Research
Research on fashion studio photography:
Fashion photography is photography displaying clothes and fashion items. The photos are normally for magazines and online. A studio is a good place for fashion photography as you can control lighting and backgrounds.
From looking at examples of fashion photography I think plain backgrounds work best as they make the main focus on the model. Also it doesn't always have to be a full length portrait It could be just the models face, focusing on makeup or accessories.
MARIO SORRENTI-
Mario Sorrenti is a photographer well known for his spread of nude models in Vogue and Harpers Bazaar. I like these images because I like the lights and colours used. The first image is my favourite as the bold blue and red colours contrast against the models face which is effective. I also like that the models aren't smiling, it makes the photos look more serious.
PAOLO ROVERSI-
Paolo Rovers is a fashion photographer who works and lives in Paris. His fashion photography is different to others I have seen as his has a dark feel to them. The models expressions look quite plain and distant. I like the pale effect on the top 2 images, it gives a cool feel to them. This would be good for advertising warm clothes like coats which the model is wearing in both. I also like the dark shadow in the bottom 2 photos. It makes the images quite creepy and highlights the models face.
Research on studio advertising photography:
Advertising photography is there to show off a product. It can be used online, in magazines, posters and more. It is important for the product to look appealing to the viewer.
These photos below which I found online showy can advertise a product. You could simply photograph the product but make it appeal to the audience. For example the 7 UP can, they have used the ice and lemon to make it look refreshing to the viewer which makes it looks better than if it was on its own. The photos can also be surreal to show more effectively what the product is.
JONATHAN KNOWLES-
Jonathan Knowles is a advertisement photographer who specialist in still life. He has make work for Nike, Strongbow, Heinz and so many big brands. Knowles has quite a unique style and has won awards worldwide.
I like Knowles' work as its quite simple but bold. The top 2 images are good how they've taken away the cup so you can see what is in the drink. The dark colours of the background go well with the main subject. I also like in the last image the background is made up of the colours of the nail varnish, it shows the colours available but also makes the photo more interesting and bolder.
NORI INOGUCHI-
Nori Inoguchi is a luxury still life photographer based in New York. He has produced work for many famous magazines and brands. He photographs a lot of different products such as electronics, cosmetics, jewellery and fashion items.
Inoguchi's work is good as there it shows of the product well. I like the first image as the different tones of red work well together and contrast again the white cream. I also like the reflection on the bottom photo.
Fashion
Statement of intent:
I am going to take portraits of models wearing different types of clothes, such as velvet and denim. I am going to use techniques I have learnt in other studio units to make them look more professional. I am going to use a white and black background to make the main focus on the clothes.
Shoot 1
This is how I had the studio set up for the white background photos in shoot 1 and 2. I had two lights facing the background to expose it then 2 in the front pointing at the model. For the black background I used just one light facing the model. This worked well as it created more interesting shadow.
On the first shoot the models wore velvet clothes, I used the white background to make the photos look brighter. I would like to try this again but have a colourful background and props to add a party feel to them. I could make it so I was advertising party/ going out clothes.
Shoot 2
I am happy with these photos as I think they show off the denim off well. I prefer the black background as it highlights the denim and makes the clothes the main focus.
Reshoot
For this shoot I used a purple background with two lights facing the model. This worked how I wanted as I wanted the background to be quite dark.
I decided to do a reshoot to try out a different background, I like the purple background as it changes the mood of the photo. It tried out different props such as bubbles and party poppers. I experiment with how to include them in the photo but they weren't successful.
Editing
I edited the most successful images to correct the exposure on the background and to also experiment with ways to make the photos more interesting.
To begin with I adjusted the levels to make the background look more white.
I experimented with the artistic tool and used the option that changes the colour. I like how it makes the photo look quite faded. I think this effect would work well if I was shooting a vintage fashion shoot.
I then used the diffuse glow filter, I think this makes the photo look quite unique. Its a good way of enhancing the denim as it has made that the most detailed area of the image.
I tried out the sketch filters but didn't like how they looked on this image.
To make this photo more interesting I used a similar photo and put them together. I put the opacity down on the second image to make the first on the main focus. I like how this looks because you can see both front and back of the dress.
For this photo I selected the denim then inversed the selection. I faded the areas that were selected, this made the denim stand out more.
Final Images
Advertising
Experimented with ideas
To start I used objects to advertise, I used sweets and makeup. I found it difficult to photograph as the object where small and I found it hard to get a interesting composition.
I then got asked to take a photo to advertise a Facebook and Instagram page. I included pencils to link with the page but again found it hard to get an interesting composition.
Statement of intent:
I decided using people is a good way to make the photos more intriguing to look at. I plan to advertise glasses, I will use models to show off the product.
Images:
I used my studio kit at home for this shoot, its quite hard to shoot in a studio in a small space but I am happy with the results. I used a purple and black background as I wanted quite dark colours. I then had two lights tilted downwards at the model to stop the reflection in the glasses.
The models I used was people who I knew and simple asked them to sit while I took there photo. This resulted in a natural looking pose. I used a seat which would make them more comfortable and was easier for me in the small space I had. I had to be careful so sometimes I asked them to look away from the light. My favourite poses was were the model was looking away from the camera, I prefer how it looks more natural.
Editing:
First I used to spot healing tool on Photoshop to get rid of blemishes. I also increased the exposure on the models face to make it stand out more against the dark background.
I then saved a Specsavers logo and removed the background, I put this on each photo to make it look similar to the Specsavers posters. On some I also added writing which I saw quite a lot when researching their adverts. I think it makes the photos look professional.
Final Images:
Studio Essay
A photography studio can be used for advertisement, fashion, portraiture and still life. Using a studio for these types of photography is good as you can control everything in the photo. It can be easier to plan a studio shoot than any other genre of photography as you don't have to rely on the weather or ambient light.
The main equipment used in a studio is the lights, this can be continuous, flash or sometimes natural light. Light can really change the mood of a photo as where you position the light affects the shadow. Softboxes or umbrellas can be used to make the light softer. A backdrop is important, using different colours can change the mood of the image. Other equipment includes, tripod, props and reflectors.
There is health and safety hazards you have to be careful in a studio. There will normally be a lot of leads from lights, to avoid anyone tripping over you should try and tuck them away as much as possible. Also equipment and bags should be kept out of the way so no one trips over it. There are also other risks such as being burnt on the light if it isn't covered and the backdrop blocking a fire exit so you have to be careful with were and how you set up the equipment.
Advertisement photography is often done in a studio as you can create interesting composition and lighting. Advertisement can use lots of different types of subjects. It could be a still life of a product or a model wearing a certain brand. Rob Grimm is an advertisement photographer who does lot of work for drink and food companies. The way he uses other props and the lighting makes the product look appetising.
Fashion photography is often in a studio but also on location. There are benefits of both, in the studio you can control the composition and lighting easier than somewhere else. But shooting in a location and using ambient light will make the photo look more natural. You have to plan more for a fashion shoot as you don't want the model waiting as your still setting up. Tim Walker is a fashion photographer and creates some really interesting portraits in the studio. I like how he uses props to make the images unique. They tell a story and it draws the viewer in. He normally uses a plain background and this works well with the clothes the model is wearing. In the left photo it works well as he has used the name blue tone.
Still life photography is normally of a group of objects. As there is no model you have more time to experiment with backgrounds, lighting and competition. There is some techniques to get successful still life images. Using a clear background is good as it doesn't distract the viewer from the subject. You have to think about composition, what will be in the foreground and background. I think still life is the easiest of types of studio photography as you don't have the pressure of a model waiting on you to change lighting and composition. Irving Penn is a photographer who does a lot of still life photos. Some of them are quite simple with a plain background and a few objects whereas others he has positioned the objects so that the photo has more of a meaning. I noticed a lot of his still life work is taken from above, this works well as it is different to others I have seen.
Evaluation
I enjoyed the studio fashion shoot. Because the models were wearing there own clothes they felt comfortable and this shows in the photos. I decided to do a reshoot and use a pink background as I think this really changed the mood of the images. It also made the clothes stand out more compared to using a black background.
I found advertising the glasses harder. I positioned the lights higher up so I wouldn't get the reflection in the glass. I was also careful with were I told the model to look. I am happy with how the final photos look, I think the logo and writing works well as it makes it obviously what is being advertised.
Overall I think my final photos from this unit are successful and I have learnt a lot about photographing in a studio.
