Shape

Shape

A shape is the external form, contours, or outline of someone or something.

Negative space is the space that surrounds an object in a image. Just as important as that object itself, negative space helps to define the boundaries of positive space and brings balance to a composition.








Research

Irving Penn's use of negative space makes the object stand out, so does his choose of using lots of bright colours in the foreground and one plain colour in the background of the image. Penn's work in includes food and everyday objects in his images.







All these images draw attention to the object using negative space. Penn's work makes you think about the shapes of objects in everyday life. The objects have been manipulated by putting them in a certain position, not found then taken the camera to the objects to take the image which is what I'm use to.

Image bank







I will get images similar to this only mine will be in black and white.

(AO:1.  You must ensure that several of the visual ideas/inspirations within the image bank are pursued. )

Contact sheet



Best images











Images that require improvement









In the top image the blinds are in the way of the house their is also to much in the background that distracts from the houses outline of the house. I don't think i could improve this image so I would just get rid of it. The idea just sounded better in my head.

The image of the stones doesn't work as the they're to small to work out the shapes. If I did this again I would zoom in a lot more as well as use negative space to focus on the stones. I would also only use 3-4 stones not a big bunch.

The shape is still in the last image of the pencils but the colour of the image is more noticeable then the shape. To fix this image I would make the colours darker. The background also has a pattern it should be plain as the focus is the pencils.

AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.

The first image uses Ikea pencils to spell out my name. I thought this would be good as you go to Ikea to buy then assemble furniture not make things out of the free pencils at the store. 

My second image of a lion statue uses negative space and angles to change the lions expression from serious and straight on to sad and at a different angle.  

The picture of Ikea pencils agents a plain blue background. This was inspired by Irving  Penn as he also uses plain backgrounds It shows how ironic it is that Ikea ,which uses 1% of the world wood, has promised to use less wood in its products yet still has these pencils that people don't use as they're not needed. Although this message would be clearer if the logo was in the photo.

The final image of a skull makes it look like its smiling therefore not threatening ,for a skull, although still makes you uncomfortable. This is oppose to straight on which is creepier.

AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.

I used my iPad to take these photos. I then used photoshop to make them black and white.




I decided to put them in black and white as Irving Penn does this in his work and so you can't be distracted by the colour and focus on the shape. This is how I converted it.



The screen grabs selected show how Photoshop was used to create a high contrast black and white image.  To do use this, I used the Black and White tool adjusting the colour sliders to get the desired hard contrast effect.

AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.

The research on negative space was helpful as it showed me how to frame the photo. The Irving Penn helped me relies that I can take pictures of anything around me. Most of them are based on Irving Penn's work but not all.

I believe that I have produced a decent series of images inspired by my research of shape and the images of Irving Penn's work although I could of done more. The final images produced were refined by developing the contrast and converting them into black and white images.

AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements. 

I believe I have created a strong series of images inspired by Irving Penn. The final images were adjusted by converting them into black and white to focus on the shape not the colour.