Photography Project Research: David Bailey

On this post I will analyze the work of David Bailey, one of my references for my final photography. Bailey gained notoriety for his unique style of natural portraiture, which showed subjects as actual individuals with personalities which he connected with and understood instead of as stiff mannequins. He permanently changed the image, reputation, and function of models everywhere. His work as a photographer for Jean Shrimpton was essential in the creation of the "supermodel."( Geffin, 2014).  According to Cook (2014) Bailey gained notoriety for being the one who popularized the 'look' of the 1960s, which marked an important shift from the muted images of the 1950s. "His style was fresh and informal, he made fashion photography seem fun and daring" ( Cook 2014). "I never cared about the clothes that much. If the girls looked good, and looked happy in what they were wearing, that would sell the dresses" (Bailey, 2014).

David Bailey Self Portrait

On this self-portrait Bailey used a low angle and middle shot to capture him self and the background which is a important part of the final composition. The picture contain interesting edges which gives a interesting flow for the picture. He also explore the concept of triangles and rule of thirds. Moreover, the picture have a high contrast which indicates the use of techniques such as Chiaroscuro. Unlikely Karsh most of Bailey's work including this self-portrait use Light key lighting. 

Evaluation:

For my final photography project I intend  to use some the techniques Bailey used in his portraits such as the poses use to create the composition as well as explore triangles and use rule of thirds. Unlikely Bailey I have a preference for low key lighting once it will help me to convey the message of darkness and existential crisis the main theme of my final work.

Reference List:

Geffin, David. “What We Can Learn from David Bailey’s “Stardust”, One of the Most Important Photographic Exhibitions in Decades.” Fstoppers, 18 June 2014, fstoppers.com/fashion/what-can-learn-david-baileys-stardust-one-most-important-photographic-12323. Accessed 2 Mar. 2024. 

Cook, William. “BBC Arts - BBC Arts - David Bailey’s Stardust: “Everyone’s Got a Story - You Just Have to Find It.”” BBC, 2 July 2015, www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3xLlr3sfQhgRb0ngHmybHcb/david-baileys-stardust-everyone-s-got-a-story-you-just-have-to-find-it. Accessed 2 Mar. 2024.

Bibliography:

Scott, G., 2010. Conversation between photographer Brian Duffy and Grant Scott.

Photography project research and Evaluation: Yousuf karsh

On this post I will analyze the work of Yousuf Karsh, one of my references for my final photography. project. Karsh became popular for his portraits off politicians, artists and celebrities. He became one of the most renowned portrait photographers in history due to his skillful use of light and shadow and his natural ability to connect with his subjects. The dramatic use of light and shadow, emotional intensity, and meticulous attention to detail defined Yousuf Karsh's photographic approach. Significant elements of his approach and style include: Chiaroscuro Lighting and Intricate Posing ( Edelman, 2024).

Churchill portrait by Yousuf Karsh

“Churchill was chomping on a freshly lit cigar, when asked to get rid of it, he obstinately refused. So Karsh boldly stepped forward and plucked the cigar from Churchill’s mouth and took the picture. He always maintained that that stern expression, as Churchill glowers into the camera, was entirely the result of that snatching of the cigar.” (Shumard, 2018 cited by Nayeri, 2018).

On this portrait it is possible to notice the use of Chiaroscuro, once the shot pictures uses low key lighting and use strong contrast of bright lights and dark lights. It is a middle shot in an eye level angle.  The Churchill's pose also create some triangles which enrich the composition of the picture. 

Albert Einstein portrait by Yousuf Karsh

On this portrait it is also possible to notice the use of Chiaroscuro. Albert Einstein is very clear and the main subject seems disconnected with the background. When it comes to lighting position is possible to notice that that the main light comes from the right side (on the viewers perspective) by looking to Einstein's forehead.  Unlikely Churchill's portrait it is a mid close up shot and eye level angle. The composition of this portrait is quite interesting once Karsh explore the concept of triangles (the most noticeable one formed by Einstein's arms) and also the use of rule of thirds.

Evaluation: By analyzing Yousuf Karsh work, I intend to use some of the techniques used in my final work such as Chiaroscuro, intricate poses, low key lighting and the concept of triangles.

Reference List:

Nayeri, Farah. “Yousuf Karsh’s Portraits Evoke a Subject’s Inner Beauty (Published 2018).” The New York Times, 4 Dec. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/12/04/arts/yousuf-karsh-portraits-florida-show.html.

Edelman, Joe. “Yousuf Karsh: Capturing the Souls of Icons through the Lens.” Www.joeedelman.com, 3 Dec. 2023, www.joeedelman.com/yousuf-karsh. Accessed 2 Mar. 2024.

Bibliography:

Karsh, Y., 1962. In search of greatness: reflections of Yousuf Karsh. University of Toronto Press.

Bohn, K., 2006. 50 Principles of Composition in Photography: A Practical Guide to Seeing Photographically Through the Eyes of a Master Photographer. CCB Publishing

Karsh, Y. and Travis, D., 2009. Regarding Heroes. David R. Godine Publisher.. 

Sonnekus, M.N., 1991. The art of people photography (Doctoral dissertation, Bloemfontein: Central University of Technology, Free State). 

Chapbook: Lyrics creation

 On this post I will explain the meaning behind one of the lyrics I wrote for my Chapbook. The song is called Glimpse of Happiness. 

Lyrics:

[Verse 1] 

Hey there,

I keep remembering all the moments we shared

a vivid memory of those long gone days

where everything felt so true

I couldn't imagine

[Chorus]

That everything would change 

in the blink of an eye

I would lose my way

I would give up  on my faith

[Verse 2]

Hey man,

I keep listen to the same old songs

Those who remind me of who I am

and the one I left to be

I can't believe

[Chorus 2]

That everything has changed

in the blink of an eye

I lost my way

I gave up on my faith

[ Bridge]

Which one are you choosing, my boy?

Which one are you going for?

[Verse 3]

Hey man,

We haven't talked for quite some time

I wish I could hear from you, my friend

It doesn't make much sense

I can't believe

[Chorus]

That everything has changed

in the blink of an eye

I lost my way

I gave upon my faith 

 

The Lyrics are about grief. I wrote it as letter to a friend who passed away in 2018.  The first verse is about memories that I shared with him and confirm and accepting that we do not have control over overwhelming majority of circumstances in life and as human being we are very fragile and vulnerable. Moreover, It is also about expressing gratitude and let this feeling being greater than pain and sadness after such a tragic event. In the chorus I expose my reaction to that situation and the consequences of that event which leaded me to an existential crisis in such short period of time. The second is a reference to the bands that I used to listen years ago and I am still listening nowadays. Also about how I changed as a person and the things I have learnt after that experience. The bridge is about the belief of life after death, and the possible existence  of heaven, hell and reincarnation and the possibility to choose a place to rest in peace. The third verse is an expression of nonconformity and denying the facts that are too hard to digest.  

Chap book: Target Audience

On this post I am creating the ideal costumer to my final work, I used Venngage to carry out this task. My  final work is a lyrics chapbook so that my target  costumer is someone who is interest in psychedelic and grunge music, abstract art and movies such as Eraser Head and Holy Mountain. Once my final work will not contain only lyrics but also drawings that resemble the aesthetic and were inspired by David Lynch and Alejandro Jodorowsky.

 

Lyrics Analysis: Everlong

 On this post  I will be analyzing the lyrics from Everlong (Foo Fighters, 1997).

The lyrics:

Hello
I've waited here for you
Everlong
Tonight
I throw myself into
And out of the red, out of her head, she sang

Come down
And waste away with me
Down with me
Slow how
You wanted it to be

I'm over my head, out of her head she sang
And I wonder, when I sing along with you
If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again
The only thing I'll ever ask of you
You gotta promise not to stop when I say when
She sang

Breathe out
So I can breathe you in
Hold you in
And now
I know you've always been there

Out of your head, out of my head I sang

And I wonder when I sing along with you
If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again
The only thing I'll ever ask of you
You gotta promise not to stop when I say when
She sang

And I wonder
If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again
The only thing I'll ever ask of you
You gotta promise not to stop when I say when

Songwriter: Dave Grohl

The Structure of the lyric follow a common pattern of pop/rock songs. It contains three verses and three chorus. On the first verse an emotional journey is introduced and developed in its lyrics. A strong desire for a close relationship is evident in the welcome, which is full of hope (Harris,2023). On the following verse Dave Grohl metaphorically talk about escapism, trusting someone and finding comfort and stability in a moment of pressure and tension. When it comes to the chorus the lyrics are about the desire of maintain a long and true relationship with somebody. "Grohl wonders if the intense emotions he experiences when singing with his loved one can last forever. He questions whether anything else can ever be as good as this moment. The lyrics convey a yearning for a love that transcends time and remains eternally real" (Harris,2023). On the third verse, mis conveyed the message of closeness and intensity between two people . It is a powerful realization that the other person has always been a part of one's life and that they are present in each other's lives. According to Dave Grohl in an interview to kerrang in 2014, the song was about a marriage that was over and a new beginning: "That song is about a girl that I had fallen in love with and basically it is about being so connected with someone, that you not only love them physically and spiritually, but when you sing together with that person, you harmonize perfectly"( Dave Grohl, 2014).

References:

Camila. “Everlong” Lyrics & Meaning (Foo Fighters).” Musicaroo.com, 8 Sept. 2022, musicaroo.com/everlong-lyrics-meaning/. Accessed 28 Feb. 2024.  

Harris , Alex . “Everlong Lyrics: Unravelling the Deep Meaning behind Foo Fighters’ Iconic Song - Neon Music - Digital Music Discovery & Showcase Platform.” Neonmusic.co.uk, 13 Sept. 2023, neonmusic.co.uk/everlong-lyrics-unravelling-the-deep-meaning-behind-foo-fighters-iconic-song/. Accessed 28 Feb. 20

Grohl, Dave. The Storyteller. New York, Simon and Schuster, 5 Oct. 2021.

Website updates

 On this post I would like to share some of  my updates on the website.

Firstly, I changed the overall look of it and changed the generic pictures I had for pictures that are meaningful and express my personality as an artist. Evaluation: The website changes were a big improvement, the design is simpler and more minimalist and it is a better representation of who I am, the pictures I added share a story and give an accurate representation of me as a musician and person. The portfolios pages show my versatility as a musician and artist as well as my personal view and interpretation about the world. I intend to link my website in future resumes using a QR code.

Secondly, I created new link and my photography, band and solo project portfolio. I created buttons and linked them to the web pages.  On the portfolio pages I also added gallery with the the digital arts I made,  new website links as well as Spotify and Soundcloud links to my songs.

    Lastly, I made minor changes in the about page, editing the about me paragraph and adding pictures that represent not only my determination and evolution as musician but also as person

.

    Link to the updated website: Home | My Site 3 (pedrotolloto.wixsite.com)

Photography project: reflection final work

 On this post I will share my final shots for my photography project. To carry out this work I chose to shot in the studio using artificial lights and black background. I also used a Cannon 700 D.  I opted to use a low key, once I would like the final result to be dark and convey a message of sadness and self doubting. The mirror represents not only  a physical reflection of the model, but  also a reflection of his existence and his role in the society and how he confront other people expectation without knowing in fact who he is. I will be sharing the contact sheet for this project  and final pictures which I will be analyzing more in depth, explaining composition choices and technical aspects  such as the camera settings. 

F 3.5 1/100 sec ISO 200 EXP 0

For this picture I tried to make the reflection looks dark to convey the message that its reflecting the darkness inside the individual. It is a low key, over the shoulder and eye level shot. I tried to explore the concept of rule of thirds in this composition making the left side more predominant than the right which is just shadows. The low key enhanced the message of darkness that I tried to convey in this shot. The models face reflection can be barely be seen on the reflection which not only means he is dark but also struggle to find his identity. 

F3.5 1/50 sec ISO 200 EXP 0

For this picture I tried to explore the concept of identity and self reflection as the previous one. However, instead of making the reflection dark I made it blur to convey the message that he does not know properly who he is, there is not clarity in his identity. It is still low key but not as dark as the previous one. It is a medium shot and slightly low angle.  The model holding the mirror represent philosophy and Occidental religious (such as Buddhism and Taoism), which are important tools to  help finding a path in life and understanding who we are. I chose to make this picture lighter than the previous ones due to the fact that philosophy and religion is trying to help the main model to find his self and give clarity to his thoughts. 

F 5 1/50 sec ISO 200 EXP 0

For this shot I tried to explore more in the depth the concept of triangles  by changing the angle of the mirror. The first shot is relegated to self doubting and personal reflection, the second is self reflection using a external tool (philosophy and religious) and this one represent society, the expectation over one individual and the superficiality of social medias a place where everyone pretend to be happy, disguising all doubts, identity and sadness to be accepted.  The model on the left is applying a makeup in the main model which represents the modern capitalism  society values of happiness, and the oppression of  personal identity and critical thinking. The model in green holding the mirror smiling at him enhance the message of acceptance, once she is happy that his identity and critical thinking is being disguised. 

Contact sheets: