Evaluation:

My final image: 

State what have you photographed and what your work is about

 This image shows a multiple exposure from two different red riding hood themed shoots. I gained inspiration for these shoots, from the fact that stories broaden and widen imagination and therefor 'expand horizons'. I decided I wanted to use a different type, other that the stereotypical red riding hood portrayal. This image shows the back of a model, walking down a path overlaid with a close up portrait. To me, this image portrays that there is something inside that is walking away, or even just red riding hood on the way to the grandmas, suggesting family love. 

Describe how your idea developed and changed if it did

My initial ideas included doing a darker, more gothic version of red riding hood or possibly overlaying text on the image. I also wanted to try a different template, perhaps having 3 images next to each other, however, the simple overlaying of a portrait really caught my eye. 

List the equipment you have used and techniques you have employed

For these images, I have used my canon 1100d and photoshop. I have experimented with blending modes, both overlay and lighten and also changed the opacity. I have used the free transform to resize and position my models and images effectively. This allowed me to frame the models face in the back of the second image. 

Explain the problems/challenges you encountered if any and what did you do to solve them

 I didn't really encounter any problems with this assignment. I did have some challenges on choosing images to be overlaid, however this was solved by experimenting and evaluating the weaknesses and strengths. 

Briefly name and describe how two artists work have influenced or can be related to your work in some way

An artist that really inspired me, in my experiments, was Nir Arieli. He overlaid multiple images, being fashion portraits, of male models. He used the studio and had plain coloured background. This inspired me to use a narrow depth of field, which would make the models the main focus. 
Another artist that inspired me was Chris Biele. This photographer did a different view on Red Riding hood. This showed his portrail of a darker model, shown with different props and how they were edited. This really inspired me to try different models, to find the one that fit the theme more and to also think about different ways to express the story. This was then done by the choice of location and the outfit. I also wanted the models expression to show a darker side. 

Comment on whether you are pleased with your final piece or not. Consider if you did it again would you change anything
I am really pleased with my final image, this is as it shows a different version of red riding hood and it looks very modern. I really like the positioning of the two individual images, when merged into one. I wouldnt change the image, if I were to do it again. 

Getting to my final image:

I started with this image below, which i have evaluated in the previous post. I really liked this image as it seemed fashionable and modern, but still has context to the theme of little red riding hood. However, I have noticed that my portfolio mainly used the same model, this led me to experiment with my image and different models and images.

Starting point:

The next steps:

Next I  made the an adjustment layer  of black and white and colour splashed the woman figure in the middle. I found this really attractive as the red and white really contrasted with the black and white  portrait. However, i saw that some of the colour from the face was effected, this meant i would need to colour splash the first image then change the opacity. 

After the  layer image change: 

Next i noticed that the bottom of the hood and the top of the face needed  darkening. This was done by using the  burn tool on the main portrait layer. I also added a red filter, only slightly  to counteract the green. I also added a levels adjustment layer, just to add a darkness to the image. This was inspired by the dark and moody theme I wanted to achieve.  This was the end result <<

Next was the portrait change: 

This screen grab shows the portrait change. Here the model has her hair down and the hood not up. She is also slightly smiling and the image really doesn't look as dark as I want. I also think that her face isn't framed enough, unlike the model above. This led me to change the image again. 

Image change:

This image shows the portrait change and I find this portrait really adds something to the image. I have uploaded a bigger version below the screen grab. 

There are a few weaknesses of the image, one being that the top of the model hood distracts from the models face and also adds a comical view on the image, it being a cone etc. However, a strength of the image is that the face is framed by the models back and if i changed its place, I feel like it wouldnt be as effective. Below I have experimented with the positioning.  I also like that the ripples in the hood make the face look worn down and like the wolf has got her. Another idea is tears. The models emotion also adds to my main idea of dark and moody images.


Positioning changes/experimentation:

Ruth edits:

Again I started with simple editing and looking for my favourites. 

 

 

Here, I shot the model walking down a path. The location was chosen after looking at the story itself and wanting to show similarities in the book and my images. I was adjusting the saturation, to make the reds brighter and more vivid. When, I desaturated it and made it lighter. This is what happened, even though the image doesnt really show red riding hood, I do think its a very appealing image. This is because of the composition of the image, the model is in the middle of the image, which makes her the main focus. This is also backed up by the leading line of the path. The light green of the flowers also harmonises with the brigh green location, this also adds to the appeal of the image.

I will be thinking about using this image as a possible over lay. This would also symbolise walking away from something, perhaps the wolf. Or it could symbolise someone hiding and being a different person inside, if placed over a portrait.


This image is a close up of a more fashion orientated model. She is looking into the camera, while her hood is up. This is casting a shadow over her face and adds to the dark feel I wanted to express in my images. The background is out of focus, due to there being a narrow depth of field. There is alot of grain in this image, specifically on the models face, this shows a high ISO.
For this image, I simply changed the levels slightly, then increased the saturation. I also used the burn tool to add emphasis on the models eyes and eyeliner. I hoped this gave a more darker feel to the model, instead of it being more fashion orientated.

Next I tried overlaying two images and using different models. 

 This image shows the opening of little red riding hood, by brothers grimm. It has been overlayed onto a portrait of red riding hood. I gained inspiration from Jean Loup Lafont. I decided to use a simple text ontop of a black and white image. This made the image very simple but also made the image lose the conotations of Little red. I think that the font was too plain and the background image also isnt too appealing and effective.

This image shows the change of font and image change. I personally like this image as the font seems more childish and audience appropriate. The font has a lowered opacity, yet it still readable. However,I think the image needs colour.

This image shows a overlay of a portrait and a landscape. Both images are in colour, which shows the contrast between the red hood and the green landscapes. The leaves are covering the models face, which suggests she is part of nature. This image doesnt really appeal to me as it doesnt seem dynamic and really eye catching. However, I think the colours work well and the next images that I overlay will have the same. I also like the path with the model as it links to the story.










This image shows an overlay of the two images at the top of the page. I really like the way the models face is captured between the second image models back. The opacity change allows both images to be seen. I have applied a slight burn to the top of the models head, just underneath the hood, to create a bigger/darker shadow and to add more mystery. However, I feel like this image can be improved. This could be by changing the colour/ turning it black and white or changing the portrait. Perhaps to a different model?

Contact sheet two - Ruth as Little Red - more fashion orientated

 

Shots are not really interesting and what im looking for. Not dark, too fashionable - only shows the back. Might use for overlay. 

Exposure drops down a few levels, really like the green, red and black contrast. Some of the landscapes may be used for overlay. Some of the portraits may be used for portraits and possible final. 

Images of model in the daisies wont be used. This seems not dark enough and too girly. Even though they are very attractive, by the angle. 

Photographs of props wont be used. Also first few lines of model preparing herself wont be used.

Like photographs of shoes, think this should be used for overlay. The lighting here is a little off and overexposed. 

Megan edits:

I really wanted to capture dark and moody images and wanted my editing to help express this through my images. I first started by doing simple edits, changing levels etc.

(Across) This image is a close up of the model, she is almost glaring into the camera. This is something I really wanted to achieve in my images as she seems moody and has an unstereotypical way of portraying red riding hood. The contrast between the red of the hood and lips really contrasts with the bright green landscape, the paleness of the models skin and the black ribbon.
As for editing, this wont be a final as I don't think its striking enough. For this, I adjusted the levels of saturation, on the hood and lips, to make them stand out and be very vibrant. I also slightly raised the saturation on the green location, however, it does look over saturated. I also cut out the models face, leaving the eyes and lips, and added a Gaussian blur. This was only slight but gave the models face a smoothness and made her almost doll-like.



This image is another lightly edited shot. Here, you see more of the models outfit and specifically the cape. I really like this image for the red reflection on the models face. This gives the models cheeks a blush, this was also affected by me raising the saturation of the red in the image. I like this as the model seems very fashionable, but doesn't portray the usual views of red riding hood.
Again, I used a Gaussian blur on the face, just to stop any red marks and unsmoothness on the skin. Again, as this image isn't highly edited and attracting to me, I wont be using this as a final.

The image across shows a full body shot of the model sitting on a wall. She is looking away from the camera, this suggests she isnt aware of the cameras presence or that she doesnt care and is confident. She is wearing a cape, which drapes down the wall, this to me is really attracting as it reminds me of a curtain that blocks her feelings. It also makes me try and see shapes. The model is wearing typicaly 'goth' and dark clothing. This was used to show a different, darker side to the story. I like the way the red in this image really contrasts and is vivd compared to the dark, almost black background. This forces the focus onto the red cape and the model herself.
For editing, I adjusted the levels slightly, I still wanted the image to be very dark and underexposed. I then adjusted the saturation on the red only, this also picked up the pinkness of the cheeks. I also added a slight gaussan blur on the models face, just to make it smoother and more appealing.

Here, I tried to overlay two images. I really liked these two individually and wanted to try the style of Nir Arieli.  I do think this image is very striking and modern. This also is very different to the usual red riding hood shots i have seen. However, I think it could be improved and needs to be experimented with. On the other hand, I really like the use of overlay and will experiment with this more.













 Here, I changed the blending mode to 'lighten'. This has made the background lighter and has increased the saturation. It has also made the detail in the two images more visable and compared to the above experiment, this is the stronger. However, I am uncertain of those two images working together and feel like I need to experiment with image types, models positions and even blending modes and opacity changes.

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Here, I wanted to try adding a red hue to the images. This was to express danger and to also combine and portray the theme of red riding hood. However, I found that the red made the image lose some of its impact on the viewer and that I wanted to achieve the contrast between the red cape and the dark green location.












I experimented with changing the hue to blue and green just to see the difference in images. This really reminded me of the work by Andy Warhol, but as I have previously used this technique I decided not to expand.
Like the red, I prefered the original coloured iamge more. The same reason applies here, I wanted to achieve the contrast between the red cape and the dark green location.

Contact sheet one: Megan as Little Red!

This photo shoot was done in a rural part of Derby. I chose this for the amount of pathways, forests and little corners of shade which added context to the image and also made the images seem dark. Halfway through my contact sheet, you'll see that the exposure drops down a few levels. This was done to add a dark shade and effect to the images. This really interested me because the red seemed to really pop and contrast with the green location.

How to experiment: Research - Jean-Loup Lafont

This photographer has used a handwritten font on a glass panel and photographed it. To me, this looks like another layer, on photoshop, that he has added. This inspires me to think about fonts and add extra layers to my images.

In this image, there is a glass screen with writing on. The writing is repeated and gives the viewer more context about the photographer’s day. I plan to experiment with overlaying text on a portrait; this text could be an extract from the book or the models comment. This again would give the viewer more context on the image. The image is in colour and you can see the bright yellow house behind the glass panel. This gives the viewer the impression of a sunny, hot country, from reading the text, you find out its Vienna. There is a narrow depth of field; this makes the text the main focus of the image. Also the blurred background makes the viewer curious to what else is happening.  This image inspires me to think carefully about what my image shows and what I overlay. This could be text or another image. I could try overlaying a pattern on my images or perhaps using materials and transparent paper/roll to write my text on.

How to experiment: Research - Nir Arieli

This artist uses photoshop to overlay portraits of males. Mainly, these are shot in the studio and show the model in different directions. This really inspires me to make my model do different positions and then overlay then on photoshop. I would like to use different colours, perhaps have one layer in black and white and the other in partly colour and black and white, colour splash. For the location, I will need a low f number and a narrow depth of field. This is so the background isn't really distracting from the model(s).

Image 1:                                                                      Image 2:


Image one:
In this image, you see a multiple exposure of a male model. They are topless and are looking in different positions, two of the exposures are looking to the left, while the end one is looking into the screen/camera. This gives direct address to the viewer and also makes the model seem more confident. The background is plain and really makes the forground the main focus. It also seems to lighten the skin tone of the model and the tone matches the background. The image is in colour, the pink to white gradient background symbolises feminity, which makes it attractive to female audiences. This makes me think that these images are really fashion based. The exposure in the middle really inspires me to try having two images overlayed, one of these could be the back of the person, this will be red riding hood and will show the hood and outfit of the model. I could also have the other image as a close up portrait of the model.

Image two:
This image shows another mutliple layer/exposure of a male model. This image has a blue background and a blue filter on top. This gives the whole image a cold feeling and also symbolises masculinity. In this image, the models are looking to each side, this really makes the image catching as first the viewer focuses on the middle of the image. When looking closer, the viewer sees that the middle image shows multiple facial features, etc eyes. This adds a surreal feel to the image. This again inspires me to try overlaying two images, either two portraits, a portrait and a landscape or a portrait and a full body shot.