Portrait
Robert Mapplethorpe
Mapplethorpe used high contrast and raw untouched images to create his self portrait collection in which he takes a variety of angles and shots which draws in the viewer with, at times, intense eye contact creating a strong connection. The images will usually have one focal light origin, which casts dark shadows across the hidden part of his face and body, by doing this, more depth is created to not only the still image, but also the ‘character’ portrayed.
Looking at Mapplethorpe’s work, I feel strongly influenced by the high contrast on many of his images, as this creates bold shadows and eye-catching highlights, therefore my work will feature aspects of the same nature, this will make my work look and feel atmospheric as though the image is literally jumping out of the screen.
Sally Mann
Mann’s work evokes a certain vulnerability that is heightened with the use of a natural scene. Her work draws on almost unsettling images and suggests that the familiarity derives from the idea that the uncomfortably of the images, as though this an only too familiar sight, whereas people aren’t aware of such things. Making this collection more about awareness.
Danny Santos
Danny Santos ‘portraits of strangers’ collection saw the photographer essentially walking through busy shopping centers, where he simply asked if he could take their picture, telling them not to smile, they agreed.
Santos’ work has a rawness which highlights the ‘stranger’ aspect of the collection, being untouched and unedited creates a realness within the images, which are not only seen ffrom the fact they are strangers, but also that they haven’t been edited means they are untouched and naked, as they convey purely their outer being, being a stranger, we don’t know anything more about their personalities.
My work
Using ideas from the photographers I previously researched, I created my images. My self portrait featured a close up of myself, which was back and white and high contrast to highlight the framing of my face and eyes. The ‘friend’ portrait featured a friend looking casual in a controlled studio setting, whereas the ‘stranger’ portrait features a local man in front of the natural market setting, using this setting, I thought the picture would look more natural.
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