Image Bank

For the duration of my unit 4 project I am going to be looking at the topic of ‘Representation of the Human Figure’ and how I can visually show this in photographs. It is important to consider that this project can be left to a matter of opinion and therefore there are lots of different elements of it that can be explored.

This first image that I have found really caught my attention for the way the human figure is being used to represent animals. Here the subject has been made to look like the zebra through the use of makeup and ten has used her body in different poses and expressions to imitate that of the actual zebra. I like the element of fun the photo and this has made it visually more interesting for the viewer as it’s perhaps not how they would typically a zebra looks or behaves. The only colours in the photo are black and white, and though a different colours background make have made the subjects stand out more, I think

this has added a nice subtle effect and neither of the subjects are over powering each other.

These next two photos have been created in Photoshop. In the first one the eyes have been moved and position on top of the hands, but so they look like they are in their natural place on the face. On the second photo, the man’s face has been made to look like the page, and it’s being torn. These have both created some visually interesting photos that have added a variation to the natural or ‘normal’ human form.

This next photo is interesting as it has taken the human body and used it in a different way so to create the illusion of something else (here being a road of some kind). The photo is in black and white and this has accentuated the silhouette effect that has been included in the photo. It is an interesting concept and a unique was to represent human figure.

These next three photos look at the body in its regular state but they have all been photographed in different ways to create different effects. The first photo has photographed the model is an unusual pose and this ha accentuated the curves, angles and shapes of the body. The photo is in black and white and has softened any harsh shadows or highlights. The second photo uses the idea of silhouettes. There are three different models that have been photographed together behind some kind of screen. I think this has added an air of mystery to the image. The third photo is my favourite. The photographer has looked at angle and really thought through the composition of shot. In doing so, he has made to body look distorted and out of proportion. You can see the faces of the subjects in any of these photos and this in turn has drawn attention to be body more and highlighted what the photographer was trying to capture.

I found these next two photos really interesting. The first one has photographed the body to make it look like a piece of furniture, in this case, a chair. This concept both interesting in itself but all visually interesting to look at, too. The photo has been kept clean and sterile in terms of the colours and this has made the photo more subtle. The second photo has used the aid of Photoshop to ‘cut’ the body into what looks like hollow pieces. This is another varying concept on how to look at the human figure. This photo has also used harmonious, clean colours. I think both photos offer and stimulating view on the human figure and have been executed in a contemporary fashion.

These two photos have focus more on the models that are being photographed how they have changed the state of their bodies due to body modification. Body modification is a common thing to see in society today and the trend is ever growing. Photographers have selected models that have gone through extreme modification to highlight another variation in the human figure and accentuate a different kind of beauty. Sterile backgrounds have been used and this has helped to avoid any distraction in the photo as there is already so much colour too look at on the models. The models are connecting well with the camera and have an intense look in their eyes – this ha mirror the pose and over all feel the photo has, in turn creating more of statement. These photos are so intriguing to look at as they are ‘real’, these people actually look like this and it refreshing to get such a raw, natural shot that could be argued as anything but this.

These next photos put me in mind of alien like things. The first photo has used makeup to create a pretty, contemporary ‘alien-like- look on the model. I love the expression of the model and how weird her eyes look – the attention is here and they have been accentuated with the colour. The film Avatar inspires the second photo and the look from the film has been created on the model. I like this concept as the Avatar people were like a whole new race/species that have human features, making it an interesting topic for representation of human figure. The final photo has used colour and smoke to create another alien like look. The colour has really played an interesting element in the photo as it’s illuminated the eyes and the skin. The intensity in the model’s expression has changed the overall feel of the photo and contrasts with the softer colours in the photo.

This photo is different from the others as the photographer has not photographed the human figure in itself at all. Here, the photographer has used vegetables to create a face, and by doing is literally representing the human figure in the form of another object/thing. I like this creative way of looking at things and I think the photo looks like a piece of art – it’s such a simple idea yet so effective. There are a lot of colours present in the photo but these are all separated uniformly to distinguish different parts of the face and everything else in the photo is white, providing a nice background. The face has been photographed on a plate (natural place to put/eat vegetables) and this shows how the photographer is also taking the human figure out of its natural environment. I think this photo is cleaver and amusing to look at.

These next photos all see different ways of changing the state/ look of the outer body. The first photo is like a piece of art, with the model having an abstract painting-like look on her face. This is visually interesting for the viewer as it has distorted the look of her natural face and replaced it with a modern piece of art. I love the next photo! The photographer here used acrylic over his model and photographed the outline of her body that was then showing through. I love this idea and how well it works. There is a gradient effect in the acrylic adding an element of colour to the shot. Because you cannot clearly see any features of the model pose has become vital in the shot. There is a nice contrast where the acrylic is smooth and the where it has been crumpled up by the model – this has also made the light hit it well and accentuated her figure. The third photo has used shape to turn the body into a contemporary piece of art – the look kind of resembles a bird to me. I like the expression of the model and how it compliments the chaotic shapes in the photo. The final photo has changed the texture of the skin using makeup. By changing this simple element of the human body a whole new feel has been given to the image.. The focal point of the photo here is meant to be the jewelry, but I think this change in texture on the skin makes the image so unusual the model remains the focus.

These next three photos have represented the human body

though the use of dolls or mannequins. This is an obvious but effect idea as dolls/mannequins are replicas of the human figure anyway. I really like the first photo, which sees a blank mannequin that makeup is being ‘pored’ on to. This photo is interesting to look at I like the concept. Everything the photo has been kept clean and simple and this has meant that the focus can be on the makeup. The second photo has a cute and creepy feel about it. I really like the way the models head has been made to look like the head of a doll and how a human hand is holding this up. This has all kinds of ideas and concept that can be interpreted by each individual viewer. The photo is very contemporary and I like the fresh vibe that is has. The last photo is very ‘pretty’ too at as the little girl has been made to look like the doll that she is holding. I like the textures present in the photo such as the glossy hair and the porcelain skin. This again leaves the audience with nice concepts to un-code for themselves. I think this is interesting as the photo is showing the human to take on the characteristics and ‘behavior’ of a doll.

The first of the next two photos has changed the way the body is looked at by photographing the person under water. This has made the features unclear and added an element of distortion to the photo. The second photo is like a modern piece of art. The human figure has been photo in a fairly ‘normal’ state’ but elements have been added to change this, such as the swirly pattern coming off from the face.

The next two photos look have looked at photographing people in relation to culture. I thought this

was an interesting way of representing the human figure. Both of the photos are rich in colour and expression, highlighting the ideas and aspects of the culture that is being captured in the shot. I like the idea of representing human figure through culture, as it is a big part in so many peoples lives and is a non-literal way of looking at the figure of a human. I like the focus in the photos as in the first one a weir dangle has been used to take the shot and this has made the center person more in focus and in the second photo the background has been blurred out so that the subject has remained the focus.

I found these last photos really amusing too look at. It has used animals to literally represent the human figure. Although these photos are very comical there are elements of them being serious, well composed pieces of art with the clothing on the animal representing the nature of them etc. A sterile background has been used and this has ensured the focus remains on the animal. I really like this idea and concept and this all the photos in this series are visually interesting,