Research - Nicolas Bruno

Nicolas Bruno is an influential fantasy photographer who seems to be known for taking his surreal fantasy photography in a darker direction. I like how his images have that fantasy adventure book quality to them while also conveying a lot of suffering and deeper psychological commentry. ‘PORTFOLIO - Nicolas Bruno’. Accessed 1 June 2022. https://nicolasbrunophotography.com/PORTFOLIO.

Research - Marta Bevacqua

I enjoy Marta Bevaqua’s reoccuring use of distortion and reflection within their photography work, both in post-production and initial filming stage. I would love to create images with her work as inspiration, as I think the use of distortion and reflecting can covey a deeper meaning and narrative to an image, and also confuse the mind of the viewer. ‘Behance’. Accessed 27 May 2022. https://www.behance.net/MartaBevacqua.

Research - Muhammed Faread

I came across Muhammed Faread while looking into how to make photos more interesting during the editing stage. I am intrigued by how he uses two photos with meaning and combines them to create a new story. I feel very distanced from the subject yet I understand the surreal feeling these images communicate with the viewer. ‘Behance’. Accessed 26 May 2022. https://www.behance.net/faread. 

PhotoBook Layout Creation

During class time, we looked at some fantastic examples of photobooks done by professional photographers in the field, which really gave me an idea of what kind of layout I wanted to give my photobook. I had some experience in indesign, however I did make use of a youtube tutorial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xp3DVhld6o I found this persons techniques interesting and it prevented me from making a couple of key errors in laying out a book. I decided that I really admired the simpiler photobook designs, and tried to lay it out like a storybook narrative- as storytelling and portrayal through narrative in environmental portiture was what I wanted to focus most on with this assignment.

I decided I wanted my title and end pages to be similar, as I was thinking of this in a book style, and wanted to create a smooth wrap around cover, with subtle differences.

The layout of my images was quite straight forward- I tended to use two seperate images for each spread. To still have the two seperate images compliment eachother, however, I chose to put images together based on colour composition, editing were needed. I also had images lead into another, with the direction the subject is looking, or the way the light is leading etc. I also experimented with the subjects directing in opposite directions, coming from the middle and spilling towards the edges of the frame. I also attempted to use meaningful framing in my images, especially concerning the third photograph in my photobook, which is a photo of Feanor taken from behind an old fence in our backyard. I intended this to convey a feeling of being trapped, as if the fence was caging him in.  Healing and discovering oneself isn't necessarily a linear journey, so the layout of this book doesn't strictly go from dark to light. I intentionally had some of the more somber images not only at the start, but near the conclusion of the photobook also. I was most proud of the last two images in this photobook, which pictured Feanor from behind, looking over a waterfall into the setting sun. I felt this really helped to symbolise the journey from darkness to light, and showed that he now had his back turned to the past after saying goodbye. How To Design A Photo Zine In Indesign. YouTube, 2018. https://youtu.be/-xp3DVhld6o.https://youtu.be/-xp3DVhld6o

Research - Jim Cornfield’s “Environmental Portraiture”

I really wanted to explore how the environment around a subject could convey a deeper meaning to my image, and began researching environmental portraiture. I was pointed in the direction of this book. In Jim Cornfields book on environmental portraiture, ‘Environmental Portraiture : A Complete Guide to the Portrait Photographer's Most Powerful Imaging Tool’ He writes that “Environmental Portraiture is a subjective and intuitive imaging style, with great potential as an ingenious creative strategy, not for literal story-telling, but for instilling meaning into the photograph of practically any portrait subject.” I really wanted to discover how I could represent my chosen subject and topic through images in a non-literal sense, and I found this book very useful- which influenced my overall project. ‘Shibboleth Authentication Request’. Accessed 26 May 2022. http://ezproxy.aut.ac.nz/login?url=http://aut.eblib.com/patron/Authentication.aspx?ebcid=ed0b9b49bfc94e10b6a6f9993ddeeb6e&echo=1&userid=%5Eu.

Backyard photoshoot

In our new rental, theres a pretty big backyard we have yet to fully explore :0 I wanted to experiment with different angles. I also found a creepy statue head. 

Piha Photoshoot

I went to Piha with my subject and took some photos! It was nice to get amongst nature and explore.

Photobook Progress & Theme

My chosen topic for my photobook is the portrayal of self-growth. I wanted to use nature and adventure to represent not only the struggle and conflict that comes with discovering who you are, but the revelations and acceptence of turning over a new page in your life.  Above are some likely images I have taken that I plan to use in my photobook.

Research (thiscozywitch)

This artist uses texture and colour editing to give their pictures an aged quality. I like how these images end up looking like excepts from an old scrap-book! I really appreciate the autumn colours as well, and the warm tones make for a very peaceful and cozy feel. 

‘Log in • Instagram’. Accessed 25 May 2022. https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/thiscozywitch/.

Research (Mona&Linda Pedersen)

The sisters Mona&Linda Pedersen who go by ‘theshadowgrimms’ on instagram create a strong and unique dark aesthetic through their photography. From their home in Norway, they use less colour to make their images seem cold through the screen. I like the  dark, lonely feel these unsettling images bring the viewer, and appreciate the gothic nature of this particular tone.

‘Log in • Instagram’. Accessed 25 May 2022. https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/theshadowgrimms/.

Research (Margarita Ponomareva)

Margarita Ponomareva, or ‘Marbevoch’ on instagram does some exceptionally interesting and unique photography. The vibe is definately sinister, with most photos having a dark and grainy quality. Much like some other artists I follow, Marbevoch’s work looks like a  photoshoot from a gothic fable. I enjoy the texture and the desaturated colours she often uses, and I feel that the theme is very well represented in the way these photos are edited. https://www.instagram.com/marbevoch/

Photo A Day #30

Photo A Day #29

Photo A Day #28

Photo A Day #27

Photo A Day #26

Photo A Day #25