Thursday, 18 November 2010

Comparing Different Layouts in Magazines

I decided to look into my own work to see how different images look when put into a magazine format.
This shoot I did with Lotte for the Epona photoshoot. It was published in Lumine magazine later this year. The photos were submitted to the magazine then the magazine chooses the titles, the font and layout.
What I think is interesting, is the fact that they have named the title A Day Without Rain. I can say from being on this shoot, this defiantly wasn't true. We actually did the make-up on a fold-up make-up chair whilst we held two umbrellas over the equipment and another over the model.
However it does it's job by telling a story that does defiantly look as though it will pour with rain any second (which it did).
What I also find interesting is the extract of writing they have included. It gives a personal touch to the photograph and shows how the magazine wants to portray the photographs. It is defiantly interesting to see how the text and layout has transformed the overall feel of the photographs.
This is another photo-shoot that I had published in the Autumn issue for Celladoor Magazine.
I love the way they have presented the photographs. The title gives it a girly, vintage type look with the illustration of the frame and the faded letters. I'm not sure the colour of the font works entirely well but I think it works better then the previous spread.
I also like the way they have changed the size of the images so that two of the same look can be shown, just one with more detail and one as an overall image.
This is the same shoot by used by Edie Magazine. Although this isn't a spread, it shows how different the image is when put in a different format.

I think out of all the magazines of my photographs I prefer the Celladoor one as it seems to fit best with the actual photographs. The story they have portrayed links well to the actual photographs and the layout of the pages give the photographs justice in showing the clothes clearly.

Wednesday, 17 November 2010

Experimenting with the Behind the Scenes Photographs

After having a tutorial with Gail it was suggested that I experiment on my own behind the scenes pictures whilst I wait for the edited pictures back from the photographers.
By cropping my own photographs I was able to see a clearer image and focus on the main aspect.
Because I wanted a colder look I decided to up the contrast and then change the gradient map on photoshop. I played around with the contrast and colour tones of the background and then pasted her figure over the top of the altered backdrop. Although this was only a quick experimentation I think it is effective in making the photo look more colder and wintry.

On this experiment I wanted to play around with the redness of her coat. I cropped the image again so that it was mainly the figure in the shot. I then upped the contrast and by using the replace colour tool, I was able to change the colours. However I do think the red works the best. I then selected all the red in the image and made it match the lipstick colour.
Despite these images only being simple experimentation's of my own photographs, it shows the possibilities that I can apply to the final photographs when I get them back from the photographers.

Tuesday, 16 November 2010

Photo-Shoot with Steph

As well as my own photo-shoot I also want to incorporate other shoots that I think may link well to what I am looking into for this project. We quite often get emails from other students requesting stylists. I had previously done the shoot with Min and when Steph Dale contacted me about doing a shoot which was also Doll themed I felt it related to the childhood theme I was looking into. By working with other students it will also broaden my contact list and hopefully get me recognised at the university as well.

Hi Stephanie
I was forwarded your email by Anne (my course leader from Fashion) regarding a photo-shoot coming up. I would be very interested in styling if you haven't already found someone. I am collaborating with another fashion student who is also a stylist to hopefully put together a styling company in the future.
Please find my model mayhem page here: http://www.modelmayhem.com/1587346

Thanks
Vicky


Hey Vicky,
Thanks for the reply, yeah i am still looking for a stylists for the shoot. I am currently going through some initial ideas but am quite keen on doing a studio based shoot loosely based on the theme dolls and puppets. I have already contacted some designers who i am interested in using but would love your help putting the outfits together.

I am going to be in uni for the next three days and will be free on Thursday and Friday afternoon if you would like to get together and talk more?
Thanks,
Steph


Hey Vicky,
I have attached some photos of the clothes i have been given by the designer, the blouses can be used as separates and i would like to mix the items with softer more girly items.
I have had a bit of a shopping spree on American apparel! lol and would really like to get the full skirt we looked at in white? also i think some more lace, perhaps a body or one of the loose lacy jumpers they have. I also think another skirt would be needed if we separate the blouses from the rest of the collection?
as for accessorizes i think you are right in saying it might be to much to add jewelry, but i would like to use bows in their hair, and i have been looking at socks and tights online and i think again colours ones with lace might look good? what were you thinking about shoes?
with props, i would like a chair, again i would like it to be in a pastel colour? also the umbrella we spoke of? and i have been thinking about balloons lately?
anyway if you could get back to me with what you think that would be great! thanks xxx

The next plan of action for this shoot was to actually see the outfits that the designer had sent.
After looking at the clothes we agreed that they needed to be softened to fit in with some of the inspirational images she had in her sketchbook. We decided that creams and whites would soften the look, perhaps using lace.
This time round I wanted to be there for the shoot as I had learnt from my experience with Min.
Unfortunately I could only be there for the 1st photo-shoot as I have work tomorrow but we tried out all of the outfits so that Steph knows exactly what to put her in for tomorrows shoot.
Photographs hopefully up soon!

Friday, 12 November 2010

Behind the Scenes at the Shoot

I was extremely worried when I woke up yesterday as the weather was horrendous. It was torrential rain as well as high winds with no sign of getting any better.
However we went on as I had planned picking Lydia up a little later due to the heavy traffic because of the weather.
Because Lottie had stayed the night before this made it easier as we were not waiting for her to get to Brighton either. It meant that as soon as Lydia was here we could get on with her make-up and hair which would take the longest to do.
Lotte and Luke turned up on time at 9:30 and we went up to Stanmer woods to see what the situation at the woods was like.
It was still pouring with rain and very muddy so we decided to head home to see what shots we could do inside. One of our ideas was to set up some of my idea such as the tent indoors.
I wasn't able to pick up Lucas and Alex until 11:30am due to the late start and the weather.
Dan was also late in arriving because of traffic on the way to Brighton.
However, looking at the weather it said it would be clearing up so we managed to leave mine at 1:30 and start shooting at 2:00.
The first shot we did was the main one I wanted with all the props on the tree trunk armchair. It was so windy going there that Lottie nearly lost the fake hair on her head.
After the prop set we decided to head back to the cars so that everyone could change. We also decided to use the lane right next to where we were parked to do the mirror shot. This was because the props were taking time to set up and were heavy going in the weather that we decided this would be our last prop shot.
You can clearly see how muddy this slope was, everyone managed to slip down it except the model thankfully.
To get the shot we balanced Lottie against the mirror as her support then moved quickly out the way so that we could be out of the photograph.
You can clearly see here what a miserable day it was. I'm amazed everyone was so happy. However something I have learnt by doing shoots is to keep enthusiastic and positive. Although I was secretly panicking because the shoot wasn't going exactly to plan, the only person who knew that was Lydia and that was only because we had been discussing back up ideas if this failed.
We decided to moved further down into the woods where it was more sheltered. You can clearly see how fed up the models look here despite smiling.
When I did speak to Lottie about it she said she didn't mind she loved modeling so as soon as her picture was being taken you had no idea she was cold and wet!
Finally the sun began to make an appearance which defiantly brightened everyone's mood and meant that we could photograph quicker.
I did originally want to do a picture of the dress Lottie is wearing underneath but it was so cold that I scraped that idea and got her to do the second look with the red cape.
My friend Steve was meant to bring his red bike for this look but because of the weather it meant that he was unable to ride the bike up to the woods. This was unfortunately something else I had to scrap the idea of.
One of the most funniest things happened on this shoot. Poor Lucas managed to sit on dog mess whilst playing on some of the tree trunks. The poor guy was so embarrassed and upset that I didn't show that I was worried about it. Instead I turned the whole thing into a joke saying that he has cheered everyone up. I think he was more reassured and joined in laughing about it. Sometimes these things happen, it defiantly did sum up the day though.
I'm really pleased with the styling in this shoot. Because of the time being cut this also meant that I had to cut down on some of the outfits so I decided to do some of my stronger looks. I think this look works well because the red splits up the blue and white snow jumpers but the socks still link with back to them.
The main aim of the tree swing shot was to warm everyone up, very pleased as it did the trick.
In these photo's you can see the difficulty Lydia had to keep the hair on Lottie's head.
Despite the terrible weather I think we managed to get some great shots. I will look through some of the images and work out whether we may need to re-shoot later.
A photo of the end of the day of the team from left - Dan, his girlfriend Emily (who had been great throughout the day helping me hold things out of the mud etc) Lotte, Luke, Lydia, Lucas, Lottie and Alex (the behind the scenes film technician).

Tuesday, 9 November 2010

Plan for the Photoshoot

Thursday 11th November Day Plan

8:00am Pick up Lydia

8:30am Start make-up on Lottie at mine

9:30am Lotte and Luke round mine

10:00am Set up at Stanmer Park

10:30am Pick up Alex and Lucas from Brighton town center
10:30am Dan at mine

10:30am Make-up for the boys

11:00an Drive up to Stanmer Park

11:00am - 4:30pm Shooting

We will have to finish at 4:30 at the latest as this is when it will be getting too dark to carry on shooting.
Throughout the day I will also provide food for everyone as they are doing the shoot for me for free.


Saturday, 6 November 2010

MerriMaking

I came across this website MerriMaking which specialises in making animal hoods. I really loved the styles and felt that they would give across the idea of the animal in a less obvious way that a mask would. I therefore decided to contact the creators or MerriMaking Meg and Harri to see whether they would be interested in sending me some of their pieces for my photo-shoot.
On Thu, Oct 28, 2010 at 5:26 AM, <smith.v.a@hotmail.com> wrote:
Your name:
Victoria Smith
Message/Question/Comment:
Hi my names Vicky, and I came across your website. I'm currently looking for clothing to feature in an upcoming photo-shoot. Would love to use some of your pieces, particularly interested in the wolf hoods and if you had any rabbit hoods. Am hoping to submit them into a magazine, I could also provide final copies of the images. Look forward to hearing from you, Vicky x

Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2010 05:32:20 -0700
Subject: Re: Form submission from [merrimaking.co.uk] - [ORDER] - [Form 12]
Hi Vicky, great to hear from you. How are you?
We would definitely be up for you using some of our pieces! And having copies of the images would be great!
When would you need them by? We could make you a Rabbit to use, and send you a Wolf? Would you like just one of each? Dark Wolf or Light Wolf? And what colour Rabbit? Would you be up for posting them back when you're finished?
And out of curiosity, what magazines are you sending them to? And as part of what article?
Just had one thought.. we are planning a collaboration with Bantum to develop a Rabbit hood with a lining that they will design. Would you be interested in using that if we had it together in time?
Hope you're having a good day!
meg x

From: Victoria Smith <smith.v.a@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2010 17:12:02 +0100
Subject: RE: Form submission from [merrimaking.co.uk] - [ORDER] - [Form 12]
Hiya Meg
Thanks for your quick response and being so positive!
That's great! I'm looking at doing the shoot on the 11th of November so would need them for that week if possible.
I think a dark wolf would probably go best, I didn't realise you did both so may be good if I could possibly borrow both if you had them? I would want a natural coloured Rabbit, so that would be great using the collaboration with Bantum if it obviously wasn't bright pink and was ready in time.
And yes could defiantly post them back to you!
Still undecided which magazine we will submit the photographs too, I think it will depend on the final images and which magazine would suit them best. It will be in a form of a photo-shoot.
How does this sound to you?
Many thanks
Vicky


Subject: Re: Form submission from [merrimaking.co.uk] - [ORDER] - [Form 12]
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2010 16:33:50 +0000
Sounds great! Might not manage to use the Bantum collaboration hood, but we'll work on a neutral colourd rabbit next week. Any preferences on the linings?
What's your address?

Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:12:06 +0100
Subject: RE: Form submission from [merrimaking.co.uk] - [ORDER] - [Form 12]
Hi Meg,
I'm happy with any lining, whichever you have the most of and is the most easiest for you. The hoods will most likely be worn by male models.
My address is:
Thank you so much,
Vicky

From: Victoria Smith <smith.v.a@hotmail.com>
Date: Thur, 4 Nov 2010 17:53:51 +0000
Subject: RE: Form submission from [merrimaking.co.uk] - [ORDER] - [Form 12]
Hiya Meg
Just wondering how your getting on with the hoods? Have got all the clothing sorted now. Photographers, models and make-up artist booked. Look forward to seeing the hoods.
Thanks
Vicky

Subject: Re: Form submission from [merrimaking.co.uk] - [ORDER] - [Form 12]
Date: Thur, 4 Nov 2010 17:59:36 +0000
Hello! Made your wolf, making your rabbit thins monday, then they'll be in the post. Made a white rabbit this weekend for a show, and the ears are quite impracticle big - we felt it looked just a bit too fancy dressy. Are you dead set on a rabbit? Its fine if you are. How big are you imagining the ears to be? I have a GREAT honey coloured fur :) x

On Thur, Nov 4, 2010 at 11:44 AM, Victoria Smith <smith.v.a@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hiya,
That's great news! I'm good with your judgement really so whatever you think is best. If its easier for you I don't mind using the white rabbit hood you've already made!
Thanks so much!!
Vicky

These are the finished headpieces that I got from MerriMaking. I am so pleased with them as they are exactly what I requested.

Rabbit:

Wolf: