Portrait Evaluation

In this assignment, Studio Portraits, I have used a Hasselblad camera Phase one digital back and studio flash and a Canon 5D Mark 2. I have taken photos of people using both a white background and black. I also took images of the subjects with a serious/blank expression and ones were they are laughing/smiling at the camera and also looking away. I chose to take these different types of portraits because I wanted to see both of these faces on my subjects then I would choose which set I liked best. I had originally planned on selecting, what I thought were, quirky and uncommon photos than what most of my class were choosing, for their finals, which were more the serious shots, therefore I did want my subjects smiling etc in my final 3. However due to the one image I really did like and took me a few tries to get, I chose the one of Martin because I wanted to show that I had learned of lighting techniques and put this into practice as this particular photo demonstrates. Therefore I selected the other two to complement this image and make it look more like a body of work as all the backgrounds match. To help create these images, as well as the lighting, which I used no more than two lights and the majority of the time I only used one as I liked the harsh lights using the barn doors or I sometimes had soft light on my subject by using the soft box. When I was creating the harsh lights I occasionally used a reflector below the subject to produce light beneath the chin.

I felt this project went a lot better than the last as I didn’t have as many problems or issues. One of the biggest though, at first and a little throughout, was my ideas for the project and then when I had some it was trying to make them into a reality and how to go about making them. Another was trying to get my head around the sizing as I got a little confused but I made it more complicated than necessary and once I received help realised it was actually quite simple. Also trying to understand Capture One as I had never used this software before was a little tricky but with more practice will hopefully get the hang of it.

I could improve the work by having more of an idea of what I want to get out of the shoot, thus enabling me to have more focus on what shots I need to get and this would be my goal. I have learned new skills such as various lighting and using Capture One to develop my photos. All the guidance received from both peers and tutors I have greatly appreciated as their advice has helped me a lot. I feel my outcome does meet with the requirements as I have done everything by the guidelines given. Factors that have influenced me are mainly other photographers I have researched such as David Bailey and Irving Penn.

The concept behind my work, after picking the final 3, I would say is shadows and I think all 3 images relate and I deliberately chose photos were the subject is looking at the camera to engage the viewer and overall they look like a body of work. The assignment challenged me because I had never worked in the studio before and so learned a great deal by watching people and being practical.

Upon reflection I don’t think there is much I would change though I would have more of my ideas before going to studio so I know what I want to do and have stronger knowledge. Overall I think I have improved from the last assignment as regards to speed and quality of my blog.