My Montage

Photography Project- Cindy Sherman Inspired Untitled Film Stills

Within this image I was inspired by Cindy Sherman. For instance, in this image I chose to do the bath inspired images. I looked at the theme of depression and why society is ignoring the fact that people are having to deal with this illness. The actual image which I took had correct exposure, however I edited it much darker to make the photo have this dull atmosphere. The reason why I did this is so the audience quickly are aware of the dark message behind it because the dreary vibe of this image quickly protrais the serious message.

There's quite a sharp focus on the lips, eyebrows, nose and eyes. This is so the facial expression is shown. The purpose of this was because the moody facial expression infers she's annoyed or angered towards something. For instance, the face could be a symbolism on how society is oblivious towards what's going on in a young teenagers mind. Also the audience can have a shocking view once they see the face because they realise she's quite young, so they emphasise more with the topic. It indicates that kids are being brought up into this illness because society dismiss this subject instead of coming to terms with it. However, the hand isn't in focuss, this is so the viewer is awake that shes learning up in the bath. This suggests she's calling or reaching out for societies help. 

The lighting in the face is quite sharp, I purposely did this so the face is the first thing your eyes are drawn towards. I think the lighting here enhances the message I am trying to portray. 

The main feature of the the image is centred. The reason is did this is because it's very extreme and gets right into your face. From my research, Sherman made her photography seem very extreme and stand out right in your face. 

Within this image it doesnt use a fore, middle or background. However, I think it was be better if I used a fore, middle and background on the fingers leading upto the face, so the viewers eyes are more appealed towards them, also it's a lot nicer for the eye to look a certain direction. 

I cropped this image slightly because I felt the need that the image should end at the top half of the body. I feel like this really works within this image. 

The kept the inspired photography black and white because I felt it created this saddened tone. 

The contrast between the face and the jumper works well because the eyes are attracted towards the dramatic change between the two. The dark areas convey what she's feeling, how her dark feelings are almost over powering her. 

I believe this photo is balanced because the eyes go towards the face but there's still of dark areas surrounding it.

Also the triangles created by the fingers keep the eyes im the image.

Again within this image I looked upon the ideology of depression and how young girls are made to grow up.

Within this image the exposure is underexposed, again I was trying to create a darkened mood to connote this idea of feeling down and alone. From my research, Sherman used underexposed images to get her mood across. 

There's a sharp focus on the image especially the mirror image. The side of her face has a softer focus because I want the eyes to immediately look in the mirror especially at what she's doing; which is putting lipstick on. The reason why this will shock a viewer is because it's a young girl putting make up on. Not only does this imply that she's growing up too fast, but it also shows how she's trying to be socities vision of "beautiful" at such a young age. 

The depth of field is used slightly  towards the lipstick. This is especially used to draw your eyes towards the lipstick, so the audience can suddenly see what she's doing.

Unlike the first image there are a lot more white areas than black. This is so the shadow in the image in created. Sherman is know to create these big, mystery shadows so that's why I've made the shadow visible.
Her head is slightly tilted, which leaves the eye on a slight angle. This keeps the eye focussed towards the head. This conveys she's getting ready to look her best for society. There are leading lines used on the outside of the mirror and the cabinet, this is used to guide your eyes unto the shadow. The shadow implies that she's leaving a past behind, meaning her childhood to become this young woman.
The triangles used here make you keep your eyes on the hands in the shadow. The reason why it's effective is because the shadow implies a woman putting something on her lips and the eyes drift again towards the mirror. This makes the audience realise it's a young girl placing make up on her face.
The reason I placed my model in the centre of the mirror is because I want to keep the main focus on her.
I like this image because the face she's making looks as if she doesn't know whats going on or how to put it on. This again depicts that she's trying too hard to become older than her age and maybe society as a whole are the reason to  blame for this because they should be teaching young teens to act their age.

 

The exposure here is again underexposed, this again was to give the eery mood of a young teenagers mind. 

Theres a sharp focus on the book and the model, this is so the eyes look at her holding a book first. As you can see the book which the model is holding is a novel, quite a complexed one. This is to show again this vision of growing up too fast, that society expects young people to know this knowledge without even being taught and the way she's holding the book is very child like also. The background has a soft focus, so the eyes on the model don't disappear off her but so they notice theres a knocked over bottle of perfume and the bed unmade. This suggests that she's very childish in a sense because she's not picked it up or made the bed like an adult would.

Theres an S curve between the glasses and the nose, this is so the eyes follow the rim of the glasses. As a viewer you would notice that she hasher glasses on the end of her nose, how older women would wear them. Again, this shows that she's trying to act older which is ironic because she's trying to act older without doing basic adult things.

The model in this image is very centred. This is so it's in your face and quite overpowering.
The main triangle used within this image is in the middle of the book. The reason why this is effective is because it focusses your attention on the book which is the reaction I planned for because it shows the amount of pages in the book and how many pages she's read. This suggests that she's very intelligent and educated, but this is again ironic because if she's educated then shouldn't she be taught not to grow up before her time? Maybe her level of intelligence signifies that she's older educational wise than others her age, which consequences to her actions in society.
In this image I see loss of childhood and judging by her face it's slightly smug as if she knows what she's doing.
What I like about this image is the way she's sat holding the book because it shows she's trying to mature how she's sat up right but the way she's holding the book juxtaposes this idea of maturity next to the child she is. However, I dislike the speaker in the background because it destroys the 60's feel it has to it.
I think the content of the image makes you feel quite moved, not like the others but still quite touched.
Theres quite a rough texture in this photo. This gives the vibe that the image is old and maybe traditional. It shows irony because in the image it shows old, traditional, ancient values but were still a modern society, so why do we hold these old views?

The expression on her face shows that she's upset, bored or even suicidal.Within this image the model has been centred in the middle. The reason for this is so the viewer can see the model directly to their eye level. This is so the audience understand the message on their level to. So it hits the viewer hard. The lighting in this picture is quite dark and unlighted. The reason behind this-  is like the other images- it's to give the audience a sense of depression and unhappiness. The reason for my model having a duster is to give the message that young girls are growing up and this view of 'women's roles' in society is to be the house keeper and taking care of 'womanly' things. Judging by her facial expressions it suggests that, she's fed up with societies "ideologies" of women. Also from my research I found out that Sherman was in fact a feminist, so I believe within my work I wanted to portray this feminist message. Her head again, is slightly tilted. This appeals to the eye because it's on a slight diagonal. The triangle between the the duster and the mirror keeps your eye on that specific place. The reason why I wanted to create a triangle there is so people would notice the mirror reflection. This suggests there are two parrell world of woman, one where they're trapped and stuck in socities stereotypes and one where women are independent and free. 

This image makes me feel as if society is growing not only women but also men in these ideas and propaganda. 

I like this image because of the arm reaching towards the duster. It connotes that she's trying foreach for societies attention, however from her facial expression it suggests she's bored and implies that she's probably tried to reach out too many times but no ones listening to her. 

I dislike the fact nothing in the background shows she's a child, maybe I could've placed more childlike things such as teddy bears and posters to suggest she's a child because I think it's hard for the audience to realise her age.

Again, in this image I've use the noise tool the create this grainy effect. The reasoning again is because I like the theme of the 60's, so throughout all my photographs I've made them seem quite old and poor quality. It's as if all these photos are images belonging to a photo album, containing societies visions and views.

In most of my images I have used a flash, the reason for this was because Cindy was known for her dramatic lighting. So I interpreted the use of the camera flash and bathroom spot light to create this powerful effect. The rule of thirds used here  is  2/3 of the model and 1/3 of the bath. I did this because it connotes that the model is dominant in this situation. For instance the bath being the object to show the end of life but the framing of this image suggests she's better than those depressing thoughts. I don't think there are any over exposed areas, however I do think the image as a whole is under exposed. I purposely did this because I want to give the audience a vibe of the feeling inside her mind, which are quite dark and profound. I included the background and didn't crop out the image because I wanted to keep the bath toy and the jug within the image, this is to remind the viewer that even though she looks old and dressed up, the toys suggests she's still a child and its appalling seeing young teens growing up before their time. Theres quite a sharp focus throughout the whole image, this is so the viewer is aware of every little part. For instance, the message here is a young teen, dressed up in societies vision of beautiful yet she still believes she's not beautiful enough. Not only young women, but also young men have to fit in societies stereotypes and we as a public just ignore the fact that it's a problem as a whole- that we are oblivious to what is actually happening.  There are triangles within this image, especially the shadow created near her hair. This is so the eyes are fixed in that spot to view the expression of her face. Where her hair is pinned up, it's on a slight diagonal. This could be a symbolism to her thoughts being stuck on her head. Also, theres a slight curve on the rim of the bath this is so the eyes lead in towards the bath then curve round to view the model.I think the photo is pretty balanced because the model on the left is evened out with the bath ad the toys on the right. If I was to place anything more on the right then the photo becomes too busy and the focus on the model won't be there (the same goes for the background.)  The mood I feel when I look at this photo is hurt, emotion, eruption, maybe even loneliness. Her body language is as if she's waiting for something to occur, it's not as if she's keeping busy or doing something to occupy her mind. This probably shows that this sense of "depression" has over ruled her. I have portrayed a sense of irony, even though visually she's superior, mentally she's inferior to society. Her facial expression also shows that she's so used to these thoughts, that it's as if it's second nature.