Work Diary - Studio Mapplethorpe Portraits

Evaluation

I particularly enjoyed this lesson because I had to base my work on Mapplethorpe's portraits. This meant that i had to focus on the composition of my images, making sure that the subject/model fitted the area of the entire photo (either from top to bottom, or side to side). In this shoot we had to use a tripod/camera stand to hold the camera, which meant that we were able to move the camera around much more efficiently than just freehandedly. This also made it so much easier to compose the images before we took them. I especially liked taking photographs of different people, particularly as some of the photographs are serious, whereas others are happy because the model is laughing. I like both types of images that i took because they are both very different, and although Mapplethorpe's portraits are usually serious, he has taken a few of people smiling. 

This is the best image from the shoot because it is composed well, as the top of the model's head is touching the top of the image, and the same with the bottom. This means that there is no wasted space within the photo. I also like that we can only see half the model's face, but yet there isn't anything else in the image apart from a plain, white background, which means that our attention is solely focusing on the model. Another reason why i like this photo is that the model is looking directly at the camera, which makes it look as though she is looking directly at the viewer.

This is my worst image from the shoot because it is too dark on the right side. If this photo was lighter I would've really liked it. I think the darkness is due to the flash not working properly whilst I was taking my images. Nevertheless, I did manage to solve this problem and do actually have some photographs that were produced well. I also think that this image could've been zoomed out just a little bit, so there would be more background shown. 

Progression

If i were to take more photographs for this topic, I would use different models - like a male, so i was able to capture other people's true expressions and emotions. Mapplethorpe used both genders within his images, so to mimic his work I would also have to do so. If i ever attempt to capture more photographs influenced by Mapplethorpe, I would attempt to capture more natural and unstated photographs, rather than just telling the model what to do, as with some of my photographs it is obvious that they have been staged. These are some of Mapplethorpe's portrait photographs that i have found on the internet which i aspire to achieve if i ever add to this topic: