Harry Beaumont Photography

Appropriation photography or art is when the use of a pre-existing image or art is then used within another piece of work. It is also when the pre-existing image or art has been edited or reconstructed with little or no transformation.

When given the task to create two images which has had the style of appropriation applied to it, I started researching online for inspiration. I came across a piece of photography produced by Frank Shepard Fairey, who had created an illustrational poster for the Obama campaign in 2008.

 Fairey Vs Press

Critics had said that this piece of art was the most efficacious and political illustration since the World War 2 poster ‘Uncle Sam wants you’. Because this piece was produced with a copy written photograph, the champagne team officially admitted having no involvement with it, due to legal reasons. Although this inspirational piece was considered effective and successful, due to Fairey breaking copyright laws, he was fined $25,ooo and 300 hours of community service.

What inspired me about this piece of work is that, whilst coming across other appropriation images, like Richard Prince ‘Cowboys’, this was the first image I discovered to be fined and prosecuted for using someone else’s photography/art, even though the artist behind this image had reconstructed the original image more than other photographers, like Richard Prince who had just rephotographed an image from the Marlboro Advert.

 My Appropriation Images  

When considering the Fairey piece, I decided to research into recent news stories surrounding politics due to Fairey’s work being centered around US politics. In the local news it was revealed that David Cameron had sexual relations with a pig, so I thought that this would be a perfect chance to incorporate this news story within my own work. So I obtained an image of David Cameron and opened it up in Photoshop. I then reconstructed it in the style of Fairey and instead of Applying the word ‘HOPE’, I wrote ‘PIG’. This could be considered a controversial piece, due to some peoples opinion of David Cameron. So therefore this piece could be reflected to have two sets of meanings behind it.

 

After producing my first image, I then went on to consider other iconic figures within society. So I decided to create another appropriation illustration, this time of Bob Marley, who is one of my biggest idols since I was a kid. I then applied Fairey’s technique again to the image I obtained and because the colours on the ‘HOPE’ poster are meant to illustrate patriotism, I then decided to apply the colours of the Jamaican Flag, due to this being the birth place of the subject. I then applied the word Legend to the top, because I’ve never known a person yet who hasn’t liked Bob Marley or his music, so to me it seems that he is an international iconic figure and is known by everyone, so I felt the word Legend was suitable for this image.

 

Triptych stands for the division into three sections. When applying this to photography, it is a series of three pictures, which are closely associated with each other and displayed near each other, in order to create one image. Each individual image should have a common theme which links all three images together. This could be things such as Compositional themes, subject matters or certain colours.

With the Triptych task we were given a location within the city centre to find objects just laying around on the street. We were not allowed to buy objects or borrow, only use the objects that we were able to find. The objects I had obtained, were a beer bottle and fast food wraps. The reason I had chosen to photograph these objects is because I had in fact went out to find them the morning after a known student night. So to me, seeing the streets a mess with beer cans/bottles, fasts food wrappers and so on, it made me think that whilst alcohol is consumed people become more lazy and slobbish, as the streets aren’t normally this messy. So it got me thinking if this is the true nature of being a student. I then went on to think that i could capture what students actually get up to within my Triptych photography.

First Image

For my first image I wanted to illustrate the main reason students go to Uni for, which is to study. So I felt Photographing books would imply the true nature of why students go into high education. Keeping on the lines of true nature, I added natural elements within all of my images, for example in this image I composed leaves over the subject to symbolise nature and  the students nature to study.

What I like about this image was that the leaves compliments the old fashion book, as the share similar colours and plus share the same origin. So I thought that by anding leaves conveys a positive juxtaposition, between the two subjects. The only thing I didn’t like about this image was the framing and composition, as I had left to much head room between the top of the book and the top of the fame, but unfortunately I couldn’t change this. The reason being was the fact the if i moved the camera forward or zoomed in then the I would loose the head room but at the same time I lost the width of the image, which resulted in some parts of the objects being cut off, so i decided to photograph it the way I did, but then resize it in photoshop. Even though I did not find the books but already pre-owned them, I know I didn’t keep to the brief for this image, however everything else within each image are objects that

Second Image

For my second image I decided to photograph the beer bottle I had found. With this image I added flowers which again was to portray a natural element within the image, and also to keep with the common theme throughout my triptychs, which is to illustrate the true nature of being a student. So I hope to convey within this image that after the studying and learning, that it is natural for students to then go out and socialise, as well as to consume copious amount of alcohol.

What I particularly like about this image is that the composition and framing of the subject is much more better than the first image, however what I don’t like so much is the fact that there is shadow produced due to the use of artificial lighting. But this was once again a factor that I couldn’t not get rid of no matter what I tried.

Third Image

For my Third image, I collected the fast food wrappers which I had obtained from the streets. Once again keeping to the associated theme, I added natural elements within my picture. Although with the other two images the natural elements were just placed within the composition, this time I wanted to incorporate it more and therefore decided to reconstruct the food with the natural objects, so instead of chips I had grass, instead of a burger I illustrate mushrooms and dirt. Like with the other photos the message I was trying to portray was the nature behind being a student, so I had chosen fast food wrappings, as students are known for buying takeaways and eating out, especially after a night out.

When producing this image what I had found difficult was once again removing the amount of head room, because like with my first image I could not get rid of the head room without loosing the width of the image and therefore loosing some of the objects. So once again i photographed it so the composition had the whole subject init and then I plan to crop the head room out within photoshop. Also with this image there was light glaring of the burger box, I had tried so hard to shop the glare by adding light diffuses to the lamps but because the strength of the light, the diffuses only slightly worked and I was only able to get rid of some of the glare.

Portrait Photography is one of the most popular forms/genre of photography. Portraiture is an image of an individual or a group of people, it is meant to display the personality, expression or mood of the subject. Majority of portraiture photography involves just the subjects face however  this is a written rule and some portraits include the subjects entire body and could also include background.

When given the task of creating 4 portrait images, I first came up with the idea of producing film stills. So I wanted to go down the path for creating images in the style of portraits but having the hidden context, as though these were scene of a film captured within a photograph. So having this first Idea in my head, I then went on to research photographers who produce film still photography. The main photographer I found interesting was Greg Crewdson. Even though Greg doesnt produce portraiture photography, I was inspired by how much effort and time he puts into the scene and composition, in order for the Image to look authentic and realistic, as though it has originated from a film.

 

What inspires me about Greg Crewdsons work is how every photograph he produces, he composes so it has this dark, gritty feel to the image, and he always managers to make the character the main focal point, even though keeping everything within the frame in focus. I also value how every image he creates this sense of mystery and the unknowing, so it puts the image up for interpretation and allows the consumer to analysis the image and come up with what they think the storyline behind the image is.

My Portraits

For my first image I created produced a still of a man about to be punch. I made the subject on the floor the main focal point by using depth of field and blurring everything in the foreground out, so focus is more drawn to the main subject. I turned it black and white in order to drain the image of any emotion, and because physical violence isn’t exactly humours, I feel Black and White conveys a sense of seriousness.

For this image, I captured it within a well lit tunnel and used no additional lighting. I like how the grey background and the subjects black clothing compliments each other and focus the subject to stand out and become the main focal point. I used a 50mm lens to make the prop (the gun) which the subject is holding out of focus and therefore making the subjects face in focus and causing his face to be the main focal point, which is the main intention in all portraiture photography.

Change of Theme

Even though producing to images for the portraiture task already, I decided to change my theme and concept completely because I wasn’t liking the quality of the images I was producing.

So I then decided to look into over photographers who specialise in portraiture photography. I took a massive interest into Yousuf Karsh and his work “the Brief Moment of Truth”. As within his photography he tries to convey the truth about his subject and tries to reveal their characteristics within the image. I am also inspired by how he captures his images in black and white, as it helps emphasis the tone and contrasts, but also how it defines certain features of the subjects.

 

Taking into consideration how Yousuf Karash, captures the characteristics of his subjects in one image, I wanted to adapt this and try and capture similar characteristics that two subjects share within one image. So I went on to develop this idea and thought about similar characteristics within certain family members and what attributes they share. So I took images of the parents and then photos of their offspring, then after this I then decided to merge their faces together into one, to show the similarities.

My Portraits ( Attempted 2 )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For our last brief we were given the task of photographing want we interpret home to be. We were given free range to what to photograph and if need be use the techniques we had learnt over the couple of weeks.

When thinking about this topic, what first came into my mind was the cliche ‘Where ever I lay my hat thats my home’ which was inspired me by the singer ‘Paul Young’. So developing on this cliche I decided to photograph different hats in old location from my childhood, as these locations are the first places I think about, when I think of home, due to the memories I made there.

These three Images I had taken in my back garden pond. What I must like about this pictures is how the water reflects the hat and how the harsh green emphasises the subjects, especially the florescent pink on the Sombrero.

This photo I had taken on the rock at the beach. The reason I had chosen this location is because this is where I sent most of my time as a child as it is a 5 minute car journey from my home town. What I like about this image is how the sun is setting in the background, it give a sense of warmth and tranquility, which are both feeling that came be associated with home.

  

 

These last two photos are from where my Granddad use to take me sailing. This is probably the main memory I have as a child, as it was the place I spent most of my time. What I like about these images are the juxtaposition between the subject and the location, as the location is quite dirty and run down and is a location where you wouldn’t expect to find these subjects.

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