More Mapplethorpe straight images

Mapplethorpe straight images:

Mapplethorpe location - Work diary

Mapplethorpe Location:

In this session we was shooting in the style of Mapplethorpe while on location. I found this task to be more difficult than when shooting in the style of Mapplethorpe in the studio. I found that this time around I had to focus more on the composition as well as focusing more on my background and making sure that I was happy with it. Once I had got into the style of this shoot, I found myself enjoying it more as well as being happy with the pictures that i was producing. If I could re shoot this topic I would try to shoot more of a variety of pictures instead of them being quite similar.

These are two pictures from my Mapplethorpe location shoot. I have chosen these to because I think that these are two of my best for showing the style of Mapplethorpe. I these photos i have stuck to the typical idea of Mapplethorpe's shoots by sticking to the idea of having a plain background as well as have the face at one side of the frame. I have also stuck to his structure by turning the picture black and white after.

The two picture below are examples of Mapplethorpe's portraits. Most of his portraits are done in the studio, however you can see his idea being used on location. In these pictures Mapplethorpe has kept the person in the middle of the frame as well as keeping a serious mood to the photo. This is the main idea that I have tried to include in my images.

Mapplethorpe studio - work diary

Mapplethorpe studio - work diary:

In today's session we were again in the studio, we were shooting portraits in the style of the American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. I enjoyed this session as I enjoyed positioning my class mates and having complete control of how I wanted my image to look.  If i could re do this topic I would try to think about some of the more creative Mapplethorpe shoots and try to think of a way to incorporate some of it into my work.

Above and below are an example of some of the images I produced in my studio Mapplethorpe shoot. I like these images because I like the use of black and white as well as the composition. I like the picture above because I like the way that Lauren is looking over her shoulder in to the camera. I also like how there is nothing else around her and you can't see her whole body. I like the picture below because I like how the photo was taken while Chloe wasn't looking. I like how this photo seems less serious that the one above and I think they both demonstrate Mapplethorpe's style.

Below are two examples of Mapplethorpe's portraits, I have chosen these because they are both completely different. The first one in more serious has there has been a strong use of composition. I also like how the model is not looking at the camera which gives a deeper meaning to the photo. I like the second picture because I think it is a more relaxed and fun picture. I also like how the model is not in the middle of the frame and is in the end, he is hear proving that you don't always need to be in the middle of the frame.

Mapplethorpe notes

Mapplethorpe notes:

In today's session we watched a documentary on the American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, below are the notes i made while watching the documentary.

• Mapplethorpe was born in 1946, and passed away in 1989.
• Born in New York.
• He died of aids at just 43.
• Mapplethorpe was openly gay, and expressed this in a lot of his work.
• He went to the PRAT institute of art which is where he was first introduced to art. 
• It was there that he first met his life long friend Patti Smith who he lived with in the early 70's
• In a lot of his pieces Mapplethorpe documented Manhattan's gay community which he was proudly part of.
• There was a lot of controversy regarding Mapplethorpe's work, and it was often questioned whether it was classed as pornography or not.
• Mapplethorpe was brought up as a catholic and the way he styled a lot of his shoots was based around this.
• He came out as gay to his mother but never to his father.
• He once said "i dont like to say a lot because if you say to much you loose some of that mystery."
• He didn't intend to shock his audience with his pieces, they were about him wanting to see things.
• He said he was " exploitative not self destructive."
• It can cost up to 15,000 dollars for one of his signed limited edition nudes and still life's"
• He never photographed or produced anything that wasn't already happening.
• Mapplethorpe was said to be ahead of his time and said that he was producing the photographs at the right time.
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Mapplethorpe portraits - image bank

Mapplethorpe portraits - image bank:

The pictures below that i have chosen are all examples of Mapplethorpe portraits. The pictures that i have chosen so the range in style of his portraits. it shows how some of his our very serious and some are not, some are full face some half face and also his use of tone. I think that the picture below show how a portrait can be used to show a certain mood or effect, i think that Mapplethorpe is a clear example of this.

In this image the use of tone helps to highlight the skin of the person which takes up the majority of the frame. It also helps to highlight Mapplethorpes technique as the person is taking up the whole frame and is photographed in the style of a portrait.

In these two self portraits Mapplethorpe is using his arm to take up a lot of the frame, this gives a focus to the image as well as being a different approach on a self portrait. This is able to give Mapplethorpes perspective as he felt it was a good direction to style his shoot.

In these two shoots, the direct eye contact with the camera helps to add some emotion to the photo. While no actual emotion is visible, when looking at the image it is wondered what they are actually thinking and feeling. This helps to add some deeper meaning to the photo with it not always being as it seems.

In this image, the by having taken the photo with him standing at the side of the frame, Mapplethorpe is able to be more diverse with his self portrait and is able to add in his style of photography.

Mapplethorpe Studio - Straight images

Mapplethorpe Studio - Straight images 

Straight images - Mapplethorpe location

Straight images - Mapplethorpe location