Work record- Shoot 3

Information
Date: 09/05/17
Camera Used: Nikon D5300
Camera Settings: 1/125, F10, ISO 200
Lighting set up:  Studio light x2, Soft box x2, White backdrop, Tripod

Shoot aim: 

My aim for this shoot was to produce an A1 David Hockney inspired collage joiner.  I wanted to experiment with this concept on a large scale as I felt that it would enhance the final image as well as allowing me to make an image that would work as a piece beside my A1 shoot 2 collage.

I am interested in Hockney's work with joiner images due to the way that his portraiture joiners can appear to capture a splitting of self in a way that is symbolic of ones personal identity.  I felt that this was relevant due to the fact that my connected image series is based around self identity and particularly youth identity.  I feel that an interesting way to tackle this concept would be to create one large joiner collage featuring various different people to demonstrate the fact that although youth may appear different we are all the same internally and it is our collective identity that bands us together.

Shoot plan:
My plan for this shoot is to use the studio and to shoot images of between 4-6 subjects in around an hour.  I will then edit the relevant images using Photoshop CC 2014 and begin to print the images.  My canvas will have a splatter design in the style of Jackson Pollock I will then piece the images together to make a person and stick them to my canvas in a style reminiscent of David Hockney.

What I achieved:

I achieved the final result of one A1 joiner on white mount board with a rainbow Jackson Pollock inspired design.  I feel that this incorporation of Pollocks style and it's random appearance helps to convey the chaos of youth whilst the rainbow colourisation helps to tie the piece to my other two shoots as this was the main colour scheme used throughout my project.  The use of rainbows symbolises the way in which my images are designed to represent individuality and youth and the fact that we are all the same and should be treated as equals (as a rainbow is a well known symbol of equality).

I used five subjects in total to create one larger collage and feel that I was successful in creating a diverse collage due to the fact that I used subjects of various genders, sexualities and ethnicities in my shoot.  I feel that the use of some black and white images in my main piece as well as the rainbow edited piece in the images centre help to give it a more visually stimulating appearance as they break up the tones in the image.  The black and white images symbolise the stress associated with youth and the destruction of childhood and the rainbow image symbolises the diversity and acceptance of youth it is positioned centrally due to the fact that acceptance is one of the core values of youth today.

Favourite image:

This is my favourite image due to the way that the black and white coloration achieved through the low levels of saturation has given the piece a high level of tonal contrast.  This is made particularly effective due to the fact that the subject is wearing colours with a low level of saturation making the tonal contrast much starker in appearance than what may be achieved in an image with bright colours.

Denotation:  This image features the subject fiddling with his hands at his chest as the image is being taken it is a close shot.  There is large tonal contrast present in the image which is heightened by the fact that when the image was taken the subject was wearing clothes in blacks and greys helping to make the drawings on his hands as well as his rings stand out starkly when the image was converted to black and white and contrast was increased.

Connotation:  This image carries connotations of stress from the fact that the subject is fiddling with his hands in a nervous manner suggesting the modern pressures of youth.  The writing on the subjects hands suggests an elements of rebellion due to the fact that they mimic tattoo designs which contrasts with his smart jumper and jacket.  This demonstrates the way that modern youth are breaking away from societal conventions and norms.  The use of black and white coloration suggests the dull routine of youth in the 21st century and the way that society attempts to mould us into an ideal citizen.

Context:  This image has been used as a part of a larger composition featuring images of several subjects joined together physically in order to represent the fact that youth are all the same even though we may appear different on the outside. 

Least favourite image:

This is my least favourite image due to the fact that I feel that the image gives very little in regards to representation of youth and is not particularly visually stimulating however it had to be included due to the fact that I needed an arm for the final image.

Denotation:  This image features the left arm of one of the subjects and has an increased level of contrast and saturation this gives it a more vibrant appearance and creates a higher level of contrast with the black and white images.

Connotation:  This images coloration carries connotations of the vitality of youth due to the fact that it has an increased level of saturation and contrast helping to demonstrate the energy often associated with youth culture.

Context: This image has been used as a part of a larger composition featuring images of several subjects joined together physically in order to represent the fact that youth are all the same even though we may appear different on the outside.

Final image



This is my final image which has been composed from each of the individual images found in this shoot.  The concept for this image was to demonstrate the fact that whilst as a individuals youths are different we all fall into the same collective identity.

Denotation:  The image features bright tones making it eye catching and visually stimulating.  The image is also interesting due to it's joiner style which is similar to David Hockney's joiner work.  A range of both saturated and black and white tones are used giving it a high level of contrast.
Connotation:  This image carries connotations of the vibrancy of youth which is found in the bright colours of the images background as well the idea of collective identity and personal identity being enforced by the joiner composition.
Context: This image was designed to demonstrate the collective and personal identities of youth and how we are all the same.