Critical Appraisal - Fashion Constructed Image

As a whole i have really enjoyed this project, i must admit i did find it very stressful and demanding but i feel that the experience i have gained and what i have learnt really helped with this project and will continue to do so in the future. It was interesting to get a taste of how long a fashion shoot takes to prepare for, shoot and the post production also.


It being a group project was also interesting to come across my strengths and weaknesses throughout the project, and reacting to the debates of important decisions we needed to make as a group. There was a few times in which tempers flared however i feel we managed it well and moved forward throughout the project. It has also given me an idea of how many people would be involved in a fashion shoot and how long it takes to prepare the shoot, and an example of the amount of expenses.


This whole experience of set building as given me insight to what the industry is really like, I've enjoyed the project and have found that workshops and previous projects all have influenced the final set building process. It was nice to be able to work fast and make the decisions ourselves.
It has been a great learning process for me and I will take what i have learnt on in the future.

The Final Fashion Image

Original Image -

Original Image

After Post-Production
Final Image

Final Image

Evaluation of Image

As a whole i am very pleased with the final outcome of my image. There are some mina details i would have liked to do differently but with the experience i have gained from the Set build project i can use it in the future. The models mouth is slightly open and i wish she had shut it properly as i feel the small parting of her lips is a distraction compared to the expression on the rest of her face.

It took us ages to find the perfect lighting for the set but i think it works well here. We did struggle with the candles as the original image we took seems to be darker and softer, with the post production in mind we changed them to make them look more effective.

I really like the pose the model is doing, maybe if i were to do the shoot again and we as a group took more time over the positioning we could have tried some other poses as well as perfect the image making post production minute.

We did struggle to light the coffin as the edges kept disappearing into the background, I'm glad we had the extra time after the model had gone home the thursday to rearrange the lighting. Meaning that the end result the box is lit, the edges can be seen and it doesn't look flat. Because the image is very symmetrical and lined up perfectly the candles act as a disblance which breaks up the lines in the image.

    Overall i am very pleased with the final image, it did take a lot of work and stress however the final outcome makes it all worth it.

Post Production - Screen Shots

Screen Shots

Taking the dust away on coffin top and edges

Spot healing tool

Before and after shot

Both edges and top complete

With the first three screen shots its an example of how we created layers and masks to hide the dust and dirt that can be seen on the top of the coffin as well as the sides, by using the spot healing brush. However me and Nikita noticed that the edges looked quite Magenta, so we then created another layer and make to change the luminosity of the edges as you can see in the screen shot below:

Changing luminosity

Changing the Arch Brightness

Changing the size of the tool

Noticeable difference in light change on arch

Myself and Nikita struggled with the post production as neither of us had had any experience when using photoshop. However i feel i have learnt a lot during the process of editing this image. We originally wanted to change the least amount possible to he image, however once printing began we came across more editing needs.

For example, the candle all seemed to fade away and look as if they were not lit so we had to create another layer and curve the brightness and contrast to increase the highlights, (as shown in below print screens). We also used the same process to laminate the red into the apple as we felt the white was too overpowering. We also worked on the shadow of her chest, to try and bring the shadow forward so the image wasn't as flat. The strands of hair on her chest were also removed as well as the hair on the left side of her face lightened.

Below are the print screens of the process:

Editing curve to change colour of candles

Notice the dark harsh shadow and the black strands of hair

Editing the shadow and using the tools to discard the hair

Also changing the skin tone to enhance facial skin tone -
Notice Shadow on chest is softer and hair strands gone

Using curves to edit the apple and its colours 

Looking closely at the bent leg, you can see the lines in the tights on the knee which looks strange. Going back to the original file we tried editing it in focus but sadly it didn't make any difference, but at least we tried and know for future reference. Below are the screen shots:

Using focus to edit our original file

As you can see the line sin the tights on the knee, changing the 'Moire' made no difference.

Customise proof condition

Document Profile 

Printing

Flattening the image

Image size and dimensions

Contact sheet

Image Rotation

Layer properties - Curves

Beginning of Contact sheet

Hidden layers

Our first strip

Saving once both strips are complete

Print settings and preview

Comparison

Lighting changed curves back

Printing properties

Printing properties

These print screens are an example of our post production. I feel the entire post production was quite difficult, i think in the long run this will benefit my work and in time i will be able to use photoshop properly. It is mainly because photoshop is new to me that it proved hard to use, however i am happy that we took the time to adjust parts of the image as we have ended up with a better photo.

Budgeting

Our budgeting controlled by ashleigh, We all kept near enough and it was made easier to see what we were spending money on and where it was all going.

Set Build Week

During our set build week i found that as a group we worked well, however a few arguments did occur mainly because of valuable decisions we had to make as well the amount of change that involved our set. We broke off into groups, so while the two boys got on with creating the steps the two girls and i began painting the walls.

The Walls and Steps

We had already began the walls the friday before the shoot as it was such a big task it would of taken up one of the set build days which we couldn't afford to loose. The friday before Nikita, Ian and I picked four poly boards that would eventually be our back wall. We drew the bricks in place being carful that each poly board lined up so the brick wall would look as realistic as possible. By using our key/knife we cut into the lines we had made, followed by using a hot air gun to melt in the lines creating the guttering between each brick. Using water we could save parts of the polo board that stopped it from melting, and worked on other parts of the 'brick' by melting the centre of them to cause the imaginary nicks and bumps in a wall.

Four Poly Walls - ready to be painted

On the first day of the set build week we were then able to paint and texture the walls.  After the walls were painted and dry, we were able to put them up by screwing them into four flats. We supported the flats and weighed them down for safety. We moved the walls back as far back in the studio as possible to enable us to use the full length of the studio. The steps that had been created by the boys we then plastered and moved into the centre of the studio.

Painted Walls and plastered Steps

Different angle of walls and steps

After the walls were up, and the steps left to dry, as a group we all started filling the cracks in the bricks with filler to give it more texture and to make it look more realistic. It made the cracks a sandy colour instead of cream.

Using the filler to fill in the cracks of the bricks

More or less finished walls, painted and
filled (Notice the colour difference)

Archway and Lighting

By the second day

We came back onto the set the second day and cracked on with putting the finishing touches on the wall, and i was left to paint the walls. As a group we got a camera out to see what the point of view was, after moving the set around we were able to adjust the lighting.

Half way through painting the steps

As you can see the colour difference, we wanted to match the walls with the steps. I done this by using the 'Slate' coloured paint, and sponged it on randomly.

Our Imaginary Coffin

Our set

We began using lights and capturing our set on camera all linked up to the Mac. We created a simple frame to give us the example of the size and height of the coffin without having to move the heavy per-specs box.

The boys began to create the Arch after we moved the lighting round and worked on our measurements for the curve and height of the arch. We had to move the steps into a more central position and the camera seemed to be moving further back in the studio and as low as possible.

In process of creating Arch

Archway Frame

The Archway was coming along at this point, after a few trips to Wickes at the bottom of the road we were able to pick up more wood, paint and plaster to finish the Arch.

The Frame

What the camera can see is covered

The Plastered

And a base coat painted when dry

Notice tip of Archway needs more wall

While the archway was coming along we noticed that the angle the camera was at meant that the archway's point showed above the polo wall. We then had to create and extra line of bricks to cover what you can see.

Finding out where the wall starts and ends

The wall finished with the extra part made above and the second coat of paint sponged on.

Creating the extra wall

Flooring, lighting and the coffin

Once the arch and extra part of wall was up we concentrated on the lighting. We struggled to get it right, i found this part of the week the most stressful as we ket changing the lights over and over. It felt like and impossible task, and the group seemed to loose interest towards the end of the day, it was stressful trying to motivate everyone.

The lighting that we ended up using was HMI 1.2kw light, this was our main lighting and was positioned directly above the steps (where the coffin would be) by goal posts. It was so it wouldn't overpower the model and still allowed detail to be seen. 

We used also Arri Continuous Lights (300w) to aid our HMI light and control the highlights and shadows. Most of these lights we used blue gels and frost to soften the light. 

With the coffin we needed to cut into the top step to enable the coffin to slide into it as the height was to high. We then placed what we cut out of the step back in which would support our model. This in place, were were then able to peel the safety sticker off of the per-specs which enabled us to re-adjust the lighting, and take many test shots before our shoot day.

Part of step that had been cut out

After we got the set ready for the coffin to be place into the step, we then put Tarpaulin onto the floor. We had to struggle when lifting the steps as with the plaster it was heavy, however it needed to be done as new reflections would arise when the lights were positioned.

Taking the protective cover off the coffin

Take note on lighting

Lighting on back of set

Our set

With the images above you can see the lighting suspended above the coffin, also a red pillow and blanket was placed inside. We laid the sand and stone onto the tarpaulin and marked off where the camera could see it so we didn't waste any. We were careful and practised the poses with one of our group members sitting in the coffin

We most struggled with getting the lighting right, however i feel we were prepared for our shoot day. There was a mad rush to buy some candles to place randomly and unevenly on the steps of the coffin and floor. We used the heat gun again to melt them to make them look as if they had been there for hours and hours.

Lit candles, flooring, lighting completed.

Shoot day


During the shoot day i feel it went quite smoothly. We had left the set ready for the shoot the day before and our model had arrived on time as well as the make up and stylist. We all took turns in using the camera as we struggled most with the focal point, the positions we were asking our model to get into were  difficult, making it harder for her to hold the pose as still as possible. Myself and Nikita both took it in turns to direct the model, as i would tell her what i could see and what needed changing (her hair on her shoulder, or necklace has moved etc..) Nikita was behind the coffin making sure what i was saying was being changed.
I feel we both did well in making sure that the model felt comfortable and warm, the heat from the lights was enough to raise her temperature so we gave her regular breaks throughout the shoot. Towards the end of the shoot we decided to change the pose so instead of her raising her leg into the air she was resting it on her ankle. I personally really enjoyed directing the model, trying to make sure all the minor details were ok including the model herself.
Regrettably the model had to leave earlier than planned, we did as a group believe that we had the image we wanted but there was much room for improvement. As we still had time to spare, we looked at out images we had taken and adjusted the lighting to create a darker background. We also changed one of the lights so we could keep her face alit the next day. It gave us chance to reflect on the day and prepare ourselves for the final day in which we would do the process all over again.
On the friday the model seemed more prepared and confident, i think it was because she knew what to expect. The shoot moved on swiftly and we took many photos until we as a group decided we had got the shot.It was all over so quickly i now wish we had spent a little more time on the last few images, however i am happy with the image we choose. It was strangely depressing having to tear down a set we had spent months preparing for, the money we spent and time we put into it. It was an eventful day but also a sad day.

Taking down our set

Final Dimensions used

Arch

Arch width: 2159.6mm

Column Dimensions: 609.6mm x 304.8mm

Middle height: 1676.4mm

Inside column width: 1554.48mm

Outside column height: 2438.4mm

Elevation of hardboard from ground: 260mm

Distance from back of right column to steps: 1778mm

Distance from back of left column to steps: 1778mm

Back wall

Height (Edges): 2438.4mm

Height (Middle): 3048mm

Width: 4876.8mm

Steps

Bottom: 2133.6mm x 1219.2mm x 177.8mm

Middle: 1957.8mm x 1042.4mm x 152.4mm

Top: 1830.8mm x 915.4mm x 152.4mm

Coffin

Height (Before reduction): 762mm

Height (After reduction): 609.6mm

Depth: 774mm

Length: 1676.4mm

These measurements were calculated using a 75mm focal length.

Final non-edited image