Image Bank - Contrast

Internet Images

The photo above represents contrast because it shows the difference between a full bookcase, to an empty bookcase. In this image we are able to compare the two opposite subjects, which contrast one another. I like this image because the contrast and difference is clear and obvious within the image. 

This image shows the contrast between male and female. Here, we can see two people standing against the wall, and the evident difference is that one is a man, and the other is a woman. We can also differentiate their gender through their clothes, and their body language/stance. I like how there isn't anything else in the image, and that there is a blank, plain background so we are fully concentrated on the two people. 

This is a photo of the juxtaposition between rich and poor. On the left side we see an old man, in a suit standing tall. On the right, we see an old man in casual clothes, holding a mop and looking quite unhappy. This contrast shows the difference of what money can make to somebody's life. 

This image has been made from two, separate photos of the same young girl. In the first, we see the girl crying/screaming, which obviously shows that she is very unhappy. In the next image, we see her smiling and happy. This shows the contrast between the two opposite emotions, sad and happy.

From this image we can evidently see the contrast, which is young and old. I like this image because instead of showing the faces of the people, this photo shows the difference in their hands. Obviously, the young hand is smaller, but we can also see that their skin is smoother and brighter, unlike the older person's hand, which is wrinkled. 

Finally, this piece of artwork shows the comparison between devil and angel, evil and good. I like this picture because it uses the same person to represent both characters, as one side shows the devil, with a horn, and a black and red colour scheme. Whereas the other side shows the angel, with a halo and a white and blue colour scheme. These two sides of the girl in the picture, contrast with each other as they are opposites.

Definition Post - Contrast

Definition of "Contrast" - the state of being strikingly different from something else in juxtaposition or close association. 

Adjectives to describe and/or relate to the word "Contrast" - Comparison, Contradiction, Diversity, Opposition, Opposite, Inverse, Differentiation, Variation, Association, Reverse, Conflict, Distinction, Distinguish, Similar, Inequality, Imbalance, Separate, Vibrant, Colour. 

I have chosen the images below because I thought they presented contrast the best out of all the photos on the internet that I came across. The first image is of a street, with birds flying across, and it shows contrast as the left side is shadowed, and so the building appears black, and as the birds on this side of the image are in the light, they look white from the reflected sunlight. On the right side, it is the opposite. The building is white as it is in the sun, and the birds are black. This is contrasting the two different tones within the image, as well as the concept of light and dark. The second image is a close-up of an old man and baby. Here, we can see the contrast between young and old. The next image is of one large converse, in comparison to one small converse. From this, we can see that the shoes are similar, but there sizes are different, which shows the contrast between big and small. The last image is half a man's face, placed with half a woman's face. So, in this image we can see the contrast between male and female, man and woman. We can see the differences in their facial features, even more so as they are placed right next to each other to form a complete face. 

My own definition of Contrast - the differentiation and comparison between two similarly associated, yet opposite subjects. 

Work Diary - Studio Contrast

Evaluation

When first introduced to the idea of contrast within photographs, I was slightly confused as to what it meant and how I could present it throughout my photography. However, the first thing I did was create a mind-map of what I thought contrast meant, and from then on, I gathered more ideas of contrasts between opposites, like male and female, hot and cold, summer and winter etc. I also know that contrast can mean the brightness and vibrancy of colour within an image.  Once I had finished the mind-map, I then went on to take photos in the studio. Most of my ideas couldn't be taken in this shoot as it required the outdoors (e.g. natural and artificial), however, I did manage to take a few photos. As I already had a few ideas stored in my mind, it was difficult to re-create them in reality and some of them didn't work very well (e.g. movement and still). Nevertheless, some of the ideas which I did manage to get photographs of, came out really well. 

This is my favourite, and from my opinion, best photograph from the shoot. This image is showing the contrast between near and far. The reason I like this so much is because the model who is representing far, is slightly blurred, and then the model representing near is completely in focus. This makes the concept of the photograph evident. I also like that our attention is focused on the model who is closer, but we can still see the model in the background. Another reason as to why I think this image is the best is because the black background is plain, and therefore doesn't distract any attention away from the original, and main subject.

This I believe is my worst image that I took during the shoot. As mentioned previously, I attempted to take a photograph where one model was moving, and the other was standing still, and this is the result. I asked the model on the left to jump, and asked the model on the right to stand still. Even though the idea seemed great in theory, it wasn't in practice as the shutter speed on the camera wasn't fast enough to capture movement.

Progression

If I were to continue with the topic of Contrast I would plan out my ideas beforehand, and make sure they could be done within the shoot. For instance, I would take photographs outside, if I needed objects that were outside. Also, I would attempt to capture the movement vs. still photograph again, but make sure that the camera was set to a much faster shutter speed so that I actually captured the movement, and therefore had an accurate photo of my initial idea. Furthermore, I would also thoroughly think about the images that i'm taking, and think about whether the message is obvious and well-presented. These are some of the contrast photographs that i have found on the internet which i aspire to achieve if i ever add to this topic:

Straight Images - Studio Contrast

Mind-map - Contrast

My 20 Best Photographs

My 20 Best Photographs from c0nniemarie

Work Diary - Location Back of Head Portraiture

Evaluation 

I began this shoot for Location Back of Head Portraiture before the Studio Back of Head Portraits, so I was still developing the technique at this point. To begin with, I struggled to make the background blurry, and therefore focus the camera on the person. However, in some of the images that I took, I did actually achieve the blurred effect in the background. I enjoyed this shoot because I as able to use a wide variety of locations to create interesting backgrounds, for instance, I used walls, plants, trees, buildings etc., which made my photographs all the more interesting and different from each other. 

This is my best photograph that I took because I like how the girl in the image is in focus, as well as the tree, but the background isn't. We can see that the woman in the background on the right is blurred, and so we focus on the centre of the image, which is where the girl is standing. I also like this image because the wind has blown the girls hair back, so we can see the movement of her hair. 

This is my worst photo because the entire photo is blurred. Obviously, this is where I have attempted to focus the shot on the person, but have let go of the button and therefore, made the complete image blurry. However, if this photo was focused on the model, it would have been a really good photo because we can see DVD's through the window of the building, which makes the background interesting. Particularly as there is more colour in the background than there is on the model, as she has brown hair and a black jacket on. 

Progression

If I were to carry on taking photographs for this topic, I would use more interesting and busy backgrounds and also, make sure they are blurred. This would then emphasise the main subject of the image, which would be the back of the person's head, as they would then be the only aspect of the photo in focus. I would also like to use different angles, and not just centre the image with the person standing straight, in the middle. These are some of the Back of Head portraits that i have found on the internet which i aspire to achieve if i ever add to this topic: