Work Diary - Shoot 7: Mental Illness Studio

Evaluation

One of the main reasons why I chose the 'Issues and Observations' project is because I wanted to experiment with ways to portray Mental Illness within my photography. Overall for this project, I have produced two shoots, one on location and one in the studio based on mental illnesses. For the Studio shoot, I decided to use both black and white backgrounds as I wanted to create a variety of different edits. The focus for this shoot was to create images that portrayed the types of feelings and thoughts that people who suffer with mental illnesses go through, daily. I also wanted to create a story with all of the images together, so I used the same model throughout. Using the influence from both Christian Sampson and Daryna Barykina, I decided to produce extreme and powerful photos that shocked viewers and made people think. Therefore, the photos create confusion. However, with context, those who suffer with mental illnesses may relate to the emotions within the images themselves. For instance, most of the images are dark and full of anger and frustration, which personally, is one of the main emotions I feel daily about my mental illness. For the basic portraits, my camera settings were 1/125, F8 and ISO 200. However, for some of the images I used a slower shutter speed such as 0"5 or 4" or 1/8 to create a blurred effect. I experimented with different shutter speeds so that I could create different blur effects in my photographs without editing the image too much. 

During the shoot, I took a lot of ordinary portraits of my model so that I could manipulate them through different editing techniques on photoshop, this being one of those shots.  I asked my model before I took the shot to look as though they were screaming. For this photo, I darkened the background so that it was completely black. I then used the Liquify filter, and used the enlarger tool to enlarge my model's mouth. I wanted to create an image like this because it resembles the feelings of frustration from not being heard. Most people who suffer with mental illness don't talk about it enough or stay silent completely, which causes anger and frustration for them because they don't let their troubles out, and that is exactly what this photo signifies. 

This is one of the images I shot with a slow shutter speed to blur the image. I asked my model to look directly in to the camera, and then asked them to sway side to side, whilst walking towards the camera. I wanted to create an image whereby there were more than one of the model. I wanted to do this to create the illusion of multiple identities/personalities. This photo in particular interests me because the two blurred copies of the model are different colours, one has a slight orange tint, whereas the other is completely red. As I didn't use multiple flash, and just used a slow shutter speed instead, the model himself is standing still and in focus in the centre of the image and then the copies of him are at each side of him. 

Progression

For my next shoot I want to focus on Domestic Violence and the effects the abuse can cause for victims. I plan to use a woman for this shoot, as I want to create fragile and vulnerable images that resemble the feelings of a victim realistically. Domestic violence happens to both genders, however it is more common for a man to abuse a woman than it is the other way around. To do this shoot, I'm going to use makeup and special effects face paint to create 'fake' bruises on my model. 

Work Diary - Shoot 5: Addiction

Evaluation 

Moving on from Street photography and the 'observations' side of this topic. I wanted to focus more on certain social issues, the first being Addiction. Therefore, I decided to take photos on Location at home, and set up a mess of different tablets and pills on a table, along with different bottles of alcohol. For these photos, I wanted to make it look as though the two had been mixed, so I made my model hold some pills, and also spilt the 'wine' all over the table as though the model had knocked it over. I also used empty bottles of alcohol to make it look as though the person in the photos had drunk it all. Addiction is a versatile issue as people can become addicted to a lot of different things, such as tablets, alcohol, drugs, sleeping etc. Through these images, I wanted to show the extreme side of what addiction can cause, which in these images is an overdose or bad mix of tablets and alcohol. I decided to do this shoot at home instead of in the studio, as it makes it look more realistic and less staged. 

In this photo, we can see a variety of empty packets of different tablets, as well as loads of them spilled out, and some in my models hand. I took this photo without the models face in, so the main focus was on the tablets that were in their hand and spilled everywhere. I edited this photo black and white to make it more dark and sinister, but also so the photo was less bright and colourful. In this image, we can only see the tablets and not the alcohol, and that is because I wanted to take photos of them individually, as somebody can be addicted to one or the other, but I also wanted to shoot photos of them both as one could be addicted to them both, which is what makes them even more dangerous and sometimes fatal. 

In this photo, I decided to angle the camera so that we could see the model's face through the spilled wine glass, as this distorts the image but also frames the model's face. On the right side of the image we can see empty bottles of alcohol, and on the right we can see a spilled glass of red wine. I made sure the focus was on the bottles and glass, rather than on the model, as they are in the background, and I wanted the focus to be on the alcohol as that is what is addictive. Like the image above, I decided to take a few photos of just alcohol as well as some just of the tablets. In this image, the model also looks as though they are passed out, which shows the effects of what addiction can cause. 

Progression

For my next shoot, I have decided to focus on the issue of mental illness, and how it is viewed in society and what suffering with mental illness can make people feel like. I also want to learn new editing techniques to create abnormal and creative images, that will help to create the types of feelings and thoughts through overlaying different images and using different filters. 

Work Diary - Shoot 6: Mental Illness Location

Evaluation 

For this shoot, I wanted to try and produce a mental illness shoot, on Location. To do this, I decided to travel to the town carpark, and also to a high bridge over the train station, because I wanted to take photos of the height, and photos of a model looking as though they were considering to jump. However, I didn't want to create gory and uncomfortable images, I wanted to create photos that made people think. I wanted to bring awareness to how some people may feel after being bullied or by suffering from any kind of illness on a daily basis. I also wanted to create relatable images, as in some of the shots my model is just sitting down on the bridge looking through the bars and watching the trains go by, which is kind of mesmerising. In some of the shots, I actually captured some trains going by which added to the images. Also, in a couple of the images, I just included my models hands within the shots, holding the bars. This was to make it look like a prison cell, like the model was trapped whilst the world goes by, which resembles the feeling of being lost and lonely. Mental illness is an issue within society as it isn't fully accepted, and often people who suffer with some form of mental illness, feel as though they can't speak about it. By using my photography as a way to express certain feelings and thoughts, I can create images that are relatable and make people feel less abnormal or different, as mental illnesses are so common but aren't talked about enough. 

This is one of the shots I took whilst on the bridge by the train station. I like this shot because it isn't personal as we can't see the models face, but we can see their legs hanging from the bridge over the train station. This photo was taken at a fortunate moment, as a train is actually coming past, which gives the photo a dangerous feel. Even though there isn't much in the photo, it is quite powerful as the model is sitting at a great height, above a train track. 

For this photo, I made sure the bars and the models hands were in focus, and not the background. This is so the hands and bars became the main focus, and were paid attention too. The bars look like prison bars and as the model is gripping on to them, it feels as though they are trapped within the bars. Even though the background is blurred, we can still see the train track and how heigh the bridge is above it. I edited this image into black and white to emphasise the different tones in the image, as there are a lot more darker tones and shadows near where the model is standing, but in the background it is much brighter and there are more lighter tones. This contrast portrays how the model may have been feeling at the time, dark and depressed, whilst the world seemed bright and happy outside of the bars. 

Progression 

I plan to do a follow up of this topic, but shooting in the Studio instead. This is because I want to use the soft boxes in order to control the lighting myself, making it darker or brighter depending on the image. I also want to take normal portraits in the Studio, and then use different editing techniques to create abnormal images that represent different types of mental illnesses, like Christian Sampson has done through his work. 

Work Diary - Shoot 3: Abandoned Houses

Evaluation 

For this shoot, I planned to show the contrast between my previous shoots of busy London, with this shoot of derelict and deserted houses that have been abandoned due to the owners moving away. I visited these homes and went inside to check out the condition, and most of them were completely cleaned out with shattered glass everywhere, others still had mirrors on the walls in the hallway and bathroom. It was interesting to see houses that weren't homes anymore, the wallpaper had been ripped down and furniture was missing. These houses felt eerie and creepy, because they were empty. In this shoot, I literally just took photographs of what I saw, so empty living rooms, dark hallways and broken glass. These photos were all taken with natural light, as I was on Location and my camera settings were F11, 1/125 and ISO 200.

This is one of the photos in the first houses I visited, which was completely empty apart from planks of wood leaning against the walls in the living room and kitchen. There is something about these images that makes them creepy and uncomfortable, and I think this is due to the emptiness and darkness within the places. In this photo in particular the windows have been smashed in, and so there is glass all over the wooden floors. 

This photo is especially interesting as we can see the underneath of what used to be carpeted or laminated, therefore it is all dirty and dusty. In the corner of the room, there is old crumpled newspapers that have been left there, along with other rubbish. This photo shows how dirty homes get without maintenance or owners, and also shows how neglected these houses are. In this photo we can slightly see that the window is bordered up with wood because it has been smashed in by somebody. 

Progression 

As my aim for this topic was to venture into different issues and explore my own views through my photographs, I have decided to move away from observing places like London and the abandoned houses, and now what to focus on issues such as homelessness, addiction, mental illness and domestic violence. I think these shoots will be a lot more in depth as they will be far more interesting, and I will be able to explore through camera techniques and editing as well. 

Work Diary - Shoot 1: People of London

Evaluation 

For this shoot, I wanted to begin the project of 'Issues and Observations' with influence from photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Homer Sykes, Tony Ray-Jones and Martin Parr. These photographers all shoot street photography, of people in the streets and of different settings and events. I enjoy shooting street photography as the photographs are somewhat natural and realistic, with a true reflection of the time and place. Plus, that particularly occasion may never happen again, therefore that photograph is the only evidence of it actually happening. My plan for this shoot was to just walk around the most popular parts of London, and literally observe my surroundings. Such as, the people taking photographs of the London Bridge, Tower Bridge, the boats on the River Thames, people jogging, people out with their families etc. A lot of the images that I shot were taken very quickly so parts may be blurred, but I believe this adds to the effect of the image being realistic and showing the movement from the rush of the public. Some of the photos I took underground in the train stations, developed quite grainy as the lighting was dark and I didn't have a chance to change my camera settings from the usual ISO 200, F11, 1/125. However, after editing the images into black-and-white, I think this created a rustic, edgy vibe to the underground photos. 

This is one of the images I shot along the walkway passed the tower bridge. Here, we can see a man taking a modernised 'selfie' with his phone, of him and the tower bridge behind him. I took a few images similar to this with lots of different people, as I think it shows the modern-age of society, and how camera phones have evolved, along with technological creations such as the 'selfie'. Despite the fact that the man is posing for his own photograph, technically he was not posing for the photo I was taking, therefore this is kind of like a 'behind the scenes' shot, which is quite realistic. Although the man is the main focal point for the image, I also like that I was able to capture some of London and the River Thames in the background of this shot as well, as it gives the photo more context behind it. This image is a lot like the images Martin Parr has taken of people using their mobile phones in museums and in the streets etc. 

This is a shot I took on the London Bridge, of a homeless man begging for help. Although I didn't intentionally plan on shooting any homelessness within this shoot, I decided to use this photo anyway because London is unfortunately filled with homeless people, so it truly identifies the place. This photo makes you feel sympathetic towards the man, as he looks cold huddled with his blanket. In this photo in particular, he looks very unhappy and lost. Although this image creates a negative emotion, I think the impact of images like this are huge as they show people what is obvious, but ignored on a daily basis. 

Progression 

For my next shoot, I plan to shoot in London again, but this time focus on the sights and views of London. Particularly popular places such as the London bridge, Tower bridge, the O2, the Shard, and all the different train stations. As even though we observe people, we also observe views and landscapes on a daily basis, and I want to explore this through my photos of London in the next shoot. 

Work Diary - Shoot 4: Homelessness

Evaluation 

For this shoot, I initially wanted to travel to London and take real life photographs of homeless people. However, at the time, it was difficult to get myself to London. Therefore, I decided to dress a model up, and 'act' out Homelessness. To do this, I used make-up to make my model look dirty and run down, and I also asked them to wear really big, and old clothes. This shoot was on Location as this was the most appropriate, and I positioned my model on the floor as well as on a bench, with a blanket and a sign that said "Spare Change?". I also set the scene with a old, ragged cloth with some money on it. I think this worked well because it allowed me to recreate the most extreme circumstances for a homeless person, such as dirtiness and feeling incredibly cold. Homelessness is a very common issue worldwide, with more and more young people becoming apart of the figures. I wanted to create realistic photos that make people think twice. I want these photos to induce sympathy and discomfort, as this will make people become more aware about the issues that surround them on a daily basis. 

In this photo, I asked my model to sit on a bench, with a blanket around him, holding the cardboard sign. In this photo you can see the dirtiness of my models face and hands, and we also ripped the sign around the edges to make it look a lot more ruined and stained as well.  I included a lot of the background within this image as I wanted it to be clear that the model was outside. Also, because there is a lot of background, we can see that it has been raining as the wall and plants look quite damp, which indicates that the model must be cold and wet. This photo shows that homeless people have to go through all sorts of conditions, and extreme weather changes. 

In this image, the focus is mainly the model and the dog, as it is a close-up. I have also edited the image into black and white, as this emphasises the make-up on the model, which looks like dirt, and also makes the photo feel more sad and depressing. The model is looking directly into the camera with quite an unhappy expression, but the dog is looking away with its head tilted downwards. Again, emphasising the unhappiness within the photo. In this photograph, the model is lying down on the bench, to show that this is where they sleep. The photo is quite dark so we cannot see the background, however I think this holds the focus on the person and the dog. 

Progression

If I were to re-shoot or continue this topic, I would go up to London and take photos of real-life homeless people. Seeing as I couldn't do that for this shoot, I think my photos portray my message well, and also show what being homeless is like for some people. These photos were meant to remind people that this is how some people have to live, on the streets, in the cold, with hardly anything keeping them alive. I wanted to create images that made people think about the meaning behind them. For my next shoot, I plan to express the issues with addiction, such as drugs and alcohol. Each shoot contains a different issue, but each issue is just as important as the other, which is why I've chosen to focus on lots of different issues rather than just one throughout this project. 

Work Diary - Shoot 8: Domestic Violence Part 1

Evaluation 

Within this shoot, I wanted to capture the horrors of Domestic Violence. As Domestic Violence against women and men is unfortunately, such a common occurrence, I wanted to highlight the ultimate extremes of what this kind of violence can lead too - which is basically death. This is part 1, as I plan to do another shoot with Domestic Violence in my exam. In my exam shoot, I plan to use a white background to emphasise the bruises a lot more, and I will also be using the same model. The bruises become significantly worse within both shoots, as I wanted to start small, and build up the bruises to the extremes, as some Domestic Violence cases don't always go as far as death or close to it, sometimes it's just bruises. For this shoot, I used face paints to create the bruises on my models face, and shot an array of images of my model looking worried, sad, scared and desperate. The photos do get worse throughout the shoot, with more bruises. For my exam shoot, I also plan to use fake blood to create more gory images. Domestic Violence is one of the many issues that I wanted to explore within this topic, along with mental illness and homelessness. My camera settings were F8.0, ISO 200 and 1/125. 

This is one of the last images I took, and within this image there are bruises on my models face, including her nose and lips, around her neck in the shape of a hand-print. Obviously these 'injuries' are incredibly extreme, but I wanted to create frightening images to make people more aware of what could happen if a victim does not speak out. I used very low lighting so that the photo was quite dark, but still highlighted my models face. I asked my model to look sad and exhausted, as I wanted to express how some victims could feel, like giving up and giving in is the only answer - which it isn't. 

In this image, I asked my model to wear a couple of rings on her wedding finger, I then placed her hand on her face, and spaced out her fingers so that she was looking through the spaces. I wanted to do this, because it is more common for a woman to be a victim of Domestic Violence, and most of the time it is completely hidden. Like the models face, Domestic Violence can be hidden away through fake smiles and laughter, and some couples pretend to be the happiest, in order to hide what is truly happening behind close doors. Therefore, the models hand represents the closed doors, and what is hidden behind it is bruises and bleeding. I chose to ask my model to wear a wedding ring so that it was clear that her injuries were related to her 'marriage', and her 'husband'. 

Progression

As I said previously, I plan to recreate this shoot for my exam. However, I would like to use a white background instead to enhance the colouring of the 'bruises' and also make the photos a little brighter. I will also use fake blood to create worse injuries. In my exam shoot, I have decided that I want the injuries to increase and become worse throughout each picture, so that is a series from start to finish of minor injuries to terrible injuries. I also would like to create an animation of the injuries getting worse on my model to indicate the severity that Domestic Violence could lead too.