Assignment 3: Portrait Series

 Series Title: I am a Woman

  

 

When coming up with a series, I toyed with several concepts that where great. I ended up choosing this one based simply on the fact that I had more than enough models. In the end this has become a very loved series that I am very proud of, so let me introduce you.

This series is titled "I am a Woman". The theme and concept of these photographs was to show women in such a way that you perceive them as innocent. Then each of these women where told to bring their self defense weapon and hold it for the photograph. Initially, I wanted to display these weapons as the center of the photographs, but I figured out very soon that the girls are the real stars here. Either way, these photos where meant to show the view of a predator, as most of them view women as weak, innocent, or Etc. I chose to take these photos to display the need for weapons amongst us women as we are viewed in this way, and are easily targeted. 

I conceptualized this theme by having each of the models draped in a white sheet to symbolize purity. each of the girls were also instructed to wear little or no makeup, minimal jewelry, and have their hair as close to natural as possible. There poses where originally suppose to be "child-like", however that is apparently not as easy to represent. Like wise, they were also instructed to keep a some what blank expression, though my reasoning for that was just aesthetic. Lastly, as a disclaimer, all of the models are clothed. some of the girls wore the sheet in such a way that it is hard to tell or hid their straps because we thought it was distracting from the photos. The goal was for them to look cloaked, not covered.

As for the photography aspect of the series. The lighting chart above shows the lay out of the room. I purchased a three point lighting set up. However, I decided to go with two lights instead to give a harsher shadow on the figure. Both of these lights where bright yellow lights. There were also ambient lights in the room that I decided to leave on. the one labeled was the point of which all the models where told to look. In addition to the white sheet, there was also a black backdrop and a black sheet which covered the chair that the models sat in. 

Now, I originally stated in my proposal that I was intending on making this series black and white. I also stated that the only exception to this was if I found an interesting lighting color. Oddly enough, the yellow light intrigued me enough to keep the photos in color. I feel that in the end the lighting gave a golden glow to the models that added to the overall purity of the photos. I exaggerated this by taking the photos into Gimp and increasing the highlights, saturation, and temperature. And while this is very minimal editing, I feel it gives off a goddess like effect.

overall I am very proud of this shoot. I enjoyed getting to act like a professional and create a sort of studio for these photos. I also feel that I displayed the theme I was going for.. to a certain extent. The only thing that was unexpectedly shown to me, was that these women look more bad ass than innocent. Maybe it is just my eyes seeing this, but either way I feel like it just adds to the series and makes me enjoy it more. In fact, the only thing I would change here is to have all of the models wear no jewelry at all as I feel like it is distracting with some of the models.

If you are interested, below I am attaching all of the models' Instagram. 

Trinity- @tnikki0612

Kellise- @aquamarine__18

Shelby-  @shelby_nicole_p01

Reanna-  @issey_boots_

Emily-   @e.b.artistry

Sathina- @_its.sathina_

Madison- @madison_ann6