Work Diary - Location Mapplethorpe Portraits

Evaluation

I very much enjoyed this shoot because I had to find different backgrounds for my photographs, and then had to position my camera correctly and make sure that the image fits the space provided. It was easier to mimic Mapplethorpe's work in location than it was in the studio because there's more space to move around and model for photographs. I particularly liked using brick walls as a background because even though they're very basic, they aren't as simple as a plain background. I like this because I think the bricks set a great base for the model to pose in front of, and they look good as a background. During this shoot I used different angles and types of shots, such as taking photos from afar, as well as up close. I also tried to photograph other parts of the body and not just people's faces as Mapplethorpe did this as well. So, in a few photos I have used the model's arm, side of their face or their hair. 

This is my favourite and best image from the shoot as I think it mimics Mapplethorpe's work the most. It is very similar to one of his portraits. I really like this image because the brick wall isn't too simple, so we still have something to look at, but out attention is still focused on the model's arm and side (which is all that we can see of them). This photo is almost teasing the viewers, as they will probably want to see more, but can't. 

I believe this is my worst photo because it is extremely close-up which i don't like very much. Although Mapplethorpe took a few close-up portraits, I don't think that my attempt has mimicked his work of it very well. I also dislike the black background as we can see the line of the door frame, and it also looks blurry. I'm glad that I was able to fit the frame in this image though, as it is very difficult to fit a photo that is as close-up as this one is.

Progression

If I were to shoot more photographs for Location Mapplethorpe Portraits I would use a wider range of background such as windows, buildings, trees etc., because then, even though the model in my image looks similar, the background would be different every time. I would also like to take more photographs of people smiling, I know Mapplethorpe's portraits are very serious, but they are also unposed for, which means that I could capture someone smiling without them noticing, and that would be how Mapplethorpe influenced that image instead. These are some of the Mapplethorpe's portraits that i have found on the internet which i aspire to achieve if i ever add to this topic: