I chose Low light because of I think that I can experiment with lots of different techniques as processes but also because the them or subject of the images can be anything. I like the fact that I can use my phone or a digital camera to take the images and that in a sense all photographs are experiments with light. My theme relates to Threshold concept no 2: All photography is the capturing of light and that a camera is optional. I'd like to start by experimenting with various camera settings in order to experiment with various aperture settings.
Low Light
The images below are visual mood board of artists whose work I like. The work is from a variety of artists such as: Lindsay Adler, Bill Schwab, Todd Hido and Effie Paleologou. They all have themes of low light.
Lindsay Adley
Lindsay takes pictures for different brands and some in low light and some in high exposure, for this her low light images are my favourite and are mainly in black and white to embrace the contrast even more between the light. I like how her images are of people rather then settings since when I do my own experiment it will be a vast amount of pieces rather then all the same.
Favourite picture by her
This is my favourite image because of how amazing her makeup looks and the different colour lights really compliments her make up , this image is extremely closeup and despite that her skin still looks flawless. The shadowing across her face and the certain areas in the background brings all your attention to the main subject. Her playful colours such as purple and pink adding depth and texture to this picture making it stand out from the others. The only dislike I have is the fact that her lipstick is photoshopped onto her face , adding lipstick on her in the image would have created a more natural look and more seem less .
I took photos of nadirah in low light and made her look in different directions so if i wanted to layer of change the colour of them in the future i would have different ones to choose from, i put the light in on the right side of her face to create a shadow, I also put a black backdrop to enforce the low light. I am going to take more photos using low exposure on my phone or camera.
I can experiment on my phone using different features like portrait and studio lighting in different ways to explore deeper into low light
I can experiment on my phone using different features like portrait and studio lighting in different ways to explore deeper into low light
I also took pictures of melike and bolaji in the studio experimenting with the lighting and angles, I put my phone on low exposure and shined it on half of there face, to take this futher i think i should put coloured acetate over the light to make it different colours front , behind or on her to create mood lighting and not harsh white. I should also bring in more props to use in the photos. I can also try to create different sized shadows to cover parts of there face or the object.
When i take images outside i try to get more light into the image then put the exposure down to -2.0 so you can still see everything in the image but the whole picture looks darker.
When i take images outside i try to get more light into the image then put the exposure down to -2.0 so you can still see everything in the image but the whole picture looks darker.
Todd Hido
Todd Hido is a american photographer who mainly takes pictures of isolated buildings and interiors, his work is taken from the same distance and angle every time allowing us to highlight what images are his.
Single image evaluation
Todd hidos use of lightening adds an atmosphere to every picture, this one creates a very eerie feeling but still catches how beautiful it is. the purple sky lets off this out of this world affect. I like how there is a crossing sign in nearly the centre of the image meaning there are children crossing but also makes you question why there would be any children in such a unsettling place. The bright white lights from the windows of the house give off a unhomely appeal since there seems to be no people or possibly furniture in there. The lighting is coming from the left hand side hitting the sky and pavement but as you go across to the other side it’s immensely dark with little to no light.
Taken in the city and on my way home, I tried to look for dimly lit areas with a main subject in the middle of the image, there was some light so I used it to my advantage by turning down the brightness and exposure to enhance the light and make it shine though the image with a bit of blur, these are successful because you can see whatever im taking with hints of light but mostly dullness, I can enhance these by taking images of different type of areas like rural. I can also try editing on photoshop and add other inspo from other photographers.
Todd hido inspired.
My take on todd hidos work but with more low light and less objects in the images, mostly dark with many shadows.
During the half term i took loads of images of landscapes, city and nearby I also took images of my family like my brother and my nan, `some are low light and some arent, the ones that arent can be edited to enhance that, I edited them on the photos app to lower exposure, brightness, brilliance, highlights and lightening the dark point. These are inspired by Todd hido but aslo have my own touch.
The outcome of edits
my favourite images from the ones i’ve taken since there is alot to look at everywhere in the picture, the background draws you in because of the lighting and how half the picture is shadowed and rest is full of natural light, the centre of the image is filled with depth and density because my nan in the main subject but as you go back you can see futher back behind her. the front of the image is exceedingly dark where you can only see the positive parts but as you travel back again everything comes to light and you can properly see the wooded landscape.
Todd Hido inspired pieces.
These images are inspired by a mix of Todd Hidos portrait images and Lindsay Adler. The use of the lightening colour highlights the Adler inspired themes since she uses the same technique to change the mood of the image where as the other ones are inspired by Hidos portrait style where the colours are quiet cold and dull also matching the model with the aura of the room.
Yousef Karsh
My first impression of Yousuf is that he takes images of famous people in black and white such as famous faces like Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth and Mohammed Ali, this already shows how successful he was as a photographer. His constant use of black and white helps him stand out and allow people who are seeing the image recognise his work.
This image of Mohammed Ali is extremely powerful since his face is taking up alot of the frame and the lighting is bringing out his features, the camera position is level with his face allowing us to see the rest of his torso which i think is the most effective since if the angle was anywhere else it would been a little unrealistic. The only thing I dislike about this photo is that his suit and the background are black so they blend in, if he wore a different coloured suit maybe grey it would amplify his stance. His face in this picture shows off his essence and power as a boxer with his bands on his hips. This picture was taken in 1970 which is impressive for how good the quality is, taken for a gallery. |
I took these photographs at school experimenting with low light and how shadow can affect the image, I used a paper mesh and placed it infront of the camera to create different shadows, also putting the camera at different angles.
Plan for exam day:
First idea
I'd like to make a 3D sculpture of the images which I edited.
I will need to will print them out before hand and make a selection of the images I intend to use. a4&3
I will then have to add the images to mount board using the spray adhesive.
I will assemble the images into the mount board and cut them out in different shapes that look best deciding which images to combine to make my sculpture.
then photographing them with the backdrop .
I plan to make 2 sculptures.
Second idea
I plan to make a series of portraits using the studio lights with coloured gels.
I want to use what I have learned in the previous portraits to take some successful images. I plan to use just one of the studio lights.
I will then rephotograph the person in front of the images using two lights to rephotograph.
them using the studio lights.
I plan to have a series of double portraits.
First idea
I'd like to make a 3D sculpture of the images which I edited.
I will need to will print them out before hand and make a selection of the images I intend to use. a4&3
I will then have to add the images to mount board using the spray adhesive.
I will assemble the images into the mount board and cut them out in different shapes that look best deciding which images to combine to make my sculpture.
then photographing them with the backdrop .
I plan to make 2 sculptures.
Second idea
I plan to make a series of portraits using the studio lights with coloured gels.
I want to use what I have learned in the previous portraits to take some successful images. I plan to use just one of the studio lights.
I will then rephotograph the person in front of the images using two lights to rephotograph.
them using the studio lights.
I plan to have a series of double portraits.