Connecting essay 1

Connecting Essay 1

My Photo Martin Higgs

Martin Higgs is a photographer who specializes in makeup/beauty. Here he has photographed a beautiful leopard inspired look that goes across the face – it looks very high fashion and editorial-like. There is a strong contrast in colour in the photo with the dark background and makeup against the paler skin. The eyes of the subject in this shot are very intense and this has worked harmoniously with the look. The lightening has been used to accentuate all of the models facial features and highlight the angles on her face, while one half remains in the shadow. A sterile, black background was chosen by the photographer – this has ensured that there are no distractions going on in the photo and that the makeup and the model have remained dominant (this is especially important in this shot as the makeup look is so robust and the model isn’t makeup direct eye contact with the camera, therefore it must be ensured that there are no distractions from the focal point of the shot). The expression of the model mirrors that of a proud cat, with her head angled slightly upwards and the camera angle also working in favor of this. The overall feel of the photo is showing a very strong, independent young woman that is being represented through the leopard makeup.

My photo on the other hand, taken from my fifth personal shoot is slightly different – here, I decided to focus the leopard makeup on the eyes only and make the look slightly more ‘high-fashion-friendly’ by teaming it with a bright coral lipgloss. I used a dark, plain background in the photo as this ensured that there weren’t any distractions from the focal point in the shot (the eyes). The eyes in this photo are connecting well with the camera and this has not only drawn attention to the makeup but also visually drawn the audience in to look at the photo. The angle at which the photo has been taken plays well with the expression and pose of the model as this has made the photo feel flirty and have a ‘wild side’ to it. The colours in my photo has worked harmoniously together, with lots of orange, coral, brown and gold in the shot, nevertheless though the

contrast in colour with the pale skin of the model and the dark background is still to be noted.

There are many connections between my photo and that of Higgs, one being the obvious one - the theme of the photo regarding the makeup. I am happy with how both of us have taken a similar idea but adapted it and changed the makeup to suit our desires, have created two different photos. Both the photos see a similar dark or black sterile background being used and this has, in both, allowed for no distractions from the focal points in the shot and also added contrast with the complex looks that are seen. Both of the photos have similar ‘feelings’ about them, trying to represent a young, flirty woman with the strong and independent characteristics of a leopard and this has helped to create that ‘wild’ feeling. I think both the photos are visually interesting too look at as there is so much going on in terms of the makeup, and the way the camera has been angled and the lighting has been used, it has made the facial features of the models stand out and look nice. The cropping of both of the photos is quite tight, with Higgs photo being portrait and cropped to fit the face of the subject, and mine being landscape and cropped in a similar fashion but with room for the background to be seen as well. Both of the photos look like they are very high-fashion and editorial and could be seen in top fashion magazines or advertising or on a runway.