Two heads are better than one- Work diary

Basic information:
Date: 09/02/17
Camera used: Nikon D3500
Props or subject: Subject
Editing program: Photoshop CC 2014
Camera settings: 4.0s, f/32, 4.0s-6.0s
Technique used: Multiple flash
Camera set up: (Diagram created using www.lightingdiagrams.com/creator)- Soft box x2, Tripod

Favourite image

This image appeals to me due to the way that I was able to position the subject in a way that allows for her head to be featured at two points in the same image with minimal movement in her body.  This positioning creates the illusion that the subject has two heads which illustrates the name of the series "Two heads are better than one".  The subjects black top helps to add to this illusion as it blends into the background making it hard to distinguish where the subjects body ends and the background begins.  The reduced saturation present in the image gives it a sinister appearance as does the subjects deadpan stare as she looks directly towards the camera.  The lack of movement in between flashes also helps to give this image a surreal appearance as it appears still and precise opposed to blurred and manic.  The fact that a long exposure of 5 seconds was used here is also important as it means that the subject had plenty of time to move her head into the correct position without feeling rushed and blurring the image.

Least favourite image

This image is my least favourite from this series due to the way that the subjects head is blurred excessively which removes detail from the image.  The multiple blurs achieved through quick movements and flashes creates a stacked appearance and the multiple numbers of heads present in the image goes against the series title.  This images composition is unappealing however could likely be improved through cropping the image to a square format to draw focus to the subjects face.

Two Heads are Better Than One- Straight images

This image was created using multiple flash in the studio against a black background with two soft boxes.  The effect was created by triggering the flash whilst the subject was in one position and then triggering the flash after she had moved into the secondary position.  In order to capture this change of movement a 6" exposure was used which means that a tripod was used to create a steady shot.  The images saturation was then lowered in photoshop in order to give it a more surreal and washed out appearance whilst the clone stamp was used on the subjects neck in order to create a cleaner blend between both poses.

This image uses the same techniques as the previous image however features both myself and another subject meaning that after the 6" exposure had been set up and the flash had been triggered the subject had to move out of frame and I had to step into frame and onto a pre-set marker in order to get the framing accurate.  Someone else had to trigger the flash as I could not reach the light from my position.  The saturation was again lowered in photoshop and curves were used to alter the colourisation of the image in a more complex way.

The same techniques were used in this image as the images above as the subject was required to change positioning once in order to create the twin effect with the same editing techniques also being used.  The twin effect bears similarity to the appearance of the twins in the popular horror film "The Shinning" and serves to unnerve the viewer.

This image was also a 6" exposure however more flashes were implanted in order to create the chaotic appearance of the subjects face.  This image creates imagery associated with mental distress and possible questions about identity as the subjects face has been blurred.  The same editing techniques were used in this image as in the image prior.

This image features 3 poses with the subjects head turned both left and right and then facing forwards.  Due to the overplayed shots of the subjects hair an orange effect was formed in the images centre this required selective colour alteration using the quick select wand, reduced saturation and curve manipulation to counteract and allow the image to maintain its low saturation appearance.

Two Heads Are Better Than One- Contact Sheet