Bibliography

Mario Testino documentary- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9kUljPTpss

David Bailey Documentary- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S678bcdXsag

Uncanny Valley info- http://www.cracked.com/article_18867_5-creepy-ways-humans-are-plunging-into-uncanny-valley_p2.html

& notes from lesson.

'Facetune app'

Mario Sorrenti- http://www.mariosorrenti.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Sorrenti

Images for moodboard- pinterest

Monochrome shoot

For my monochrome beauty shoot, I wanted to create a more toned-down, relaxed series of images. I didnt want to play around with make up or clothes too much for this one, As my colour shoot was quite glamourous. Erin has beautiful eyes so this is what i wanted to focus on. Because of her pale complexion, I wanted to use a grey backdrop instead of black to create a softer image, and asked Erin to wear a grey jumper too, which went really well with the backdrop and helped to create the tone i was after.

I have always been obsessed with different textures and since starting this project, I have discovered that I am obsessed with hair and the different textures you can create with it! Erin has really long and silky hair which I didnt have to change at all as it went really well with the soft and efortless image i was trying to create. I used a soft box for this image, but with the flash on a lower setting as I didnt want bright, harsh lighting.

I really loved the simplicity of these images and hardly had to edit them at all. I feel that converting the image into black and white does a lot for you, i personally feel that black and white is often more flattering. All I had to do after this was alter the brightness and contrast.

Colour shoot

For this colour shoot, I wanted to use warm, golden tones. I asked Hana to be my model as she has beautiful skin and the perfect hair. She has long, thick hair with various golden tones running through it. This went perfectly with the make up I had in mind. I wanted to keep the make up natural but use lots of gold and highlighter to create radiant, glowing skin. I even highlighted her shoulders and collar bones and it came out so nicely on camera.

For her hair, I wanted it to be quite big and glamourous but at the same time I wanted it to be quite messy. For this, I curled and backcombed her hair until I got the look I was after. I love the contrast in texture between the glowing skin and messy hair.

For the lighting I chose to use two soft boxes. I altered the flash to make it brighter and more intense as I wanted the image to be quite soft, but I wanted it to be defined and I wanted to enhance the areas I had highlighted even further.

I was so nervous for this shoot as I have literally no experience with photographing people, there is so much to remember when it comes to setting up a studio and camera! But my skills have definitely come a long way since starting this project. I now have more of an understanding of how to correctly operate a camera and also what make up goes well with what lighting. The only thing that went slightly wrong with this shoot was that there were marks on the black backdrop. As I had booked out the studio I had no choice but to continue with this backdrop, but I was able to alter this in post production. I was pretty disappointed that we weren’t taught any editing skills in any of the post production lessons, but luckily a friend in my class was a bit of a photoshop wiz so she showed me what I needed to do to get rid of these marks. First, I altered the contrast and brightness to try and blacken the backdrop. This did work to an extent, but it began to change the colours of the face to much so I then used a paint tool to paint over these marks. The background looks slightly blurry, but it looks so much better than it did before. This sort of made softer than it would have been if I had used a harsh jet black background. I actually quite like the effect it gave.

Colour inspiration

Here are a few different textures, colours and muses that have inspired my shoot. I want to use warm golden tones, and preferably find a model with the right kind of blonde hair! I want to use simple make up using golden shimmer to highlight and compliment the hair.

 

Inspiration- vogue brazil

I am completely in love with this series of photos of Rihanna taken by Mario Sorrenti for Vogue Brazil. I just love the tone and colour used in all the images. he sort of muted greys and greens and then the odd pop of contrasting red. I love the way he captured her famous style and personality, whilst giving it a Brazilian feel with all of the jewellery and accessories.

Mario sorrenti is an Italian born fashion photographer who is now based in New York. He was influenced from a young age as his older brother and mother were both successful fashion photographers. He is known for his nude shoots that have been featured in Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, which is why Rihanna is pictured semi nude above.