Shoot 1

After discussion with a lecturer, I was advised to simply shoot what I wanted and a narrative would come to me, because I am clearly drawn to certain things for a reason, which will unfold throughout this project. So in light of this, I bought props and clothing that I was attracted to either emotionally or aesthetically, and started creating work. I think even the fact that every single one of my props is a pre-owned item from charity shops could be significant to the work as it brings together items that probably all have very different backgrounds and histories in order to create one whole new narrative. These abandoned items are getting use again, and as somebody who finds myself very lonely quite often, I find something rather poetic in that.

This shoot was to give myself a starting point, a foundation to build upon and so while I don't have as many props as i'd like at this point, it's good to just shoot and let my ideas develop from there.

The day these were taken it was raining and not ideal for a comfortable shoots and so on our way into my chosen forest area, we found a collection of bushes that I decided could serve as the background for the work. It was less of a trek while carrying rather heavy items in the pouring rain, and I actually really like the way it turned out, as there is still a lot of trees and earthiness in the image, but myself as the subject is made more visible by having none of that beside or in front of me, allowing a viewer to focus on the main subject better.

In terms of props and clothing, I think I was unintentionally inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland after reading the book Breaking the Angelic Image by Edith Lazaros Honig which I have a blog post about. This is seen within the childish yet curious attitude presented by myself, the white (pure and innocent) dress, plus the brown boots which offer a sense of adventure and even boyishness, and contrasts against the femininity presented within the dress, materials such as lace, and hair. 

I also used some vintage looking books, a lace covered basket, a white painted metal cage, a tiara of sorts, a candle lamp, a wicker chair and a large mirror within a green and gold frame. The colours and materials are all feminine yet earthly, allowing the image to feel whole and interlinked with the environment the subject sits in. I also feel like the colour of my hair intertwines and harmonises with the wood tones of the images.

The following images have all been edited already, and were shot using a Nikon D810, two Nikon speedlights, and a reflector.

IMAGE 1

Compared to later images, this one has a much more 'realistic' feeling. I believe this is due to the natural facial skin texture, redness and neutral tones. 

The nettles in the image represent something that appears beautiful but when touched causes pain, perhaps hinting at the notion 'beauty is pain'. 

The lace on the dress and the basket is really visible in this image and allows for the subject and her props to be tied in together as well as representing the idea of femininity.

The pose suggests a femininity that is constant, even when rebelled against. This is because even when sitting in the chair the wrong way, and wearing boots that connotate adventure and boyishness, I as the subject still sit in a rather elegant manner; back straight, chin up and arms elongated; much like you're taught to do in ballet. 

The mirror in the image reflect the hands and the basket, which I really like because it adds extra dimension. You can clearly see the flash within the mirror as it also reflects that in the corners but I like the way that it highlights the raindrops that lay upon it, adding more texture to the image as well as offering more connotations; sadness and miserable feelings.

There is a shadow on my neck however, caused by the position of the flash being below my shoulder which then cast the shadow. This is a learning point for me, and i'll be aware of this issue for upcoming shoots. 

IMAGE 2

This image has a much more fantasy feeling to it. It poses questions and seems otherworldly which is exactly what I want to aim for. It does this by offering an item of interest; the lamp that the subject as a character is holding out, looking at with great curiosity. I don't have a story for why or how, but that doesn't mean that a viewer cannot question this and creative their own narrative to fit the story. I made sure when editing to highlight the lamp in order to show it's possible significance, which is also shown through it being shown within the reflection of the mirror. 

The mirror in this image is much more visible and feels more 'magical' as such because of this. To highlight this, I put one of the flashguns within the leaves and nettled behind me, pointing up towards the mirror. This does however also brighten a strip of the plants behind me which i'm not sure i'm so keen on, but it could be seen as some sort of magical presence. It also brightens a part of the tree that the mirror leans upon, which I think looks beautiful and suggests to an audience that something is special about this specific tree as it's the only one really visible, and the mirror that lays against it is bright and clear - it's a sense of other-worldliness. This then enhances the importance of the lamp being reflected as it seems more than a mere accident when all of these other factors are accounted for.

Again, the pose and props remain feminine, offering a contrast between the subject and the environment she's placed in, leaving the boots and the chair to intertwine the both of them.

After basic editing, I added a gradient filter that consisted of browns and blues and decreased the opacity to a very low percentage. The result is an image that feels more finished and pulled together, while also, I feel, enhancing that fantasy feeling. The whites in the dress are given a cool blue overlay, which contrasts the warmer tones in the ground and dirt. It feels less real, less from our own world because it's different to how we see.

IMAGE 3

This photograph offers a much more playful attitude due to the pose and facial expressions; the leg up and the slight smile, maybe even a smirk, is evidence of this.

The character is hugging the basket close to her but not obscuring what's inside; it's clearly a book. I personally see this as clinging to creativity and an imaginary world as that's a lot of what my childhood was spent doing.

There is a definite sense of immaturity within this image, which I think can be seen as synonymous with freedom. This is enhanced by the boots, yet again, and the environment she sits within being the outdoors and refreshing.

You can't really see the lamp that clearly in this photo, and it definitely feel like there should be more props around but as a starting point i'm happy with it.

IMAGE 4

This image feels much more confrontational than the others, due to the pose; she sits with one eye visible and glares at the viewer. It's not a friendly look, but one that makes you feel unwelcome. It adds another contrast to the femininity shown within the image through use of costume and props. The face being half covered by hair also adds a sense of mystery and secrecy.
Because of the pose, the dress also reveals more of the upper thigh, adding a sense of sexuality and provocativeness into the image, while also challenging the idea of the perfectly feminine and well mannered girl that the outfit and props suggest. Because of this, this image also has a more relaxed attitude towards it; almost freeing.
The editing in this image is much warmer toned that the previous and I think it suits this image, it seems to tie nature in with the subject and make the image feel as one, and more approachable despite the cold stare.

IMAGE 5

With this photograph you get the feeling that you've interrupted the subject during some alone time, due to the way she's turned away from you but looks over her shoulder to meet your gaze. She seems comfortable in her position her legs crossed and a book open upon her lap. The book, to me, represents her immersing herself into a whole new world, much like the viewer will be doing upon looking at this image. She holds escapism within the pages of her hands, and it's only broken by her catching your eye and looking back at you, bringing herself to reality.
This image to me has less of a focus on femininity and more a narrative of longing for something new and different. Her outfit and props do of course still suggest high class and status, but the fact that she has so comfortable immersed in a story speaks on the fact that perhaps nobody is truly content with their life and we all need to escape at some point.
I feel that the mirror could have been utilised better in this image as it doesn't really offer a reflection of much, and the props appear too stage-like; they don't feel natural within this particular image.
The toning of this is also the blue/brown gradient filter to enhance that feeling of escapism, mirroring what the subject is feeling with her book.

IMAGE 6

This image was certainly inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland subconsciously. When a friend pointed it out it seems so obvious, especially as I have recently been reading on the importance of the novel, but at the time I wasn't aware of this. This proves how literature and art can stick with us within our minds without us knowing, impacting our life and our decisions.
This image definitely needs more props to really bring out that otherworldly feeling, but for a starting point i'm very happy with it. It has a very feminine feeling within the clothing, props, pose and even bone structure visible within the image, which is challenged by the subject's need to explore and discover; you get the sense she's not supposed to be there due to her looking around curiously. She peers out of the wood, looking cautious while doing so which shows that she's not in her normal environment - a feeling that is enhanced by the contrast of her dress and her boots, the props and the muddy environment.
The placement of the mirror makes it so she looks like she's walked out of the mirror, adding a sense of fantasy and magical feeling to the image - it's something quite curious. Perhaps the props would look more suited next to the mirror because of this.
I again went with the blue/brown toning on this and I believe it suits it really well; it looks beautiful on the skin and the dress, highlighting femininity, and the browns intertwine with the nature in the image.

IMAGE 7

I attempted a few closer shots such as this, however I simply don't think they have that fantasy, otherworldly feeling I want. I believe at this point i'm aiming for escapism, and while this particular image may demonstrate a longing for escapism through the use of body language and facial expressions, it doesn't offer that to the viewer.
This is due to lack of props; it looks more like a fashion shoot than a new world.

SET UP

For most of the images in this shoot this was the set up used.
I actually really like this image, however I still definitely want people within them at this point because what most draws me into fantasy are the characters themselves, and how they react to the world around them.
Here you can see the varying textures and colours, which were picked to show an interlacing of feminine and masculine.


OVERALL

Overall, I'm really happy with this shoot as a foundation for what's next to come. I will continue to collect items that i'm drawn to, which at the moment seem to be old fashioned pieces and things with a rather rustic and natural look.
I think for my next shoot i'll remain in places with forestry as it seems to enhance the feeling of escapism, leaving behind modern day technology and allowing ourselves the freedom to be without the hassle of modern day life.