighting and angles I use for my photography. This has related to my artists work that i have taken influences from.

 

In comparison, they are a strong link and message that is portrayed within Laura Bello and Alexander Straulino’s work. I believe a story is told within both of the artist’s photography that could represent them. I think the artists have expressed their opinions within fashion and beauty in modern day society within their work. Within both of my artists’ work they use colour at a high intensity to create a bold and eye-catching image that interested me to use within my own work.

 

By looking at these artists’ I have looked at portraiture photography but also slow shutter speed. I have experimented with this in my project; developing my ideas into using other ways I can add colour and beauty within my work. From these photographers, and my own work I have discovered that using the studio helped my work develop. Also professional lighting in my work helps portray a mood that can change using different materials such as coloured gels. However I have taken more inspiration from Alexander Straulino’s work as he uses experimentation and different techniques more within his work. These helped my personal investigation progress and develop into a project that I have changed to add a more interesting outcome that I am satisfied with. Using techniques that compliment my style and theme progressed my studies as a whole, including colour amongst portraiture.