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.