Portraits - Secondary Research

After my first shoot I wasnt quite sure what too do because I really liked how some of the shots came out, and I knew I wanted to improve and develop what I did. So I decided to do some further research.  I simply did a Google search for "projection photography" and the first image that came up caught my eye, so I looked further into it and found the photographer.

Taken from Mads's Instagram (@madsperch)

Mads Perch

Mads Perch is a London-based photographer, originally from Denmark. Whilst in college Perch assisted photographers Mark Le Bon and Jason Evans. He began to shoot portraits for i-D magazine shortly after graduating with a BA (Hons) from London College of Fashion in 2005. Today he with a whole host of commercial, fashion, editorial and music clients. 

What I like the most about Mads Perch and his photography is that along side this payed for work he does personal projects. It is said that he does this to practice new techniques and equipment, and he will often do practice shoots before doing the official one. 

The first place I went too look was his official website. and there I looked further into his personal projects, to be specific the project titled "Projections". The description of the project is: "A personal project exploring projection mapping". Overall I loved everyone image of this shoot but I've picked two that really caught my eye.

Image from Mads Perch's Projections Personal Project

Overall this is my faaaavvvooouuurrritteeeeee picture he took in this shoot, I think really just because it's a beautifully shot image, and the fact the projection is of space. But really i can learn a lot from this image for my further shoots. I think the main thing is the lighting. I know for my shoot the lighting wasn't really going how I wanted. Also I feel like the background is important as for mine I used a white one but next time I'm definitely going to use a black one to really make the subject the focus. 

As for what this image could mean I think that it stands as a representation of imagination. The subject looks so at peace, almost as if shes sleeping, and everything is dark around her as if shes shut off the outside world. But then the projection of a galaxy on top of her shows the endless options of the imagination. I think this is a really interesting theme and not one I thought about exploring before seeing this. 

Image from Mads Perch's Projections Personal Project

At first this image really confused me for what it could mean as, for me, the projection and her facial expression mean different things. The projection is very graphical and reminds me of computers and technology, whereas her facial expression is one of anger. so at first I thought this picture was saying she hated the internet?

But then I thought about it further and realised that it wasn't anger and it was determination and that this image was really a message about women using technology in order the progress. In this instance I think that the technology aspect represents the growing presence of 'future style' technology in the present day. And her determination shows her combating the inequality of women's rights and their place in society (mainly the past). So overall I think this image is a metaphor for the changing times. 

I think what i can take from this image for my future shoots is the use of graphic images and shapes rather than actual photography or video as projection. I think before my next shoot i'm going to make some different designs on photoshop and then use them in the shoot.

Overall though I'm so happy I've sound Mads Perch as so far from everything I've seen, I love it all and I am definitely going to follow him to see what he produces and also post some more in depth looks at his work.