Coastal Photos 1

The first batch of photos I took were at the beach. The ones listed below were shot landscape with the intention of using them as my double-page spread. As you can see, I chose to wear a hat and long coat in order to exaggerate the importance of outdoors to the country genre. 

1)In my planning I wanted to capture the sunrise at the beach, and although the sun was only present briefly I managed to get a couple of shots with the light just piercing the clouds. The combination of the turquoise sky and orange sunrise reflects strikingly on the sand, creating an image of elegance. Furthermore the way that I am looking outwards to the horizon links to the theme of destiny, since it could be suggested that I am looking into my future with hope. The way that I'm not staring into the camera challenges the common convention of direct address. Instead it presents me as timid, not bothered by fame. To my audience it could be associated with honesty, the way in which I shy away from the camera reiterates that country singers are not glamourised. 

2)This second photograph is similar, but taken from a further distance. From a creative aspect I am more centralised and so the text could be distributed either side of my figure. Additionally my head is more turned, creating a different impression to the audience. Whereas before I looked like I wasn't acknowledging them, this time it makes it seem as though I am catching their attention from the corner of my eye, enticing them to trust me. 

3) From a closer angle I captured the neck of the guitar in the frame, stressing the importance of country instruments. Far into the distance, the faint outline of a pirate-like ship is sailing across the open water, connoting a sense of adventure and fulfilling dreams. For me, the connection between music and adventure conveys an ideology that is applicable to many aspects of life. 

The production of a double-page spread could be applied to the framing of this picture. There is lots of plain space on one side for text to feature. 

 4) The lighting from the sun is less penetrating in this picture, and the desolate shoreline is more defined. In this photo I am no longer looking out to sea but focusing on the notes I am playing on the guitar. This evokes dedication and knowledge as well as aesthetic reassurance. 

5) I wanted to vary the angle I was at so I could direct the guitar towards the foreground, placing emphasis on the music. Once more, the ship is in the distance, which adds a melancholy connotation to my facial expression. It's as if I cannot reach the ship to venture into the unknown, and so by looking downwards there is a solemn acceptance of confination. 

However the problem with this photograph is that I am too low down in the frame. I look cramped which distorts the impact of the image. 

6) Expanding on the last shot, I took this photo from further back to add more focus to the subject. The lack of sunlight in the background depicts an overcast morning to enhance the solemness of the connotations. 

For me personally I think that these last two images are too imposing in a negative way and lack the striking ray of sunlight that were present in earlier shots.  

From a portrait frame I wanted to come up with some images that could serve as my front cover. These three relay the themes and ideas from my original shots, but allow for the subject to be more prominent, as well as the guitar. One aesthetic quality is the way that the coat, hat and guitar are all dark and promote consistency. Furthermore, the white undershirt acts as a subtle contrast to the darkness.