Daniel Crockers new photoset contrasts two different types of portraiture.

It
compares a contrived, studio-based shoot with one improvised on location, to
demonstrate the differences in both aesthetic and ability to bring out peoples
personalities. This experiment seems to have worked, each shoot bears distinct
differences, which makes them pleasing to look at side-by-side.
Teen Vogue at first seems an unusual place for a fine art collection, but this just
makes it stand out from the other pages. And focusing on the style and
expression of teenagers, it certainly feels at home Crocker conducted some
research amongst his peers before taking this shoot, finding out what teenagers
liked and did not about portraiture, and about black and white as a medium. The
results that encouraged him said portraiture is a good medium for expression
and showcasing personalities, and that the grungy aesthetic of black and white
film is enjoying a resurgence, especially between millienials.
Crocker uses messy, inconsistent composition in each of his location images,
with each subject being photographed against a different background. This has
created variety across the set, saying something different about each of his
subjects. This organised chaos has, however, resulted in some easily avoidable
sloppiness from Crocker the many horizontal and vertical lines in the location
shots arent straight. For example, by neglecting to make the lines of brick
parallel to the edges of frame, this photo feels distractingly slanted.
[ AN EXAMPLE OF CROCKERS LOCATION SHOOT, IN WHICH

GOOD TONAL RANGE, RULE-OF-THIRDS COMPOSITION AND RICH, SHARPLY FOCUSED NEGATIVE
SPACE ARE RUINED BY SLANTED BRICK LINES]

While mentioning the inconsistency and hap-hazard nature of the location shoot,
it is worth noting that the studio shoot deliberately curtails all of this, employing
a sense of balance with symmetrical composition and the same amount of
negative space in each of the separate pictures. This simplicity and consistency
allows for all of the focus to be placed exclusively on the subject, and how
theyre holding themselves. This allows for each of the subjects to express who
they are themselves without any aids for this, while the location shoot makes use

of environment and varied framing, to emphasise their individual personalities,

and dictate how the viewer will interpret them.
[AN EXAMPLE OF CROCKERS STUDIO SHOOT, IN WHICH THE

LIGHTING, SYMMETRICAL FRAMING, AND BLANK NEGATIVE SPACE ALL PLAY A PART IN ALLOWING
THE SUBJECT TO SPEAK FOR HERSELF]

Across the set, there are a range of compositional techniques, and each is well
printed. There is a consistent range of tonal values in each image, helping the
set come together as a coherent whole. As well as this, however, a variety of
grain structures and tonal range bring out the best in each picture, and
demonstrate that Crocker has a good understanding of black and white
processing techniques.
I dont think it was by mistake that Crocker chose to photography 17 year olds
for this shoot. While black + white normally connotes the past, (and is often
therefore used to illicit nostalgia in the older generation) fashion is changing and
retro photography is enjoying a resurgence in the present day. Largely owing to
garish film-look Instagram filters, the aesthetic of analogue photography is
enjoying renewed enthusiasm, even now that the medium of film has all but died
out for the standard consumer, due to changes in technology. This shoot actively
rejects the historical contests generally surrounding black and white
photography, appropriating the visual properties and attributing them to hip,
stylish and current photography aimed at teenagers rather than upper-class
OAPs. I think the set is therefore very fit for purpose as a piece of fine art
photography.
Crocker has also demonstrated an understanding of the properties of different
black and white films, selecting a different stock for each of his shoots. While 125
film in the studio delivers a sharp, fine-grain, high quality image, he contrasted
this with a roll of 400, push processed to have the visual qualities of 1600, with
large grain and a high contrast look, with less tonal range between the extremes
of luminosity. This careful selection and processing successfully realise his
intentions, demonstrating his creative ability.

Feedback has generally been positive, noting how the models are allowed to
express themselves in their own individual ways in each shot with exceptional
lighting complimenting the models.
When ask for comment, Crocker said he was pleased with the skills and
knowledge gained from production of this shoot, and that he was pleasantly
surprised by the fact time management went smoothly on this project, as this is
something he regularly struggles with in both daily life and his creative work. I
think that I managed to capture a small amount of the magic of Peter Hapak and
David Baileys exquisite portraiture, which I researched in preparation for these
shoots.
For comparison, here are some examples of Hapax and Baileys work;
[AN EXAMPLE OF DAVID BALEYS LOCATION PORTRAITURE]

Immediately, you can se the resemblance between this and Crockers location
photographs the natural lighting and casual pose, coupled with detailed
background negative space and high ASA stock. The key differences lie in
Baileys keen eye for leading lines, which is lacking in Crockers. Crocker does
however make good use of the rule of 3rd in his photos, while Bailey favoured
symetircal framing of his subjects.
[TWO EXAMPLES OF PETER HAPAKS STUDIO

PORTRAITURE]

Here, we can see where Crocker has drawn his inspiration, with Hapaks clever
use of lighting both picking out his subjects from the background, and to
dramatically compliment their features.

We asked some readers of Teen Vogue, and found out what they thought of
Crockers set.The response was generally positive our teens said they love the
grimey film look and that the pictures are aestetiucally pleasing.
What exactly did they like about the set? They said that it had exceptional
lighting, complimenting the models who were appropriatly dressed and
expressinbg how eacvh person is different in their own way. However some
commented that the Images have no clear correlation our teens didnt think
the set was coherant enough as a whole.