Research

Mind map of Exotic:

Posters of birds that I will get inspiration from:

These are images of a shortlist of birds that I might re-create in my images. 

http://ego-alterego.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/tse_02.jpg

This is an editorial photo that would probably be used for a high end fashion magazine such as 'Vogue.' This is because there is a plain background and extravagant makeup and hair has been used. The lighting in this image is from the Photographers left, as it is shining down on the models face from a high angle. The model is positioned towards the light, but with her face facing the other way, which creates some definition in the image. The shadows and highlights also help to make define the image. This image has probably been edited on Photoshop, as the models skin is looking perfectly airbrushed, something which is key in post production for high end fashion magazines. I thought that this image was exotic because of the bird feathers used, and the colour of them. 

http://ledeluge.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/craig1.jpg?w=584&h=790

This image is also an editorial photo that could be used for a high end fashion magazine. This is a more avant garde image, as the model has been surrounded in feathers. Here there is a chance for you to create a narrative. I thought that the model could've been captured by birds and is slowly being sucked into the middle of their circle. But then it could also be that the woman is escaping from the birds. The positioning again is much like the image above, as she has been positioned one way, but is facing the other way. I like the colour palette in this image, as it s very dark but it does also have some white parts and also a splash of colour with some green. 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQl6NHSsehBK0gIMlYR8MMqYqJd-ubChtPEFcMj3EziLm_p5zokMPNZAU1HDWIFcJbBy04wnIp_z8aS-bmMoyidutCbKwT3ejuTh7oZaIgKbsqgQkf_BtikqylM1jn5IZ2FE-eaZkd6sU/s400/birds+by+Eugenio+Recuenco+02.jpg

In this image the bird has been inputted in Photoshop, as the wings aren't as crisp as they probably would be if the bird was there in real life. I like that this image has been taken in black and white, as it gives a classic feel to the image. Black and white tends to portray emotion more, and in this image I feel that the model is trying to look high fashion, but instead she looks quite frightened. In this image the lighting has been set up so that it his the centre of the models face, contouring the model and making her look skinnier, a trick that is used quite often in fashion photography. 

http://www.lensdiaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/jessi4858.jpg

This image is the most extravagant image that I have found so far, the feathered border, seems to be one that was introduced in Photoshop, as the colours are more vibrant than the model. I think that this was originally a beauty shot of the model, and they were just concentrating on the colours on her. I like the way that the model is just off centre in this image, even though it might've had more of an effect if she was painted all over, and she was facing head on into the camera, rather than at an angle. The shadows in this image have been used rather cleverly, as on the models face you can see the shadows of the feathers. If this was done in Photoshop, it would've taken a very long time, as trying to get the position of the feather curved around her face would've been tricky. 

http://ego-alterego.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/tse_04.jpg

This image is much like the first, as it has a grey background an a model in avant garde headwear. This is probably from the same photoshoot as it. I think that these images could also be used in a portfolio for a hairdresser, or it could also been used in a hair magazine. In this case, the lighting is coming from the photographers right as it is bouncing off the left side of the models face. This image looks more like she could be an African Queen, as the head piece looks quite regal and very feminine. These feathers are something I would expect to see in a Carnival or parade, this portrays exoticness as well because of how extreme the headwear is. 

http://www.q60.org/UploadPic/2011-3-0/20113318158152.jpg

In this image, a parrot has been used to create a beautiful transition between the model. The parrot has been used so it almost looks like a piece of clothing, which is a great way to blend the bird into the image without it looking too severe. Here the location looks jungle like, so it might've been taken in a jungle, or there might've been a studio set up to make it look like a rainforest. This image is more of a beauty shot compared to anything else, as the models face is the focal point of the image. I am interested in doing beauty shots as I haven't done them before and it would be great for me to expand on what I can do.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6534343827_9ce5994872_z.jpg

This image is extremely high fashion, and it would've taken ages to plan this photo shoot. I love the concept that the model is stuck in the birdcage, and that the birds have escaped. There is a chance for a narrative in this image which I think is great, because it's nice to have to imagine a story for an image, it lets you become in control of it. The positioning of the model is very good, as you can see her arms, as if the photo was a close up, her arms would've been cropped out and the image would have looked odd. There seems to be a slight vignette around the edges of the image, and also there is a slight vintage effect to the image,which creates great lighting, that focuses on the model and the birds.

http://www.marshu.com/articles/images-website/articles/americas-next-top-model/antm-americas-next-top-model-season-12-twelve/americas-next-top-model-season-12-teyona-exotic-bird-photoshoot.jpg

This photo was taken by Supermodel/Photographer Tyra Banks. This image was taken for America's Next Top Model, as was the image below. Here the girls were told to embody exotic birds sitting in their nests. I like that the photographer and artistic director have created a big birds nest that they could sit in. I think that this is a great prop that the models could used, instead of the photographer having to Photoshop different bits in. The lighting in both these images is very dark, but I think that they were taken in covered woodlands, which would've made everything darker. I really like that these images are in Sepia. This is different to all the other images I've found and it gives the image a kind of timeless effect to it. What I think is daring about this image is that it was a topless shoot, making it difficult for the Photographer not to make the image look to sexual. 

http://www.supercute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/cw-antm12-allison-container1.jpg

http://favim.com/orig/201105/11/angel-angel-wings-angels-art-artistic-birds-Favim.com-40795.jpg

I particularly liked this image, because the wings have been added in as an extra. The theme of this image to me seems to be captivity, as the wings are so big that they go around the corners of the room, making everything seem a little crowded, even though there is so much space in the room. The layout of this image is very spaceous, and relaxed giving the image a neutral feel. The location looks like it has been abandoned as there are crows in the room, which also hints towards a darker side as they aren't very nice birds and the model is also wearing black. I noticed that both birds are looking at the model, and she is staring back at the one on the left. This makes the model look intimidated accentuating the theme of captivity.   

http://www.pigeonsandpeacocks.com/files/2009/12/kathryn-hilliard.jpg

This image has the model dressed in a Peacock dress. The location in this image gives a sense that the model is free and a wild 'bird'. The model's stance gives a representation of a peacock, as it is a very proud bird, but it is also a show off, especially when it opens its wings properly. The vintage effect on this image is beautiful and it might be something that I take for inspiration and carry on into my images and experiments. 

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/files/2012/01/peacock.jpg

Again in this image, the model is portraying the stance of a Peacock. This image is clearly vintage, as it is grainy and looks as if it has been scanned onto a computer. The location of this image almost blends the model into the bush, but her skin and the tail of her dress stick out, emphasising everything. I like the regal stance of the Peacock, and this is something that I may carry on into my experiments and my final images. 

http://www.danielle-hurley.com/costume-phoenix-wing-process04-fl.jpg

These are the kind of wings that I plan to create for my experiments. I want the girl to be in neutral or black clothing, so that the wings are the focal point of the image.  

http://www.danielle-hurley.com/costume-phoenix-wing-process04-fl.jpg

This image to me shows a still from an African dance or traditional ritual. Even though this is a still, you can imagine the movement, and you can feel the energy from his movements. He has a very strong stance in his arms, making him look very powerful. This energy creates an energetic, vibrant image. The colours in this image are very neutral, and then when you look in the centre you are hit by a big blast of colour. Even though the wings are very detailed, you focus on the highlights of paint on the man's body. There is a depth of focus in this image, as the background behind him is blurred out, and the trees look smaller, telling us that there is space between him and the location he's in. The man looks a little bit saturated in this image, but this could be the reflection off his wings as they have a slight orange tint. 

http://www.thismustbetheplace.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/burda3_large1.jpg

These style of wings are more elegant than the previous ones. These style of wings might be more useful for a smaller bird, and I would still be able to use vibrant colours. For example this might be good for Lovebirds, as they only have a few colours, but the green and pink. 

http://theculturevulture.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/leeds-carnival-wings.jpg

These wings are very extravagant, and I obviously wouldn't make wings as big as this, but I am planning to take inspiration from these with the colours and textures of the piece. I also like the use of a bird cage at the top of this image, so I may use this idea and buy some birdcages to hang around the background of my image.

http://abenefit2u.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/carnival-lady-with-gold-wings.jpg

Again this is another idea for the wings I could create. These style of wings are more extravagant, and this style would be good for a Peacock. These types of wings will also be easy to move around with, so I could create a really smooth image that shows some movement.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKUUke0GGO5aIHE3y_9MuKJdVv8EkXVSH0lelYq7UjDDiZ-KYTh1zDmIQnl9suqWH0d1-SoVwlNWOWyMwmY8sVF5Kmb7eJDLgzdB6BUfZZLSTAGAFrnAEqisVMdkxpPPuThEQqlvSGa8r/s1600/VictoriasSecretWings.jpg

These wings are very elegant but still girly, and they have the structure that I am interested in creating. I like that these wings do have a 3D effect to them and they are curved which makes them look even more realistic. 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3j2cCZ2Ww3lccdi2mn1hBsnRH2daZlUFYPsQWc_BWsLioiriol6lbyu7s6ur5xB10smyc5DLbgqdgQSGOHrFlRiQkuJ5AJB8xA7o_bN0c9_rZPUWlTyxUTOAmqgrtcQCOFE35uHP-EU/s640/Kanye+west+-selita-ebanks+-+runaway.jpg

These wings are more extravagant and I don't think I will be able to re-create wings like this, as it look like it is a complete costume rather than separate pieces. I particularly like the colours in this image as they are pastel shades, and it looks like the image has been edited in post production, because it does have a vintage feel to it. It may have been taken on a film camera, but it doesn't seem to have the film quality that those cameras have. This has probably been taken on a modern camera because everything is  defined. I also like the talons on her hands, this help to make her look even more like a bird. 

Review of Research:

Throughout my research I have found that there are many ways in which you can represent an exotic bird, through creating bird wings, to using beauty shots and makeup. I have found that many of my images have used different techniques, for example one of the images I have found looks as if it has been taken with a film camera and the other looks as if they have been taken digitally. I have found different techniques that I can take inspiration from and use them throughout my experiments and then in my final piece.  

Stretch and Challenge

Experiments

I wanted to use feathers to incorporate the exotic bird theme into my image. I decided that I only wanted the feathers to be used subtly, so they don't overpower the image. So I decided to stick them to false nails, and make the image look like a beauty shot. I have bright lighting in all of these images, as I was stood facing outside where the light was the brightest. For all of these image I adjusted the saturation just slightly to make the feather look more vibrant. 

On this final image, I decided that I'd have the feathers coming over the top of my eye. I wanted this image to look like I was going to be swallowed by feathers. 

These images were taken at the same time as my final images. I decided to experiment with different positions and try moving around more to change the lighting, as I was using natural light. 

I chose this first image as the pose the model is striking looks very regal. The main focus of this image is the bird mask that she is wearing. I decided to use such a bright colour for the mask, so that it would stand out from the woodland background. This is also the reason I decided to dress the model in black. I edited the highlights  and shadows in this image to make everything more defined. I also changed the saturation of the image slightly to make it a bit brighter and vibrant. 

This image is one of my favourite experiments, as it is unique and I haven't seen someone do it before. What I particularly liked about this image is the models arm as it is not fully extended. This extension makes it look like she is in the middle of flapping her wings, but it still looks elegant at the same time. I like that you can't really tell how far up the tree the model is, as the bottom isn't seen. This makes the image have a more editorial feel as it is dangerous and interesting. As the position of the model is exotic, I decided to go against editing the saturation of the mask, as I thought that it would be a bit too much and overpower the image.

In this image, I added some warmth, just to bring a bit more colour to the image as it was quite cold before. I like the position of the model in this image as she has slightly twisted herself around the tree trunk. The background of this image is busy, but not so busy that it takes away from the model and the mask. 

I experimented more using the tree trunk, and positioned my models in different ways to see what worked best, but I found that the images were coming off a bit too sexual for what I wanted to do, as you can see in this image below. I do like the image, but it isn't the portrayal of exotic I was looking for. 

I experimented here using different techniques of editing in post production. I used a filter called 'Posterise,' on the PC editing software 'Picasa 3'. Here the filter chose to make the image look more like pop art than an actual digital image. What I like is that the blue from the masks is still peeping through just giving the image a bit of definition as I think it would've been quite flat if it was only brown, black and white. 

Here I experimented on where  I took my images. For this image my model was on the same tree trunk as before, but I lay underneath her to get this image. What I like about this is that it is quite dark and mysterious, especially because you can't see her eyes. This image is much like a silhouette because of the lack of detail you have of her. The lighting in this image is nice as it is dark infront and the natural light is coming from behind. I did have a little bit of artificial light that came from my camera. 

In these images I decided to go back to looking at beauty shots, and I incorporated the feathers into it to make it look exotic. I decided to have my model lying down so that I could have control of where the feathers went, and this would make for a more solid piece, where I know that everything is in focus. I wanted my model to look joyful to tie in with the yellow of the feathers. This image radiates happiness, which is something that you would see in a carnival or festival. 

For these two images I edited the highlights and shadows to make everything a little more defined and then I also used the curves tool on Photoshop to make the lighting sharper and give the right amount of shadow and highlight to her face. In both of these photos I have managed to capture the light in her eyes, which also helps to portray the emotion being given. 

Here is a screen shot of a few of the images I have taken. I will then go on to edit these images, choose my favourites and decide which ones I want to use as my experiments. 

I really liked this shot, because of the action involved. All my previous have been stationary and this one adds some life as feathers are being thrown around. I love the dark background in this as I think that it gives definition to the feathers. 

Again this is another action shot, but compared to the previous one the model is more in focus compared to the feathers, which seem to create a frame around her. I liked that the feathers were still vibrant, but the model could be clearly seen. 

I also like this image as it reminds me of a little girl playing in the leaves in autumn. I edited the curves, highlights and shadows in this image to make it brighter. I really like that the model is looking down rather than at the camera or anywhere else. This is different to all the other images I have as the rest have eye contact.  After this experiment I have decided that the feathers are a really good idea, but when I tae my photos out on location, I will be in a public place and the feathers will be very messy. 

Here I went back to the beauty shots again and tried using feathers on a stick so that they were more controlled and versatile. This image in particular has an exotic theme as I think my model looks Latino. And I think that the pink feathers help to accentuate this. The colour of the feathers has also made the image look extremely feminine and seductive. What I really like about this image is that there is a secrecy behind it. Only one of the models eyes in being shown and this shows the secrecy and mysteriousness. 

As you can see here the feathers are on wire and are hand held. This makes for a more versatile photo as my model had complete control of them. I decided to use a medium close up for this shot so that I could get the models hands in to make it look even more feminine. I edited the shadows in this image to make the background blacker as it was a greyish colour before. As I did this the pink feathers became darker so I had to adjust my highlights a little to give them some definition and shape again.

This image is very similar to the first image, as the feathers are over her face again. This image is lighter than the first, as I thought that it would be better to show her features off more and her bone structure. What I think is a shame about this photo is that you can see her hands on the left hand side, and also the stem on the feathers. If these were disguised or I had someone else there to hold the feathers I might have had a better photo. 

This image is one of my favourites as my model looks slightly seductive. The way she is leaning back with the feathers looks a lot sexier than the previous image that looked like this. Another thing that shows the sexiness is that she has her mouth partially open. The eye contact with the camera as well makes it look as if she is staring directly at you, seducing you. I didn't touch the highlights and shadows that much, only adjusting the shadows to make the background darker. 

Review of Experiments:

I think that my experiments went very well and I used a lot of different techniques and methods to create my images. I found lots of different ways of using props to create my images. And I also used different surroundings to create my images. I think that having to use different locations has made me more versatile as I had to work with the natural elements. I will use an outdoor location for my final photos as I think that this has a better resemblance to exotic birds. I think that they have more depth in them and are different to beauty shots that you see all the time. I really liked using the yellow feathers in my experiments as it was uncontrolled and there wasn't a big chance of getting a decent photo. 

Final Piece Plan

Final Piece Images + Review

Exotic Final Piece:

Close up of all 4 images:

Analysis (Inside every image)

Review of Final Piece:

I think that my final piece went exceptionally well and I am very pleased with the result I have. Initially I wanted my final images to be presented in a bird cage, but I couldn't find the right bird cage. Instead I decided to use twigs to make it look like a tree and also a birds nest. I used the feather masks from the final images so that it filled up some empty space, and it also tied all the images together. I decided to print my images off as 10x8's as I thought that they were just the right size so that they didn't overpower the rest of the display. A 5x7 photo would've been too small and the masks and tree would've overpowered. I think that the 10x8's have balanced out the final piece well. For my analysis I was going to have these hanging from the branches to look like proper birdcages, I then changed my mind and put them inside the card that the final photos were mounted on, as birdcages, masks and the tree would've looked to busy. I am very happy with the final images I took, as I think that they portray exotic well due to their colours and also the positions of the models. I don't think that I would've done anything differently for my final and all the decisions I have made have worked out in my favour so that I created the best final piece I could.