Robert Mayplethorpe studio

This photograph that I captured was a photograph that was inspired by Robert Mayplethorpe. My ideas that came to mind when taking this photograph was that I wanted to just use one body feature which in this photograph I came to the conclusion was a arm and hand. When I was taking this photograph I was exploring photographs using bubbles. This was just experimenting but when I came to look at the photographs they came out very well. Through the editing process of this photographs I decided to convert the whole background to black and white and keep the bubble in colour. This was because inside the bubble was a photograph that I cropped and down sized to fit. This photograph is of hands strapped together. I placed this in the bubble to show that there is no escape which is the meaning behind my photograph. If I would go back and improve this photograph I would of taken the photograph closer to see more detail into the bubble.



This photograph is of Demi Wrenn and I positioned her to show pain in her face and to show herself pulling away from the strings that are strapped round her hands. This photograph was also inspired by Robert Mayplethorpe and was shown to show trying to escape like the photograph above. The editing I decided to convert to black and white this was because I felt it would be more affective to show the negative situation. The black and white also made it show the lightness and darkness within the photograph. If I would go back and improve this photograph I would change the editing to a dim colour instead of straight black and white.


Overall I feel that this shoot went very well. This shoot was in the studio and was an extended shoot for  Robert Mayplethorpe to get some more photographs. I found that the first studio shoot I did that was inspired by Robert Mayplethorpe didnt go as well as I thought it would. Therefore the second time I did it I felt that it was a better improvement and contained better ideas to experiment and edit with.

Robert Mapple thorpe location

This photograph was one of my 4 straight prints from the Robert mayplethorpe location inspired work. This photograph is of Beth holding a camera. When I first took this I had a basic idea but didn't know why it would link to Robert Mayplethorpe's work. However the more I look at it the editing with the black and white background makes it inspired as well as the meaning of Robert capturing a moment of life and how it will never be captured again only remembered as a memory. I like how this photograph as a rock edge to it and that it doesn't look simple. However to improve this photograph I could of captured her face to show seriousness.

                                                    This photograph was also inspired by Robert Mayplethorpe and was taken to symbolise the cross and show religion. This photograph was taken at an angle to get a different view instead of taken central. I really like how the black and white creates the background to be dark with no shadow. To improve this photograph I could of taken the photograph closer to get more detail from the cross.




This shoot was successful in my eyes however I feel that this was not one of my strongest shoots out of all the shoots I have done. I feel that taking photographs that were inspired by Robert Mayplethorpe was difficult as we was taking them outside and his work is based in a studio. However I feel that I took some decent photographs and the outcome was really good. If I would go back and add to this shoot I would defiantly take more photograph to experiment with.

Top Twenty presentation

Top twenty photographs from ameliabarrett16

Overall Evaluation

At the beginnning of the formal elements project we was instructed to write a list of the 10 formal elements these were lines,colour,movement,pattern,shape,depth,reflection,form,tone and texture. These were the individial elements that we would have to research and explore to then be developed into photographs that we have been inspired to take or created ourselves with our own imaginiation. After the formal elements list we then had to write a list of the visual world this was to gather our understanding of where the formal elements are categorised under. This was to make sure that when we go out capturing photographs we knew where the formal elements would be. The visual elements list was very long this is because the visual world is full of the 10 formal elements and this is what makes up our world today. I feel that if we hadnt had the discussion of the visual world in class and written the list I wouldnt of had a great understanding as I did. Because this meant that I would be more confident at crafting photographs and knowing what exactly to take when  I went on my shoots or in the studio.
For every formal element we had to do a image bank this was very important in my eyes because the lay out of this was 6 related photographs to each formal element which we anaylsed in a paragraph for each. This allowed myself and other photography students to explore photographs that were inspirational to us. This would then make it easier for me to take photographs myslef and edit them knowing I have a inspired photograph that lead me to take what I did and create my own meaning behind it. In class we also had to do a definition page and this required a dictionary definiton, list of what comes under the formal element, 4 anyalysed photographs and lastly my own definition. This was very helpful as I could see what the definition of each formal element was this helped me to understand my photographs better and to create my own definiton.
However even though these above were all very helpful and contributed to my understanding the task that made things clear to me was the mind map this was because I had to put examples underneath eachother formal element. This was something that made it clear to me what I was going to be taking photographs of for each formal element. This also simply layed out and was something visually clear to read quickly which would recap the ideas and examples I had written for each shoot.
After all this research and written work I then went out and took photographs which I could imagine in my mind would fit the formal element best and show clearly what one it was. As well as showing off my skills and having a captivating outcome. After each shoot we then had to print out contact sheets and pick our top four which was then agreed by paul and some in some cases were changed. Following this was the editing process which was only applyed to the four chosen. This was repeated for each formal element. This process was very long and some formal elements were tougher then others.
The formal elements I struggled with were reflection, tone and movement. Reflection I found difficult because I knew where to take the photographs. This was because a class discussion was made and the main places to take reflection photographs were mirrors, puddles and glass windows. However I struggled with what angle to take the photograph and how to just fit in the reflection with no other distractions in the photograph. This is why I didnt take a lot of photographs. However the ones I did were focused on more and as a result turned out well.
I also struggled with tone this was because I found it difficult to imagine the photographs I was taken to be black and white and where the different tones would be in the photographs. I ended up trying not to over think and take photographs and then see how they ended up in the editing process. This formal element I feel contained some of my stronger photographs
Lastly the formal element movement was the formal element I struggled with the most this was because I found it hard to capture photographs that looked very obviouse what they were but in a blurring motion. I feel that my photographs for burring could of been a lot better but they were presented and edited well in my eyes.
My strongest formal elements in my opinion were texture and form this was because on both of these shoots the sun was shining this allowed me to get shadows and the 3D appearence in form and to show the texture of the photograph I took very clear and detailed. These both I found fun and I felt my ideas were more developed in these two.
In addition surprisingly my tone photographs looked one of my strongest element even though I struggled with the shoot. This is evidence that with the research that I did was very helpful with making my photographs the best that they could be.
After every shoot we had to do a work diary this was to look back at what we took and if we would go back to the shoot what would be add to them. Most of my shoots were to take more photographs or to take more of a variety of photographs. However I didnt think I lacked photographs but more would of given me more of a choice for my 4 straight prints.
I think that the best part of this project was the studio work and the print techniques. This was because the studio was something I hadnt done before which made it exciting. Once I had leanrt how to use the lighting for effect and the camera I found it very easy to produce professional photographs that would stand out in my portfolio. The best studio shoot I feel I done was my second shoot of form which was a massive improvment from my first studio form shoot. As the lighting was much lighter and the photographs were more creative.
I also liked the print techniques as I was learning new techniques that I could apply with my own photographs. The soft focus was something that I liked the outcome of as it made my photograph look effortless and beautiful. However the print technique I enjoyed the most was photojoiner this was because I understood how to do this one very well and the outcome of my photograph in my eyes looked very challenging. I think this is one of my faveroite photographs from the project.
During the project we had to do a research log which was of 20 photographers and 5 of our best photographers which we anaylsed in detail. These both contributed to my understanding and opened my eyes to the photography indsutry.
Lastly as our class worked at a good pace we had time to do some extended work this was. Two nature walks, the theme of contrast and inspired work from Robert Mapple thorpe.
I loved the nature walks as this gave me other destinations to take photographs and was the time where I think my photographs began to improve hugely. In the project we had enterd a compettion where we used some of our nature photographs. These photographs had deep meanings behind them and were shown to other memebers of the gibert galleries. This was good in my eyes as it gave us an idea of what people out of the college thought of our work.
Robert Mapple thorpe was the last photographer and thing we did in this project. To get an idea of what photographs to take we watched a long clip about his carreer and about him as person which was a reason for some of his work.
My view on his work was that the simplistic nature and how her brings confidence to his models was very inspiring and how he used black and white for every photograph. When I captured photographs inspired by him the ones I liked the most were taken in the studio. This was because Roberts photographs were based in a studio. Also the back drops and lighting made my photographs similar to his.
Overall I have learnt many things in this formal elements project what each formal element is and my understanding of them is correct. I have also learnt the smallest of things like how to use photoshop and edit my photographs. To applying print techniques to my pictures and taking photographs in the studio by using the lighting. This project has allowed me to see photography in a different way instead of just looking at photographs I can interperate the deep meaning behind them. I also feel that I have more confidence taking photographs in both the studio and outside locations. My knowledge has hugely increased and this project has been very enjoyable to do. Even though there was a lot of written work to complete and there was times where this project was very stressful. My final outcomes from my top twenty powerpoint has shown that hard work pays off.

Connecting Essay 5

My photograph is of a bubble that is still attached to its holder and the arm of Beth holding it. Inside the bubble is the photograph that I took of Demi's hands hand cuffed together. I have lowerd the opacity so that the photograph is very suttle inside the bubble. This photograph I like because of the meaning this is that the bubble is trapping and symbolising Demi's isolation in the hand cuffs. This photograph represents how you can feel trapped in society with no escape or freedom. I expecially like how the photograph is black and white but the bubble and its holder isnt. This makes the bubble stand out from the photograph and attract the viewer more. I also like how the photograph is very simple looking but has a huge meaning because without the meaning behind the photograph I feel the photo wouldnt be as powerful. To improve this photograph I would of taken the photograph closer so that the bubble is much bigger and clearer to see. However overall this photograph I feel I have edited and composed very well.


This photograph is photographed by Jerry Uelsman. The photograph is of hands spread open and a photograph of a empty boat coming from the shore. I like that this photograph is black and white and how it adds to the emptiness to the photograph. This photograph is taken close up which I like as well because then you can see the detail very clear and it also feels the page up more. This photograph I can interperate its meaning as that the boat is very lonely and is being overpowerd by the huge ocean as well as the hands showing its isolation. The lighting of this photograph is very light which sets a calming tone to it. The black background creates the main focus of the hands stand out very well. Overall I really like this photograph and its imagination and creativity looks very good from the outcome.

These photographs both connect as they both are black and white and  both use the theme of isolation and wanting to escape. The meanings of both of these photographs are very deep and the suttle lighting reflects this and creates the photographs to be calming even though both photographs have a negative meaning. Both of these photographs contain the body part of hands but are shown from a different postion and angle. Even though these photographs dont look identical they both have similar meanings and affects.

Connecting Essay 4

My photograph is of flowers that are all growing in front of a building. The side of the building is bright yellow and the flowers have a hint of yellow in them which makes them match. The flowers are spread across the wall and are differnt levels which is why I took this photograph as I could imagine what it would look like when I came to edit it. I exspecially like the bright colours and how it expresses a summers day which makes my photograph very postive. I also like the theme of nature and how by capturing this creates the photograph to look very beautiful. I also like how the ratio of background to flower is that there is more colours then flower. This makes the photograph look not overly clutterd which is why it looks very eye catching. I also like how the flowers are rising from the bottom of the building this symbolises how the flowers represent people and how when genral people could be feeling low they must not doubt themsleves as postive things will come and make them rise to the top. To improve this photograph I could of taken the photograph closer to get more detail of the flowers. But overall I like this picture and how it has turned out.

This photograph is of flowers that have been taken so they are growing upwards to the sky as the sky is the background. I like the anlge that this photograph is taken as its very different and shows a different perspective of the flowers. I also like the bright colours and how the sun is shining in the sky to make it contain different shades of blue. I also like how there is a lot of flowers that all cover the photograph but the centre is left empty this could show how the centre could be the main goal and the flowers represent the amount of people who share the same goal for example a certain job. This photograph reflects a summers day and the bright colours are very warming and make me as a viewer feel very postive and happy.

These two photographs connect this is through both of them using flowers in there photographs. But mainly because of the colours they both use very strong bright colours that make there pictures very capitivating. The use of colours in both photographs also represent a summers day and how the brightness of the photographs bring happiness to the viewer. There composition is very different however there lay outs are both very creative and arent boring they are something that someone could see as very interesting.

Connecting Essay 3

My photograph is of Demi and is taken in the studio. This photograph was taken with a black back drop this was created by using two white blocks to block the shadows so that the background was completly one shade of black. My aim in this photograph was to use Demi as she was wearing a dark coloured jumper which would not show against the black background. Therefore my outcome was showing Demi's face and as if it was the only thing in the photograph. I like the way the photograph came out as it looks very different then a full body or shoulder to head portrait. I have decided not to take the colours out of the photograph but not to have her face to bright as it will distract and not fit the look of it being ghostly. By just having Demi's head in the photograph makes the photograph look very simple and this is what makes it look eye catching in my view. I also instructed Demi to keep a serious face this was to take the emotion out of the photograph and allow the viewer to interperate what they think of her personality by the way she looks. To improve this photograph I could of experimented with using a prop that looked like it was floating where her arm would blend in with the background. Or I could of put suttle tones of colours in her face to change the emotion.

This photograph is taken by the photographer Robert Mapple thorpe. He was exspecially known for his portraits and this is one of them. I like the way this women blends in with the black background and it only shows her face as the main  focus as its lighter then her body. I also like the way her face is very white and her face has a serious expression to it which creates this photograph to look very haunting but capitivating at the same time. This photograph shows the contrast of light and dark and is very simplistic which creates this photograph to have no distractions which will make the viewer just focus on the women. Overall I think that this photograph has been very well presented and layed out and is somethin that I have inspired by.



Both of these photograph connect through there style as my photograph and Robert Mapple thorpe's photograph both use the black background and portrait that looks like the face is just in the photograph. The format is the same as they both are in the centre and there expresson are both very serious. In addition they both also use a light and dark tone however my photograph has colours where as Robert Mapple thorpe's photograph is black and white. Overall I am happy that mine links to this as it was the photograph that inspired me with mine.