Parody
This is a brainstorm that I created with ideas of what came to mind when I said the word parody. Within this theme, I can do various things which I believe can either be comical or just imitations with twists. The word parody reminds me of replicating something in a humorous way but when I started to think about this in-depth, I realised that it doesn't have to be completely funny but it can have hints humor within it. My initial idea was looking at mythical stories and fantasies and manipulating then by turning them comical such as Greek mythology but then this led to the idea of looking at direct comparisons of the stories in these myths such as Zeus eating his children, however, this concept would be very difficult to produce and re-create. I then thought of other ideas that tied in with this theme and the idea of imitating famous artist appealed to me. My intentions behind this were to portray different art work using the same composition and lighting but having a modern day version of a certain theme running through this. This then led me to looking at the famous art work of Leonardo da vinci of 'The Last Supper', this idea most appealed to me therefore, I decided to go with this.
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I started to develop the idea which involves a parody of 'The Last Supper'. My intentions are to keep the composition and the lighting the same and changing the theme and reason behind it. My initial thought was to portray the seven deadly sins however, there are 13 models in the image therefore, this will not be possible unless I have 2 models portraying each sin. This idea is one that I am still considering. The next idea for this was to convey a modern version of 'The Last Supper' and to portray how society has changed since such as clothing, attitude etc. I would like to have 6 final pieces which when placed next to each other creates one big final piece.
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The Last Supper
(copyrighted image)
Inspiration
(copyrighted images)
Julianne Moore by Peter Lindbergh
(copyrighted images)
Peter Lindbergh is a world known best fashion photographer. Recently Harper's Bazaar featured a shoot starring Julianne Moore, inspired by art paintings. Hollywood, fashion, and art history collide in the photographs of Peter Lindbergh of Julianne Moore for a 2008 issue of Harpes Bazaar. Linderbergh photographs the talented actress side-by-side some of the most iconic and famous images of women pulled from art history. What strikes me is the meticulous styling, strategically echoing the visuals of the original artwork with couture. He was portraying fashion through art and this relates to my idea as I want to portray modern day fashion. The clothing won't be as high fashion but it fits along the same concept.
Rainer Elstermann
The “Old Masters” photography series by Rainer Elstermann recreates classic paintings by replacing the original painting’s models with children in the photograph recreation. German photographer born in 1965, approaches his photographs as if they were paintings. He is clearly inspired by the great painters. The lighting he uses is immaculate. He recreates classic art staples, but replacing the originals models with children, giving the end results a strange kind of gravitas.
After researching the photographers, I got an idea of what I can do to portray 'The Last Supper'. I came up with a plan of the initial photo-shoots that I can do for experimenting that can lead to the final piece.
I realised that the concept of dressing people up in modern day clothing wearing mutual colored clothing would not look very bold therefore, I thought of another idea which is based around the idea of 'the mad hatters tea party'. I want to in cooperate my own twist to it to make it my own interpretation. |
Photo-shoot Experimentation One
I did an experimentation photo-shoot of one model to see how the composition of each model in the Last supper would work out and how the different poses would look together. I used one model as I wanted to see whether executing these poses are going to be difficult or not. I observed the lighting of each model in the Last supper image and then used this lighting on the model with the different poses.
Photoshop Experimentation
As I had only used one model, it was not possible for me to see what the models would look like together therefore, I used photo-shop to merge the different images together to make it one. The only problem is that the model is the same which makes it look quite surreal. I believe that this was a success overall. This allowed me to see what it would look like if I were to do a photo-shoot of each model individually and then photo-shop them together. Some elements are stripped from this technique such as the bits of the arm etc but if it is photo-shopped finely and closely then I believe that this form could be a success.
I photo-shopped this photograph so that I could experiment with composition. I merged the photographs together and ensured that the model was in different heights so that we can see the variation and to make it look effective. I still stuck to the positions |
Photoshoot Experimentation Two
This is a plan that I created of the different positions and actions the models will be doing during the photoshoot. I drew each model and made it look like one whole photograph, I then split this so that I know how many photographs I will be taking which I can merge at a later stage. I thought about where each model will be placed carefully as I didn't want the photograph not to make sense. I placed the mad hatter in the middle and I coloured him in black as I want him to be a silhouette in the real image. I then placed the different characters from Alice in Wonderland on one side and the princesses that represent the 7 deadly sins on the other side. This is so that there is an obvious divide between them and so that people can recognise what it is and what the photograph is trying to show. I then created a little story on each side so that the photograph doesn't look dull with just people sitting at a table eating at the tea party. I changed the positioned and ensured that there are different heights within the photograph so that your eyes are drawn everywhere and so that when you look at it, you slowly analyses each individual and the different heights that they are in.
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On the left hand side, I have the queen of hearts, the twins ( tweedle dee and tweedle dum) and the rabbits and on the right hand side, I have 7 princesses that reflect the 7 deadly sins. When the number of characters are added together, it equals 13 and this was deliberate and this whole piece is inspired by 'The Last Supper'. Each position and action reflects their personality. The princesses are sitting in positions that tell a story, the first sin is lust and I have shown her shown her as flirting with the mad hatter. The second is envy and she looks jealous of the princess sinned with lust. I then placed the princess that represents sloth, I did this by depicting her sleeping. To change the heights, I placed the princess that portrays Gluttony over her leaning forward grabbing food while she is already eating. I then have wrath next to her as she is angry that the princess showing gluttony is eating so much. I then have pride who looks like she has a big ego and quite snobby and lastly, following on from pride, I have greed, I found this expression hard to depict but I then came to the decision that I will use props and costume to represent this more. On the left, I have the queen of hearts who looks quite intimidating but classy. I then have 3 rabbits positioned in various places acting mischievous and then the twins who depict tweedle dee and tweedle dum, I have them looking quite lost and dopey. I will be merging them together to give the illusion that they are conjoint.
This photoshoot was the directed to my final idea of the mad hatters tea party including my own twist. I believe that this photoshoot is the starting point of the whole idea and so I undertook this task first so that I can recognise where the mistakes will lie when I construct the real thing. The mutual angles were achieved through using a tripod and positioning the camera in the same place so that the lining of the table can be the same so that when it is Photoshopped, it looks like one whole photograph. I came across a problem when I was arranging all the equipment to undergo this task, I found that I could not lighting for each individual as it covered the camera and there was no other solution than to light either side therefore, I used two lights on either side and this made the photograph very well lit and this positioning also meant that it would be the same through out therefore, allowing me to keep consistent lighting. This also meant that the lighting and shadows do not vary which is good as I wanted to ensure that the lighting was the same in each photograph because when I merge them, it had to look like one photograph. I used the same models as this photoshoot was to see whether my Photoshop skills would work and whether the positions are executed well. The one thing that I found extremely difficult is lighting the mad hatter who is going to be a silhouette as that lighting changes completely and it may look like the odd one out. I then came to the decision that I will place the mad hatter in separately without the table as the table is lot lit when I created the silhouette. I used one light and placed it behind the mad hatter so that it gives is a glow and shine behind him making him a silhouette. I believe that this didn't work very well and it was too dark. I will be trying this technique again on another photoshoot as I would like to master the silhouette. I didn't use a backdrop and I did the photoshoot in-front of the green room as the backdrop was too small and if I wish too, I can change the background which is what I may do. A few things that I could improve on is ensuring that nothing is in the way for the real thing and that the position of the camera and table is kept consistent and that only thing that will change is the models and their positions.
Photoshop Experimentation
On photoshop, I believed that this would be very difficult to merge and construct however, it wasn't too bad. The first thing I did was change the size width of the canvas to triple the size so that all the photograph would fit. I then opened a photograph which was in the middle and started from that. The next photograph was opened through placing it on the first photograph. As the photograph was opaque, I found it difficult to see what I was going to rub out and so I changed the opacity of the photograph which made it translucent. I then used the eraser tool to rub out any excess bits that were unnecessary. As the models, the table and the camera were positioned in a similar way, the photograph looked whole. I then moved on to the next photograph which was a corner piece. Unfortunately, this photograph wasn't positioned exactly the same so the table was not in level. I used the eraser tool on this overlaying image and then on the images below that to make it look as if the table is one. I didn't want to completely rub away some parts of the table so I changed the opacity of the eraser tool which allowed me to faintly rub certain parts which made it look more subtle.
After merging the various photographs through Photoshop, I was able to see what the final outcome would look like composition wise and I like it. I believe that it looks effective and busy. The main thing I would improve on is the silhouette of the 'mad hatter' I believe that it doesn't look as effective as I wanted it too. Also, I would exaggerate the heights of the model even more to make it more effective and intriguing to look at. I also believe that the lighting can be improved as I would like to add more depth as I feel it looks flat. I believe that if this is Photoshopped well and very carefully, it will look extremely realistic as if it one photograph. The composition of the different models representing different characters is deliberate, I wanted to ensure that each model and idea would work well with the one next to it.
Background
over here, I looked at what different Photoshopped background would look like against my model and I believe that the first desaturated version was the second best, the reason being is that it looks subtle however, it looks very dull and lifeless. The second photograph with the colourful contrasted photograph is not my favourite because I feel that it takes the attention away from the model as it is very colourful and bold. The third photograph is my favorite as it looks subtle however, it has a bit of colour within it which makes it look effective.
Initial Character Ideas
Rabbit
The rabbit is a character that is well known in Alice in wonderland therefore, I have ensured that I add the rabbit as this will allow people to make links. As I wanted to make it my own, I have added 3 rabbits rather than just one. I have also added another twist to this. As the rabbits are going to act mischievous, I wanted to use costume as well as their actions to represent this. The rabbits will be wearing leather jackets as I believe that it gives a statement and it is seen as an 'edgy' piece of clothing. I will make the models wear rabbit masks so the only thing I can manipulate to make it my own is the costume.
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Queen of Hearts
I found it quite difficult drawing makeup for the queen of hearts as I didn't want to imitate or copy the real depiction of the queen of hearts in Alice in wonderland or Tim Burton's version. I then decided that I can make it my own by keeping it subtle but at the same time making it obvious that she is the queen of hearts. I would like to keep the consistency of the white face however, I will change the rest of the makeup. At first I drew an image of a girl with just heart shaped lips but after taking inspiration from other peoples interpretations, I decided to re-draw how I would like the makeup to be. The costume that the queen of hearts will be wearing is a black and red corset.
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Tweedledee & Tweedledum
I found it difficult creating this character as I wanted to portray the 'dopey' perception of them that they convey to the audience through their costume but I didn't want to copy the original or the 'Tim Burton's' version. I then came to the decision of using these two versions as inspiration and also the idea of how 'nerds' are smart but juxtaposed as dopey too. I would like my models to wear shirts and extremely big bow ties to exaggerate the humour within their costume and braces to give them a hint of that 'nerd' look
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Mad Hatter
This character will be a silhouette therefore, makeup will not be necessary. The costume that the mad hatter will be wearing is a black suit and top hat. If achieving the silhouette is not possible then I will be dressing the Mad Hatter in colourful clothing such as a colourful blazer and shirt so that they all contrast with each other but look effective.
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Lust
The colour for lust is blue however, as I want to make this my own, I decided to use my own colour scheme choosing the colours that I feel best represent the sin which is pink as I feel it is a flirty colour and quite girly. I wanted to do doll like makeup to make the models look almost animated but still have that realistic aspect.
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Envy
When I think of envy, I think of green and so I want to exaggerate the makeup and the facial expression so that it is obvious. I would also like my model to have an evil sinister feel to her.
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Sloth
Sloth represents laziness and I would like to use a calm colour to represent her and the model will be sleeping so that it is made obvious what sin she is conveying.
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Gluttony
Gluttony is a character that will greedily eating all the food. I would like to represent her eating food while holding it to as if its all of hers. At first I wanted to have her standing leaning over to get more food but after the composition photo shoot, I realized that it doesn't represent it very well therefore, I will now have her sitting almost holding all the food as if it is hers
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Wrath
Wrath represents anger which can be conveyed through red. I am going to make my model wear a red dress
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Props
Experimentation
I did this photoshoot to test the makeup and the poses that the princess 'lust' can do to represent that deadly sin. The look that I wanted to achieve was a flirtatious look. I put pink lipstick on her lips to represent the colour of this sin, the reason I chose pink was because I felt that it this colour is very feminine and it can also be seen as a lustful colour. I also gave my model smokey eyes as this eye makeup is very flattering and the lighting that I used on the model was butterfly lighting, this bought out the features on the models face and also made her look very flattering.
For this photoshoot, I was experimenting with the deadly sin 'WRATH'. The make-up that I did was very harsh and aggressive, I did this on purpose as I wanted to show her true nature through makeup as well the poses that my model as has done. I put black eyeshadow on her eyes to make it look extremely dark and bold and to accentuate her eyes through this darkness and to show her true feelings and the anger that she has within her and I also put red lipstick on her to represent the colour of the sin. As I wanted them all to be 7 deadly sin princesses, I tested the lighting, I used both a flattering lighting and an unflattering lighting, this is because i wanted to see the difference between them so that I can compare the atmosphere that it created between the two. I feel that this is successful as I have learnt which lighting suits this sin most and the type of expressions that my models should be pulling.
For the real photoshoot, the lighting will not be exactly the same as there will be many other models therefore, I will need to take in to consideration how and where to put the lighting so that it doesn't block any of my models or make them look unflattering.
Photoshop Experimentation
I Photoshopped this full face photograph of my model that was representing wrath, I wanted to make her look like a doll to give her a surreal princess look. I used the spot healing tool to get rid of any marks nd blemishes that my model as so that I can give her a flawless face just like a doll, I then used the dodge tool to highlight certain features on my models face and then the burn tool to exaggerate this features, I then used the liquefy tool to enlarge the models eyes making them look bigger and glossy which is very doll like. I feel that this was successful however, it looks very eerie and scary therefore, this would not be a good idea for all the princesses. I have learnt that making them all in to dolls might turn the photograph in to a frightening children nightmare and this is not my intention.
One
The first photograph that I took for the photoshoot included the queen of hearts, I have deliberately excluded her from the rest of the table to portray her authority but I didn't want to isolate her so I included two mischevious rabbits who are up to no good. I changed the composition and had the models at different levels so that it varies slightly. I tried out different poses that I felt portrayed the queen of hearts.
I chose this photograph for the final piece because I felt the pose that the Queen of Hearts is doing best portrays her. I used Photoshop to manipulate this photograph as I wanted to make it look more effective. Unfortunately, I had to keep the lighting the same throughout therefore I couldn't focus it merely on individual models and this lead the photograph to looking flat. I used the dodge and burn to to highlight the face and add shadows. I then burned the rabbits faces as they also looked very flat, this bought out the texture within their masks and
This photoshoot included two twin brother who were portraying tweedle dee and tweedle dum, I have also added a rabbit as I wanted the rabbits to look spread out and I wanted the left hand side to look just as busy as it does on the right. I directed the models to do funny poses and act mischievous just like the rabbits but with each other. I made them wear propeller hats just like the original Alice in Wonderland movie as I wanted to have a symbol that represented that they were tweedle see and tweedle dum. On their table, I deliberately made it look messy as I wanted to portray their personality through props as well as them posing. I spread out huge playing cards and sweets across the table. The models are wearing different coloured shirts with big playing cards in the pocket, the reason I made them wear different shirts is so that people can still signify that they are two different people but the same too. The propeller hats is what brings the models together and makes them one. To change and vary the heights, I placed the rabbit next to the models but left the rabbits model crouching. As I mentioned earlier, due to the light having to be the same throughout, the photograph looks quite flat as the shadow is spread.
This is the photograph that I decided to use for the final piece as I believe that the models looks very natural as if they weren't directed to pose and this subtlety is what I wanted in the photograph. The models are have allowed their humoured nature to come out therefore, making the photograph more effective. As the photograph looked very flat due to minimal shadows, I used photoshop to manipulate it. The first thing that I did was add shadows and and highlights by using the burn and dodge tool. The dodge tool have different setting which give different effects, I kept it at shadow and at a low exposure so that it looks subtle, I did the same with the burn tool. I also used the burn tool to bring out the texture on the rabbit mask. After that, I decided to liquify the models face, I made them both fatter to make it more humorous. The tool that I used in the liquify setting was the bloat tool. This tool makes sections bigger and you can change the depth through the brush size.
As this is the middle table, I didn't want to over crowd it as I wanted to show the authority of the Mad Hatter. I chose to place the model that was representing the sin lust next to the Mad Hatter as I wanted to create a story through my photograph and I wanted her to be pplaced close to the mad hatter. I told the model that was portraying the Mad Hatter to lean slighting forward with his arms on either side to show his authority and to represent that this is his table and he is the centre of attention. I also made him put his arms like that as this photograph is inspired by 'The Last Supper' The costume that I chose for the Mad Hatter was inspired by Tim Burtons version of Alice in Wonderland. I made the bow extra big to make it more humourous and extravagant as he is the 'Mad' Hatter. The model portraying lust is wearing a pink dress and has pink lipstick on, this was the costume that made it obvious she is lust but her poses and actions exggerate that. The reason I told her to wear a dress is because I wanted to portray the sins through princesses to keep a theme throughout. I told the model to do different poses next to the Mad Hatter making it look as if she is being lustful towards him and that she wants him as he is the man of the table and I believe that this was successful.
I chose this photograph for the final piece as I felt that it best portrayed what I wanted. The mad hatter it smiling which makes him look more mad and makes the piece happy. He is also facing the camera whereas the model showing lust is facing him which changed positions and makes it more effective as it is telling a story. The mad hatter is showing everyone that this party is his and the princess portrating lust is depicting her character perfectly, she looks enticed by him whereas, he doesn't really care. I placed them really close together to show the connection and the feeling that the model lust is giving off towards the Mad hatter. This photograph is also flat like the photographs above which is a real disadvantage however, it is also an advantage as all the photographs have the same lighting through out therefore, when I place them together, it wont look out of place.I used photoshop to manipulate this photograph and to dd shadows in carious aread of the face as well as make a few objects bigger using the liquify tool. I used the dodge tool around most the Mad Hatters face as I wanted it all to be one flawless shade of white. I then burned the colours that were around his eyes to make them more bold and I then used the burn tool to create shadows on his face. I did this by zooming in to the face and identifying where the crease and shadow lines lay on his face. I then placed a shadow under his cheeks to make them look more plump rather than flat and also a shadow under his nose to show butterfly lighting. This lighting is flattering. I then used the dodge tool on the model portraying lust as I wanted to hightlight certain areas on her face and then I burned under her cheek to create a shadow and to add depth to her face. As she is not facing the camera, I thought about the lighting that it would create and I so I burned one half of the face that isn't facing the camera to create the illusion that split lighting was used.
For this photoshoot, I used three models as but I varied the heights between them to make it more attractive to the eye allowing you to look everywhere rather than drawing your eye to one place. The models that I have used here is envy, gluttony and sloth. The reason that I placed all of them together is because I wanted to create story within these sins. The model that is represeting envy is wearing a white dress as I didn't have a green dress and I believed that I could change it using photoshop. I made this model pose as if she is jealous that the model lust is flirting with the mad hatter therefore, acting envious towards her. The model portraying Gluttony is wearing a dress that looks like a picnic table, this was the perfect cotume as it depicts her personality already and the sin that she is representing. I made her do different poses but the main one was to lean over to the cake stand and act as if she is going to eat it all. The model represting sloth is sleeping, I made her look quite 'dead' and added white eye shadow round her eyes to represent the lazy colour.
The photograph that I chose for the final piece is one that I felt was composed correctly and had the models is the correct positions. The model poprtraying envy is looking at the the model lust but has her faced turned towards the camera so that we can see her face perfectly. The model gluttony has a cake shoved in her mouth and she is then grabbing another cake which shows her sin perfectly and the model portraying sloth as fallen asleep on her plate of food which shows her sin. I then used photoshop to manipulate this photograph as well as enhance it. I attempted to change the colour of the dress through trial and error however, it wasn't possible to get the whole dress and to make it look therefore, I decided to change the colour of my models lips which were originally red. I made my model wear red lipstick so that it would be easier to change the colour. I used the quick selection tool on photoshop to select her lips and then I went to hue/saturation and changed the colour to green, as the colour green was to bright, I used the saturation tool to make it more subtle. I still felt that it looked flat and fake and so I used the dodge tool to highlight the top of her bottom lip and the burn tool to highlight the crease lines in her lips and the darkness of the lip colour. I also used the dodge tool to accentuate her features and the burn tool to add shadows and depth to her face. I used these tools for all the models as I wanted to add depth in their faces and didn't want the photograph to look flat. I then used the liquify setting and the bloat tool to make the model gluttony extremely fat as if she is obese, the reason I made her really fat is because I felt that if i left it subtle as made her just a little fat, you wouldn't be able to tell much when it is all merged together and this way.
For the final photoshoot, I placed 3 princess models that were representing 3 different sins. The first model is portraying Wrath, I made her ear a dress dress with red lipstick so that it is obvious that she is wrath. I also told her that she is to look angry towards the model whos sin is pride. The model next to her is the showing the sin pride, I made her wear a rich coloured deep purple dress portray her sin and to show that she has pride in what she wears and how she looks. I also made her tie her hair up neat whereas the model wrath as messy hair as it looks more aggressive. The last model on the end is greed, I made her wear a black dress as I felt that it represented greed. The model pride is looking at the camera minding her own business and looking as she is 'all that'. The model greed is staring at things as if she wants them.
The photograph that I chose for the final piece is one that I felt represented the models personalities and what sin they were portraying best. In this photograph, the model who is representing sin is higher than the other two as she is showing that she is better than them. The model wrath is sitting how staring at pride as she is angry as pride for acting like that. Greed is leaning forward towards the tea cup as if she is going to grab it and take it. This photograph also looked very flat and so I used photoshop to enhance it and add more depth to it. I used the burn and dodge tool to accentuate their features. I highlighted the top of their cheeks bones using the dodge tool, I used a small brush and I changed the opacity to low so that it looks subtle. I then used the burn tool on the shadow setting with a low opacity also and i burned underneath their cheek bones and noses to make it look like butterfly lighting. The two models on either side to pride are not completely facing the camera and so I burned one half of the face to create the illusion that is split lighting. I also used the patch tool on the model greed to add extra emriodery around the models neckline on the dress to make it look as if shes greedy and wears pearls etc.
Final piece mock up and experimentation
This photograph is a mock up of the Final piece. The reason why I did this was to see what it would look like when everything is placed together. All the images that I used here are raw images therefore, the photograph looks flat. For this mockup, I didn't use any photoshop tools that would enhance the image. I merely used the tools that would allow me to manipulate the photograph by placing it all together. I started with the the photograph of the Mad Hatter as this is the centre piece and then I changed the canvas size to make it bigger so that I could add in all the other photographs. I then placed the images and changed the opacity so that it becomes transulecent, this allowed me to see the image below and idenitfy where to place is exactly. I then used the eraser tool and erased all the unnecessay excess that is on the image. After this, I used the magic tool and deleted the background. I then used the same technique with the brackground and placed the images and then erased if necessary.