MIRROR IMAGE
EQUIPMENT
Tripod
Mirrors
Chair
Model (Hannah)
METHODOLOGY
For this photo shoot, I was inspired by Christopher McKenney's surrealist photography. I took my camera on my tripod to the woods, I attempted to choose places with not too much tree coverage to make sure that my photos were not under exposed. I instructed my model to hold the mirrors in positions that created surreal reflections of herself. I chose this model because she has naturally tousled hair, and in this way I was inspired to style her to give the impression of a woodland fairy as this supported the fantasy element of my 'out of the ordinary' theme.
(1) In this photograph, I like the way that although the reflection is only partially visible, the angle of the mirror makes the illusion that the reflection is looking directly at the camera. On the other hand, i used the reflection of my model to link my photograph to the theme of an 'alternative reality', the one behind the mirror in comparison to the one holding the mirror. To add to this, I like the way that the curves of her arms and the folds of the material contrast to the rigid, straight edges of the mirror. I feel that this indicates that the mirror does not belong in this environment, as if the mirror is out of place. Thus, my set up is 'out of the ordinary'.
Photoshop:
I did not alter this image too much as I wanted to avoid a false effect.However, I did use the burn tool to slightly darken around the perimeter of the mirror glass to give the impression that the reflection is slightly set back from the rest of the photograph. I also dulled the colours of the dress and foliage using the curves tool as I did not want them to distract from the focus of the reflection; I think that the muted colours give the photo an older, almost vintage appearance.
(2) I then asked my model to sit on the floor of the woods, opposite a mirror that I had balanced against a tree.
I asked her to remove her shoes to emphasize her natural, fairy-like appearance. I decided to take the photograph from behind her so that her face was only visible through the reflection, thus furthering the idea of an 'alternate reality' in that it gives the illusion of a second person.
Photoshop:
Similarly to the first image, I kept the changes in Photoshop subtle and minimal. On the other hand, in contrast to the first photo, in this case I brightened the mirror reflection as I wanted to increase the emphasis on the sole focus of the photograph. In addition, again, I used the curves tool to mute the colours a small amount.
INSPIRATION
http://beautifuldecay.com/2013/11/26/christopher-mckenneys-surreal-photographs-disturbingly-beautiful/
CONTACT SHEET
Tripod
Mirrors
Chair
Model (Hannah)
METHODOLOGY
For this photo shoot, I was inspired by Christopher McKenney's surrealist photography. I took my camera on my tripod to the woods, I attempted to choose places with not too much tree coverage to make sure that my photos were not under exposed. I instructed my model to hold the mirrors in positions that created surreal reflections of herself. I chose this model because she has naturally tousled hair, and in this way I was inspired to style her to give the impression of a woodland fairy as this supported the fantasy element of my 'out of the ordinary' theme.
(1) In this photograph, I like the way that although the reflection is only partially visible, the angle of the mirror makes the illusion that the reflection is looking directly at the camera. On the other hand, i used the reflection of my model to link my photograph to the theme of an 'alternative reality', the one behind the mirror in comparison to the one holding the mirror. To add to this, I like the way that the curves of her arms and the folds of the material contrast to the rigid, straight edges of the mirror. I feel that this indicates that the mirror does not belong in this environment, as if the mirror is out of place. Thus, my set up is 'out of the ordinary'.
Photoshop:
I did not alter this image too much as I wanted to avoid a false effect.However, I did use the burn tool to slightly darken around the perimeter of the mirror glass to give the impression that the reflection is slightly set back from the rest of the photograph. I also dulled the colours of the dress and foliage using the curves tool as I did not want them to distract from the focus of the reflection; I think that the muted colours give the photo an older, almost vintage appearance.
(2) I then asked my model to sit on the floor of the woods, opposite a mirror that I had balanced against a tree.
I asked her to remove her shoes to emphasize her natural, fairy-like appearance. I decided to take the photograph from behind her so that her face was only visible through the reflection, thus furthering the idea of an 'alternate reality' in that it gives the illusion of a second person.
Photoshop:
Similarly to the first image, I kept the changes in Photoshop subtle and minimal. On the other hand, in contrast to the first photo, in this case I brightened the mirror reflection as I wanted to increase the emphasis on the sole focus of the photograph. In addition, again, I used the curves tool to mute the colours a small amount.
INSPIRATION
http://beautifuldecay.com/2013/11/26/christopher-mckenneys-surreal-photographs-disturbingly-beautiful/
CONTACT SHEET