Exam Piece

On this exam I have been looking at women smoking throughout different generations because it relates to my relationship, vintage and modern. For instance, I tried to give the image above a 60's vibe towards it, hence why the costume is an antique dress and the hair is pinned up.

The image guides the viewers eye towards the centre of the image because the model. As you can see, the model is slightly slouching over  towards the right, so the viewers eyes can also see he background of the image. 

Within my image I've used triangles on the ground to attract the audiences eyes towards there, so the audience are aware that she's stood on a car park. The reason I did this was because it connotes that women were associated with being a house wife and the fact she's stood on a car park suggests women can't really get away from home. Also that probably this is the only type of freedom she has. However, this image is ironic because even though she only has a limited amount of freedom, her facial expression imply she's very happy and doesn't take it for granted, unlike people in modern day society.

The framing of this image is mostly central and focus on the model. The reason why I wanted the viewer to focus their attention towards the model was to see her attitude shown in her facial expression but also her bod language. For example, women were more led by men back in the 60's and they were seen to act like a woman and do what a man says, but with this girl in the image she's relaxed and doesn't care about societies views on how a woman should look. This suggest she probably lives by her own accords and doesn't follow the society she lives in. I've placed a dark framing around the image to make seem more focussed towards her. 

I wanted the audience to see the background of the image to show that she's trapped. No matter where she goes there are houses and fences blacking her surroundings so she has no escape from where she's standing; hence why she has limited freedom. however, I think that this is also a metaphor for societies views, that people are caught up on their own ideologies that they don't see other peoples suffering. For example, she may look happy but in her own mind she's suffering with the lack of rights which she has. Also, it depicts that the bird above her head has much more freedom then she has, which again is ironic because it juxtaposes with this idea that humans are the most powerful thing on this Earth, but in this case the bird is over dominating the girl in the picture. 

The main subject of this image is in a very sharp focus, the reason why I did this was because I felt like this model should be the first thing that captures the viewers eye and especially where she's stood (on a ground full of triangles) it traps the eyes towards there. However, I didn't place a soft focus on any other part of the image because I wanted to get the message across that even though this female is trapped, she's happy with the luxury she has.

The lighting on the original image is quite soft, however i created a more harsher looking image when it  came to editing the image. The reason why I did this was because even though it has this happy atmosphere towards it, the lighting contrasts against this and I made it in black and white to give it this 60's feel towards it. The lighting is low key because it gives this depressed image towards the audience, even though she's not showing it, this is how she's feeling it within her head. 

This image contains a fore, middle and background, for example the fore would be the model because it's the first thing which the audience see, then the middle would be that pole because this is diagonally behind her. The pole could connote that she can't pass a certain point on where she's standing and the background would be the house directly diagonal to the pole to show she can't get out. This implies that where she's stood its safe so no one can stop her.

There's an S Curve used on the side on the curb starting from her arm, the reason why I did this because it leads your eyes out of the picture then back towards the model. This would be a metaphor for a trail, that every where she walks theres a trail left behind because someones watching her. This fits in well again with the idea that women were seen in a certain way hence why she's being watched. 

This image is more of a true black because I preferred the image more darker to gives this sad message off. 

There aren't many bright areas except from the sky. The reason why I kept the sky so bright is because basically the only way to achieve freedom is when you're in the sky- implying death. So, the only time she will have freedom is when she's dead. 

I think my image is balanced because theres objects, buildings and other things on both sides of the image. This connotes that she's enclosed in her own land. 

The mood of this image makes me feel very feminist towards society back then, for example that women didn't have the same rights as men did, can you see any men within this image? No, because the men were expected to go work hence why they had much more freedom than women. Looking at the sky, it's quite light so presuming its mid day. In our era now, women are expected to find a job and put money on the table, where as then it was seen as strange that a woman would go work during the day when they're expected to be a house wife. So, even though her body language is showing that she doesn't care about what society thinks, her mind set  (that she's not rebelled against the no freedom trait) suggests differently.

Whereas in this 60's inspired image, it shows a more house wife material model with a dress knee length, stood straight, kept in her own environment and also smoking. However, she doesn't look as happy as she does in her other picture. 

The image here uses rule of thirds, for instance, where the girl is stood it should be the on line and also the image is 2/3 house and 1/3 grass. The reason why I chose to do this was to see the difference between the houses. the house next door is full of ornaments and well cared for whereas the house where the model is stood is very plain and simple. This is probably because the house next door has an owner thats been there for a while  whereas the house where the model is stood probably has a new owner etc. I placed the model on the right to make the viewer see the garden because it shows she's taken care for her garden, maybe to set a good impression on visitors which come to see the house. As you can see the garden is well looked after ( cut grass, flowers and plants are healthy, etc) this implies that she's a garden kind of girl, that in her spare time she probably does hobbies like the garden and house. The reason why she's stood on the grass shows she's marking her territory and that she has pride of her work.

My inspiration for the 60's was photographer James Nader where he photographed beautiful women based on their beauty. I think the 60's are more allocated towards looks, for example if a garden or a house is tidy it says a lot about a person. So, it shows that she's a very clean and neat woman.
There's a triangle used on the corner of the photo to keep the viewers eyes towards the plants.
The reason why I placed my model on the right was to show her body gesture. In modern day everyone see's smoking as a "bad habit" and it's harmful for you, whereas back then it was a casual thing, which everyone did because it was seen to be "good" for you, hence why she's so open to smoke and isn't showing any remorse about doing it.
THE 70'S (PUNK ERA)

In this era teens were very rebellious and hard core. Smoking was permitted but teens dressed more grungier and inappropriate, dark making up and doing things they shouldn't be doing.
Here, the model is stood against the wall smoking, she seems as though she's thinking about life and what other trouble she can get caught up in.
The lighting here is very dark and isolated. The reason why I darkened the image was to get this wiry atmosphere across that she's doing something wrong- hence why she's stood around the side of the house! Also the lighting here is very harsh, the reason why I made it so hard hitting was because it was

to get a feel of this hard core moment going against your family, etc.

The exposure on the original image was correct but I made the image under exposed because I felt that the low key lighting would serve the message of the image better.
 I tried to created more of the focus towards the wall which she's leaning against. The reason why I did this was because the texture of the wall comes out so it gives the viewer this image of the roughness of the wall. Also, the roughness of the wall is a metaphor for the roughness she's feeling and looking. This implies she stays out a lot, doing inappropriate actions , possibly sneaking away from her family to go out to parties. This connotes that she doesn't care about her families feelings or opinions on staying out because she prefers staying out to parties. However, because she's snuck around the corner she does care about what her mum has to say to a certain extent otherwise she wouldn't care about doing it in front of her.
I placed the model in the centre because I wanted to put her in perceptive as well as the background. The reason I wanted the background in the image was because it shows how dirty and uncared for it is. For example, the chair in the background left in the corner and the ratty old wooden fence. This suggests that she doesn't live in the richest part of the area or had a wealthy upbringing.
I cropped the image at the corner of the wall and slightly in towards the model, the reason for this was because I felt like the full image had irrelevant parts to it. Also, after cutting the bit off the wall it gave the camera angle a different perspective, a more diagonal perceptive which leads the eyes straight toward the model. 

Whereas, this image is more of a mid shot of the model. The reason why I chose to do this shot was to capture her facial expression. For instance, here the model looks very weak and drained as if she's just come back from a party.

The exposure here is quite dark unlike the original image, the reason why I did this was because again it gives this sad tone towards it and this depressing feel unlike the 60's images. I did this purposely because I felt like the 70's teens really turned rebellious against their families and girls weren't allowed a lot of freedom but still rebelled against the rules. So, this shows women relying on their own decision.
The irony in this image is, women have more of an open mind set however, they are more depressed and sad minded.
The focus is sharp on not only the model but also the wall she's leaning against. The reason why I did this was to bring out the pattern across the wall because it attracts the eyes towards it which leads towards the model so the viewer immediately notice the model also.
The lighting here is very harsh again, so I can get the view of the setting across and it gives the edgy feeling towards it. I think the lighting enhances the message in the photo because it implies her being lonely and depressed but independent.
Rule of thirds is used here because it has 2/3 brick wall and 1/3 of the model. The attracts the audience to look towards the model because theres less of her so she's singled out. This implies that she's very alienated within her own company but she likes being alone because it relaxes her, it makes her feel stronger than anyone else. The reason why I say this is because she's breathing smoke out of her mouth and the strongest mythical character to breathe fire out of their mouths are dragons, so to a certain extent she feels as powerful as a dragon and she has her own authority.
The fore in this image is the window ledge because you can see she's staying away from it but also close enough to check to see if anyone's there, the middle is of course the model because she's the main attraction and the background is the two wholes within the wall, probably used as a technique to get out of the house. So as a whole this implies that she's sneaking around, but it also suggest that she's done it before because of how calm and subtle she looks.
I cropped the image off to just the wall because I felt that if I cut the wall off the eyes wouldn't stay within the image because it's like a cut off point to the eye. Also, if the gap was left it'd make the eyes become too busy to look towards the model. I don't think this image needs to be cropped in tighter because it focusses the eye more towards the model, where as if I cropped the window ledge out of the photo, it would have this sneakiness effect as it would now.
Many colour's were used within this image like red, green, pink and blue. The main reason why I placed my model against the wall was because her hair and clothes contrast against the wall, especially her hair. Even though the image is dark her hair is quite bright, this implies that she likes to stand out from the image that society shares. That she's crazy and loves to explore not only herself but different ways on how she appears. I think the colours are quite vivid, the reason for this being is because it contrasts against the dark background but also makes picture seem more lively and not so death yet.
There aren't many bright areas, however this image as a whole is very dark but profound in it's own way.
This photo isn't balanced, but the beauty of it is, that it doesn't need to be balanced because the main focus is towards the model not what actually within the image. Also having the holes on the wall and window ledge implies that she has a way of escaping her home, so she's done it more than just the once. However, if there was objects on the left it wouldn't be as great of a picture because it'd ruin the effect of it.
The mood that I intended to create was a very depressing, dark, alienated kind of tone to it mainly because of the colour towards it and the eyes aren't able to look anywhere other than the model. I think this image made me curious on to what she's trying to do and what behaviour she's acting out on.

The 80's (Pop Era)

Here I have looked at the 80's pop culture and was inspired by the film Clueless where it was based around the 80's. The reason why I decided to look at this film was because it's very loud and outspoken and girls actually acted like girls which dressed in ridiculous outfits. For instance, they'd bring a tennis racket as an accessory!
Rule of thirds was used and I placed my model on the left of the image. Here the rule of thirds are, 1/3 of the model and 2/3 of the garden. I did this so you can see the flowers lifting in an untidy area. This is a metaphor that even though everything around you is a mess, theres still hope to be right. Plus the 80's were all about peace, so this is more focussed on the nature surrounding her. It's as if, the objects on the concrete are dying and the objects on the grass are surviving.
Here, there' a slight orange tinge to it because I tried to create a warm spring day so the image has a nice atmosphere towards it.
The feeling of this image is very calm, it's as if everything is happy and she's just watching life drift away. Also women in the 80's were seen to be as stupid, especially British women mainly because of Margaret Thatcher and her policies. So, really no one exactly knows why  she's wearing those glasses or holding a tennis racket she just is.
Also, the location of the image is very dirty and look abandoned, this suggests that no one had enough money to take care of the garden because of lack of money and it was mainly blamed on Thatcher by the public(if you're rich you get richer, if you're poor you'll stay poor).
The image guides the viewers eye by allowing the background to keep them within the image. I think the fence behind the model keeps the eyes centred on whats going on within the garden. For instance, where the two fences meet it creates a big triangle allowing the viewer to focus on the model.
The framing of the image allows the viewer to see the image look diagonally towards the chairs which are slouched around on the floor. This implies that she hasn't got much care of the appearance of her garden, that she cares mrs about her appearance than the environment around her. Thats what people in the 80's were about, Britain's roads were ditched, vandalised and tormented because people cared more about their well being than the environment they are in. Also, that she does't appreciate the fact she has a trampoline or even chairs to sit on. It connotes that people within Britain didn't see the luxuries they had because they were so caught up on complaining about what they didn't have.
The thing which I like about this image is the irony of the picture. For instance, I added a warm glow within the picture to show the goodness which females had and how much they had available to them but then again the corruption in this image of broken netting and fenced up gardens to imply that Britain was in a bad state with the 80's.
The exposure originally of the image was very low and under exposed as it was dark outside and I placed a fast shutter speed. The reason why I kept a fast shutter speed was because I felt it worked well with the image that it created no camera shake and then adjusted the lighting after.

In this image I tried to portray the happiness within the 80's hence why I made the colour of the image much more warmer to give off this yellowy/orange glow. I did this because yellow and orange connote happiness and sign of hope and everlasting happiness. This depicts my image to seem much more enjoyable to view unlike the other images.
I made sure that the silhouette of the tree's within her glasses were shown because it's an interesting image to look at, for instance you aren't only looking at the whole image but there's a smaller picture within it. The reason why I created this silhouette was to enforce this ideology of a perfect life and hope within the future because she hasn't had a good past.
I included the background because I enjoyed the view of the tree that's directly behind her, the reason why I enjoy this was because it signifies the tree standing alone and it's still going strong on it's own, so it's a metaphor for her standing alone because within the 80's the feminist movement became more popular so more strong, independent women came around. Also, it's rare to see a single tree stand on it's own in such a deserted place, so this could mean that men within this period still seen as this feminist movement very confusing and rare that they didn't even know how to act. As you can see, that even the tree is still trapped, just like the model is. This could imply that even though this mass movement was occurring, men still alienated and blamed women for what was going on in society because of Margret Thacture's ignorance.
The triangles used within this image could be the grass along the bottom of the fence, slowly eating up the fence. This could suggest that the feminist movement is increasing and that theres hope for women within the future.
The image
guides the viewers eyes by sharpening the focus within the glasses which leads to the smoke coming out of her mouth. This image is more about the happiness within the 80's. Just like the shadow of trees, it suggests that she's free, that even though physically she isn't because of Margret Thatcher, that her mind is set free.
Unlike the top image, it shows tree's growing in the background and no dead plants or broken objects implying that the environment around her isn't beautiful.
The depth of field in this image is more on the mddl than the background. I chose to do this because I wanted to focus the audience in more of the models expression and how it signifies peace within the state she's in.
The lighting her is more of a warm colour mainly because I wanted to give it this warm glow to makes the atmosphere of the picture seem quite enjoyable rather than dramatic and in your face kind of image- this gives a more subtle vibe rather than an letting one.
I cropped this photo by cutting out the environment around her because I felt like it wasn't necessary to allow the garden to ruin the mood of the image.
I think the mood of the image is quite warm, lovely and comforting. For instance, the silhouette in the glasses implies peace and suggests to us that she's finally at peace. Unlike my other photography, this isn't as dramatic and powerful, it brings the message in a calm way that she feels at ease; finally!
Within tis image, the colours which I can see are slight peaches and pinks, more pastel colours. The reason why I did this is because even though I wanted the image to have subtle colours, I also wanted the slight eary tone toward it. The colour peach suggests happiness and extraordinary futures that finally there is hope.
I believe the image is very balanced. Allowing the model to be centred brings this out towards the viewer first. Showing the objects on the right in a good condition and the plant on the left implying theres life growing.
The background on the left is a metaphor, that just like theres a plant having a future, she allows has a future.

The 90's

Whereas this era was more about young people, especially woman, having more freedom. You were literally allowed to do anything! This is the first image where the model is wearing pants to signify women wearing dresses and skirts isn't only suitable but women wearing pants is acceptable also.

I've placed my model in the centre because I wanted her to be the main feature of the image. I included the background to give this effect of smoking so openly outside because of the more liberal attitudes.

I have used artificial light (flash) to make it a more dramatic image, by making the model more drastic and darken the background.
The image guides the viewers eyes by the model being sat on the wall. For example, where both walls meet a triangle is made which keeps the focus on the plant. This implies that the plant s trapped, that the girl sat on the wall has more freedom than nature. However, it's quite controversial because if she's allowed this freedom then why hasn't she escaped yet?
Triangles are crated where both of her elbows med, this keep the eyes on the model's clothing because again it used to be seen as absurd if women wore pants, but in the 90's everything changed, it's as if women had their own revolution. Also, it's as if her arms are guarding her body. This depicts that she has control over what she does with her body unlike what it was like- where women were more controlled by men.
The exposure of this image was originally over exposed because of the flash so it made the background darker and the model too bright. However, with Photoshop I adjusted the aperture but still kept it as though the model attracts the audience first.
Also, I've placed a white glow around the edges of the image because I liked the misty effect which makes the image seem very mysterious and mystical almost as if it's a fairy tale. This implies that just like a fairy tale, it's surreal that she's even finally free from societies entrapments.

Within this image I have changed the colour into a more warm kind of vibe to give the picture a more happy atmosphere. 

Again I have used a flash to capture the model in a more dramatic effect by darkening the background. I did this because I want the audiences attention on the model rather than the busy background. 

A triangle is created where the elbows meet. This keeps the eyes on the costume of the model to notice again that it's a female wearing pants so it indicates a lot less rules and equality evolving.

The models facial expression is a slight smirk. This effect implies towards the viewer that she's a lot more happier because of the freedom she's been allowed with. 

Diagonal paths used towards the door to connote that no ones there watching her. That she's allowed to close the door behind her without any questions or remorse. 

The contest between the model and the background  depicts the contrast with society then and now. For instance, the model is a metaphor for women in society now. Whereas, the garden is used how women were seen in society then that the garden is in the dark because of the gloomy, horrid past but the model is bright and shining because of the future she has. That society is becoming more open minded. 

I haven't centred this model and used rule of thirds to guide and place my model around the left side of the image. This is because I wanted the audience to see she has no one Harding or stopping her way.

The thing which I like about this image is the hands against her face because the detail of her hands bring out her lips which make her look a lot more healthier because of the way society is thinking.
The image guides the viewers eyes by keeping them on the model because of the contrast between her and the background.
I've framed the model towards right because I wanted to portray that parents allowed their teens, to have more freedom and do what they wish.
There's rule of thirds used are 2/3 of the model and a third of the background. I did this because I wanted the viewer to notice the neat, clean, sleek garden which is shown because it connotes that people in the 90's had more pride in the appearance of their leisure activities than themselves.
The thing I like about this image is that she looks very calm, that even though there's this dark vibe there's this other side of ever lasting and calmness. This gives off an enjoyable vibe for the audience to view.
The colours used in this image is slightly orange, a peachy kind of orange. This implies happiness and freedom.
However, within this image there are more black areas than white. This implies that even though there's this subtlety in this image, it still sets the mood over powering and dramatizes the whole image. It's as if the dark parts are in the past and the model being very bright, is a metaphor for a brighter future ahead.

 

 Modern Era

I felt like the more modern era allows women to do whatever they wish. However, for a teen to smoke in this era it was seen as a shame more then a good thing. Hence why it seems like the model is hidden away from the image.

I've added a shadow effect around the edge of the image. This is to give the viewer a more dark tone about this image, to show that her smoking isn't suitable. Also that she's probably under age to even be smoking, hence why she's hiding it away from her parents.

A triangle is used where her elbow bends, this makes the viewer keeps their eyes focussed on the blinds. The reason why I did this was to capture the big gap and the small gap (so contrasting each). As you can see, the model is looking through the small gap however she doesn't use the big gap. This connotes that it'd be easier to see from the big gap, but it's easier to see her so she's
quite good intelligent and that she's thought of it all the way through.

I placed the model near the right side of the image mainly because I wanted the audience to notice way she's standing away from the blinds. This implies that she doesn't want to be noticed.
The reason why the image is so dramatic is because I've put a flash on to emphasise the whites within this image. The reason why I did this is because I wanted to send the message across that even though females were allowed this freedom, yet they still kept the smoking a complete secret because it is frowned upon now. It's ironic that women have developed this power of freedom and free will yet smoking throughout the years has decreased it's big fashion and enthusiasm.
The shadows created on the blinds imply that she's keeping her silhouette a distance away from where she is, again because she's trying to disguise what she's doing- which is smoking.
I have placed a dark edge of the image to bring out the model within the image. I did this to brighten up the white areas and created the contrast of the black areas. In this image, there are more white areas than black to make it look very in your face and clear. This implies that it's a serious message to get across towards the audience.
The colours in this image are very basic and kept black and white mostly. This shows that not adding colour that this is seen more of a crime and that she's being shown as a criminal. That she's hiding away as if she's a criminal hiding from the police or authority.
The leading lines are shown between the curtains because they lead the viewers eyes between the gap of the curtains. This implies that no ones there because outside it's pitch black, but also a sense of irony; that even though no ones there, she's still frightened to get caught by someone.
 

In this image it's as if the model has been caught smoking. Judging by her facial expression she seems quite shocked and surprised, but also it's as if she expected it because it's still quite calm. This implies that she isn't supposed to be doing this act but shows no remorse of it.

The image guides the viewers eyes by adding in S Curves where the couch is. Then makes a triangle between the couch and the wardrobe. This keeps the viewers eyes on the furniture. That the furniture is all slick and clean and kept very tidy. This implies that she's respectful enough to keep the house clean, however it juxtaposes with the fact that she disrespects her parents rules because she's disobeying them. Not only is it showing that she's showing respect but she's also very smart to leave everything in the exact place where she's found it so her parents won't notice. I also believe that this suggests that teenagers now are being treated as if they're criminals, that everything they're doing now is getting watched upon.

The colours used within this image, are mostly browns to show it's a traditional house. This depicts that this specific teenager comes from a traditional family and background so they're going to frown upon smoking.

The framing of the image is the model being centred, so the viewer can see the luxuries which she's surrounded in. This again suggests that she doesn't appreciate what her parents have or give her, that she still wants more and that explains teenagers from this era, that they're always wanting more without realising that they don't appreciate anything. I've placed the model in this position so the viewer can see what objects she's surrounded by.

The triangles used within this image is where her elbow bends, to make the viewers eye lead towards the cigarette near her face. This keeps the eyes focussed on a certain point of the image.

The shadow created on the TV is as if she's holding her hand against her head to imply that she's doing wrong and she needs to stop this addiction. It's as if she's living in a parallel universe that the shadow is what she's thinking in her mind, yet in reality she's acting different.

The image as a whole is very bright and vibrant, the reason why I kept it this way is to bring out the colour brown to show this traditional life she's caught herself in.

The aperture of this image is accurate exposure, the reason why I didn't make it as dramatic as the last image is because I think the body language she's presenting in this image is already a big message as it is. That she knows she's doing wrong but she doesn't show that she's sorry or regret what she's doing.