NARS Face Chart Design

'NARS' Face Chart Design 

NARS Face Chart Design

'NARS' Brand Face Chart Design 

'NARS'- Final Story Board

I decided to tweak a few images to really relate to everything that I was after for my shoot, with the hair, makeup and structuring out my images properly and clearly. Keeping it straight to the point and showing exactly what I want. 

Below image of the far right hand side of my story board, showing the sleeked back hair I want to use in my shoot, the bright colours and heavy eye makeup but linking it to by inspirational word 'Fresh', showing the direction I would like, showing the models positioning themselves to an angle and the lighting to be exposed with contrast and execution. I am very happy with my final story board image as I feel it shows what I want to achieve with all my research that I have done has paid off in my work and It will hopefully show in my brand image shoot. 

My story Board split up, showing the makeup I want to achieve with colour, colour back drop, hair design, direction and lighting I would like to include in my shoot. 

All images from my pinterest boards that are linked in my blog.

Technical- Editorial shoot & inspiration

Technical- Editorial Shoot...

This week I tested out my final face chart design, by experimenting with the colours i put on my chart and also having inspirational images on my pinterest, I was highly inspired by this image below with the use of materials on the face as well as makeup. 

I applied a even based of kryolan foundation with a shade lighter to give the skin a dewy texture and worked over the face with glamour glow to highlight the cheek bones, the bridge of the nose and also along with the supra color white to go over the nose the brows, lashes and lips to create a frosty, fresh feeling. I wanted to create a cool palette with cold colour shades and I felt it worked well and when carrying this out I felt my model was perfect for this look, with her pale complexion and blue eyes to really enhance the whole look.

I created the frosty clusters at the sides of the forehead with salt crystals, I found this tricky but applied the latex (very messy) little by little then used tweezers to place the crystals on so they would stick, I used latex because it is safe and easy enough to remove. I found it stuck them in the place well, but I needed to tidy up between the crystals, I found this challenging and also many kept falling off, it was a challenge but I loved the end results. If I did that again I would of laid her down and applied them like that in order to hold them in place so they could dry into place and I also would of crushed them up for more texture and with less space in-between each crystal. However, I was happy with the way it came out with the colours and materials combined.

Here are the images that I was inspired by for my inspirational word

                                     

                                              

A few photos of my model having her makeup done and along with test shoots of the day

                                   

                                   

                                    

                                                  Test shoots of my inspirational word 'Fresh'

                                    

                                    

                                    

                                    

Technical- The Brand Shoot & inspiration

Technical- The Brand Shoot...

This week was technical, I set up for my shoot which I had previously tested to see what I wanted to use which I felt was ideal with the brand and my inspirational word combined, I loved simplicity of the soft boxes and the soft light it gives, I also found it made the colour of the shoot stand out.

My day Started up setting up in the studio with the soft boxes, coloured back drop (greeny blue) I used my camera 1/160 on manual and used a 50mm lense to capture of images with to get the close up look I wanted. I used the 50mm sense because of it clear, zoomed in vision it gives, even though you can't adjust it, I felt it worked well to capture close up shots for my brand image, to get a crisp detailed shot of the hair and makeup.

Image of my set before shooting, with the coloured back drop and soft boxes, almost ready to shoot.



I loved the back screen colour and It worked so well during the shoot, I was a little anxious it may of clashed with the makeup application but it worked well and I even felt it enhanced the colours.




I wanted to incorporate cool pastel colours into my image and gathered a number of images from NARS campaigns for inspiration, I looked into dewy skin with pastel colours to show my word working well with the brand image.

Here are photographs of NARS campaigns that inspired me for my shoot including lighting, exposure, colours and makeup techniques and the next images are of my time in the studio setting up and of my final images.







These images gave me an idea of pastel colours used in NARS campaigns which would fit with my word and the brand image well. I also found NARS used a lot of coloured back drops, pastel colours and blocking out brows or keeping them very natural so i went with that idea.

I felt the day went well, my model and I worked very well together, we bounced off each other, I became more relaxed with directing my model as the shoot went on, I tried a number of looks and it all fell into place and I was very happy with the result. I struggled slightly by not having an assistant, as I planned to have one but ended up not being able to make it, so this slowed the whole shoot down, but I felt I worked efficiently and professionally, I made sure my model was comfortable during the day with food and drink.

Overall, it was a fun successful time In the studio. Straight after I went to our photoshop lesson to gain knowledge to edit and adjust my photographs to create  the best look for the brand image for NARS. My strengths were being on the ball, my makeup application as I feel I have improved a lot over the last semester, with the use of colouring layering and showing my inspiration through my work and setting up for my shoot, it ran smoothly and my model was comfortable.

Here are some images of some of the test shoots and I love how vibrant the colours are coming out on the camera. 

During our photoshop lesson, working with exposure, lighting, adjustments and corrections. I also enhanced her eye colouring and brightened up the white in her eyes and also highlighted a semi circle in her iris to give a sparkle effect in her eyes to really stand out. Overall I was happy with the outcome because I didn't do too much editing and I feel it captures my word and the brand image in the image.

A few images playing around with direction and poses, seeing how the makeup looks on camera also, It was a fun shoot, playing around with eccentric colours and being free with it.

Final Face chart for editorial 'FRESH'

Final Face chart for editorial 'FRESH'

This is my final face chart for my editorial, the products I used are on the image above, I really enjoyed researching to gain my inspiration  for my final image. 

With this I wanted to try something new and exciting, to really push my boundaries and to not play it safe, this is why I came up with using texture materials in my makeup piece, I gained my inspiration from the ocean, a place where it would be the freshest, in the open air surrounding by miles of sea and it reminded me of past times where you'd go to feel fresh. 

I was also inspired by an image on my pinterest board and on my mood board, the piece stood out and I wanted to do a similar thing, so therefore I played around with different products, materials, colour themes and went with a cool, silver, white palette, with a glow palette, followed by blocking our the brows and lashes with white supra color and finally placing salt crystals on the forehead to symbolise broken shells. I was looking around at what I could use to really capture the look I was after, I thought of salt because of the ocean and it made sense, the texture of them worked perfectly when testing them on my model.

Image found on my pinterest board & moodboard

This is the image I was inspired by and wanted to create my own version of this because I felt with captured my inspirational word well and I wanted to test and play around with different products and materials on the skin. 

Final Face chart brand image NARS

My Final Brand Image Face Chart 

'NARS'

This is my final face chart design, I was inspired by NARS with there use of pastel, bright colours, blocking out the brows and this fitted with my inspirational word 'Fresh'. Testing the colours during the shoot and they were exactly how I visioned it to turn out like, I wanted to capture both the brand and my chosen word in one and these colours worked well in order to project this across.

When I thought of my inspirational word and NARS I looked in their images with cool colours, different shades of pastel colours, blues and greens which I associate with the word 'Fresh' I think of these colours and it worked well. 

I was inspired by a number of images from the fresh looking hair styles, with the sleek back wet hair and with the makeup patterns from NARS campaigns but I used my own use of colours which related to my inspirational word, with green and blue colours. 

I was inspired by a collection of images from NARS campaigns where they used a lot of colour with a lot of pastel colours and with the pattern of the eye makeup it is seen in my storyboard, I loved how they layered colours during this collection and I wanted to do the same but with cooler colours around the eyes to fit with my inspirational word also.

I loved this look by Francois Nars, I love the layering of the green and blue makeup and how it blends into the brow line, therefore I wanted to do this with my final look because I came across a lot of their images with this style makeup. I love the direction of the model, the sheer glow also, which I will carry out in my shoot and to choose a model with light coloured eyes, with the makeup to really pop out.

Blog, A. amby’s 8 (no date) Beauty: Makeup. Available at: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/229754018464539405/ (Accessed: 22 April 2016).

Inline Citations: 

• (Blog, no date)
 

TrendH (no date) M a Q u i ll a g e. Available at: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/537546905493878748/ (Accessed: 22 April 2016).

Inline Citations: 

• (TrendH, no date)
 

In this photo of a NARS campaign, I love the application of the eye makeup, I like how bold and deep the makeup appears with also blending into the brows.

Technical- First week back

My first week back in the studio, my thoughts and what I learnt...

On our first week back in the studio we went through how to set up the studio to really get the perfect beauty shot for our Beauty advert we'll be producing in the coming weeks. 

Setting it all up and seeing the images he and others were taking and even myself, it was exciting, I was eager to learn more and get stuck in.

With Digital image I haven't felt the most comfortable with it, I find it quite daunting, because it's so new to me still and I pushing through that fear and ready to give it my all this term.

Moving on, Chris made it important and clear that we need to be clear and work to the word that we have been given, my word is 'Fresh'.

First of all, we all helped get all the studio set up ready for a shoot, it was with new equipment that I hadn't used before and I was intrigued to see the difference and the effects of how the photographs would turn out. The equipment and advice given from Chris in our lesson:

• 'C' Stand- to defuse light with the white panel
• Make sure the camera is on manual 1/160
• Use the tripod, to support the camera when working on the shoot for stability 
• Use the imac computer linked with the camera so you can see the images when taking them, this is important
• 2 soft boxes behind the white panel reflectors
• Use white cover over model lamps 
• 50 Ml lense- Make sure it's clean, smudge free
• Small reflector to hold under the model if needed
• Computer used- Sekor
• Exposure (AV Scroll) (FA- Darker)
• Shooting shoulders up or close up for project
• We can use props during our shoot if we like
• Ridiculous poses are the best poses- we found this out in our last project by reenacting model poses from magazines 
• Angles are important and even being higher up can make all the difference, as you don't want to shoot up the nose (it isn't a good look)
• ALWAYS move the camera not the model
• For close up Beauty e.g. Eyes, lips 100ml/ 85ml lense is good and make sure when you're shooting close up wear black to avoid reflection of you in the eyes.

Technical file-Testing different lighting

Techincal File- Testing out Reflectors for Beauty shoot...

What we did and how...

This week I tried out different lightnings with peers from my class, as I gathered lighting inspiration from my brand image with researching how they shoot their shots and wanted to test and see if It worked with the use of the beauty dish, the two reflectors, at the time it seemed a lot of work and needed a couple assistants to help me, therefore this was another thing to think about when shooting my brand image, by making sure I can get assistants to come in.

Either way it was an experience and tested out some nice shots, I wanted to push myself with working with equipment I was comfortable using to push myself. We worked well as a team to set up for the shoot and I enjoyed this.

Equipment used:

• Camera 1/160 manual shutter speed 100
• Hot shoe, sync lead, cable, IMAC
• Tripod
• Beauty dish 
• Reflectors 
• black & white boards
• Reflector 

Us setting up the studio, with the tripod, the beauty dish, teathering cable to enable us to take pictures and for them to instantly appear on the computer so we can see what we are shooting. 

We worked well as a team to set up the studio, especially with the large reflectors, where we needed to attach the top to the ceiling and the bottom to the floor, this was a little bit of a struggle but more then one person was needed for this; therefore it went smoothly, and if this was carried out alone it could be dangerous and too heavy.

A few more images of our studio, with it set up correctly with great peers to assist to produce great images. The image below you can see how hard, awkward and heavy the poles were to place and fix together, but we structured them well; it was a challenge but we wanted to try something different, so we could challenge ourselves with learning new skills.

A picture of the reflector how it was attached with the pole

NARS Research Catwalk Makeup

'NARS' Brand Research...

I researched into my Brand to get a better feel for what makeup they do and I gathered a lot of inspiration from this clip on youtube, It showed how they work with a lot of colours in a heavy way but with glam, they use a a lot of greens and blues which fits with both my inspirational word and brand image. 

I enjoy his energy at work and him experimenting with all sorts of techniques and products to capture a great look on the catwalk. I find intriguing and his work shockingly glamorous and beautiful with a fierce statement in this clip. It inspired me for my brand shoot, to produce big eye makeup and to experiment with colours linking to my word 'Fresh'.

Francois loves to use highlight and to make the skin glow, therefore I will take this on board and use during my testing and my shoot. Looking into NARS throughout this project has really made me fall in love with his style and work and also ethics. These two clips of him in action during set really made me open my mind to ideas I could create through my makeup designs.

NARS Cosmetics (2011) NARS for Marc Jacobs SS11 fashion week. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMkbQUZY4zM (Accessed: 19 April 2016).

Inline Citations:

• (NARS Cosmetics, 2011)
 

NARS Cosmetics (2011) NARS for Marc Jacobs SS11 fashion week. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMkbQUZY4zM (Accessed: 19 April 2016).

Inline Citations:

• (NARS Cosmetics, 2011)
 

Technical -Test shots with Reflectors & soft box

Technical- Test shots and what I did during my week...

This week, I tried out the reflectors, with the soft box light to try and test the lighting for my brand image shot, I really loved how my images came out and I used my model that I will be using for my brand image which was a bonus. The lighting I loved the pose and the direction I gave, it worked well and this lighting really works well with my model. 

I am glad I tested before I shot my brand image shoot, to make my life a lot easier on the day and to know exactly what I want to achieve. By doing this also it didn't drop me into the deep end when trying to shoot my image, being prepared is key and working what lighting and what model will work best for your image.

A few more images of my test shoot, using soft boxes, black back drop, it gave my images a nice soft lighting and the images came out great, I was very happy with these. I can see how my technical skills have improved. During our lesson we were given free time to play around with equipment to see what we would like to use for our shoots, test and error. I am very glad I did this because it made my life easier knowing what I wanted and how I could achieve this.

A few more images of my test shoot with my beautiful model: Ella Christenson 

Technical file- Go Bo experiment

Technical file- Go Bo week 5...

This week we looked at the Go Bo and how it creates different effects in the background, this was new to me and I was excited to see how the shots came out. It was new and I enjoyed seeing the shots look completely different by such a simple yet effective piece of equipment.

I have included what we did and imagery of our lesson below.

First of all we set up with the stand and attaching the Go Bo on the end, we made sure the area was clear to avoid trip hazards with leads etc. We connected the lead with the IMAC computer so we could all see the effects it had on the face. I liked the fact he introduced this to us, as it makes us become more creative and makes us think, that there is a vast amount of out there to achieve your desired looks. 

We also grabbed a stand so we could play around with blocking the light in different angles by using our hands to do so, for example to darken half the face out and only expose the other half making the image appear fierce, mysterious and I loved the results of this. I feel when carrying this out it wouldn't fit my brand because I couldn't find any imagery in NARS campaigns that this is done in, however, it opens my mind and ideas for future projects, so this excites me.

Once we set up, we took turns modelling and taking pictures, I took a few images to show the concept and how our room was set up for the task itself t remind how to do it in future shoots.

With the Go Bo, you get a choice to choose a certain pattern to reflect on the back drop, we all chose the wild tree, erie one to create mystery which will all agreed on, I loved the effect it gave and I feel this would be ideal for a mystery, or fantasy shoot. 

A few more images of our week testing out the Go Bo

'Fresh' Pinterest board

My 'Fresh' Pinterest Board 

https://uk.pinterest.com/natalieallanah/fresh/

https://uk.pinterest.com/natalieallanah/fresh/

My 'NARS' Pinterest board

My 'NARS' Brand Pinterest Board

Click the link below to explore

https://uk.pinterest.com/natalieallanah/nars/

My word 'Fresh'

My Inspirational word 'FRESH'

I picked out of the hat my inspirational word 'Fresh' I was happy and excited to get researching on pinterest and else where. I want to start to expand the word further with textures, moods, weathers, settings, the environment for inspiration and ideas to produce my editorial image.  

Sharon told us to look past the word in more detail, dig deeper to explore the word truly. To have a clear vision before starting to pin on your Pinterest board, being clear with what you want is vital and don't be afraid to think creatively and outside of the box, until you find textures, materials that inspire you and make you think of your chosen word.

I have included a photo of my word I picked out with notes attached below, so the research begins.

                     

'Fresh'

'Fresh'- a few images selected from my Mood Board...

Looking into my inspirational word and researching how and where I am going to gather my inspirations from on Pinterest, I started off with simply typing in 'fresh' as a starting point, I knew this was the beginning and my mind become more open by more and more that I searched.

As my research went on, I took a boarder approach to my research, with textures with ocean and white windows, this image I love and the colours used in this image inspired me with the whites and the pale colours merged together, it simply beautiful; which says 'Fresh' to me.

I gathered these images, plus more which are on my pinterest board which inspired me for my looks, these were my favourite images. These images with there texture and colour made me think of my word and how I could develop my look for my editorial, with the light colours, rough texture and soft lighting.

                           
These images are my favourite from my inspirational mood board, from the woman with the wet skin and the face she is pulling when something is 'fresh' or cold and it instantly made me feel of when you get in the shower on a winter morning, but it is done in a beautiful simple way, this inspired me to use a dewy skin makeup for my image, I love the texture and patterns within this image too. The lighting of this image is great and I liked the contrasts, seeing a clear comparison of exposure and temperature. I want to shoot my image with a black background and with cool, pale colours for the makeup look, to see a clear black and white composition.

When researching further into my word, I ended up typing in sea shells, cause I kept thinking of the ocean during the winter, with that cool, 'fresh' breeze and with using texture in my makeup design, with something crunchy, sharp, shell like to be creative with different materials, to not just use makeup to also apply a material for example crushed sea shells or something that looks like this.
I felt these images really resemble what I want to achieve along with my other images on my finished mood board but however, these were my favourite images that I was drawn too. Therefore, I am very excited to try different looks out and to see how my final image will turn out.

Technical Editing lesson

Technical Editing Lesson to be continued...

What I did, how and what I learnt...

This lesson I started editing my final images for my editorial, I was happy with the overall look for my images including the makeup and hair; however I just wanted to tidying up small blemishes, smoothed out the skin, adjust the exposure and contrast of the colours which is what I applied to my images. I also wanted to tidy up the hair slightly to make it less messy and to change the clarity to make my images sharper.

In this lesson I went over different tools, changed exposure slightly, with clarity, smoothed out the skin, removed small blemishes and redness in the skin. Each week I feel I am slowly getting the hang of photo shop.

I believe I would learn more in class if I had a Dictaphone to record my lesson and to listen to it in my own time to go over what he says in order for the information to sink in, so this will help me with future projects. 

I find it very hard to get on with in design and photo shop, even though I find Peter very helpful during these lessons and I'm so glad he is here to helpful cause I don't know what I would do. 

I also find it difficult due to my dyslexia to get my head around different tools and functions on these programs, therefore I feel I need a 1 to 1 with this or it to be broken down for me so I completely understand how to use them.

Here are images of before and after of my final front on image, once this was explained to be I found it easier to touch up my image.