Having received my product in the post I am extremely happy with the finish and quality of the print and the overall aesthetics of the book are just as id anticipated them to be. Originally I was aiming to create a handmade wooden slipcase for my book but unfortunately I was unable to get the tools to allow me to construct the slipcover to the standard that I would have been happy with. As the slipcase is ultimately a reflection of the product inside it, I was not prepared to compromise on its quality therefore I felt the best option was to get the slipcase made by a professional company. I decided on a matt black textured finish , to mirror the exterior of the book and in keeping it with the sleek, modern and professional look I am aiming for. Unfortunately when I received the slipcase it was slightly too small for the book. I will try and resolve the problem with the manufacturer and get another one made, however I will still submit the original slipcover to show how I intended the book to be presented.
The finished product...
Throughout the past week I have been completing the layout and design of my book using the Blurb Book smart application. I have found the programme extremely simple to use, enabling me to design my book accurately and design and effective layout for my images. After I had conducted and chosen my final images I had to ensure they were all in the correct format and proof check my images for printing to ensure maximum quality once printed. I wanted the imagery within the book to be varied and dynamic and have chosen to include a mixture of full bleed, cropped and close up macro shots. I also decided to included a snippet of each image on the text page to entice the reader to question the material used and increase ambiguity. I also wanted to add an introduction at the start of the book to give it context. I am happy that my text reflects the content and purpose of my book - the layout is modern and quirky, which is reflected in my choice of font and use of bold words/ different line spacing throughout. I have now started to source materials to make the slip cover whilst I am awaiting delivery of the finished product and have chosen to make a mock up using Plywood for the main structure. I have also analysed the budget for my project and although the cost of the book has been more than originally anticipated, I have come under budget for model and material fees. I have ben able to increase my budget as the project developed to ensure I did not compromise on quality.
Final shoots
This week has been a very crucial week in the development process of my major project as it has been the last week to complete shooting before the final editing and printing of the book. This week I conducted my final two shoots, one using tin foil and the final one using crepe paper. I had issues with my model letting me down for the tin foil look I had planned so I had to work very quickly and condense the time I had to shoot it as I had to find a last minute model. As a result the images did not turn out how I would have liked, and I found the material very hard to work with. Although I had previously tested the material I had not created a whole look and covered the whole face, which was not achievable in the time that I had to do the shoot. However the last shoot using crepe paper I was very pleased with. Due to using wet crepe paper I was able to work very quickly with the material and I feel successfully created a subtle but textured look. I intended the paper to be translucent and wanted it to mould and crease around the models features and over the eyes which was particularly effective on camera as it almost looked like the model had a 'second skin'. This week I also conducted the last three product shots, shooting all the images myself within the photographic studio which was very successful. I have started to incorporate the still life shoots in with my book layout which so far is working very coherently and effectively. I have also written the introduction for my book therefore overall I am making very good progress and I am on schedule to send my book off to print this coming week.
Product shots
This week after listening to feedback from both Sharon and Yvonne, I decided to conduct some still life shots of the materials I have used so far. My intention is to create visually exciting , detailed and varied abstract shots using a macro lenses to pick up the intense detail and form of the materials. This will break up the shots within the book allowing the images to flow, showing the dynamics of the materials and a contrast/journey between the raw product and the end shot. I had to ensure that these images were just as strong and striking as the original shots I have done as they have to intensify, enhance and support my concept and imagery.
Progress presentation
This week I was able to discuss my progress throughout the project so far and acknowledge the action points I need to put into place. I found presenting my ideas to all three tutors very helpful as they were able to give me group feedback and I was able to step back and view my work from a different perspective. After showing images from the 5 shoots I have conducted so far, I feel very happy and confident with what I have produced up to date. I feel my images are very strong and work coherently together as a series for my book, and I have a strong action plan in place for the next few weeks and feel my time management has been good. The areas that I could improve upon this week were to re-define the target market as I had changed my mind a couple of times throughout the project and was reminded that it is important to not loose focus as to who I am making the book for. Also to define the title as it was noted that maybe it was not strong enough. Overall I feel so far I have made good progress and I am on track with my work. This week I have conducted a further two shots, one using labels and the other using Icing sugar. Both shoots I feel are strong and I am really pleased with how they have turned out. The action points I have now set myself are to edit the two shots I have done this week, and to conduct the final two shots this coming week.
W/C 17th March
This week I had planned on shooting two looks, however one of my models let me down last minute so I was only able to shoot 1. I shot the look using plaster cast which created a really interesting pattern/ texture on the models face. Originally I had planned to cover the whole face creating a 'mask' like aesthetic, however during the application process the plaster started to peel off the skin very quickly as it dried so I was unable to cover the whole face. I had to work extremely quickly with the product and it was extremely hard to get it to mould to the curvatures of the face. Similar to the other shots I have done, the images I found to be the most successful were the close up shots as they showed great detail and abstract qualities. This week I have focused on editing all my images , placing them in sequence and playing around with layout as well as preparing for my progress presentation. I have also tested the use of icing on the face as I had the idea to use it for my wet product look. I feel this will be really effective as the different consistencies of icing will allow it to drip and stick to the face and also as it dries it will create a cracked texture. I will aim to shoot this look and the label look next week. I have decided on the title RE:CONSTRUCT for my book . I was drawn to the word reconstruct as it symbolises how I am trying to take a material and re-build or re-work it in an unusual way that challenges how everyday materials are constructed. Using the abbreviation Re: gives the title a twist so that it can read Reconstruct and Re:Construct. (regarding construction).
Development
The aim for this week again is to continue shooting and editing final images for the production of the book. I have decided to use online book publishers Blurb, after researching several options in London. I have received good feedback from professional photographers who have used the company and have recommended they provide a good service that is good quality but also within my budget. This week I have been experimenting with the layout a lot more, creating abstract layouts for my images. Last week I was only able to shoot 1 more image although I was hoping to shoot at least two. I used ring binder labels applied to the face, then covered the face in light foundation before removing the labels to create a circular abstract look on the face. Originally I wanted to apply them down the neck/shoulder area but I ran out of resources during the shoot. Despite this I am very happy with the outcome and believe this looks contrasts well with the other shoots I have done so far. I have also been thinking about a title for my book and so far I am drawn to words such as de-construct , re-construct , unexpected ,form, ordinary/extraordinary. I will continue to use these words as inspiration to create a title and paragraph for the beginning of the book.
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