'seen better days'
mood board
idea sheets
Artist research
MARTIN ROEMERS
Martin Roemers Is a Dutch War photographer, who specifically focuses on the consequences of World War Two. Roemers uses black and white photography to capture the uninhibited beauty of the elderly, but also the consequences of growing up, or serving in the second world War. Winning awards like 'The world press photography award' Roemers work is renowned and used in publications across the world. In his series 'The Never Ending War' Roemers solely focuses on the faces of those who have lived, or fought in World War two . These portraits are also accompanied with short interviews with the models, as the photographs being ambiguous explain the back story and the role of the model in the War.
This is one of my favourite photographs by Roemers. This is because of the highly effective use of the black and white. The use of this method highlights each and every wrinkle, but in a way glorifies the model as Roemers focuses on this beauty rather than changing it or adapting it to suit an audience. The light Roemers uses really draws attention to the eyes. The employ of this technique really conveys to the viewer the emotion the model is feeling. Roemers also only focuses on the face, this draws attention to the parts of the face like the eyes, wrinkles on the forehead and the sunken skin underneath the eyes. The use of the black background brings the face forward, as this contrast forces the viewer to focus only on what Roemers is drawing the viewer's attention to. Roemers blurs some facial features so it again forces the viewer to focus on the parts of the face Roemers wants the viewer to.
This is another one of my favourite photographs by Roemers. This is due to the dark clothing the model is wearing, it again forces the viewer to focus on the face and the aging model. Roemers again makes the image black and white. This again highlights the ageing skin and eyes of the model. This uninhibited version of photography is sparsely used, as any editing to the photograph usually makes the model look better than how they actually look, but Roemers reverses this to suit the them of the 'Never ending War' and suits an audience who are ageing themselves , or the reality of getting older. The lighting used forces the viewer to focus on the light in the eyes, this alludes to the idea of the humanity of War, but also the severity of the consequences and how these models are still effected by the aftermath of War years after its end.
Anastasia Pottinger
Anastasia Pottinger sees the beauty for the old verses the new. In her series “Centenarians” Pottinger explores the natural and inevitable beauty of people that have turned 100 years old. Preferring black and white photography, as it en-captures every wrinkle, dent and mark that comes with ageing skin, Pottinger uses this method to highlight the beauty that comes with ageing . The idea to capture elderly people in this state came about when she was approached by an elderly lady, who wished to be photographed in the nude. Although Pottinger solely focuses people people who are 100 and over , I will use this idea but not to the extent Pottinger does. I am going to focus on the elderly, preferably over 70 years old, to capture the extent of how their body and skin is ageing with time. I want to focus on the parts of the body that are most affected, like the hands, arms and face.
This is one of my favourite photographs by Pottinger. This is due to the lighting Pottinger uses, the light has been placed up higher than the model, which causes some of the body to be highlighted, and some to be body to be cast in shadow. The use of a macro lens also highlights the detail and wrinkles of the models hands and chest. The angle we see this image from draws the attention to the weathered elbows and the aging skin. The model she uses really displays the message she is trying to convey, that the aging and old are still beautiful in their own right. This black and the white against the dark background also forces the viewer to focus on the aging skin, but also removes any unwanted extra information from the shot.
Pottinger uses a macro lens to get the intricate detail of wrinkling, aging skin. Pottinger has solely focused on the hands of the model to convey this sense of the beauty in the old. Pottinger has desaturated the image, this makes the viewer focus on the rawness and innate detail of the skin and hands. The use of the hands has been used effectively as the hands are one of the most affected areas when it comes to aging. This again highlights the message Pottinger is trying to convey. The grey tone of the piece also alludes to the idea of getting closer and closer to death, this 'greyness' could symbolise the dullness of many lifes in old age. The light hits on the most protruding wrinkles, but also highlights the lines on the nails which also comes with old age.
Photo-shoot 1
The aim of this photo-shoot was to imitate Roemers and Pottinger's work. I switched between natural light and using artificial light. I feel this shoot went well as the viewer can see the old age of the model. The model I used wore darker clothing, to blend into the back-ground that will be adjusted using photo-shop.
Top 2
These are my two favourite photographs from this shoot. The first photograph displays the theme I am trying to convey, I have focused on the parts of the face that are most effected by age. Although I didn't use natural light for this photograph, I feel using this artificial light has brought out the lights in the eyes, which then draws attention and subsequently is what the viewer most focuses on. I have used a macro lens in both photographs because like Roemers and Pottinger they focus on the elderly in a way that doesn't seek to change or make the viewer more conventionally beautiful. In the second photograph I feel the vantage point changes the mood of the image, from the angle it brings a sense of dignity and glorification into the image which then reiterates the idea of celebrating natural ageing. The only thing I would change about this shoot is the lighting,although in part I used natural lighting I feel these images are too dark. In my next photoshoots I will aim to diversify to other parts of the body that suffer from ageing like the hands, I will also only use natural light at an earlier time of the day to achieve the best outcome.
photoshop edits/ experimentation
photo-shoot 2
The aim of this photoshoot was to vary the photographs that I am taking, and to move away from using artificial light. Rather than taking the photographs at a later time, I was more resourceful and used the natural light to my advantage. I have focused on other parts of the body that suffer from ageing, light the hands. I my next shoot I aim to encompass both my photographers ideas by focusing on both the face and hands of my models.
top 2
These are my favourite images from these photoshoots. In the first image I used only natural lighting and have focused on another part of the body that suffers from ageing ; the balding head of an older man. This I feel works well as it directly informs the viewer of the message I am trying to convey. I feel the natural lighting works well as it naturally highlights the white in the hair and the wrinkles on the forehead. In the second I have again used the natural light to my advantage, I have focused on the hands of the model as they are another part of the body that ageing is noticeable when the ageing process starts. This has also helped me imitate my artists as Pottinger also focuses on parts of the body rather than the whole.
photoshop/ pixlr experimentation
photo-shoot 3
The aim of this photo-shoot was to improve upon my previous photo-shoot and to expand my macro photography skills regarding older people. In this shoot I used only natural light as I feel this best suits the theme of natural older beauty . Like Pottinger I have focused on parts of this older person's body, to best display the theme I am trying to convey.
top 2
These are my favourite two photographs from this shoot. In the first image I believe I have used the macro lens well and in a way that imitates the photographers work well but also encapsulates the overall theme and message. I have only focused on the eye, wrinkles and bags of the model this is because I feel it best displays the theme of 'seen better days' it makes it obvious to the viewer that I am focusing on the elderly, but it a way that doesn't airbrush away any 'faults'. I have also only focused on this part of the model in this photograph as it brings a focal point to the image which draws the viewer's attention. Some of the image isn't in focus, this then allows me to cut out any unwanted information from the frame. In the second image I have focused on the hands and specifically the fingernails of the model. Although this image has been set up, the model's hands are placed in a way that looks natural, which then links to the idea of a comfortability in old age. I have focused on the fingernails of the model because it represents to the viewer that his fingernail biting has been a life long habit, this then links to the idea of old age.
photo-shop experimentation
photoshoot 4
The aim of this photoshoot was to take photographs of older models, although the models I previously had were older, this model is 70 + which fits the theme perfectly. I feel this photoshoot went well because of the model and the composition of the photographs. I would only change the time of day I took the photographs, although I wanted to use natural lighting , I feel some of the photographs were overexposed.
top 2
These are my favourite two photographs from this photoshoot. In the first I have focused on the ageing skin around the eye and the eye itself. The colour of the eye has faded over time and has almost become clouded, the natural light I have used highlights this. I have used the macro lens in a way that glorifies the model's beauty, I have not changed or adjusted the image to suit an audience. In the second photograph I have taken a full face, portrait photograph in the style of Roemers. The natural light highlights the models eyes specifically, but also her ageing skin and white hair. The model is looking directly into the camera, this ensures a connection with the viewer. The theme 'seen better days' is almost ironic as the way in which the photographers have taken natural photographs of the model celebrates the natural beauty of the elderly rather than changing it.
photoshop experimentation
photoshoot 5
The aim of this photoshoot was to imitate Pottinger's style of photography. I have focused on the models hands as they show the age I am trying to incorporate and focus on in these photoshoots. The rings in these photographs are significant as they also represent the model's age as these rings have been collected throughout the years an serve as a reminder of times when she was younger.
top 2
These are my favourite two photographs from this photoshoot. In both images I have used natural lighting, this ensures the model's skin doesn't look artificial. In the first photograph I have focused on the protruding veins that comes with ageing. I have also focused on the back of the hand because the skin looks stretched and worn,the natural light also makes these aspects stand out.In the second photograph I have focused more on the rings the model is wearing, it helps the viewer understand the theme and also reiterates this idea of celebrating the beauty that comes with old age.
photoshop experimentation
photoshoot 6
In this photoshoot the model is also older than 70. I feel this best suits my chosen theme as the signs of ageing are evident in this particular model. I feel this photoshoot went well as I captured the detail of the wrinkles, hair loss and greying hair.
top 2
These are my favourite two photographs from this photoshoot. In the first I have tried to imitate Roemer's style and took a portrait shot focusing on the aspects that comes with ageing models. The natural lighting that I have used almost throughout, works well at highlighting facial features, dents and wrinkles. In the second I like the way the natural light has made the wedding ring stand out, as well as the watch. It also creates a natural contrast and shadow because of the deep lines in the model's fingers.
photoshop experimentation
photoshop tutorial
Firstly, I duplicated the image, to ensure if any mistakes are made they can be corrected.
Then I desaturated the image, In the style of Pottinger and Roemers.
I then used the 'Dodge' and 'Burn' tools to emphasise the desaturation
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Then, I adjusted the brightness and contrast to give the image more depth.
I then sharpened the image, so every wrinkle/dent is in focus
Final Outcome
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