THE INFO:

Founded in 1892 by Arthur Baldwin Turnure

Original idea- be a form of gazette for the social elite

Originally men’s sports were chronicled in the magazine.

CONDE NAST BOUGHT Vogue in 1909

He admitted he wasn’t creative but was known as an advertising and sales ‘genius’

*He made it a completely female magazine and pushed the covers to be done by illustrators and photographers.

*The covers reflected the art movements of the decade

*Nast’s previous experience with the Home Pattern Company and this became a very relevant element in the publication. \

Nast created separate British and French versions of the magazine.

1916

1939

With the outbreak of war and cut downs with funds- Vogue decided to continue  however it became a monthly publication and combined the various magazines of Vogue Fashion, Vogue Beauty and Vogue Home.

This is my virtual sketchbook where from now on I will be compiling any workings into various projects. Prior to this I had never used a blog and it has been a great learning curve. I am now going to put my knowledge to use in displaying a clearer, more concise and more inspiring tool in my work. Documenting and improving as I go…

For collections of my final works from over the last few years see Dolly Mixture- Creations and Inspiration.

The narrative is showing the clenching of the emotions, being constrained, being silenced, being taut and tight and then letting go.

The ribbons unraveling in a certain manner and unrolling represent this- we then see the body being released in a way.

The example below is my editing so far- very jerky but I feel this adds to the element of uneasy, hidden emotion- and it all being shown with this ribbon rather than expression.

Note we never see the eyes/ mouth etc – where a lot of emotion is revealed. There are snippets of other body parts- clenched fists- feet snapped together and the way in which the ribbon is working with these.

NOTE: This is a work in progress- I am aiming to take the images a little further- creating more to enhance the transition from negative to positive. I have found a suitable audio of jerky strings that compliment the movement and bright red. I now just need to complete the narrative and fit this audio with what we are seeing.

FINAL OUTCOME

Well I hav now expanded into the final piece- with the use of what had already created on Imovie (above) I went on to complete the piece on Final Cut.

Although the general looks is very jerky, I am pleased with this effect as it has a rather awkward sensation on the viewer. It is all about emotions and emotions really do flit back and forth, jerk about and are indeed awkward.

A different approach altogether could have been a smoother look to reflect the ribbons. Then they were not always playing the part of some as lovely as a ribbon- it was often something slightly darker or more negative.

The music fitted perfectly in my opinion and it really was some of the best and quickest sound editing I have ever done. These are actually two different sections of a song from the beginning and the end of the track. Coming together they really showed the distinction between the sluggish/ lethagic/ (to an extent) depressed feelings of the first half and then the enlightening feel of the second half. I have always been a love of strings in music and similar to the way it is used in professional films I believe it has enhanced that emotive approach.

The final piece:

TRIAL SHOTS

Moving with the Theme

I have expanded my theme  into that of emotions represented entirely by the ribbon. Whereas before I was looking at the evolving of a personality hiding their ‘scars’ so to speak and gradually revealing them- I have taken a step back and am purely representing various emotions with-

The Nature of the Ribbon

I really want my idea to explore how something as simple as a coloured piece of ribbon could demonstrate something that can be felt. As you can see from the trial images so far, I have started to experiement with various looks of the ribbon but I am now developing this into a series of emotions evolving throughout the piece.

Beginning with NEGATIVE FEELINGS

Developing into POSITIVE ONES.

After the various sketches I continued to experiment with the photography. I am very happy with the looks of the shots and have carried this one with high exposure and ISO. I have also started to consider encoperating the idea of animation- ever so slightly to represent un ravelling ribbons/ gently moving ones.

A few more shots- prep for final shoot

 Aiming to involve a shot with a shoe- this trial is just playing with composition and the general idea. What I will do with the final shoot is use a much more stiletto shoe that is a different colour. I do like the look of the red white and blue but it does draw from the purpose of the red on white. I will perhaps choose a red shoe (or maybe not to overload on the red) try a a black 0ne. The main staple of this pic really has to be the red.

Experimenting with a different angle- really like the perspective and focus of this along with the white shapes either side of the heel, however for my idea it is really the composition above that will add to the concept. 

Just playing with another idea of a taut ribbon. Not a great shot but really for prep purposes- the final shot will be much more face on- there won’t be the slight angle plus the colouring will be slightly better and the shot more in focus.

These are a couple of short experiments with stop motion approach.

I have considered this being a filmic piece and am still unsure whether to pursue this with either straight forward film or animation technique. For the strange quality of the ribbon sort of ‘acting of it’s own accord’ animation may work however it is also extremely time consuming and not always effective. Film has a lovely smoothness to it but again would envolve a lengthy process of logging and capturing and also would be difficult when creating the moving ribbon scenes.

Concealment

Camouflage

Optical illusion

Secrets

Lies

DISGUISE?

Disortion?

Dark lighting/ half the face and body hidden

These shots that I experimented with in the studio look at extremely dark and moody lighting. I was really aiming for the subject to be emerging out of the darkness and I love the shadow that forms across her face. We are only seeing elements of her body and features and it is all about her eyes- we get a real sense of who she is just from that- even with a lot of her being hidden in the blackness.

The idea of dropping/ emerging in darkness works with her dark hair and pale complection. There is something rather eerie partiularly about the shot with her eyes shut- there is an interesting glow forming around her head. Everything else is unseen.

Scans from sketchbook

Have compiled various images/ notes/ sketches etc as I go along. Like to have a book handy to work in and then compile on here.

Just exploring the various forms of HIDDEN

Looking into images, making notes etc

I’m in to very theatrical looks so really like the idea of masks and costume etc concealing someones identity.

Like how these images are quite surreal. There is an element of hidden within them.

The natural image of something being hidden by distortion- eerie.

Exploring a location

Whilst walking around Bath found many locations that was not familiar with in all my 13 years of living in this area. This was very interesting and sentimental for me as these locations felt like they were from another place entirely- you just wouldn’t have thought you were in the middle of a city. I think that is the beauty of Bath.

This little sketch and photography were just exploring the place where I live and the loveliness of it. Thinking how two years ago I had no idea this hidden gem was here.

Physical hiding the face, hiding behind hands

Quick drawing with wax crayons!

Looking at the idea of hiding the face, how a lot of emotion are in the features and expressions.  How is it when the emotions are hidden? How do we read someone’s body language. Love some of these images are very interesting regarding composition. I particularly like the image where the child is covering their face with a leaf. It is almost like replacing something very complex with some completely different and muc more simple. We lose the eyes and they way they may communicate- most of all we lose the mouth which is the key to  communication.

From hidden features etc it took me to hidden emotions and how we don’t always know everything about a person from the exterior. We don’t know what they may be feeling etc. Some of these examples look at the idea of self harm, eating disorders and general depression- focussing on how these are visually represented  but also exploring how these problems are hidden and people do perfect ways of disguising issues.

I always remember this sequence from Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums. It looks at a very unhappy and confused individual who shuts him self away and rather casually slits his wrists. It is difficult to analyse as I myself don’t have experience with this but it is a strange sequence that shows him closing the door on the others (who seem quite unawares). It is very nicely put together.

Interesting shot- obviously not very pleasant but I love the symmetry in the film. This is one of the many examples and is the prime moment in the bathroom sequence.

HIDDEN EMOTIONS

Very keen to go with this idea- looking at the ways in which we hide emotions and in particular people with personal, emotional issues.

Not opening up

COMPRESSING

I know that I would like to persue photography and perhaps film for this project and I also know that with this theme I think it needs to go rather symbolic.

Inspiring visuals in video and photography…

Interesting and surreal- I really like the effects and the focus on geometric shapes throughout.

Can visualise my piece being a little darker-this (I suppose for the purpose of the fashion) is against a white backdrop.

More work by Andersen M

Love some of the intricate stop- frame pieces, in particular:

A Map Comes to Life

There are some very lovely shots – I really like the panning around the little house. It s lit up with the use of a lamp inside.

Really like the shadows and lighting in this shot

Opening to Bright Young Things

I find inspiration in this opening sequence mainly because of the red filter. I also really like the effect the blurred spots of light have under the credits. There is something rather trippy and surreal about it which is reflecting the narrative.

More sketchbook scans- focussing on HIDDEN EMOTIONS

MASKING IT

Quick play with images of masks- various emotionless faces, hiding behind something else

SYMBOLISM/ METAPHOR

More sketchbook images concerning Hidden Emotions- looking at less obvious ways of showing the idea and hiding problems/ emotions.

For my idea I am very keen to focus on parts of the body and how we can hide. These images all capture for me interesting composition.

IMAGINATION- Escaping to a different place

Stills from The Virgin Suicides- find this an inspirational  film/ story as it is all about emotions and tying to live with grief and difficulty.

I like the idea of showing two opposing feelings

Bright/ golden/ positive

Dark/ grey/ unhappy

Which one do we hide? Are positive happy memories stored away somewhere? OR are we keeping real feelings from everybody else.

Hidden- The Ideas

Hiding an emotion,

Symbolic- wrists wrapped in red ribbon, clasped hands

Around neck

 *Flowing ribbon

*Bright sunny day, CONTRAST- touching on the idea inspired by the Virgin Suicide images- dream likes (all is well in appearance at first etc?)

*BIT OBVIOUS? More abstract

TRY AND CAPTURE A REFLECTION???

Bit of graphic image from Cindy Sherman but I like the fact we only see in the person in the reflection of the glasses. Would really like to persue a similar idea with reflection and/or

a very quick insight into the person.

HOLDING IN

Part of emotional issues/feelings/ problems is the holding in and hiding. My quick sketches look at the external effects of the feelins for example

clenching fists- strain- feeling on helplessness and stress

Wringing of hands- uneasy, worry/ anxiety etc 

What about the opposite of this?? - not giving away, HIDING 

Photographic Experiments

Ideas surrounding the theme of hidden emotions.

Thoughts concerning low mood, anger etc OR hidden problems.

There seems to be elements of SELF-HARM coming through but this isn’t really what I was aiming for.

It is more the dark feelings/ unhappy moments that people can experience so QUIETLY

These experiments are very heavily edited but for me they are TRIALS before I tackle the real thing with photography methods.

I will consider the:

LOCATION

LIGHTING

ANY COLOURING

COMPOSITION

MODEL

 For me they red ribbon could represent self-harm etc OR the way it is tied around the wrists and they are pulling apart could imply feeling trapped or over coming with dark emotion.

I completely wacked up the contrast in this image to very quickly create the black background. I did like the metallic effect that seemed to show through. HOWEVER when actually trying out this idea I will use the:

Studio, Black background, Honey comb defuser on the lamp.

I want to create a very mood scene with the main colours being the red and the black. I want everything behind total darkness.

Again playing with that idea of either self-harm or compressed and constrained emotional issues/ feelings. This time I went for a very LIGHT approach. Again I upped the contrast for my personal experiment. If I was to take this idea further I would use the:

Studio, white background, to get that really white effect light the back ground seperate from the model. Bring the model right to the foreground so I can then light them.

OR

Get the model positioned in front of the white background- very close- maybe edit afterwards and boost the colour of the ribbon.

I love how with this image the red is SO deep and looks wonderful against the white.

I have the hands clasped as if containing something between them.

This as a photo is entirely effective as it was a very quick snapshot in an inappropriate location. I do however like like the blurred focus with the ribbon becoming a large red blob

 To get the idea of this shot across I took it in front of a window.

Upped the contrast to create the pure white- would take a similar approach if doing this in the studio to the other bright white image.

This one does seem much more geared towards the self harm image and the stereotypical view of it. What I did want to consider was the contrast of the bright red with the pureness of the skin- the hand, the arm and the bare knees.

 Looking at red ribbon around the neck. Redness of the lips and the dark pink in the background. Against the whites of the straps and the door behind. With the shadow creeping down the side of the face and neck I do like this experiment. In a way the straps frame the shoulders and neck however it also looks odd and unattractive.

The red neck could be slef-harm or strangled by the inability to talk about issues.

This led me on to covering the mouth entirely. Unable to speak about it- the problem remaining hidden.

Everything else is very simple in the composition. I quite like the accidental white and dark pink in the background either die of the face. It gives an impression of light and dark and the conflicting ideas of happiness/ worry or the negative/positives of telling someone.

More experiments with the image of covered mouth- trying out the eyes showing and the image with a brighter look.

Reflection

In a similar vain the Cindy Sherman I tried working with a very small reflection which is the only insight into the person in the image.

With these various shots I laid out coloured fabric and objects to reflect the mood and then just showed the eyes/ lips etc of the person in the reflection of the little mirror.

I experimented with the focus and softened out all of the reds to just leave the face sharp.

Opposite experiment with the focus. Trying with the eyes closed.

In this image it  is about the colour and the very small feature of the face looking back. However with the red even though it could be protrayed as anger or negative thoughts it could also been seen as love or lust- there are often associations with that colour and those more positive of feelings or even something like ‘sin’ etc. It has different connotations for different people.

I then went on to experiment with a grey instead.

I find great seems to represent depression and low feelings more in my mind. I also quite like how the eyes and nose are the only features you see. With the previous there was a hint of hair and this gave more insight into the figure. In this we only know their eye colour.

Even less with just the one eye. The other did hold more expression however. This is more of a look. But I quite like how odd and eerie it looks with this one eye amongst the grey.

Different again with the mouth  instead of the eyes. Quite like how this is a little more sensual with the lips. I’m also pleased with the look if the greys in the main part and then the bleak and muted tones of the lips and skin. I think it adds to that unhappy, unhealthy look.

RED & WHITE CONTRAST Inspirational shot

Sleepy Hollow

In thinking about contrast between white and red I couldn’t help being reminded of this shot from Sleepy Hollow. It is a very syymbolic sequence that sees a little child finding his mother murdered. The white surrounding the door is a church- everything is white- floor, walls, chairs and everything apart from the door and the long, thin carpet leading up to it. The murdered woman is behind this door and we are shown this flashback a number of times before what lies behind it is revealed. Even though it develops into quite a grusome scene I really like the symbolism of something negative  waiting behind it and also the symmetry of the shot.

Last few weeks have been learning the techniques of studio photography. Wanted to start incorperating ideas from this project however it was a portrait and so included a spin on the model’s personality also.

It is all about moody darkness and a cool light. I really wanted to focus on Dawn’s eyes as they are such a key feature of her expressions. Enhanced their size even more we big make-up and  fake eyelashes.

Pretty pleased with the outcomes

- these are some of my favourites:

Very well known advert- just capturing the way the balls bounce and the idea of lots of balls coming together.

Lovely little Wally with lots of bouncy balls- looking mainly at the lovely bold colours  and I love how they look when he compresses them into a cube.

Interacting with balls and blobs! – WALL*E

Really found this clip from The Incredibles visually intresting! It is such a strange idea to have this huge sticky blobs used to capture Mr Incredible. I have included this as I am highly interested in what the balls look like as they come into contact with the body. I am observing the way a ball bounces and perhaps a blob compresses when bouncing around or coming into contact with objects.

The Incredibles- capture scene

The Incredibles- silver blobs!

The Chemical Brothers- The Boxer

Music video

Bouncing ball! Just the sort of thing i’m dealing with!

Exploring ideas based around this location.

Pages from sketchbook: documenting

Pages from Sketchbook: Sketching the surrounding achitecture

Starting to think, whilst observing, about the overlap of such a grand, historic and rather dormant place paired with noisy, excited little people running around it’s corridors. I noted how it was rather tricky taking pictures of the children (due to the subject and the fact I was an employee of the venue) however I believed it would be nice:

to represent the children in some way.

My thoughts:

Involved something along the lines of animated little balls of colour or light bouncing around the scene or even little bright costumes moving of their own accord- no figure need, more like a faceless representation of the youth.

ANIMATION- JERKY MOVEMENTS:

V dark narrative but I really like the look to it- the pans/ zooms etc and the movements of the bright figures.

The use of text is really interesting but I like it primarily as inspiration for animating.

ANIMATIC

Very first play with storyboard.Quite slow- get an idea of where i’m going with the story/ images are  little clearer.

All about little balls of light/ life appearing in a very old dark, elegant place and their movements- bouncing off the walls etc.

Aiming to develop how they might move, appear etc.

Hoping to develop the idea of pace and view point- lots of contrast from wideshots to close-ups???

Thinking more about this shot in particular- want the balls to have more contact with the surroundings.

Storyboard 2

From the first storyboard ( as seen in action in the animatic above) I have developed a little  more the idea of movement in the film.

I have looked more at transitions between images and what flows nicely for the narrative. I very much want to get the feeling across that this is a very beautiful, structured building and it is being over run by little balls of energy.I have also expanded the idea with the way in which these balls emerge (for example the hitting objects and pillars and bursting into more.)

Starting to look more at different angles and composition of the frame.

Second animatic

Animatic from second (colour) storyboard- looking more at composition and the way the shapes will move.

Experiment

Drawn ball- stop motion

Quick Animation experiment 2

Auto shape ball experiment- had a go on Photoshop and flash at compiling a very quick extract. I would like to create the effect that the ball bounces onto a pillar (interacting with the environment) and then bursts into more balls. The balls are lovely and bright but have no depth- I would need to use illustrator to create some shading etc- however just cant get to grips with that programme!

Am very keen to perhaps go the handmade route and capture the frames with a camera .

Need to work on the frame size for a smooth continuity.

Opening sequence trial

Just a quick experiment with jpegs. Have cut up the image of floor tiles so they POP onto the screen gradually.

Would like to incorporate popping sounds- add to the playful mood.

Mixing up with the combination of playful sounds and the emerging  of the bright balls, next to the earth colours and the building’s structure.

Similar trial- just adding transitions and an idea of dissolving into a diamond patterned window pane.

Looking at the type of media I should use for the ball. Decided I quite liked the painted effect.

This is just a page of quick experiments with paint, pen etc.

Final experiment- editing with final cut

With my final experiment I brought together the idea of a structured location being practically overrun by little ‘balls of energy’. What was so interesting about the surroundings was the way the children responded when called. The figure of a storyteller in medieval costume held some power over the audience. He carried with him a large horn and when he blew it the children flocked to him and were quiet for his stories. It had a real element of fairy tale that day as it was a themed event so I wanted to incorporate this into the piece.

For a quick outcome I worked with backgrounds, cut outs and a camera. Even though the shots don’t run entirely smoothly I like the jerky effect that is created. It adds to the bubbly and chaotic atmosphere. The use of the cut- outs add to the playfulness against the structured surroundings. I was pleased with the movement of balls-it all looks rather fast paced and fun however I feel it would be very effective with smoother movement. Looking back at the animation I am not entirely sure about the figure. I like the idea of a greater source controlling the bright shapes however I think it could be something more abstract. There seems something of a storybook about the ‘magician’ elements- it is almost resembles Fantasia- not exactly what I was after.

The editing process was a tricky one as the jpegs I animated with were extremely big- have learned that to make things easier DON’T WORK/ SAVE TO THE MEMORY STICK- start on the system and save the relevant to the stick. There was lots of panic at the end of the day attempting to export with such big files and so little space!!!

Further Exploration

Going further with this idea, I would like to smooth out the animation. Really taking the time with the animating process could result in a nice, slick finish. I do like the handcrafted, jerky look of the piece but overall it is all about the movement of the balls of colour and the flicking of the frame and the stopping and starting can be a distraction.

I like how the idea of movement and excitability comes across though- I could be unhappy with it because it isn’t to that slick standard I would prefer!

Sound

Sound was something I was very excited about incorporating- looking at rich sound effects assist the imagery and even some music to add to the atmosphere. HOWEVER the long process of animating and editing really did take over and I will definitely be involving sound by assessment time! I think it could do with some to draw out the fun element and the magical tone to the piece.

For now it is all about the visual and I suppose rather hypnotic in the way the balls move.

VERSION 2- Adding sound

I have taken the film a step further and added sound. I was extremely keen to have sound effects for the balls, however rather than just plainly adding the sound of bouncing I wanted to show that is was a representation of children so used the sound effect of children giggling. It is a nice effect as giggles are extremely mischievous matching the naughty nature of the balls. Along with this I thought it would nice to continue with rich sound effects to get the magical atmosphere across.

There is also the use of a musical track overlaid. It is in fact the intro to a song and I believed that the sweet, jolly sound of it effectively accompanies the visuals. There is also an underlying progressive beat that really has effect when the balls are in a procession and heading back into the box. Helps to add the impression that order is restored etc, but with a nice nature.

Over all it was an extremely pleasant day that I spent at work. A lovely atmosphere, a beautiful location and lots of individuals having a nice time. I think that there is something very jolly about the piece and that is reflects the day in question. Also, there is a real element of contrast as these young, balls of energy ran amok in the sophisticated and historical location.

FINAL ANIMATION

Capturing a location: Aircastles- film

Just a couple of examples of film/ animation I created last summer capturing the essence of a location- the emotions that are evoked etc

Capturing a location- RE:LIVE ‘Walking Hand in Hand with Childhood’

LOCATIONS

Location: Train

Unedited version 

I like this image because of the lighting and reflection

It was an unexpected image as I was shooting out of

a window. I think it is quite a nice image with the insight

into who is actually taking the photo.

It doesn’t say much about where I am of what is happening

but I wouldn’t mind re-shooting something similar.
                                                              

Orange glow/ dreamy style

The idea of studying my surroundings on a train

seemed liked a nice one but proved quite

difficult. Even adjusting my camera to a

faster shutter speed or movement setting

didn’t assist in capturing the sheer speed of

the train or what I was seeing outside. I also

didn’t have an adequate view of the people around me.

It was a shame as the journey I take on that train

is a very picturesque one!

Train ticket- route I took

Gives an idea of when and where

Location: A bridge

Just a quick experiment with shots I took on a bridge. Aim to explore something like this further but with

more complex interesting images.

Location: WORK/ CHILDREN’S EVENT/ HISTORICAL BUILDING

Still images- like the dark shot of the window- the lighting in the cloisters was

very low however I  was pleased that the light area peeking through is so

sharp in comparison to the think, fuzzy darkness.

These two shots were of the same archway- it is suck a lovely setting and the

achitecture is rather beautiful. I also liked how little figures often ran passed or were

in the arch.

Particularly like the image above as the girl unexpectedly ran past-

as she was moving and the shutter speed couldn’t keep up with her she was

blurred- I was pleased with that as it gives the impression of a

little ghostly figure floating past in a grand place.