Connecting Essay 4

This is an image I had found online. It shows a black and white portrait of a girl. The black and white effect is very effective as it allows us to see the different tones and highlights in the girls face which creates form. It also allows us to see the contrasting tones in her hair in order to show a clear texture. Depth is shown in this image very well. The girl and the fence behind her are in focus so we know she is close to the camera and is leaning on the fence, however the buildings in the background are very out of focus so we know they are quite far away. The fence creates a pattern and individual shapes are created. The fence helps to create an urban feel. I like the way the girl is not central in the image, as this allows us to see some of her surroundings and notice the depth. The fact she is not looking directly at the camera makes the scene feel more natural as if she is waiting for someone, rather than posing for a photo which is something else I like about it.  

This is an image I had taken which shows a portrait of a girl. I like the angle this image was taken from as it allows space for the smoke to travel within the frame so that we are able to see the different shapes and forms in it. Also, this angle allows us to see a clear outline and shape of the face, as the pale skin contrasts with the dull background. The black and white effect allows us to see the different tones visible in the girls face in order to create form. The black and white effect also allows the smoke to be seen more clearly as it is more contrasting against the background. The background of the images shows depth, as the path gets thinner as it travels into the distance. This emphasises the length of it which also emphasises the fact the girl is alone and in a secluded area with no people in sight, and creates a sense of loneliness. The highlights and tones in the hair, jacket and ground help to establish texture. I like how the girls eyes cannot be seen as she is looking down. The eyes are usually the part of the face that is focused on first, so taking this away creates a sense of mystery for the viewer. 

An obvious similarity between these two images is that they are both portraits and are both edited black and white. Personally I think that the majority of portraits look best in black and white, as it allows the different tones in the face to be seen more clearly in order to show form, and the features of the face in a lot of detail. Black and white also allows highlights and shadows to be more contrasting so that texture can be created in the clothes or hair. Depth is shown clearly in both images, but in different ways. In the existing image that I had found, depth is shown because the girl and fence are in focus while the buildings in the background are very blurred. In my image, depth is shown by the path in the background getting thinner the further into the distance in gets. In both images, neither of the models are looking directly at the camera. This makes both scenes feel more natural, as if the girls are getting on with their daily activities rather than posing for a photo. An urban feel is created in both images. In the top image the buildings and fence help create this, however in my image the urban feel is created by the style of the model, the smoke and the urban looking surroundings. 

A difference between these two images would be the angle the image is taken from, and the composition. In the top image, the image is taken from the front of the girl, which allows us to see her facial features. She only takes up one side of the frame in order for us to see the depth of the surroundings. One the other hand, I took my image from the side of the model. I thought this was effective as the clear outline of her face could be seen. I made sure she wasn't directly central in the frame so that there was room for the smoke to travel but also so that the surroundings could be seen in order to help create that urban feel. One last difference between these to images, is that one is taken as a portrait and one a landscape. The landscape format allows us to see a lot of the surroundings in the image as well as the girl in the top image, however the portrait format works well for my image as the girls head and shoulder fits nicely into this frame, taking up a lot of frame space while still having a good amount of empty space to show the form and travel of the smoke.