So, I experimented with taking the model out, which left composited landscapes. I didnt think this was realy my thing, so tried to combine some of the landscapes I had taken. The SI, to me, was always about the compositing. I enjoyed this experiment and I think it worked well. I created a new space. Whether it is believable or not, the experience was interesting and left me with a lot more ideas. I have made 5 final images, but to be honest I am really happy with only two of them..
Only hours to go until submission. A lot has happened since my last post. I have lost a model, brought the seascapes inside and sucked the digital out of them….. a bit.
Two Shoots in total. One in Holfield Plastic Factory. in Arklow. Other shoot was in studio. Model was Hannah L O’R (Morgan The Agency). The following contact sheet shows some of the images used. In total there were 6 images used to create the final image..which is shown first…
Two Shoots in total. One in Blackrock. In the public bath looking out to see, with diving boards prominent in the background. Other shoot was in studio. Model was Hannah L O’R (Morgan The Agency). The following contact sheet shows some of the images used. In total there were 21 images used to create the final image..which is shown first…
Two Shoots in total. One in Sandymount. In the public bath looking out to see, with ‘chimneys’ in background. Other shoot was in studio. Model was Hannah L O’R (Morgan The Agency). The following contact sheet shows some of the images used. In total there were 13 images used to create the final image..which is shown first…
Two Shoots in total. One in Sandymount. On the strand. Looking from the strand onto the road with the derelict baths inbetween. Other shoot was in studio. Model was Hannah L O’R (Morgan The Agency). The following contact sheet shows some of the images used. In total there were 17 images used to create the final image..which is shown first…
Well, I havent kept on top of this! It didnt help being away with work for a week, but I will make up for the time lost over the next few hours. I have been doing the work, just not been blogging about it. Im gonna break down my work into each shot that I have finished for the review tomorrow. The review will take the following format…
1. Three A3 prints of exhibition quality;
or
- mock up of book showing layout and text
or
- 1st edit of video including sample audio
2. you should also submit appropriate supporting material ie.
contacts, workbook and work-prints
3. A document indicating the deliverables that you will be
submitting for assessment ie: number and size of prints, format and
mode of presentation;
4. A synopsis of your project. This should be printed and submitted
with your work;
Thursday
Setup
9.00 — 10.00
You are required to display your work (room 27) on the wall. You
should also include the synopsis of your project. supporting material
may be left on table/box. The exhibition must be installed before
10.00. (you will need pins). If you are showing video you will need
to test and organise player prior to 10.00;
Class meeting
10.00 — 10.30
Ellen and I will discuss the guidelines and requirements for the
Critical Evaluation.
Review
10.30 –
Ellen and I will review work and compile feedback (you are not
required to attend).
Feedback will be given as follows:
1. if your work is meeting the requirements of the module;
2. the grade that your work would be given if assessed at that point
(however this is just and indication and is not formally recorded);
3. you will be given, where appropriate, feedback in terms of;
a) requirements, (which must be met to meet the assessment
requirements)
b) recommendations (which should be met and acted upon)
c) advice (which should be noted)
The deadline for final submission is Friday 15th May.
Well, Ive been doing loads. Everything other than this blog! Over the next day or two( inbetween covering the euro hockey league) I will bring this up-to-date. Did a couple of shoots and about 12 hours of retouching!
Gonna get a dart day-pass tomorrow and shoot loads of locations. Going to focus on the public baths, but also take some more places in. Here are some ideas i have..
Baths in Blackrock, Clontarf, Sandymount and Dunlaoighre. sandymount strand, dollymount strand and Sutton beach.
Smalldog is … (taken from smalldogimageworks.com)
Scott Dorman is the proud owner of Smalldog Imageworks, a high end retouching studio located in Atlanta, Georgia. Created with the desire to please, Smalldog Imageworks thrives on the idea of putting creative minds together to deliver powerful imagery that keeps you coming back for more.
Scott has worked on national campaigns for BMW, General Motors, Puma, Coca-Cola, and AT&T. With a formal education in illustration, a penchant for Photoshop and an imagination that takes artwork beyond the ordinary, Scott attracted the attention of well-known commercial photographer, Jim Fiscus. From 2001-2005 Dorman worked with Fiscus to produce imagery that lured clients such as Nike, Adidas, Showtime, Cingular, ESPN Magazine, and The Source Magazine.
Able to adapt to various conditions, Smalldog Imageworks approaches retouching with a simple rule — let each image take on a life of its own. Push it as far as it will allow itself to go, and know when to stop. This is the ability of an artist that understands the unique essence of each project and the needs of the client. If you want a Chihuahua you get a Chihuahua. If you want a Poodle you can get one fluffed and groomed, with polished nails and a show-quality Continental Clip.
Some amazing retouching companies.
1. Procolor (singapore) www.procolor.com.sg
2. Remix Studios Bangkok (thailand) www.remixstudiobangkok.com
3. Royal Post Club (germany) www.royalpostclub.de
4. The Living Room (belgium) www.thelivingroom.be
5. Rocket Studios (california) www.rocketart.com
6. Rob Frew (johannesburg) no website listing
Also found the retouching company that collaborated with David Stuart on ‘Girl with Dolls’. Smalldog Productions says.. “This is a personal portfolio piece in collaboration with David Stuart. We talked and talked for months about what kind of story we could tell in the foreground of this old cotton mill. We imagined homeless guys selling lemonade, a little girl selling lemonade, a little homeless girl? Carting around her remaining possessions? A bunch of dolls? What if she’s burying the dolls? And she’s wearing funeral black. Now we’re on to something! This is a composite of about 50 shots. This scene does not exist in real life, only in our minds. And in our portfolios.”
They have a page on their site called ‘Method’..
Digital retouching is more than just smoothing out wrinkles in a shirt or softening laugh lines on a face. It’s more than simple color correction or making a collage. It’s about creating effective visual communication.
Every image is unique. Our approach is to enhance what is already there and let an image take on a life of its own. Rather than trying to force an image into something it does not want to be, we want to discover its maximum potential. The Smalldog theory is that you have to stand apart from the other breeds to be awarded Best in Show.
A typical workflow:
1. Pre-planning. A preliminary meeting is essential to determine what needs to be accomplished and what steps are needed to achieve the desired result. Even before the photo shoot takes place, we can determine the best way to approach the job.
2. Editing and scanning. There might be several frames that work, but which one is best? We can start with fpo digital captures or scan lo-res for a quick comp. That way when we’ve got it, we’ll know. Then we’ll process hi-res images from the RAW digital captures or scan hi-res. What’s your end use? Magazine ad? Billboard? Final image size will determine how large we process or scan and how large the final file will be delivered.
3. Retouching. This is where we build the image. Are we putting a new head on that supermodel? Replacing a sky? Not quite sure about final scaling and position? Here’s where we work out all the kinks. You’ll be updated with
on-line proofs every step of the way.
4. The Look. Once you are completely happy with how everything is coming together, we start on color, contrast, and any digital trickery we’ve got up our sleeves to make that image come alive. You’ll get some on-line proofs here, too. However, you might want us to output a preliminary proof delivered via Fedex so you’re seeing what we’re seeing.
5. Fine Tuning. Ever heard of the 20/80 rule, when the last 20% of the work takes 80% of the time? It’s true. And here’s when we perfect the image. Don’t forget you have one last on-line proof to approve before we stick a fork in it and call it done.
6. Final Proof & Delivery. Amazing but true. We all did our part. And now it’s your turn to run with it. We’ll output a final CMYK digital press proof and burn a CD or DVD. We’ll drop Fedex so you get it on time. Or if you’re in a rush, we can upload it to our ftp server while your proof is in transit.
Reward yourself for a job well done, and have a milkbone.
The first of the series will be titled shoes. I see it being made up of 5-7 images in total. I will plan and prepare for each act under three headers; The Visual. The technical. The Concept.
The Visual. A well-dressed woman is lying on the ground. She appears to have been crushed by falling shoes. There are 
normal shoes, runners, high heels and boots covering most of her body. She is still alive and doesn’t seem to be in much pain, but she cannot move. There are still some shoes falling from the sky. You then take notice of her surroundings. Why is she here? The space is barren, a desolate, empty plain. There are glimpses of small buildings in the distance. The sky is dark and overpowering. It is a lonely place. In the distance there is a dog. It is sitting on the ground, watching. the scene is quite surreal and definitely leaves questions to be asked, presumptions to be made and imaginations to be let lose. The tone is cold and gray. Colour has been sucked out of every part of it. The corners are dark. The image is wide, which assists the image’s storytelling ability.
The Technical. I see a few ways of doing this. Starting with the studio, I could just take the model, lying on the ground. Also, I could take the shoes piled up, with some falling onto the top of the pile. And the third option would be to shoot both as one scene. I think the last option makes more sense. The other shots will be on location. This is a list of the possible shots required for act one.
1. Model on ground. 2. Model on ground with shoes on top of her. 3. Pile of shoes. 4. Flat landscape. 5. Trees. 6. Buildings. 7. Sky. 8. Dog sitting down.
I will use my 40D for every shot. I will use a 50mm 1.8 Lens for every shot. I will use a tripod for every shot. Studio lights will be soft and high to the subjects right. No lighting will be used on location.
The Concept. The underlying theme of this project will be associated with ‘instant gratification’. A considerable percentage of Irish people are addicted to having things straight away. these people have little or no patience. Some examples; Women buying shoes. People texting for no reason. The desregard for energy waste. Faster and faster internet speeds, 2 seconds is too long to wait to see your facebook page! etc. The first act is about shoes. Shoes will look at how women collect shoes. It is not about women liking shoes. That is understood. This act will investigate the frequency that they buy them and the lack of practical thinking. They are mostly impulse buys. More concept to come…
