Canterbury
Christ Church University
Depart of Media
Photography Year 3
Professional & Community Practice in
Photography
Project Proposal
DEADLINE
DATE: 27/11/12
Print Name: Andrada Mihailescu
Description of the
Project Proposal (this will be no less than 400 words).
This
project aims to promote rockabilly and pin-up culture in Romania. It shall be completed
by collaborating with rockabilly.ro which is a website dedicated to promoting
this type of lifestyle, culture, perspectives and characteristic features.
The
reason for choosing pin-up photography for this live brief is that I have never
had the opportunity to experiment working with such characters and subjects. I
have always admired their style, clothing, make-up and last but not least
attitude.
A
strong pin-up portrait should reflect the model’s uniqueness and personality.
That is what I am aiming to capture through the series of images.
During
15th February until 22nd February 2013 two photo sessions
will take place in Bucharest in order to shoot the images which shall be
published on the rockabilly.ro website along with a series of interviews. With
regards to the production team, there shall be 5 models involved, 1 make-up
artist, 2 fashion designers, 1 assistant and the person in charge of the
studio. Due to the fact that I wish to focus on the characteristics such as
clothing, make-up, hairstyle and attitude, the photos will be taken in the studio
so that the viewer’s attention is not distracted by other elements such as
background or location. Final images should reflect the authenticity of a
pin-up girl and prove that this kind of appearance can be easily fitted in
today’s modern society even if it has its roots in the 1950s.
Hair
and make-up are going to be essential for the photo shoots therefore I have to
make sure that the people in charge with these aspects are capable of doing a
good job and will not drop out 2 hours prior to the shoot. When it comes to
clothing and accessories, communication with the models will be the key to
success. They will most likely provide the outfits, as their knowledge about
pin-ups is far greater than mine. It is here where the two fashion designers
also step in. Costache Diana and Luiza Clinciu are kind enough to provide some
of the outfits which shall be used in the shoots. The models will also bring
their contributions by means of clothing, accessories and shoes.
Apart
from that, character will be evidenced by means of personal styling and outfit
choices. The location is going to be a studio in Bucharest. Reasons why I have
chosen this option instead of an outdoor location is instability of weather
conditions and avoiding the distraction of the viewer’s attention by factors
such as background when looking at the photos.
The
entire project is going to be co-ordinated by myself and Ana Maria Oana,
president of the Rockabilly Romania Association. The 5 models who agreed to
take part in this collaboration are as follows: Ioana Vieru, Isabel Beatrice
Strat, Luiza Clinciu, Mary Revery and Nicoleta Petre.
Identify any
RESOURCES / PERMISSIONS you will require (note that your signature at the
proforma’s end indicates that you have confirmed access / permissions to what
you have proposed – if not yet secured your tutor will be unable to sign off).
I
will be using my own camera, which is a Nikon D700 with lenses such as Nikon
50mm, f/1.8 and Tokina 28-70mm, f/2.8. Items such as memory cards, laptop and
external hard drive will be required to store and edit the images.
Regarding
clothing and accessories, the models are able to provide them. Hair stylists
and make-up artists will also play a key role in the shoots. I have been in
contact with people who specialise in this field and they have kindly agreed to
help me. They will receive the images produces as a result of the photo session
so they can use them in their portfolios.
When
it comes to location, I will have to get in touch with someone who owns a
studio in Bucharest and ask for permission to use the space for approximately 5
hours on two days, in order to get the shoots done. I shall also be using the
backdrops and lighting kits available in the space (for example: beauty dish,
soft box, continuous lights).
How will you evidence
your practice?
I will evidence my
practice by developing my personal photographic style whilst experimenting with
new types of photography and models with different character and appearances,
compared to the ones I have worked with until now.
Portraiture has been
of interest to me ever since I started exploring photography and therefore
entering a competition by submitting portraits evidences my practice.
Annie Leibovitz’s
quote: “When I say I want to photograph someone, what it really means is that
I’d like to know them” is my main source of inspiration when dealing with
portraiture. I only photograph the people I find interesting and about which I
wish to know more. Discovering their personality and character through
photography is the best way I can think of.
Does your proposal
raise any potential concerns or specific considerations? If so, how might you
resolve these?
The only potential
concern raised by my proposal is related to timing and people dropping out at
the last moment, just before the shoot. I should be able to resolve this by
having back-up regarding models, make-up artists and hairstylist. In addition
to that, having a set schedule and constantly communicating with the others in
the team will help avoid any unexpected situations.
Model release forms
will be printed out and signed so that the model gives her permission to be
photographed and allows me to use the final images.
Print
out and submit: DEADLINE DATE: 27/11/12
Signed: ……………………………… (STUDENT)
Signed: ……………………………….
(TUTOR)
