Printing

Unfortunately, 2 out of my 3 most succesful images didnt print out correctly. One was slightly blurred and the other was too white in some parts. I left the printing process too late to re-print them, so my final six images are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9. Image 8 also printed out blurry.

Editing/Retouching

This is an example of the editing/retouching I did using Adobe Lightroom. I made the image more grey and less saturated, played around with the brightness, exposure, tones and colours. I think its more effective with less colour as it makes it seem more darker and gives it more of a dull, old look.

Images from Shoot

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

These are my 9 most succesful images from the shoot. My favourite images are 1, 2 and 7 in terms of showing the theme of witchcraft the most, but I do like the others alongside those 3, however I dont think they work as well on their own.

I ended up using a location in Woolton, Liverpool. I pass it daily and its full of tree's and plants but its all very one colour, there are no bright colours just browns and greys so I felt it suited the theme perfectly. The branches on the tree's were really thin and jagged, as you can see in image 7. The trees all look dead, and with the presence of the model it seems as though she has caused it. I photographed her holding dead leaves as though the nature is precious to her, she is holding it close to her in image 3 which i feel shows this. This is to convey the belief in the power of nature. She is wearing a black dress in all of the images, i wanted her to look fashionable rather than dressing her up like a witch as it would have been far too obvious, but i think this dress compliments the theme nicely - it has large sleeves which drape and remind me of a cape without her actually wearing one. I also used sheer black fabric in some images which is from a dress, i used it as a vale/hood. This was to add a bit more emphasis on the witch theme, without her wearing a hat.

I have also used a stick in some images (images 5 and 6), this is to remind people of a wand, but its still something that is produced by nature so i think it fits in.

Her makeup is quite dark and dramatic so it is relevant both to fashion and a gothic look. I initially wanted her to wear her hair up, but it felt more natural for it to be down and waved.

She is wearing a necklace with a pentacle on it throughout the whole shoot to relate to 'the elements'. Towards the end of the shoot i added two more necklaces (image 4) just to help emphasise the first one.

Possible Locations

Liverpool City Centre - There are lots of derelict, rough looking areas in the back streets behind Liverpool's city centre. This would be useful to try a different style with the shoot, I think it would look effective. The dark colours would compliment the styling as well.

Thomas Lane - This is at the side of a field but this is the only really interesting part, as the rest is just grass. I've done fashion shoots here a few times and it works well as a quiet location when i want something to look streety. However, there are still tree's along the side if I decided i wanted to use them.

Childwall Woods - I've done a few photoshoots here, there are lots of trees and plants and its quite like a meadow. I think its possibly too pretty for my theme.

Brownsfield Park - I like this location, there are lots of tall tree's and theyre really crowded together which would look good with the model inbetween them.

Witchcraft in Popular Culture

Season of The Witch, 2011

The Blair Witch Project, 1999

Practical Magic, 1998

The Craft, 1996

The Wicker Man, 1973

I think its important to look at witchcraft in popular culture, I have focused on films because it shows that a large majority of people worldwide watch these and are aware of the theme of withcraft, therefore will be briefly familiar the beliefs and practices which helps hint at the theme in my imagery. It is also helpful for me to gain inspiration on styling from the films and learn more about the practices myself so I am aware when taking the photographs.

'Witch' Style Fashion Photography

W Magazine

Vogue Russia, Photographed by Miguel Reveriego

German Vogue, Photographed by Alexi Lubomirski

Zink Magazine, Photographed by Julia Pogodina

Unknown Photographer

Harper's Bazaar Dec 1991, Photography by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin

Styling

Some ideas for the styling in my images. I definately want the model to be wearing black and hint at a dark theme without being obvious.

Styling by Ihunna Eberendu

Styling by Nicola Formichetti

Styling by Sebastian Kaufmann

Styling by Barbara Baumel

Styling by Anya Ziourova

Silja Magg 'Red' & 'Ponytail I'

These photographs are from two different sets of images by Silja Magg called 'Red' and 'Ponytail I'. I like the first set beacause the model really stands out from the natural environment for different reasons, she is wearing bright red clothes which stand out and contrast against the green background and she also looks completely out of place in a forest setting wearing those types of clothes, she looks really sophisticated. I feel this idea is relevant to my theme because I want the model to be posing in a natural location wearing dark/gothic style clothing to hint at the witch idea. I also like her slightly arkward poses - its like shes slightly uncomfortable, complimenting the contrast of her clothes to the location. I chose the second set of images because they remind me of freedom and look quite spiritual. The model looks ghostly because the images are blurred and she is posing in natural surroundings showing the sky and the water - this relates to the beliefs in the power of the elements that people who practice witchcraft/paganism have.