Monday 5 May 2014

The Book

I decided to go with a plain back fabric cover hard-back book. I chose to use the size of B5 which is halfway between A4 and A5. This is due to A4 being very generic, where as A5 is far too small. Since I used white text inside the book, I had white text printed on the front too. I wanted to included text on the spine, but unfortunately it was too slim.

Due to the amount of black ink used, it was very hard to get the book printed perfectly without any streaks, which was a bit of a shame. If I had known this from the start, then I may have used a different colour.

Overall, I am very happy with the turn out of my book. I feel that the photographs look very professional and I am happy to have them in my portfolio.

Here is an image of my final piece of work produced..


Sphinx - Photoshoot

I am very happy with the outcome of this shoot and it is definitely one of my favourites for the book. Here are some backstage photographs...



Here is one of the final images..



Sphinx - Model

I wanted to find a model with a very strong facial bone structure and red hair. I decided to ask Ali Newton who is a professional model.



Sphinx - Development

Makeup:

I have had a range of ideas in creating the creature, Sphinx. Not only is there a Greek Shinx, but the Sphinx was also very popular in Egypt too. Whilst researching, I have been avoiding any links to the ancient Egyptians, to ensure that I get the correct Greek concept across.

Whilst researching into this creature, I came across this image.It gave me some ideas of what a contemporary Sphinx may appear to be.
I decided to do my own vesion of this design..

Makeup design 1

After testing the makeup, I feel that this look is more for an Egyptian Sphinx than a Greek Sphinx. I don't want to get them confused for ther reader so will test a different design
Makeup design 2

I feel that this look is too 'safe' for the Sphinx and I would like to push it further.

Final makeup design
After extending the brows and a sharper contour, I am happy to go ahead with this look for the shoot.
Hair:

For this shoot, I would like to choose a model witgh red hair in order to bring the lion features across. I would like to style it in the form of a lions mane.

To create this style, I will crimp all of the hair and backcomb it. I will then fold the tips of the hair back in order to create a mane shape style. I will also add a gold plaited piece of string to wrasp around the front of the hair line.    

Styling:

I will wrap a piece of faux fur around the model, to give off the lion feature in the Sphinx.

Faux Fur in brown
Gold plaited string for hair line
I will have the model wear this necklace

The Graeae Sisters - Photoshoot

I am really pleased with how this photoshoot has turned out. Here is a backstage photograph...


Here is one of my favourite images from the photoshoot in which will be a possibility for the book..


The Graeae Sisters - Model

I asked two friends to step in to act as the two background sisters. There faces won't be shown but this is in order to create the right atmosphere of the three sisters.

I asked Kylie Jane Robinson to model the main Graeae Sister, as she has previously modelled for similar shoots in the past. Kylie has a great face shape for this shoot and has dark hair, in which the cape can cover.

Kylie: Modelling wedding gowns.

The Graeae Sisters - Development

For the shoot of the Graeae Sisters, I would like to incorporate their identities using 3 models. They are known for sharing one eye and one tooth, so I would like to create an Image that shows this.

As I have previously researched, I like the idea of using a makeup design on one eye to show their identities. I would also like to use a tooth necklace to show how they share one tooth.

I have created a couple of designs to see what looks best for this shoot..

Makeup design 1
I created this design as I want to stick to a black makeup theme in order to keep it looking eerie. I tried a 'liney' design, but I feel that it does not resemble the Graeae Sisters as I wish.

Makeup design 2
This is my final design for the shoot. I decided to try out an 'Eye of Horus' esign in which I am happy with. I feel that it represents the Graeae Sisters well.


I have also done a final design showing the necklace that I would like the model to wear. This will go together very well with the eye makeup design.


Styling:

I will have all 3 models wearing the exact same cape, hand made by myself. It will include a very large hood, and be draped to the floor. In the photographs, I would like sisters to be in a line with two blacked out and one wearing the makeup.

Here is an image of one of the capes...


Hair:

Since the models will be wearing long capes with large hoods, the hair will be fully covered. I would like there to be some photographs where the ends of the models hair is poking out the hoods. This is to add a bit of difference between the photographs.


Photography:

I would like this image to be very dark and eerie as the Graeae Sisters are witches. They will be wearing black capes, have a black makeup design on one model (centered) with a black background. The other two sisters will be standing either side of the main sister and will be blacked out. The main sisterwill onlyhave her face on show.


Erinyes - Photoshoot

Erinyes - Model

Erinyes - Development

Makeup:

Since this creature was known to have a coal black body, I would like to try and create this as part of the makeup, hair and styling.



Spraying a model a different colour does not seem to be very popular, so I like the idea of trying it out.

I have a few ideas that I would like to look in to..


Makeup design 1
I like this design, but I feel that the monobrow is completely irrelevant to the creature and would not want this to be the first point seen in the image. I am trying to show the modern world a contemporary version of Greek mythology so do not want to change the main characteristics.
Makeup design 2



I tried recreating the design without the monobrow, but I feel that the makeup needs something more.
This design was very hard to create on paper, but it shows a completely blacked out face. I would do this using black hair spray and black aqua/supra colour. I feel that this design would be best and would like to use this as my final for the creature.



I decided to test out the black makeup on the model beforehand to ensure that it would work ok. I did a test shoot which came out great. I used a shimmering highlighter on the cheeks and shoulder bones for them to help add more of a silhouette effect.

I would like to use this for my final makeup design.

This design shows what I will be doing with the hair and makeup design
Hair:

Since it will be sprayed black, I will keep the hair simple and pulled back. I do not want to show any strands or a ponytail in the final images, so will ensure that it is all clipped back securely.

Styling:

I will put the model in a black bra so that the whole of her face and body is black. I want to eventually create a silhouette effect with the black painted model on a black background.

Photography:

I will capture half head shots, head shots, head & shoulder shots and half body shots. This way I will have a selection to choose from at the end in order to vary the book.



Minotaur - Photoshoot

I am really happy with how the photoshoot went. Here are some backstage photographs from the shoot...





Here is one of the final images for the shoot..



Minotaur - Model

I have chosen to use Nicola Dunn as my model for this photoshoot. Although she is not a professional model, I feel that she has the perfect facial features and body type for this look.


I wanted the model to be of an average dress size, as a Minotaur is generally a very muscley creature. Also, where this is a male creature, I did not want the overall image to look too feminine.


Minotaur - Development

Hair:

I chose to go ahead with recreating a contemporary version of the Minotaur as I have a strong idea for the hair. I would like to create horns using the hair itself.







After looking into different shapes and styles that other hair stylists have designed, I have created my own design.


I want the horns to disperse from the side of the head so that I can wrap as much natural hair around the hair piece as I can. This will keep the horn looking as real as possible. What is left over at the end, I will cover with hair extensions of a matching colour.

This is how I will create the horn. After testing some other ways of creating the horn, I have found that they need to be as light as possible. Using paper cups, foil and wire is the lightest I can make them.

How I will attach the horn..

Makeup:

For the makeup design, I have decided to go with something simple but very bronzed. This is due to having over the top hair. I don't want to over-exagerate the makeup and take away the "wow-factor" from the hair design as It will look too much.

I will simply use natural makeup, but strongly contour with a bright bronzer and shimmer powder.

Final Design

Makeup testing
Styling:

Since the makeup is very natural with over-exagerated hair, I want the model to look as though she is naked. I feel that since the Minotaur is an animalistic creature, it would look odd if she was to wear clothing.

Photography:

I will ensure to capture head shots, head and shoulder shots, close-ups and half face shots. I would like the images to be mainly landscape layout, due to the horns fitting into the photograph.