Richard Avedon-“In the American West Portraits”
I had a brief which basically was replicating a strong visual style in terms of using lighting, content and composition to create a striking portrait in the style of acclaimed portrait photographer Richard Avedon.
My lecturer/tutor explained and taught me how do we use light, shadow, background and light meters. I did practise which turned out it was quite easy.
I used a Fuji medium format camera which involved in the brief. It was a little bit difficult to use it because it is different from my camera, which is Canon. I figured it out how to use it before I started to take photos.
I didn’t have any idea of what kind of photo should I take. After a while, I thought of Nigerian clothes being involved because it would be interesting and different. I got a model who was my classmate. We sorted out the date, and I booked the studio as well.
I asked my mum to bring Nigerian clothes when she came to Portsmouth to visit me in my hall. I told my classmate that she could wear anything and she did bring her clothes.
I directed her as she can move anything as comfortable. I took lots of photos from different angles and changed different clothes.
By this photo, I directed her to look another side rather than camera because I wanted her in Nigerian clothes to look regal, royal and powerful. I chose this for my final brief because I felt this photo is strongly interesting and successful than other photos I took. Also, it made me drawn to this photo. I’m so pleased with the outcome.