Bandage shoot

This shoot was the 3rd shoot on the same model of the day. I hadn't met this model before so I was a little nervous about working with her, especially as I was doing 3 looks on her in one morning. This shoot was based on the people on the synesthesia FB page saying that they were hypersensitive to gauze and towels. Therefore I decided to represent this by wrapping the head in bandages. However, I had practiced the exact way I wanted to wrap the head up.

By the time I got to do this photoshoot I was aware that my model was feeling increasing uncomfortable or bored because she wasn't giving me any signs she was happy. This had made me feel very uncomfortable because she wasn't speaking at all. So I ended up rushing this shoot and wrapping the whole gauze around my models head and quickly painting on some lips and eye. However, I didn't anticipate how the makeup would apply to the gauze so it looked very rushed... because it was.

After doing the metal shoot and the chopstick shoot I was feeling very happy but this shoot put me in such a bad mood because I was aware that time was very precious for me, that was why I did 3 shoots in one day. I just felt very low because I couldn't believe how terrible the last look was and I felt very embarrassed. 

I decided the best way to resolve the situation was to re-shoot it, however, time was very limited so I decided to re-shoot it on myself. This way I could take my time, I knew my facial shape which made it easier applying make-up over the top. I also decided to unravel the gauze and thin it out. Then I layered it up slowly till I got the desired thickness. I found re-shooting on myself was so much easier, the only problem I had now was that there was no continuity between the images. Once again I do feel like this shoot was a mixture of my lack of confidence in my skill and my lack of preparation. I rely too much on thinking everything going okay rather than just planning to ensure it does go well. I don't think I will use these images for my website because the lighting is wrong and it has a slightly darker theme to it. However, I am glad I re-shot it because I learnt not to give up after the first try and not to let defeat get me down, because everything can be re done. 

My logo

When it came to choosing my font I wanted something dynamic that encapsulated the feel of the website. My main focus was that I wanted the font to be bold and there to be no colour in the font because after spending hours reading synesthete Facebook posts it is clear that people with Grapheme colour synesthesia have different colours from different letter of the alphabet. I didn't want a visitor to the website to be put off because I did a red 'S' when they see it as green. I tried out some basic fonts on Illustrator but didn't feel they were detailed enough. I decided to use the website Dafonts,  I managed to narrow my search down to two fonts which were as follows...

Lakestreet

My attraction to this one was because it had a hand draw element to it and really appealed to my artistic side. I also took into consideration that many synesthetes process different lines so I want it to evoke a reaction.

Kandinsky

Ironically I liked this one because it is actually named after one of the most famous artists that had synesthesia so it seems like too much of a coincidence to ignore it. However, I was put off my it because it is a little difficult to read.

I decided the best way to decide which font was more appropriate was to post the two on the synesthesia Facebook page and see the responses...

I found that this brought me closer to my decision because I want to understand a) what they prefer and b) whether it differs to the preference of a regular mind. Despite Sharon's feedback about preferring the Kandinsky font because it was cleaner and more bold. I decided that I would go with Lake Street. Choosing the logo is difficult process because it defines the style of the website, therefore I need to take into consideration the different perspectives.

Bubbles (Imagination)

This shoot was very fun and interesting to do because I had a complete team with me. Have a stylist and a photographer meant that we could work together to creatively direct. I enjoyed being able to play around with the different outfits because each outfits completely changed each look. I found that this made up for the fact that I didn't change up the actual make-up and hair looks. I found that the scarf made the look very classy and almost like it was from another era. I found that the different coloured jacket gave the image a very street/urban look which I really enjoyed. 

I enjoyed dribbling the different soaps on the body the most because I got to play around with another texture and I was really happy with how the pigment that came out in the soap bubbles. However, I was hoping for a stiffer foam so that I could really mould it around the model. But I feel like the consistency worked just as well. I was really happy that I matched the colour in the eye make-up with the choice of colour for the soap, it really brings the whole image together. 

I think I would have liked to place more of the soap onto the face because I could have got some really interesting images with the soap running all down her face. However, these images do look very clean which I like. I do wish I had experimented more with the hair and the make-up, so that I had a variety of different looks. I think working in a team was really helpful for me because we had each other to bounce ideas off.

Next step

This week I have planned to progress my project and get the wheels turning on my entire project. I realise that because I have allocated more time to the dissertation that the pace of the FMP needs to be fast in order to catch up with my estimation for this time period. Week commencing 22nd of February I will complete my next shoot to add the triple exposure image. As the image is meant to be layered with textures, colours and emotions that different ends of the spectrum with the word "Imagination". This image will explore the dream like aspect of the word, using the information from the Synaesthesia FB page I have picked the keywords 'colour' 'pastel' 'fluffy' 'soft'. With those words as basis for inspiration I wanted to experiment most with texture and colour so I have decided to play around with rainbow soap foam which I plan to place carefully onto my model in a tasteful manner. The idea is that the model will be immerced in the soap and be encapsulated with the feeling of "Imagination". I will be using the same model in order to keep continuity but also because I plan to triple expose the images so I feel it would be best to use the same person. I want to emphasise how one person could experience the word, there were so many different responses to the word "Imagination" that I want to make sure at least 3 overall responses are acknowledged and explored. I want to make sure the foam is not carelessly placed otherwise it will look clumsy. Therefore I will work with a fashion stylist to make sure the foam is strategically placed. I will also be using the same photographer for the previous shoot for continuity and because he is aware of the concept and where it is heading.