Final stages...

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.

 

 

Monday 3rd Tutorial

This week I recapped on the shoots I have conducted so far with Emma, Dejan and Heath. We started to discuss the composition of the images and how they become more effective when cropped or zoomed in, focusing on the detail of the material. I also started to discuss the layout of the book as I should be thinking about this at this stage in the project and starting to print out my shoots, experimenting with different layouts. We agreed it would be best to keep to 3 or 4 images per material and to include a range of close ups, in particular it was suggested that full double page spread would be effective for close up shots of the eye. With this in mind I have started to experiment with the layout of the shoots I have already done using online publishers Blurb book smart application in which you can create a book for online print. I have also collected a few names of printers that I will visit on the weekend, however a lot of the printing companies I found had a minimum amount of copies to print or were above my budget. I also went through the list of looks I plan to shoot in the next few weeks, including  liquid and metallic looks and discussed the possible materials I could use including sweet wrappers, tin foil, shampoo and Swarfega. The aim for this week is to continue shooting looks for the final book, continue editing my images and start deciding on composition and layout for the book.    

Shooting

This week I have completed two shoots that will feature in my final book. Firstly I did a final shoot of the cotton wool look as I wanted to cover the whole face of the model to create the look of a 'second skin'. This was very effective as it gave the model an almost eerie existence on camera  and I was very happy with the outcome. I feel the choice of model was successful as I wanted someone with a soft and young exterior to mirror the softness of the cotton wool but also someone with bright eyes that would stand out through the material. The second shoot I did was using egg shells. This shoot was more time consuming and required a lot more preparation. I decided to cover half of the models face as I loved the contrast between the fragmented and the smooth/natural skin of the model. The idea of crushing the egg shells before application worked very well as it is not immediately obvious what the material is. I also did a few test shots using the hands and Clingfilm which I aim to develop in the next week.

 

 

I experimented with adding black watercolour into the cotton wool to create a new dynamic when letting it bleed into the material.  

 

 

 

 Images from the eggshell shoot

 

 

Monday 24th

This week I discussed my work with both visiting mentor Madame Perepetie and Emma. I showed test shoots I had done in the studio so far and discussed my choice of materials and the direction of my work. I discussed the idea of using white office labels  I had played around with at home and showed them some test images. I noticed it created a very masculine almost beard like look when layering them on the face and when covering the whole face it mirrored that of a burka, which we discussed looks very ambiguous and more shocking/ effective interesting on a woman. Madame Perepetie discussed the idea of  developing the use of labels and perhaps staining or cutting away the labels to create different looks or even create a series from this one material. The main aim for next week is to have conducted at least two final and compete looks and start editing them for use in the final book. Also to continue developing more materials - some that have been discussed in this weeks tutorial are  balloons, cling film, liquid, metallic materials. Emma also discussed the importance of finding a printers and suggested that I have at least two or three printers in mind for when I visit London next weekend. I particularly found this tutorial helpful and motivating as we had the input and expertise of Madame Perepetie, who found my images so far very dynamic and interesting and had some good suggestions to develop my vision. 

 

 

 

Testing with labels

 

 

Testing in studio

This week I have done 2 test shoots that I feel are a major step forward from the original testing I was conducting. The images below show testing of cotton wool, and fillers earth mixed with coco powder and flour to achieve a textured and cracked look. Originally it was my intention to partially cover the face with cotton wool and although  I am very happy with the effect it gave I will further experiment with covering the whole face. Also I will need to make sure I cover the whole eye area to achieve the look of  'second skin'. The second test using fullers earth I feel was really effective. Although the model unexpectedly had facial hair, and  I feel it would have worked better without. Overall I  am  making a lot more progress with my ideas and I will continue to conduct further shots in the studio this coming week.

 

 

 

 

Monday 17th February Tutorial

During this tutorial I showed Sharon more of the testing I had been conducting over the past few weeks with various different materials as I hadn't been present for the previous two weeks. The feedback that I got was that all though I had been testing materials I had not been thinking about the choice and application of the materials enough and I had been too literal with my testing. I felt at this point I needing some motivation to kick start some ideas and although I knew where I wanted to go with the project I feel I hadn't taken advantage of the time I had to properly and freely experiment. It was suggested that I had lost track and that perhaps I should refer back to my original photographs of textures etc as inspiration for my work. Sharon showed me the works of several artists who she felt had achieved a similar look to what I should be aiming for. Looking at the works of Thomas Rusch, David Faggiano and LucyandBart really inspired and motivated me to propel my ideas and vision and make the most of my time conducting proper test shoots in the studio. The way in which they use  materials pushes the boundaries of beauty and fuses makeup and art to create something that is visually stunning and experimental. Thomad rusch exemplifies to me how cosmetics can be used to create something dynamic yet the concept is very simple. Lucyand Bart and David Faggiano take the use of materials to the extreme, the outcome is very surreal and the textures and surfaces they create on the body are stunning and effective.

Lucy and Bart

 

David Faggiano

 

 

Thomas Rusch

 

 

Tutorial 2

 After looking at Li Edelkort as suggested by Sharon, I gained a lot of insight into trend forecasting and how my concepts could relate to a trend book. However I do not want the produced book to be specifically a 'trend' book, I want it to represent my personal love of texture and unusual materials whilst being a point of inspiration, although I understand the importance of having a focused purpose for the end product. I have looked into other online book publishing companies such as swallowtail.co.uk and Pixum.co.uk. However I will aim to visit a printers in London in the next few weeks in order to personally discuss my options. I have tested some new materials - wet and dry crepe paper, small metal hooks and double sided sticky squares. I am aware that I need to test completed looks in the next two weeks to see how effective the materials will be through the lens in a studio environment. 

I have also looked  at the works of sculptures Anthony Cragg and Richard deacon as inspiration for my ideas. They have particularly inspired me to think about form, shape and line and think in an abstract way about my work. The book Unmonumental:The object in the 21st Century features artists  that use the object to create art and sculpture. This in particular has been inspiration in thinking about form and the use of the object/materials  in a new way. The book Patterns 2: Design,Art and Architecture features a wide range of patterns and designs found in architecture, sculpture and lighting for example and forces us to look at pattern and form, line and shape that exists in everyday aesthetics. 

Self-determined targets for next week:

• Test shoot on models in the studio creating a 'look'
• Contact potential photographers/Models

Experimentation

Initial  experimentation for this project has been based around collecting everyday materials and applying them to the face. Initially I was drawn towards the idea of using egg shells to create a dynamic surface on the skin, show the fragility of the material. I began by using larger fragments of eggshells to created a patterned effect on the skin. However after the initial one to one tutorial I was advised to think about how I can use and apply materials in a unique way that hasn't been done before and that pushes the boundaries of aesthetics in makeup. With this in mind I crushed the eggshells and ground them into an almost powder substance and re-applied them to the skin. The result was extremely effective and differed from the first application in that the result was much more ambiguous and the material used could not immediately be recognised. This is something I will have to focus on throughout the project to ensure I produce work that is innovative and fresh.



First experiment

Second experiment

Testing of other materials such as wet and dry paper, cotton wool and pencil sharpening can be seen below.

 

 

Tutorial 1 - Monday 27th January

Within the first tutorial I explained and recapped on my initial ideas and concept that I had put forward in my Proposal, highlighting the idea of an exploration of textures through the production of a coffee table book and the initial thought of including my own photography within it. I also showed initial photographs I have taken along with artists I have initially taken inspiration from as a starting point to my work. Sharon highlighted the importance of making my ideas novel and pushing the boundaries to create something that hadn't been seen before, mentioning the importance of showing innovation through product. I presented my visual references, test shots and artists work I have used as inspiration so far for my initial ideas. I explained the aesthetics of the images I want to create stressing that I intend the images to look very abstract, and also discussed use of materials and the need for further testing. We discussed the demographic of the book, Sharon mentioning that she would see it more as a trend book or trend package and highlighting the importance of being focused on a specific audience.  It was suggested that I look into the work of  Li Edelkort as her aesthetics are an exploration of lifestyle, attitudes and future trends. I discussed the ambiguous look of the photographs and shots I intend to use, explaining that I intend it to be very abstract, using the body as well as the face. The Possibility of breaking the book into chapters or sections was introduced by Clementine and as hair isn't my strength, the possibility of working with a hair stylist or slicked back gelled look was discussed.  As I am creating a physical book the importance of the quality of book was highlighted and a need to look into more publishers beyond Blurb was suggested, as well as looking into the possible use of  cotton paper to print. To finish the tutorial the importance of costing and model choice was highlighted, specifically focusing on the features of the  model and considering which features will be revealed in the shots.

Tasks for this week -

• Look into Li Edelkort 
• Further experimentation with products - think about innovative application and use
• Research more book publishers

Personally recorded photographs of textures

Initial inspiration

 

 

 

Zac Freeman

 

 

Valerie Hegarty

 

Jennifer Maestre

 

 

 

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