Shoot 4 Work Diary

For this shoot, I wanted to explore the colours that are shown within an outdoor setting. I went to shoot on a cloudy day in order to achieve the contrast with colours that I wanted to achieve. I wanted to take images of boring scenery and then I looked to enhance the tones and colours within the image in a way that causes the mundane to appear more vibrant. The colours that are featured within the image are not an accurate representation of the ones within the real environment, but these over saturated segments act in a way that enhances colours making them appear believably surreal. I was inspired when I saw a photograph from Alastair Magnaldo which shows workers framing a piece of a puzzle, in order to complete the image. I thought that I could use this technique in order to imply how hyperreality is constructed by the media like pieces to a puzzle which ultimately disguise our dull reality. I experimented with how I could reflect this message and tried two, alternate methods. The first utilised a simple selective colour method, choosing to make a small portion of the image coloured. While elements of the purpose within the image are present, I opted for a more visually striking method which is reminissant of the techniques present within the Alastair Magnaldo image.  I wanted the shoot to take place on a very cloudy day. I felt that this would help mute the colours within the environment in order to give the impression that the real world was extremely dull. As a result I had to change my camera settings accordingly, in order to ensure the image would not appear overexposed with the bright white sky, and I also wanted to make sure I could capture enough detail within the image as I was dealing with less light. As a result, I chose a shutter speed of 400 with an ISO of 200. Occasionally I would change the shutter speed to around 125 depending on the state of the weather.

Image by Alastair Magnaldo:

Initial attempt:

This image focuses on contrasts. The black and white filter has been purposefully used in order to further desaturate the tones within the surrounding image. I wanted to give a sense that the hyperreality is being constructed in order to cover up the boredom of reality. I attempted to reflect this through the use of colour and tone. The reality is represented by the empty area within the frame. This is reflected through the use of a black and white filter which offer connotation to dullness. The hyperreality (rest of the frame) is represented in a completely opposite way with the use of oversaturated colours. This is used to give the sense of colours that do not naturally exist within the real world as they have been digitally enhanced. This creates a larger contrast which causes the effect to stand out more. 

First, I made a duplicate layer of the background, then I made a selection which resembled a puzzle piece. I transformed and moved the selection until it matched the composition which I wanted. In order to give the puzzle piece a physical presence against the image I added a drop shadow to the layer. This would also help the piece stand out from its background.

In order to create the contrast between the hyperreality world and the real world I manipulated the colour within the image. I used a black and white filter to represent the real world. I began darkening each colour in order to imply dullness within the world. For the hyperreality world, I used hue/saturation in order to give the colours a vibrance which would contrast completely with the colours of the 'real world' within the image.

This image attempts to show how manipulation of an image can change the audiences perception of what makes up an image. The unedited surrounding of the image appears to be all one tone of dark brown colours. With the aid of some colour enhancement, the image now appears layered with multiple splashes of colour as opposed to a singular dull tone throughout the image. The use of a puzzle piece seemingly being placed into the space gives the impression that something is being covered up. In this sense, the use of this technique shows how the media attempts to change our perception of the real world by covering up the darkness with something more mediated.

Progression:

Within this shoot, I have focused largely on subtle examples of hyperreality and have revealed ways in which audiences can be misdirected into believing something looks different than what it really is.  I have already developed this shoot as I managed to find what did not work within the images and find a way to update them through the use of more complex techniques which offer different connotations to a constructed media world. I think the next step should be to investigate the same premise of manipulation of images and audiences within the studio. I can look at how this misdirection can be found within humans by adjusting certain features in order to make them appear different than what they would usually appear. If I could develop this shoot further, I would take the same technique to a more urban setting in order to emphasise a grittiness to the image which could contrast heavily with a hyperreality that I will create.