Study of Digital Artist One

Introduction

I have chosen to study the photographer Sophie Calle.
I have chosen them because I really like how they project a salient message on an individual's body.

Analysing 1 of their pieces of work:

The subject matter of the work to the right depicts a message in French which translates to 'Take Care Of Yourself' which has been cleverly placed along the model's collarbone.
Calle has paid particular attention to Compositional Rules in this work, as they have intentionally used Contrast in the hues of black and white.
Calle has also used the Formal Elements of Focus by drawing attention to the model's collarbone making the text more prominent and accentuated.
The effect of these visual devices is that it draws the viewer's focus to remain on the collarbone and focus on the message being portrayed, this is also achieved by the model's neckline providing a frame. In addition to this, the monochrome shading adds dimension to the photograph and invites the viewer into the image.

Mood:

I think the work feels quite sombre but calm. The artist has created this mood by using black and white in a continuous spectrum.
The colours used in the work are black,white and grey. The absence of colour suggest that the photograph is formal yet emotional.
The person in the image, despite us not being able to see her full face, we can comprehend that she matches with the overall mood of the image

Technical analysis:

I think that this work was probably taken using a projector, lighting and filters.
The artist has used studio/projector lighting casting a shadow behind the model
I think that the work has been edited in Photoshop to further enhance the image. Perhaps, they have adjusted the lighting/brightness of the image.
In this work the camera has been focused on the model's collarbone and the text that has been projected on the model.
The artist has used a medium aperture to create a medium Depth of Field. I can tell this because the individual is the most focused on.
This draws the viewer's eye to focal point, which is the phrase "prenez soin de vous" making it the most important element in the photograph
I can tell that Calle has also used a fast Shutter Speed because she wanted to reduce any blurriness that may occur.
I am not 100% sure what the ISO number is, however, from what I can see, there is slight texture to the model's skin (noise) and I can tell the image has been taken in a dark room. So a medium-high ISO.

Intent:

From looking at it, I think the work is about self care hence the phrase 'Take Care Of Yourself'.
Researching Calle’s work, I have found that she made this piece of work because she had undergone a breakup with her ex boyfriend, when she was asked about her piece, she said “I received an email telling me it was over. I didn’t know how to respond. It was almost as if it hadn’t been meant for me. It ended with the words, ‘take care of yourself.’ And so I did. I asked 107 women, chosen for their profession or skills, to interpret this letter. To analyse it, comment on it, dance it, sing it. Exhaust it. Understand it for me. Answer for me. It was a way of taking the time to break up. A way of taking care of myself.”
I think their work is about heartbreak and confusion.

Relate to your own work:

My response will be influenced by Sophie Calle by usage of a projector to present a message on somebody. To replicate her work I will use quotes in different languages - English, Latin, French.

Ghizlaine Kamir