The Apple Tree

Portraits ~ Hannah

Over the summer, I set out to takes some more pictures for my A2 theme. I used my sister, Hannah, to be my Model :)

                     

     I also did a few experiments on some other pictures, by adding special effects.

How to answer questions in the exam and looking at other Photographers

Looking at the work of other Artists or Photographers

As part of both the AS & A Level courses you are expected to be looking at the work of other artists or photographers.  This can help to influence your own work and an understanding of why an artist creates a particular piece of work may help you to create your own.  In order to demonstrate to the examiner that you are engaging in the work of other artists you will need to produce evidence of this.  The easiest way to do this is to choose a painting or photograph which relates to your own work by a relatively well known artist and

using the prompts/questions below make an analytical response to your chosen artwork.  It is important that you realise that this cannot be superficial, you need to show a depth of understanding.  Print off one colour and one black/white copy of the image (min A5) on the b/w copy, draw lines to indicate the main compositional structure of the painting, photograph, image etc.

Original colour copy

B/W image with composition lines

Your Response
 What is your first reaction to the work?  Why does it make you feel/think like that?
What does it remind you of and why?
What can you connect the work to?
(e.g. Things seen on the silver screen, tv, youtube; places you have been to or things that have happened to you)

Content
What is the work?  How big is it?
What is it about?
Who is the artist?
When was it made?
Do you know of anything that would have influenced the work? 
(e.g. social/historical facts/influence of other artists.)
Does it contain any symbols you recognise?
Does its title influence how you see the work?

What can you see?
Colours-warm/cool?  Bright/muted? Predominant colour?
Tone-describe areas of light and shade/ areas of strong contrast.
Marks-what kind of marks does the artist use?
How has the artist created texture?
Are there any large shapes or forms?
Are there any imaginary lines joining different areas or creating the structural composition of the work?

My First Attempt of Portraits ~ Emily

I decided to start experimenting with portraits using one of my friends in my Photography Class, Emily.
To start off, I thought of something simple, whilst having some fun.
From my post about the History of Portraits, I found out that the subject usually is look towards the camera, and so I focused on this point for my first attempt.
I also used the Black and White setting on the camera, which links to my inspiration, Mel Smith. Though Mel uses a studio in most of his work, I went outside because there was a lot of light given due to the Sun.
As my work progresses, I hope to be able to get a white backdrop and have artificial lighting to use inside.

History of Portraits

Portrait photography or portraiture photography capturing the likeness of a person or a small group of people, in which the face and expression is predominant, though the body and background may be included. The objective is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the subject. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the camera.

Unlike many other photography styles, the subjects of portrait photography are often non-professional models. Family portraits commemorating special occasions, such as graduations or weddings, may be professionally produced and are most often intended for private viewing rather than for public exhibition.

http://www.melsmithphotography.co.uk/                      

               

http://www.denisewinterphotography.co.uk/

Aritist Portraits

Mona Lisa, painted in 1503-1519 with oil by the artist Leonardo DaVinchi.
She sits upright with her arms folded, which is also a sign of her reserved posture. Only her gaze is fixed on the observer and seems to welcome him to this silent communication. Since the brightly lit face is practically framed with various much darker elements (hair, veil, shadows), the observer's attraction to it is brought to even greater extent.
Detail of Lisa's hands, her right hand resting on her left. Leonardo chose this gesture rather than a wedding ring to depict Lisa as a virtuous woman and faithful wife.

The painting Girl with a Pearl Earring is one of Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer's masterworks (painted around 1665) and as the name implies, he has used the pearl earring as the focal point.

Van Gogh created many self-portraits during his lifetime. He was a prolific self-portraitist, who painted himself 37 times between 1886 and 1889

 

          

.

Landscapes ~ Seven Sisters

These pictures were taken along the coastline, between Seaford and Eastbourne. I took these photos for my AS coursework ~ Nature and Landscapes.
When I took these photographs, it was a vert fogyy/misty day and therefore the outcome of some photos seem to be blurry.

Other photographs for my AS Exam

Some more photographs I took in London and at the Seven Sisters Coastline.
I put these photographs in my Exam book for Splash.