Fourth Plinth - Fairy in London

Fourth Plinth - Fairy in London

After adding the plush fairy to countryside landscapes, I decided to use some of the photographs that I took in London and add it to that setting. I feel that this allowed me to create some more interesting images which surrounded the fairy as the surreal element for the fourth plinth project. 

Below shows how I created one of my composite images using photoshop.

First, I took my original image and adapted the curves in order to make it brighter. I then selected my image of the fairy, used the quick select tool to select it and then finally copied and pasted it onto my original image. 

Once the fairy was moved onto the image. I selected edit and transform in order to rescale and move the fairy image.

Once the image was positioned in my desired place and was scaled in a way that I was happy with, I used the burn tool to create a shadow on the fairy and statue in order to make it look more realistic. To finish, I adapted the curves of the fairy layer to make it bolder.

I created this image using photoshop and like the way that the angle of the added image compliments the angle of the original image. I also like how the fairy is bold as this makes it more obvious and therefore attracts the viewers eye more. I tried to make the image appear as though the fairy was sitting and looking out and watching the fountains. I feel the image is effective as it is very surreal and therefore supports the topic of the fourth plinth. 

I like this image as when you first look at it, you are unable to notice the surreal object within the image. I like how the fantasy element is not obvious as this therefore makes it seem more mysterious when the viewer finally notices the fairy which is hidden to the side. I like the way that the fairy appears to be sitting on the traffic light button and also appears to be watching the traffic. I think this image also supports the fourth plinth element as the object is somewhere strange and where you would not usually see it. 

I created another image of the fairy sitting on a pillar. I like this image as it looks as though the fairy is watching the pedestrians walk past. I like the way that the original image would be boring by itself but with the added element of the fairy, the image becomes interesting and attractive to the audience to look at.

Fourth Plinth - Composite Images - Fairy

Fourth Plinth - Composite Images - Fairy

For this shoot, I decided to use some of my previous images which I captured for the landscapes topic and add in an object which in my case was a little angel keyring which I positioned in a range of settings using photoshop. I used the burn tool to make the pasted image look as though it belonged in the setting and also to create shadows within the image in order to make it look slightly more realistic. I like how the below images that I have created can be thought have a link to the Cottingley Fairies. This is an idea I would like to use as inspiration later in the topic.

This is one of my favourite images which I have created. I like how the two images were taken at the same angle which makes the two fit together much better. I also like the fact that the fairy looks surreal, but still realistic as the positioning of the fairy has helped to make the image look effective.

I like this image as at first glance, the image is normal but when you look closer, you can see the fairy on the bottom left hand corner. I like how the surreal element of the image is less obvious and is more hidden. I like this a sit makes the image more mysterious and interesting. I used the burn tool to make the fairy look as though it were perched on the little branch. 

I like this image as it is very interesting and the colours are very bold. I like the way that the fairy appears to be perching on the leaves and looking out into the distance. I feel that the image shows thought which is portrayed through the fairy looking out and by the viewer not being able to see its face. I also like how you are able to see the fairy's wings in this image as it   presents the element of fantasy which I have tried to portray in the images.  I also used the burn tool in this image to show the shadow on the leaves which makes the idea of the fairy sitting on the leaf look more realistic. 

I also like this image which I created using photoshop as I like the less obvious element of the fairy in the photograph. I like how the fairy is positioned in the top left hand corner as it takes the viewer a little while to find the surreal element of the image. I chose to position the fairy so it appeared to be sitting on  one of the trees branches.

Evaluation

Overall, I am very pleased with my first attempt at final outcomes for composite images. I like the element of fantasy that my chosen object has bought to the images. For the images which I created, I used photographs which I previously took for the topic of landscapes and added in the images of the fairy, which I took in the studio, to the landscape setting. To begin with, I found creating the composite images using photoshop quite challenging but after a while, found it to be second nature and also found that I could do it quite easily. While creating my images, I also perfected the art of using the burn tool in order to make the fairy appear as though it belonged in the settings which I chose. I like how the four images which I have created all link with each other as this makes them interesting. I hope to develop this idea further in the future and will use the idea from the 'Cottingley Fairies' as inspiration. Overall, I am really pleased with my first outcomes for the topic of the fourth plinth.  

Composite Images

Composite Images

I experimented with creating composite and surreal images using photoshop.

This screenshot shows the background layer.

I then quick selected the original image of the chicken and copied and pasted it into the background. I then selected edit, transform to change the scale and position of the chicken.

I then did the same to add the person into the image and then followed this by using the burn tool in order to create the shadows of the chicken and person in the image.

This was my first attempt at creating a composite, surreal image using photoshop. I really like the outcome and feel that it captures the element of surrealism and like the overall concept. I like how the image is bold and eye-catching due to the obvious surreal element and the bold colours in the background. When on photoshop, I used the burn tool in order to create darker areas to represent the shadows of the person and the chicken. 

I then created another image, this time giving a horse wings. Overall, I like the image but prefer my first image as I think it is more surreal and striking however, I still think this image is successful.

Composite Images - Issues and where they are used

Composite Images

Personal and Ethical Issues with Composite Images -

A personal issue which could arise with composite images is that people may not wish to edit their images at all, let alone manipulate them in a surreal and possibly unethical way.

An ethical issue which could arise with composite images is that people could believe that the surreal images are real life. An ethical issue with editing in general is that it may create pressure on people in society, especially with the large media industry. Another ethical issue which is often considered in the media is the removal of areas of an image which could be upsetting to the audience. This is usually the case in some news articles.

Areas of Art and Design or Industry which may use manipulated images -

Usually, manipulated images are used in the media, film, music and fashion industry and editing is used in articles such as magazines, to remove model's imperfections. It can also be used in portraiture. This can relate to the ethical issue that some manipulated images can create pressure on people in society. Below shows some images which are either edited for the media or magazines.

In addition, some surreal artists use manipulated images to create bizarre and original images which are surreal and considered as artwork and in many cases, may be used in things such as exhibitions. In addition to this, it can be used in nature photography. Below shows some artwork which would be considered as surrealist.

 In addition to this, manipulated images are usually used in the media and more specifically news articles. In this case, areas of images may be removed which may be upsetting to the audience in order to create images which are widely acceptable to the public and also the media industry.

Define - Composite Images

Composite Images

Composite images are images of which visual elements from separate sources are placed into a single image. This creates the illusion that all of the elements are part of the same source.

Four Annotated Images

I like this image as although it is surreal and composite, it works very well and at first sight, you are unable to notice the surreal aspect but on a further glance, you are able to see the surrealist fish which is present in the image.

I really like this image as again, it is simplistic but still surreal. I like the idea of a surreal object being in the cloud. I think that during the topic, I will try to replicate this idea within my work.

I like this image as it appears quite dark and gloomy. I like how the flies are bigger than the lizard which in real life is not the case and think that the background is very effective as it makes the image eye-catching and striking.

I like this image as it is so surreal. I like the element of the ladder as it makes the lion look very big while the person looks even smaller. I think that the image is very effective and I think I will try to replicate something like this in my own work.