BRAINSTORM
MOOD BOARD:
The objective of this unit is to explore how black and white paint is used to express war. This contrasts with my other units as I only use shades rather than vibrant colours in order to define and analyse the emotions portrayed. I have research and found many insprational pictures in which I desire to recreate in my own style.
RUO BING LI
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Ruo Bing Li is a photographer based in New york. He is well known for his work with magazines such as BLVD Magazine, Elle Vietnam, Harper's Bazaar Kazakhstan, Iris Covet Book amnd many more world wide industries. I picked out his 'blank canvas' collection as it fits well with my black and white, war paint idea. In the photographs shown in the slideshow Bing Li uses black and white paint and applies it roughly on the model, outlining certain features in order to enhance the models appearance, he plays around without applying too little or too much in order for the picture to stand out, yet not allowing the paint to over take the photo. |
KOTY 2
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Koty 2 are fashion photographers from poland; there work features on many popular magazine covers, such as VOGUE Netherlander and VOGUE Turkey, GLAMOUR Italia magazine and many more.
Focusing on paint, Koty 2's war paint photography is inspiring as it uses white paint in a simple but effective way. The paint is used to show war paint and it links to a morbid theme yet appears light-hearted and stands out against the models fair skin and dark hair. The black background creates a contrast with the white paint smothered on the model, highlighting her features. They don't just focus on the face, as they attract attention to other parts of her body, e.g. her chest, arms and hands, and her legs; paint is also included in the models hair. |
Personal favourite
I have chosen this image by Koty 2 as I feel it portrays what I intend to represent. Koty uses white paint and has applied it chaotically in order to enhance the affect of 'war paint'. The way that Koty 2 has used the model to cover her eyes in a distressed mannor enthasises the concept of war and grief assosiated with war in a hamonious way by using white paint, which in war symbolises surrender; conveying a loss of hope. This picture is aesthetcally pleasing as the models defined features and the nonchalant appearance creates an outstanding and engaging piece of art.
Photoshoot 1
For my first attempt of war paint, I used white pain; this is to represent purity. I had painted a line through the middle of her face and over her hands to create a striking look in order to capture the symmetry of my models face and to produce the concept of the battle she has faced during war by the paint on her hands which symbolises the blood on her hands. I have also scattered paint on her shoulders and chest to enhance the effect of the paint and to create a painting like effect. My model has blue eyes which creates a pleasent aesthetic. Overall I am happy with with my first attempt of my black and white photoshoot, however next time I would like to experiment and play with my lighting in order to capture my models features better.
Strongest pictures;
I feel these are my strongest images due to the outcome of the pictures, they present a clear focus on my model and are detailed, creating an aesthetically pleasing finish without the use of any photoshop. The way the paint is applied and the angle in which we view the model and the structure of the paint reveals a nonchalant effect which draws the eye directly to the model. Each imagine is unique and creative creating a different dymanic each time, yet still revealing the main representation of war paint. Overall I am very pleased with these images and found it very difficult to narrow it down to a final piece.
Photoshoot 2
For my second photoshoot I used black paint, I put a strip of black paint across her face covering my models eyes; this represents war as it is a classic war mark. It creates a sense of danger and enhances my models green eyes. I have my model present neutral, confindent and determined looks, this creates a dangerous and angry vibe, which is associated with war. I faded out the paint on her face to create a dirty and careless presence.
Strongest pictures;
I have selected these and my strongest images as the lighting creates a slight shadow whilst also shows all the models features off, also bringing out the colour and shine in my models eyes. Each picture creates a dramatic dynamic, which exaggerates the war like persona as my model has shows remorse and pain in her eyes and through each soft, yet dramatic expression on her face. Overall I am extremely pleased with these pictures as it presents a dark and remoursful look of war exaggerated through the use of the black paint.
Photoshoot 3
In this photoshoot I used white paint again, this time I used the white paint to enhance my models features whilst also creating careless yet artistic presentation. The white paint stands out against my models dark complexion which creates an aesthetically pleasing demeanor. I put paint on my models collorbones and created a scratchy effect with the paint to give it a more rustic tone. I used white paint in order to symbolise peace and sacrafice, it also is a colour used in order to surrender in war. Overall this image represents the war women go through in society in a fashionable and artistic way.
Strongest pictures;
I have chosen these pictures as my strongest due to the conrast in paint and my models complextion which causes the paint to stand out. I have chosen my best pictures from different angles to present each dramatic and artistic use of paint and one side is more structures as it defines her jawline, whereas one is recklessely aplied on her cheeks and her eyebrow and nose are outlined to create focus and to bring the paint on both sides of her face together to create an artistic finish. Not only do these images portay an artistic outcome, they also represent dicipline from the war as the paint appears stratigeic. Overall I am impressed with these images and I think that they capture the eye and creates drama exaggerating war paint in an artistic manner.
Photoshoot 4
I used black paint in this photoshoot in order to create a dark and ominous manner, the black paint sybolises anger and death; this is complimented by my models facial expressions and poses. I scattered the black paint randomly on her face and on her hands to produce a shadow effect and to heighten her features to creat a morbid look. I used a model with a light complextion and used a white background in order for the black paint to stand out and to create a more intense atmosphere.
Strongest pictures;
Carefully, I selected these images as my strongest down to the professional finish to each picture as they represent my ideas, and creates a strong and empowering atmosphere for it's viewers. Again I have chosen images from different angles in order to capture different perspectives of the war paint on my models features; the diffent poses and expressions also captue the pessimistic ambience. The black paint in these images contrasts against my models pale complextion, creating a dramatic affect whilst also setting a sinister tone. Overall I am proud of the outcome of these photographs as I have been able to capture the ominent essence from the war paint.