Beauty and Perfection
I wanted to look at how people strive for perfection through make-up, plastic surgery or photo manipulation. For my first initial photos i wanted to photograph different make-up and utensils. i wanted the surrounding to be a basic white background as i wanted the make-up to be the main focus. i also wanted to show the depth of the lipsticks as they were lined up with the foreground being in focus. i really like the bird eye view photo as i think it is very effective and shows all of the lipsticks.
I wanted to look at how people strive for perfection through make-up, plastic surgery or photo manipulation. For my first initial photos i wanted to photograph different make-up and utensils. i wanted the surrounding to be a basic white background as i wanted the make-up to be the main focus. i also wanted to show the depth of the lipsticks as they were lined up with the foreground being in focus. i really like the bird eye view photo as i think it is very effective and shows all of the lipsticks.
Here i wanted to focus on the process of beautification. I decided to take close-ups of the eye as it is a complex part of the face that could involve alot of different procedures for example plucking your eyebrow. I really like the way the skin is shimmery as it reminds me of beauty photography. I think the ones with the fake eyelashes worked well as they are an enhancement of your feature.
By capturing a shot of a fake eyelash peeling off i wanted to show a process but also the imperfections that can happen during beautification. As often the final product of beauty is shown but never the imprefections.
Alix Malka
I began here by taking some natural simple beauty shots to make a contrast between the bright make-up shots i took after. I wanted to work in a similar style to beauty photography.
Plastic Surgery
I think plastic surgery is a huge way that a person can alter their looks and is alot more drastic than make-up. People see it as a way of perfecting what they began with however it can sometimes make them appear fake or have the opposite effect. Some can become obsessed with plastic surgery and constantly feel the need to change themselves. Through my photos i wanted to display plastic surgery but stil create beautiful images aswell.
I think plastic surgery is a huge way that a person can alter their looks and is alot more drastic than make-up. People see it as a way of perfecting what they began with however it can sometimes make them appear fake or have the opposite effect. Some can become obsessed with plastic surgery and constantly feel the need to change themselves. Through my photos i wanted to display plastic surgery but stil create beautiful images aswell.
I think these images with the syringe in the lip are very effective and realistic as they show the reality of surgery and what people have to go through and at the same time makes you as a viewer feel rather uncomfortable of how crude they are.
Analysis of a Photograph
Adrian Portmann
In the photo a girl is pointing a scalpel into her face. The photo appears more to the right side of the photo due to the majority of her body being there and that is the direction everything is pointing in. I think it appears more horizontal due to the cropping and the way her arm is out to the side of her horizontally. It has been taken at a forward facing angle however her head is tilting away from the camera. There appears to be a contrast between the photo being hard and soft as her skin and slicked back hair appears soft whereas she is pointing a sharp hard metal scalpel into her face makes it appear hard. I think that artificial lighting was used as it was created inside a studio.Not a wide variety of tones have been used as the colours used are mainly warm such as a brown background, gold scalpel and her skin tone. I think the photographer was trying to display the shock factor of plastic surgery but still create a beautiful image that shows perfection and how people strive to be perfect .I do like this image and the way she is the main focus but also how the scalpel is even more in focus as it is directly in the center. Her expression works well and shows pain in a reserved but beautiful way and the fact her eyes are closed takes away part of her identity.
Adrian Portmann
In the photo a girl is pointing a scalpel into her face. The photo appears more to the right side of the photo due to the majority of her body being there and that is the direction everything is pointing in. I think it appears more horizontal due to the cropping and the way her arm is out to the side of her horizontally. It has been taken at a forward facing angle however her head is tilting away from the camera. There appears to be a contrast between the photo being hard and soft as her skin and slicked back hair appears soft whereas she is pointing a sharp hard metal scalpel into her face makes it appear hard. I think that artificial lighting was used as it was created inside a studio.Not a wide variety of tones have been used as the colours used are mainly warm such as a brown background, gold scalpel and her skin tone. I think the photographer was trying to display the shock factor of plastic surgery but still create a beautiful image that shows perfection and how people strive to be perfect .I do like this image and the way she is the main focus but also how the scalpel is even more in focus as it is directly in the center. Her expression works well and shows pain in a reserved but beautiful way and the fact her eyes are closed takes away part of her identity.
I think this image works as she appears obsessed with plastic surgery as though she cannot wait to go under the knife and be altered, by the way she is looking at the tools and smiling.
I altered this image using Photoshop, by enhancing her lips as though she has had collaghen pumped into them. By fakely enhancing her appearance is exactly how in the industry photographs are constantly digitally changed using computer manipulation.
Here I took some simple birdseye view shots of the tools used during plastic surgery. I did this as i wanted to put a focus on the utensils and methods used to change a person rather than just focusing on the person that has changed.
People Equals Meat
By taking these meat images I wanted to make a link between a person and a piece of meat. Showing how what they go through during plastic surgery is similar to how a piece of raw meat would be treated.
By taking these meat images I wanted to make a link between a person and a piece of meat. Showing how what they go through during plastic surgery is similar to how a piece of raw meat would be treated.
I took these photographs really close-up so that at some angles the viewer would have to look twice to know if it was a piece of meat or a person being cut or injected.
Analysis of A photograph
Alex Lucka
The context of the image is a model standing facing forward with her body covered in meat. The photo has not been taken at an angle but is slightly below eye level. The image appears to be vertical due to the way she is standing and the fact her neck appears very long.The feeling of the photograph is soft due to the fact she is dressed in only raw meat and her expression looks innocent and defenseless. I think artificial lighting was used in a studio.The range of tones used is not vast as the colours are all neutral pink tones I think this makes the image appear more pure but also does not distract and draws you to the slightly darker meat.I think the meaning behind the photo could be displaying the way that humans use animals for their own needs. I do like this photograph and think it is a unusual but original idea. I also like the simplicity of the setting and shot as I think it allows you to think deeper about the meaning behind the photo.This photo relates to my project as I am associating pieces of meat with people and the way plastic surgeons treat human like a piece of dead or raw meat when operating.
Alex Lucka
The context of the image is a model standing facing forward with her body covered in meat. The photo has not been taken at an angle but is slightly below eye level. The image appears to be vertical due to the way she is standing and the fact her neck appears very long.The feeling of the photograph is soft due to the fact she is dressed in only raw meat and her expression looks innocent and defenseless. I think artificial lighting was used in a studio.The range of tones used is not vast as the colours are all neutral pink tones I think this makes the image appear more pure but also does not distract and draws you to the slightly darker meat.I think the meaning behind the photo could be displaying the way that humans use animals for their own needs. I do like this photograph and think it is a unusual but original idea. I also like the simplicity of the setting and shot as I think it allows you to think deeper about the meaning behind the photo.This photo relates to my project as I am associating pieces of meat with people and the way plastic surgeons treat human like a piece of dead or raw meat when operating.
Here I have been inspired by Alex Lucka's work and am working in a similar style while still incorporating my meat and human subject.
This is my favourite of the shots as the bacon is draped across the whole of the shoulders and it looks as though the person is wearing a form of armour. Also i like how in this shot you can see the whole front of the body as i think it makes the image more intense and effective.
Projections
These are the projections i did in the studio. I firstly used instruments infront of the projector, such as a syringe and scissors, to create silouhettes on the photo. I then experimented projecting onto white fabric. I think the fabric crates a strange effect on the image and almost distorts it slightly.
These are the projections i did in the studio. I firstly used instruments infront of the projector, such as a syringe and scissors, to create silouhettes on the photo. I then experimented projecting onto white fabric. I think the fabric crates a strange effect on the image and almost distorts it slightly.
Analysis of a Photograph
RankinThe photograph is of a model whose face is concealed in layers of paint and substances. The imagery is situated in the center and appears more vertical due to it being a above the shoulder shot that includes part of her body and also the way it has been cropped gives this impression. The image was taken at a diagonal angle to the body slightly and she has her head turned looking away from the camera. I think the photo appears mainly soft due to her expression, the fact only her head is painted and also the substances on her face.
As what is dripping down her face makes her appear innocent and maybe sad and also by the substance on her hair I assume it would feel smooth and soft as it appears similar to a foam, cream or mouse like texture. I believe that artificial lighting was used as the setting makes the photo look as though it has been created in a studio. A variety of tones and bright colours have been used which I think contrast well with the black background and her natural skin.I think that from this photograph the photographer was trying to push the boundaries of convention beauty and beauty photography by experimenting with materials and colours. This image appears rather emotive as if she is upset; this is because of the makeup and her expression, especially her eyes. I like this photo because it is well balanced in the fact that half is very natural and the other half is very crazy and exaggerated think the black background works well as it does not distract you from the model but ties in with the black around her eyes. I also like the bright colours used and the image reminds me of a sad clown being photographed. This photograph relates to my project as I am focusing on the process of beauty and beauty photography.
RankinThe photograph is of a model whose face is concealed in layers of paint and substances. The imagery is situated in the center and appears more vertical due to it being a above the shoulder shot that includes part of her body and also the way it has been cropped gives this impression. The image was taken at a diagonal angle to the body slightly and she has her head turned looking away from the camera. I think the photo appears mainly soft due to her expression, the fact only her head is painted and also the substances on her face.
As what is dripping down her face makes her appear innocent and maybe sad and also by the substance on her hair I assume it would feel smooth and soft as it appears similar to a foam, cream or mouse like texture. I believe that artificial lighting was used as the setting makes the photo look as though it has been created in a studio. A variety of tones and bright colours have been used which I think contrast well with the black background and her natural skin.I think that from this photograph the photographer was trying to push the boundaries of convention beauty and beauty photography by experimenting with materials and colours. This image appears rather emotive as if she is upset; this is because of the makeup and her expression, especially her eyes. I like this photo because it is well balanced in the fact that half is very natural and the other half is very crazy and exaggerated think the black background works well as it does not distract you from the model but ties in with the black around her eyes. I also like the bright colours used and the image reminds me of a sad clown being photographed. This photograph relates to my project as I am focusing on the process of beauty and beauty photography.
Experiments
These are the experiments i have done for this project. I think that this image is similar to Rankin's and also Gerhard Richter's work as both layer bright dripping paint.
These are the experiments i have done for this project. I think that this image is similar to Rankin's and also Gerhard Richter's work as both layer bright dripping paint.
Abstract Painting By Gerhard Richter
For This experiment i dripped red ink down the photo to symbolise blood.
For this photo i scratched along the surgery lines using a needle, i think this helps make them more noticeable and draw attention to them.
Here i have waxed on bandages to the photo, i really like the roughness of the bandages around the eyes and how its not perfectly executed. As it makes a comparison to the perfection wanted in the image to the imperfections of the image.
I was experimenting by slicing and cutting. For the one that i have cut i have decided to sew back together, exactly the same as a person would be after plastic surgery.
Here i have made a couple of collages from cutting up photos of multicoloured nail polishes and sticking them back together.
For these two photos, i glued hundreds and thousands and suger to them. I think these have worked really well and i like the way the sugar has formed a solid and become crystallized. I think these are more light-hearted fun images in comparison to some of my others due to the subject and bright colours.
I really like this photograph due to the way the syringe is ripping through her mouth in the photo. I think it is effective and has a 3d aspect to it the way the tool is emerging from the photograph.
For this experiment i dripped black nail varnish over the photograph of the nail polish and re-photographed it.
In this image i have placed some raw meat next to the syringe on top of the raw meat photo.
Analysis of a Photograph
Nick Knight The photograph is of a girl standing facing forward to the camera. She is the only focus and is directly in the centre. She fills the entire frame and the photo has not been taken at any unusual angles. The imagery appears vertical as the top of her body is in the photo also I think the geometric like bun on her head elongates her body. Even though her hair and the fabric of her clothing appears soft the general feeling for the imagery is hard due to the shapes of her hair and clothing but also what is on her face and her expression.I believe artificial light was used within a studio. The colours used are not bright but not dull either they are mainly neutral. Apart from her blue eye which is vibrant and eye catching. I think the meaning behind the photo is showing a geisha in an imperfect and not pure way. It shows a process of destruction, this relates to my idea as I am focusing on the process of beauty and the destruction of a person. I do like parts of the photo such as the way the lighting reflects against her hair and clothing showing how shiny and soft they are. I’m not too sure about the composition even though it is striking but also the colours used. However I do like the concept and destruction of the photograph.
Nick Knight The photograph is of a girl standing facing forward to the camera. She is the only focus and is directly in the centre. She fills the entire frame and the photo has not been taken at any unusual angles. The imagery appears vertical as the top of her body is in the photo also I think the geometric like bun on her head elongates her body. Even though her hair and the fabric of her clothing appears soft the general feeling for the imagery is hard due to the shapes of her hair and clothing but also what is on her face and her expression.I believe artificial light was used within a studio. The colours used are not bright but not dull either they are mainly neutral. Apart from her blue eye which is vibrant and eye catching. I think the meaning behind the photo is showing a geisha in an imperfect and not pure way. It shows a process of destruction, this relates to my idea as I am focusing on the process of beauty and the destruction of a person. I do like parts of the photo such as the way the lighting reflects against her hair and clothing showing how shiny and soft they are. I’m not too sure about the composition even though it is striking but also the colours used. However I do like the concept and destruction of the photograph.
Analysis of a PhotographHelmut Newton
I think that natural sunlight was used to light this image as I would assume it was taken outside. I think the shadows and highlight cast work well and make the photo more interesting. No colours have been used as it is in black and white; I think this is good as it allows you to focus more on the different tones of the shadows and highlights. I think the photographer was trying to create a animalistic feeling to the photo the way she looks defensive against any predators and over her latte, I also think he wanted to combine nature with beauty and fashion displaying a beautiful image that shows the imperfection of the froth being on her lips.The image appears very strong due to her expression and I like this as it is very striking with the setup and composition being centered. I like the way the lighting is reflecting off the sequins on her hat and also how the texture of her hat and texture of the background makes her more camouflaged with the surroundings. It relates to my project as I am looking at beauty photography but also at imperfections and processes and attempting to still create beauty images that incorporate this.The main focus of the image is a lady drinking a frothy drink. She is perfectly centered and the photo appears vertical because of the composition the way it has been cropped with a large gap above her head to display the setting of plants. However the way her arm are spread does make it appear horizontal as well. The photograph has not been taken at any angle and she looking straight into the camera when facing forward. There is a contrast between soft and hard as her frothy drink and long flowing hair appears soft whereas the background and expression appear hard.
I think that natural sunlight was used to light this image as I would assume it was taken outside. I think the shadows and highlight cast work well and make the photo more interesting. No colours have been used as it is in black and white; I think this is good as it allows you to focus more on the different tones of the shadows and highlights. I think the photographer was trying to create a animalistic feeling to the photo the way she looks defensive against any predators and over her latte, I also think he wanted to combine nature with beauty and fashion displaying a beautiful image that shows the imperfection of the froth being on her lips.The image appears very strong due to her expression and I like this as it is very striking with the setup and composition being centered. I like the way the lighting is reflecting off the sequins on her hat and also how the texture of her hat and texture of the background makes her more camouflaged with the surroundings. It relates to my project as I am looking at beauty photography but also at imperfections and processes and attempting to still create beauty images that incorporate this.The main focus of the image is a lady drinking a frothy drink. She is perfectly centered and the photo appears vertical because of the composition the way it has been cropped with a large gap above her head to display the setting of plants. However the way her arm are spread does make it appear horizontal as well. The photograph has not been taken at any angle and she looking straight into the camera when facing forward. There is a contrast between soft and hard as her frothy drink and long flowing hair appears soft whereas the background and expression appear hard.
Coursework Evaluation
I started of my project by firstly looking at distortion of the face and body, however I found that this could not allow a lot of space to develop my ideas as it mainly entailed digital distortion experiments. I then decided to change my idea to the distortion a person does to themselves through plastic surgery and makeup. Focusing on beauty photography and photo manipulation. I wanted to look at makeup and the process of beautification rather then just capturing pretty images. I then wanted to explore plastic surgery, as I believe it is a huge way in which people can manipulate their own looks. Lastly I decided to focus on tools used and meat as I wanted to use meat to represent a person being operated on.
For the beauty and makeup theme I photographed people doing the beautification process, makeup products and beauty shots. For the plastic surgery I captured shots of people faces using props such as a syringe, scalpel, surgical gloves and surgical lines. To represent the meat shots I used meat, knifes and a syringe to create the meat being stabbed and prodded. I deliberately took them zoomed in so it was not always clear as to what meat was being photographed, so that it could be mistaken for perhaps a human body part.
I researched the 1950’s and their beauty regime to gain some historical information on the past so that I could contrast it to the present. I found that the level of perfection was much higher and was more expected then now. Women had to remain perfect at every hour of the day and could never let their level of perfection slip; they were not even able to appear before their husband without their hair or makeup done, as it was their role as a glamorous 50’s wife. As today we have technology and computers to perfect photographs.
My influences throughout have been Rankin for his portraiture beauty shots, Helmut Newton for his beauty photography that resembled the 1950’s, Alex Lucka for their meat people association,Nick Knight for his modern conventional photography and Adrian Portmann for his focus on plastic surgery. I think the artists I have chosen have been beneficial in helping me to produce and progress my ideas for my own project.
I think my initial photos worked well but I am most pleased with the plastic surgery and meat photographs. I like the plastic surgery images as they are very eye catching and believable. I do think they could be seen as comedic but I do not mind this, as I simply wanted to display the process of changing through plastic surgery. I like the meat photos as I think it works well that they are so zoomed in and I think people viewing will be able to understand the message of the association with people being used as a piece of meat.
I think I have pushed my creative boundaries by doing a variety of experiments using Photoshop and a variety of art materials. I think my experiments work well with the photographs that I have chosen, as I believe they reinforce the meaning behind them. Overall I think the project has gone well however I would improve by taking some more sets of photographs to help convey the meaning of my project.
I started of my project by firstly looking at distortion of the face and body, however I found that this could not allow a lot of space to develop my ideas as it mainly entailed digital distortion experiments. I then decided to change my idea to the distortion a person does to themselves through plastic surgery and makeup. Focusing on beauty photography and photo manipulation. I wanted to look at makeup and the process of beautification rather then just capturing pretty images. I then wanted to explore plastic surgery, as I believe it is a huge way in which people can manipulate their own looks. Lastly I decided to focus on tools used and meat as I wanted to use meat to represent a person being operated on.
For the beauty and makeup theme I photographed people doing the beautification process, makeup products and beauty shots. For the plastic surgery I captured shots of people faces using props such as a syringe, scalpel, surgical gloves and surgical lines. To represent the meat shots I used meat, knifes and a syringe to create the meat being stabbed and prodded. I deliberately took them zoomed in so it was not always clear as to what meat was being photographed, so that it could be mistaken for perhaps a human body part.
I researched the 1950’s and their beauty regime to gain some historical information on the past so that I could contrast it to the present. I found that the level of perfection was much higher and was more expected then now. Women had to remain perfect at every hour of the day and could never let their level of perfection slip; they were not even able to appear before their husband without their hair or makeup done, as it was their role as a glamorous 50’s wife. As today we have technology and computers to perfect photographs.
My influences throughout have been Rankin for his portraiture beauty shots, Helmut Newton for his beauty photography that resembled the 1950’s, Alex Lucka for their meat people association,Nick Knight for his modern conventional photography and Adrian Portmann for his focus on plastic surgery. I think the artists I have chosen have been beneficial in helping me to produce and progress my ideas for my own project.
I think my initial photos worked well but I am most pleased with the plastic surgery and meat photographs. I like the plastic surgery images as they are very eye catching and believable. I do think they could be seen as comedic but I do not mind this, as I simply wanted to display the process of changing through plastic surgery. I like the meat photos as I think it works well that they are so zoomed in and I think people viewing will be able to understand the message of the association with people being used as a piece of meat.
I think I have pushed my creative boundaries by doing a variety of experiments using Photoshop and a variety of art materials. I think my experiments work well with the photographs that I have chosen, as I believe they reinforce the meaning behind them. Overall I think the project has gone well however I would improve by taking some more sets of photographs to help convey the meaning of my project.
Final Outcomes
These are the final outcomes i have chosen from this project.
These are the final outcomes i have chosen from this project.
