The Pen is Mightier than the Sword- Work diary

Basic information:
Date: 15/12/16
Camera used: Nikon D5300
Props or subject: Subject
Editing program: Photoshop CC 2014
Camera settings: 1/80, f/22, ISO 200
Technique used: Low key gels
Camera set up: (Diagram created using www.lightingdiagrams.com/creator)- Snoot x1, red/blue photography gel, tripod.

Favourite image:

This image appeals to me due to the way that the angle of the camera draws the viewer to the subjects eyes which helps them to engage with the subject of the image.  A long exposure of 1/80 is used in order to let in more light to avoid having to raise the images ISO as this can create a grainy effect.  I like the way that the cameras placement has created a slight warping of the subjects face due to the wide angle used I feel that this combined with the low saturation of the image gives it a somewhat unnatural and unsettling appearance.  I like the way that the darkness of the backdrop when combined with the anger lighting from the snoot creates a sense of drama and focuses the viewers eye to the subject and his head wound where blood can be seen trickling down his forehead from the pen wound.  The viewers eye is further drawn to the subject through the leading lines created from the notebook paper  positioned on the desk which lead from the images foreground to background and consequently directly to the subject.

Least favourite image:

This image is my least favourite from this series as I feel that whilst the red tint on the image was overall successful it has obscured the overall effect which would have been created in a close up image.  This results from the way that the red of the blood blends into the red from the gel as well as the way that the gel has overly darkened this image meaning that it is hard for the viewer to see the subjects head wound.  I feel that the image could possibly be improved by lightening it in photoshop however overall I believe that this use of red tones is most effective when coupled with a longer wide shot as it is less detail orientated and the use of colour will not distract from the close up detail of the image but will instead add to the drama of the image and draw the viewer in.

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword- Straight images

This series was intended to be shot using gel lighting however there were none in the studio so a union jack flag was used instead of gels.  To create the same effect the flag was held over the snoot and removed between shots to avoid over heating occurring.  The images shot were all altered in photoshop by having their saturation decreased and their brightness increased in order to allow more detail to be seen.



This image was lit in a style that reminisces film noir and is deliberately dark I like this aspect of the image as I feel that it amplifies the sinister undertones of the image.  I find this image particularly powerful as it displays someone collapsed on a desk of paper work symbolising the mundane routine of life and the fact that anyone can die at any moment.

This image is an extreme close shot of the wound on the subjects forehead and the blood dripping down his forehead.  I feel that the red is particularly powerful in this image as it carries connotations of anger and passion as both emotions can be seen as being linked to murder.  

This is one of my favourite images from the piece as the dull blue tones give the subject a sickly and pale appearance as well as providing a sense of contrast for the blood dripping down his head.  The leading lines of the paper are interesting here as they direct the viewers eye towards the subject and his head wound.

This is my favourite image as the pen wound is most visible here as it provides the clearest lighting.  I also like the way that the subjects eyes are gazing directly into the camera with a dead pan expression creating the illusion that he is dead.  I also like the fact that the lack of a coloured gel in this image allows the white paper to create a stark contrast against the black of the backdrop and that the leading lines of the paper are also more prominent and clearly leading towards the subjects eyes.

The Pen is mightier than the sword- Contact sheet