Website Prep & Experiments

Along the way I have been experimenting with a couple different website builders to see which work best. I firstly set one up with Wix and soon felt it was a bit too simple for what I wanted to create. The settings only let me do so much.

These arent actually the images I'm using I just wanted to experiment with some image layouts. 

Also after chatting with jennifer, she explained that the website needed to be stricly focused on my project, so that everything flows and links together. As at first I wasn't sure on whether to put my portfolio up as well. 

This became more clear to me and I helped me decided how to lay my website out. 

As I said to Jennifer I didn't want it to look a bit random. So we discussed about having a small introduction first about what my work was about. 

A friend then recommended I try Adobe Muse, however this was literally creating a website from scratch and in all honesty I was running out of time. I knew I enjoyed creating this types of work and was open to learning but knew that may of been a little too challenging. 

I found a website called SiteBuilder, and this abled me to pick a layout and build and change settings easily yet still looked professional. 

I want my website to be quite simplistic and easy to access. 

Shoot 6 Analysis - My last shoot done!

So thats it! I've completed all 6 shoots. Overall I was happy with the final images of this shoot, however struggled to get the images I envisioned. I originally wanted full body shots, but had trouble with studio space and we was unable to change the backdrop to a longer one, therefore couldn't fit the whole of the model in without seeing the background and floor. I knew the blazer was the main focal piece so I knew I could get some great shots, so I had to work with what I had and ended up getting some great half shots.
The eyes in particular looked amazing with the light catching the gloss. I was worried the eyes were going to look too messy but they ended up looking really effective on camera.

I felt I needed to brighten the images slightly as the model looked a little too dull. 

However I felt the blazer worked really well and the pop of colour contrasts amazing with the white background. 

experimenting with portrait shots, I wanted to get some half shots with the model posing with some masculine movements however felt the images worked best landscape. 

Shoot 6 Planning

As all my other shoots, I used quite neutral, pale colours and felt when you thought of masculine style it was very black and white or plain. I want to create something a little more fun. When shopping for the styling for all of my shoots I came across a bright, neon orange blazer and this was actually my inspiration for this shoot. It was a staple piece that I could work around.

I put together a mood board of some other influential images and the vision I saw.

Again like most of my shoots the hair will be quite slick, but this time I want to make the hair quite messy looking and almost a little wet, like men would use when gelling their hair. 

This will be another shoot where I will particular focus on the makeup. It will be almost quite messy, and 'slept in' looking. Creating a dark smokey eye and using my beloved eye gloss to create a wet look all around the eye and cheeks. This will hopefully correspond with the wet hair. I want to keep the eye free of any bright colours as I feel the blazer speaks for itself! I don't want anything to clash. 

This will be shot in the studio and I feel a white backdrop will work best. And keep it very simple looking. 

Styling is expensive!!

We are obviously asked to reflect and analysis our journey and so far one thing I have struggled with is affording the styling! Luckily, living in a house with 5 other girls, I was able to raid their waredrobes too to help style my shoots!! Lucky me.

Within my proposal, I actually only budgeted a very small amount for my styling. I don't think I actually realised, how important styling would come, as the styling within my project is a very important aspect in conveying the androgynous theme.
So far I've spent almost £400.
However, the clothes really make or break the photoshoots and ensure everything is at a professional, on trend standard.

Editing

As it is coming towards the end of my photoshoots, I have been editing and choosing my final images.
I have decided to use 2 images from each of my final shoots.
Which means I will have 12 images in total.

I absolutely love this shot, I felt it worked really well black and white. And like Jennifer said, you can see the light hit her cheekbone really nicely. I feel it gives more edge b/W and looks that little bit more editorial. 

I am not beauty retouching or altering anything other than changing the brightness/contrast, colour balance, etc.

These three above I had to brighten slightly as I stated earlier, they was a little too dark due to trouble with lighting. 

Shoot 5 Analysis

This is my favourite shoot so far!! Everything about it just worked for me and it was exactly how I visioned it to be. A lot of thought and planning went into this shoot and I feel it really reflected on how it turned out. The styling and location went perfectly together. the makeup and styling didn't look too glamorous or over the top, which was what I was worried about. It all looked quite effortless yet effective and very much editorial inspired.

It was extremely windy that day so it was tough ensuring the coat and hair was in the right place but overall everything looked great!

This one is particularly one of my favourites and was something I wanted to experiment with as I spoke about it in my planning I wanted to experiment with the use of composition and the contrast of heights. I love how grand and tall the building is compared to my model. However, I'm unsure whether to use this as a final image as the makeup, hair or outfit isn't very clear. And the styling and makeup is something I want to focus on.

I feel the posing and outfit really make the images and portray the theme perfectly.

How Did Shoot 4 Go?

I was extremely happy with the final outcome of this photos! I feel because I used a photographer for this, it definitely showed within the photography and use of lighting. I explained to the photographer that I wanted the background to be off white as I didn't want to loose any of the outfit as everything was white. The photographer done amazing! As this shoot was very makeup focused, I wanted to ensure every detail was on point and it was helpful having a photographer so I could check the photos on the computer afterwards and ensure everything was in place. The only aspect I was unsure on was the model. As I stated before, I had a few model issues, so this caused a lot of stress and last minute planning. Thankfully, Eloise my photographer found this model last minute. I had to work with what I had! She had beautiful skin and hair. But felt it was hard to get her to pose how I wanted.

As the theme was androgynous, the posing was very specific and it was hard for her to let go and act 'manly' However, towards the end she started to loosen up and I felt I got some amazing shots as an overall. 

I firstly tried the hair in a low ponytail. However felt it worked better tucked in as it looked more mainly!

The lighting worked really well and I was really happy with how the makeup turned out. 

Shoot 5 Planning

I have decided again to create this shoot outside as a location shoot. I have a vision of the styling to be quite effortless and of course with a touch of masculinity. I really liked the way the oversized blue coat worked in my recent shoot, and it gave that effortless yet effective feel. Paired with oversized boyfriend jeans - similar to the one in the top right corner. Then a baggy shirt to create more of a androgynous feel. 

I didn't want it to look overly baggy and casual, I thought some black boots would finish off the look. However this is something I will have to see on the day, as I have a couple pairs of shoes that will go. Either the black heeled boots, or some loathers. 

As for the makeup, it was very similar to Shoot 3. So very simple, nothing too dramatic - I don't want to take anything from the styling. As this is the main focus. 

I want to keep the eyes quite neutral, with a touch of eye gloss to keep it very on trend and textured. 

As for the location, I was unexpectedly inspired by the bottom left photo, I love the composition and angle of the photo. As the styling was the main focus, I wanted to make sure all the outfit was in focus and seen. I have a vision of experimenting with composition and decided to use Southampton Guildhall, as it seems to be very grand and would work well with the type of styling I have. The vision I see is working with how tall the building is and having the model stand in front, creating a large contrast of height between the building and the model. I am unsure with how this will work and whether the model will be too out of focus, but again this is something I will have to experiment with.

Practice 

I love how the skin and eyes turned out however felt the lip colour didn't really work and may use more of a nude shade on the shoot. 

The skin my Mac trainer created is a massive influence when creating my makeup looks! Look how gorgeous and natural it looks! 

I decided to use the same face chart as shoot 3 as I wanted both looks to be very similar and simple. 

Shoot 3...Again!

So after changing outfits and trying the second location the shoot turned out really well and I am very happy with the final shots. I am glad we decided to change outfits, as I stated before I wanted it to be a little more masculine. We went with a slightly baggy shirt, similar to the mood board I created and long oversized blazer to give it a masculine touch. The hat ended up working really well, giving it a quirky edge.

I think the shots in front of the white building works best complimenting the outfit.

I love how you can see the gloss in this image and how it catches the light, contrasting against the matte skin. 

Shoot 3 Fail

Today I completed shoot 3 with fashion stylish Miné, as stated in planning I chose to shoot this look on a location.
We firstly experimented with a couple of different outfits which best suited the theme. the clothes Miné chose fitted the brief and pinterest board perfectly.

Before we went to the location (See pic for planning) I wanted to shoot a couple in the road to see how well the outfit worked.

Although I liked the outfit, I felt it wasn't working and I soon realised it wasn't androgynous enough.
I discussed with Miné that maybe a shirt would work better, to give a touch of masculine.

I think it was the jumper that didn't work, making it slightly too feminine. I'm also glad we had another location in mind too. Maybe with the right outfit the location would of worked better. And I am not too keen on the grass and trees being in shot. 

Mac Cosmetics

Working for Mac has been a huge achievement for me and incredibly inspiring. I am lucky enough to be sent on training days in London, this has helped and influenced my work by always being up to date with current trends, seeing as Mac is at the forefront of fashion, trend setting and apart of most major backstage catwalks across the world.

At my most recent training, we were shown the Paris A/W 2015 video. 

I wanted to share this with my journal, as a lot of my inspiration has come from Mac, and their innovative use of products and textures. 

Keeping up to date with MAC's current looks backstage

Skin is everything backstage with MAC, something I want to specifically focus on with all of my looks. 

I particularly love smooth, yet textured brows.

On our last training date, we were luckily enough to have a skin trend masterclass. Trainer Maz talked through how to get catwalk ready skin, with a variety of products, to get a natural yet flawless glow. Images below.