Studio photography

- Introduction


Studio photography covers a wide range of disciplines and for maximum benefit use your research in this area. Artists and designers find inspiration for their work in many different ways so researching relevant artists and practitioners is an essential element of this process.

So as me its complete new field, where I never work before, but as a becoming photographer I have to start on one point. Some artist work mostly in studios some prefer outdoors …as I still in the crossroads and don’t really know witch path to take in this course I`ll be mixing outdoor photography with studio, to be more creative.

History 

As photographic emulsions became available in the mid-19^th century, photographers began to build or adapt artist`s studious to create photographic portrait. The camera and film took the plaice of the painter`s canvas, brushes and paint. Even if you were the greatest artist of that time, nothing could compare to newest invention. The primary source of light used by painters was a large window or skylight facing away from direct sunlight and usually above to one side of the subject – early portrait and still life photographers took a similar approach to lightening their subject. The only disadvantages back then was that all photos was produced still in black and white, till 30s, when colour film became capable of producing colour at a consistent and reliable level.

Advancements in technology

Flash powder in this various forms was popular as a perfect source of artificial light, but as electricity became readily available use was made from other new invention - vacuum tungsten lamp – which was giving more controllable, safer, continuous source of light.

And so availability of this controlled continuous light source made the use of photography in portraiture commonplace.

So as advances in camera and lens design, the development of film emulsions with faster film speed and the advent of digital capture, transmission and presentation are part of the continuing evolution of photography.

Current commercial practise

Even if natural light still is considering as a best specially for portraiture the majority of studio photographers these days are using artificial light, what divides to a four main categories:

• Tungsten-halogen
• Photo-flood
• AC discharge
• Flash

Methodology

The difference separating studio photography from all other forms is the photographer has to create everything appearing in front of the camera. In most cases photographers starting point is empty studio as with all other forms of photography there is usually environment, subject or distinct mood already in existence.

Studio photographer has to pre visualise, pre produce and create an environment using not only selected equipment, subject matter, props and maybe wardrobe but, far more importantly light.

As a lightening is the essential element in photography it is very important to understand and improve this skill, along with many others that contribute to the successful creation of studio images.

As one of the main part of my both themes for Photo Image capture assignment will be partly indoors, for me, to learn how to work with light in my advantage is very important.

Recently having a go in a studio I was just practising to get my head around all what’s in my mind.

I have the best model of the world – my daughter, with who I don’t have problems to set her in right positions with right attitude - using her as my main subject for my project The Ring 2012.

• http://www.karltaylorphotography.co.uk/studio-lighting/index-ver2.asp?Photography=learn-studio-lighting&kw=studio%20photography%20tips&fl=574643&ci=6128719697&network=s&pm=&gclid=CN_CuNfY0K4CFaImtAodzj0STw
• http://www.geofflawrence.com/studio_lighting.html 
• J.Child Studio Photography  http://www.firstcall-photographic.co.uk/products/2434/focal-press-studio-photography-essential-skills-by-jchild

ANTON CORBIJN

Anton Corbijn - Dutch photographer music video and film director. 

The visual history of popular music hasn’t been the same since A. Corbijn took a path to photographing musicians. Recently barrowed book introduced me not only with his work but open for me complete new spectre to people I already know. 

My first and mine theme for my Diploma is to capture perfect portrait of my daughter but in complete different setting with complete different meaning. That’s how I understand A.Corbijn`s work is about. If you look through his photographs with all celebrity’s .. they just an ordinary people, natural, open, without any mask what our society always try to put.

My biggest fear always is that I'll photograph an idea rather than a person... So I try to be quite sensitive to how people are. Anton Corbijn

A.Corbijn atmospheric, often melancholy black and white pictures have had an immense influence on portrait photography in the international media. A glittering spectrum of great names combining the two elements – the creative energy of the people decisively involved in shaping the spirit of our times, and Corbijin`s eye – seeing through pose, image and glamour.

A.Corbijin uses a Leica and a Hasselblad, preferring film to digital.

 ~“For a good picture, I don’t need all that information….Striving towards perfection, but not getting there is how I like photography to be.”~

One of his interviews Corbjin admit that the main process is kept lively by shooting handhold, moving as he goes and accepting that not everything will be perfectly lit or even exactly in focus. But he’s a “freak” for accuracy at the developing stage, ensuring the grain of the print is pin-sharp. 

 ~“Somehow within that framework you can get imperfect pictures but they work perfectly,” he says.~

And as you can see they are. Whether it was chance or not that led Anton Corbijn into a photographic career it seems Corbijn’s distinctive photographic style has been shaped by his desire to portray reality as it really is. 

 

  

 

 

A.Corbijn’s pictures these normally unapproachable celebrities pose as the world has never seen them before- cold, vulnerable, gentle and sentimental all at the same time – in a romantic spirit that is photographers own signature.

In Corbijns photos, his subjects seem distracted- pictured as serious people, caught in quiet moments, far removed from their high- powered stage personas. Given the choice, Corbijn would almost always shoot a subject outside of a studio in available light, even if it’s against a plain white wall. The main strength of his pictures is the mood and feel he get out of the people that he meet.

After all those articles, photographs, what is so inspiring, just one wish, to do, to shoot, but probably never even close to be such a work, but with all what we got  all chances is ours.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Corbijn 

http://www.corbijn.co.uk/
http://www.fanpop.com/spots/anton-corbijn/images/6860823/title/other-photo
http://www.corbijn.co.uk/frameset_photo.htm
http://www.corbijn.co.uk/
http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/profile/2036693/shadowplay-interview-anton-corbijn
http://www.schirmer-mosel.com/corbijn/