Photography heros

David Bailey
David Bailey, an English
photographer, known as one
of the nations best. When he
was younger, Bailey
developed a love for natural
history which led him down
the path of photography.
Later on he became an
assistant at John French
Studios and then was
contracted as a fashion
photographer for Vouge in
1960.
The reason I have
chosen Baily as one of
my photography heros is
because of the way he
captures the body
language of his models
and how he makes sure
every part of the body is
defined in a certain way.
It also allows me to get
an insight on how I
should take my photos
of models for the future.
In this photo by Bailey, we as the audience can
see that he has caught the body language of the
model. This allows the audience to not only see
that she is comfortable in front of the lens but it
also allows us to see the sharp edges of the
models body. Additionally, the way Bailey has
composed this photo allows us to focus on the
models expression and body language, allowing
the us to first see the hair flick but then travel
down to see how she is posed and what parts of
her are defined. Also, the use of the different
tones in this photo gives a empty mood and also
focused. The use of the lighter grey on the models
face immediately captures the audience attention
showing the focused mood that this photo brings.
To have this gradient scale of dark to lighter, Bailey
most likely used bright lights, making sure that the
models face would capture most of the light,
allowing it to stand out, but also to create
shadows on the models body, again drawing
attention to it. In my opinion they way bailey has
taken this photo allows me to think on how I
should take photos of my models, not just to
capture their pose but also their body language.
In this photo by Bailey, we can see that
Bailey has used a white background
allowing us to focus on the face of the
model. Additionally it also brings out the
models features allowing our eyes travel
down the face allowing us to first see the
eyes and then the nose and then the lips
and the shadows on the face. Again Bailey
most likely used a bright light in this photo
to allow certain shadows to form on the
face from the fur hood and nose. This gives
the photo a cold feel to it. This is
reinforced by the light effect of black and
white, the use of the light grey on the face
allows us to see the focus on the models
face, again like the other photo showing
that they arent shy in front of a lens. The
direct light also brings out these features
of the model allowing it to capture the
audiences eye. In my opinion, the way
Bailey has taken a close up portrait gives a
cold but focused mood to it which in the
future I would like to achieve.
Finally, in this photo by Bailey, the use of the
white background (and negative space) allows
us to focus on they eyes of the model and
makes us wonder what shes thinking about or
if she was thinking anything at all what Bailey
captured the photo. Additionally the use of
the white background also brings out the
other features of the model as well, this is
reinforced by the use of the direct light Bailey
has used on the models face, allowing the
eyes to have the main focus in this photo.
Additionally the framing of this photo we can
see that it is cropped allowing us to only focus
on the models face and thoughts. Again, the
use of the light grey tone on the models face
gives a concentrated mood but also a calm
one in this photo. This is because the was the
model has decided to pose shows that again
like all Baileys models that they are confident
in front of a lens which was always Baileys aim.
In my opinion the way Bailey has composed
this photo allows me to think on how I should
compose mine if I want to have my audience
focus on one main feature of the model.
Sebastiao Salgado
Sebastiao Salgado, a Brazilian
photographer who was
originally an economist but
dropped his career to became
a photographer. He has
travelled over 100 different
countries for his photographic
projects. Salgado is best known
for his long term self assigned
projects, which have all been
published so far. One project
that caught my attention is
Genesis. In this project
salgado was aiming at the
presentation of unblemished
faces of nature and humanity.
The reason I chose
Sebastiao Salgado as
one of my
photography heros is
because each one of
his photographers has
a meaning to it, such
as untouched and
unknown. I also like
the way he barely
retouches anything in
his photograph, I
would like to do
something like that in
future photos of mine.
In this photo by Salgado, we as the audience can see
a man covered in paint. The way Salgado composed
this photo allows us to see and focus on this man
making us question where hes from and what hes
part of. The use of the negative space around him
allows us to focus on him, allowing us to see his plain
facial expression and how serious it is, as if Salgado
himself was crossing the wrong path to capture
these photos. Additionally the use of the mid shot
allows us to think and see that maybe what hes part
of he is the leader of. This is reinforced by the
negative space and the black and white effect. The
use of the simple black and white tone gives a mood
a calm mood to this photo but also a dangerous
mood as it brings out the expression of the man and
the features he has. Finally, this photo was most
likely taken in natural light and most likely didnt
have much editing done to it which gives a natural
feel to the photo bringing out that a natural world is
where some thing are untouched. In my opinion, I
like the fact that Salgado didnt heavily edit these
photos ,unlike Bailey who did, as it allows them to be
more natural which is what I would like to achieve.
In this photo by Salgado, we can see a young
girl smiling at the camera as if she has never
seen one before. The composition of this photo
allows us to focus on the young girls eyes.
Showing her happiness at that point in time.
Additionally, the use of the negative space
brings out the hat the girl is wearing which
brings out the background of the photo, which
again bring out the eyes. Both of these
asspects allows us as the audience to focus on
the eyes of the child, giving this photo a mood
of happiness. Additionally the use of the mid
shot allows the audience to see her face as well
as her eyes, the use of her smile reinforces the
mood of this photo but also allows us to see
that she isnt just smiling because of the
camera but because she is happy. This photo
was most likely again taken in the natural light
and edited very little to again give the feeling
of something untouched by other humans. In
my opinion, the black and white also gives a
sense of again something that hasnt been
touched which is what I would like to achieve in
my portraits.
In this photo by Salgado, we can see a hand of some
animal. The use of the negative space in this photo allows
this part of the animal to stand out, showing the individual
scales and claws of this animal. The use of the rocks as the
background to this photo allows us to see how dangerous
this animal could be as it may just be relaxing but if
annoyed at any minute could injure a person badly.
Additionally, the use of the black and white effect to this
photo also brings out the scales of this creature but also
defines every bit of the part of this creatures body part.
Also the use of the black and white effect gives the mood
of danger and silence to this photo, showing is as the
audience that this creature is dangerous and can be
annoyed at any point. Additionally it allows us to focus on
the sharp claws the creature seems to have again bringing
out a dangerous atmosphere. In my opinion, the use of the
occurring black and white effect gives a different mood to
every photo, which is what I want to achieve so that all my
photos dont look the same and everyone has a different
mood to them.
Christoffer Relander
Christoffer Relander, a finnish
photographer who became
interested in art from an early
age and fell inlove with
photography later on. He is
best known for his multiple
exposure photography
allowing the audience to
visualize the innate
connection between humans
and nature. It also focus on
the harmony of the nature
and not the identity of the
model.
The reason I chose
Relander as one of my
photography heros is
because the use of the
multiple exposure
photos give a depth to
the photo which I
would want to achieve
and again show a
message.
In this photograph by Christoffer Relander we can see a photograph
of nature overlaid on the models face. The models expression is
calm, and we can see him looking into the distance of something.
The use of the part of a branch of a tree being edited on his face can
suggest how his expression suggests the calm nature we always have
around us and how it is reflected within him. The use of the overlay
only being with in the face and to have a white background allows
the audience to see and focus on the face and the nature within it.
The use of the black and white effect also gives this peaceful and
calm effect that nature has to a person and everything around/in
it. Also the use of the model facing at an angle allows the audience
to really the nature and the expression of the model and how both
of these photos interlink with one another showing the personality
the model has or suggesting the personality the model has. I would
like to recreate something like this but instead of nature I want to
use water. This is because in my opinion I feel that water can be a
peaceful and calming to human kind. I also want it to reflect the
models personalities showing how calm a person that can be. I am
going to be using my rain response photos too see how this turns
out and also going to be experimenting to see what effect gives the
best sense of a peaceful atmosphere.
In this photo by Relander , we as the
audience can see the models face being
over laid with a nature photo. The use of
the multi exposure photo by Relander
allows us as the audience to see how
humans and nature are one and how they
interact with one another. The use of the
plain background of this photo allows us to
focus on the face of the model, which
seems to calm and accepting for who they
are and what nature is. Additionally the use
of the plain background also brings out the
nature photo which has been over laid
onto the models face. This gives a calm
mood to the photo but also empty as the
overlay takes some of the models features
away suggesting to the audience that
nature can be overpowering and
sometimes can take away what means
most to the person. In my opinion, the use
of the multi exposure gives a calm mood to
the photo which I would like to achieve
when I experiment with doing photos like
these.
In this photo by Relander, instead of
using a human model we can see a wolf
being used instead. The overlay we as
the audience can see here is the wood
in the winter, most likely a wolfs natural
habitat to live and to hunt. The use of
using and animal instead of a human
suggests that not only are human and
nature one but that animals and their
own habitat are one as if they cant be
parted by anything. The use of the
empty background first allows us to see
the wolf and then looking closer at the
photo allows us to see the depth of
field behind it. The use of the black and
white theme again gives the photo a
calm mood showing that a wolf and
nature arent harmful to us or to each
other. In my opinion, the use of an
animal being used gives the audience a
different view point which I would like
to do in the future so that not
everything is from the same view point
allowing me to have some variation.