HOUSEKEEPING

As I was able to meet my deadline with all of my coursework backed up to some hard drives, I did a massive clear-out on my laptop. I needed to get that much-needed storage space back as my laptop was being cluttered with all of the coursework I’ve done over the course of the entire year.

I was so glad to have taken all of my work off my laptop, as it’s completely spacious once again, and after defragmenting and optimising the drives built into my laptop, I have managed to get some extra space back, and I have noticed my laptop is running much faster now and it’s also working much more efficiently than before.

I won’t lie, I didn’t realise how much coursework I did this year until I got all of my coursework together in one folder. I am pleased that I have done all of my work, as this gives me a sense of relief knowing that I can use the research and photography skills I have by putting them to good use.

It’s hard to believe that after Monday 3rd July, my time at Croydon College comes to an end. Croydon College has given me so much and has helped me to realise my potential in becoming the photographer I am now, and never did I think I would be saying this three years later that I have managed to achieve so much in such a short space of time. Photography has always been a passion and a hobby for me as it is a hobby I want to take up as a full-time career, and I have noticed lately with this website’s Instagram account that some of the photography work I have published on this website’s Instagram account has been receiving a lot of positive feedback, which has helped me to come up with all new ideas for this website.

But again, doing a much-needed clear-out has done me a favour as I can now come up with better ideas that are free-flowing, which is essential for me in that respect considering I love photography and now that I have had the opportunity to photograph some friends of mine for my Final Major Project, including the famous actor and Mental Health Awareness campaigner, Oli Regan, I actually want to photograph people as well as producing photography work that is nature-based, landscape-based and portrait-based, as photographing people fascinates me, given that facial expressions are something that interest me. A facial expression, in my eyes, can describe more than just a thousand words. A facial expression can describe unlimited amounts of words, as well as speak volumes.

I will miss Croydon College, but life has to go on and I can honestly say that despite all the ups and downs I have had, that all of us have had in that respect, this college got me and everyone else through and allowed us to realise our potential, and this college have been so supportive and given me and everyone so much to be thankful for. Croydon College is a good college but I will miss it, but still, life goes on and I will work my socks off from here on out even after I finish my last ever day at Croydon College as a college student, as I want to become a full-time photographer and even get the opportunity to do photography-based projects that I actually want to get paid for.

It feels so good to do a lot of housekeeping but now I can come up with better ideas from this point forward. I haven’t published in goodness knows how many weeks due to the coursework, as I met the deadline and did my last Maths exam, and I have had a lot of free time to use lately. I have been gearing up and preparing myself for the hype of this Friday, as this Friday sees the remarkable gaming legend make a comeback after 21 years, and that legend is Crash Bandicoot. The Crash Bandicoot: N⋅Sane Trilogy, produced by Activision (original Crash Bandicoot series by Naughty Dog) will be released on Friday 30th June! Keep your eyes peeled for the article I’ll be publishing that will be celebrating the release of the Crash Bandicoot: N⋅Sane Trilogy on Friday.

Does it feel good for you when you have done a lot of housekeeping? Please tell me, I would love to hear your response.

Alex Smithson

An Open Statement Following the Horrific Terrorist Attacks Down London Bridge & Borough Market. / Tuesday 6th June 2017

It’s disgraceful to see that terrorism still exists in this world.

Almost three weeks ago, the terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena that killed 22 people following Ariana Grande‘s Dangerous Woman Tour, with a 23rd victim also confirmed dead shortly after the concert as a result of committing suicide, with the 23rd victim being a survivor of the 7 / 7 terrorist attack proved that there was a lack of policing and security considering bags weren’t checked before the concert and for London Bridge and Borough Market to be the subjects of these horrific terrorist attacks that took place late Saturday night, early Sunday morning just proves we need more policing on the streets of London.

To those who agreed to the police numbers being cut, you’re a disgrace! We need more police on the streets of London and across the United Kingdom, as this country has already suffered more than enough of what it has had to handle.

Please forgive me if I at any stage come across racist, but a lot of people have said that the foreign aid budget should be cut and used to pay for resources for our country, and I personally agree because our country gives out a lot of the money we spend to other countries when we clearly need it the most as our country is the most vulnerable.

The reasons why I believe the foreign aid budget should be cut and used on the United Kingdom instead is:

• Because we need up-to-date modern technology, such as computers and pioneering equipment to keep the National Health Service (NHS) and its computers up-to-date, free from ransomware and other viruses that can put patient data at risk of being lost
• Because we need that money to increase the police numbers and to maximise, tighten and secure the streets of London and the United Kingdom
• Because we need to make sure that our country is free from terrorism, extremism and terror organisations who are willing to radicalise and brainwash those around them to kill.

I know a lot of people will be quick to judge those who are religious who haven’t done anything wrong but these problems must be solved.

I’m not against religion at all and respect everyone and I would never pass judgment on anyone and their religion, I’m just merely stating that some people will judge others for all the wrong reasons. Again, I would never pass judgment.

If all of you did by any chance find this offensive or racist, then I sincerely apologise. Offence is not the intention at all and racism is not the intention at all, but honesty is the best policy. I would rather all of you know how I really feel about these horrific terrorist attacks than not at all.

My heart, thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to all those who were affected by the disgraceful terrorist attacks down London Bridge & Borough Market.

Terrorism is the route to all evil, but we can all put a stop to terrorism by increasing the police numbers and regardless of the cost for policing, sod the cost, we need more policing on the streets and I hope the government listens and increases the police numbers and I also hope that the threat level is raised to critical and stays at ‘CRITICAL’ because terrorism has got to stop!

Let’s end terrorism by coming together and let’s end terrorism by getting our voices heard and hope that our government listen to us, the public, by increasing the police numbers.

Let’s stand united and end terrorism!

Let’s stick two fingers up to terrorism, extremism and radicalisation and make those who go against our values, including the religious values know that we shall never be afraid. This country deserves equality and diversity, but this country will not bow down to violence, will not spread hatred towards others, and will certainly never be inequal to those of sexuality, religion, background, skin colour, culture and origin.

Alex Smithson

Welcome to June!

Welcome to June on Mother Nature! As the weather is set to get warmer and humid this month given the lovely weather we’ve had recently, it’s safe to say the hot Summer weather is officially here!

As I prepare to finish my final year at Croydon College considering all of my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project coursework is due on Monday, it’s safe to say that it’s almost the end of the road. College has gone like a blip and it’s unreal to think this time three years ago I was finishing my last year at Oasis Academy: Shirley Park, and now I’m in my final year at college finishing my last few weeks of what will be the last time I spend studying ay Croydon College. Croydon College has given me the chance to realise my potential and has helped me so much and I will never forget this college for the rest of my life and I’ll always be able to know that my family and friends have stuck by me when I needed support, even now considering I still need support.

As today marks the start of Pride month, the Mother Nature logo will be showing the rainbow colours of the LGBTQ flag to celebrate equality and diversity for all those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer. I want for all of you who are of any sexuality to feel included and to know that Mother Nature isn’t just about Mother Nature, but that this website is welcome to all and everyone can view this website and be included, free from hate and inequality, knowing that everyone matters, regardless of sexuality, background, culture, religion, skin colour and ethnicity. Equality & Diversity is what this world needs.

Also, the article image colour scheme is orange because on the 30th June, the marsupial and legendary bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot, is back on the 30th June in Crash Bandicoot: N⋅Sane Trilogy, which comprises of all three of the Naughty Dog Classics, which are Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back & Crash Bandicoot: Warped, all remastered by Activision. I’m placing the trilogy on pre-order and I cannot wait to get my hands on the trilogy and re-live my childhood because Crash Bandicoot is back where he truly belongs. I cannot wait to review the trilogy so expect a review soon after the Crash Bandicoot: N⋅Sane Trilogy is released.

I wanted to mention to all of you that once I’ve handed all of my coursework in on Monday and once I’ve done my last Maths exam on Thursday next week, I will be able to publish more frequently to this website. This year has been full of hard work but it’s been absolutely worth it working hard as I’ve been able to produce more work and come up with new ideas for this website.

Until then, welcome to June!

Alex Smithson

Monthly Roundup: May 2017

May flew like the wind! The time flew so fast and this month has been so much of hard work in terms of getting coursework and revision done but I can honestly say that I am glad to have worked my socks off. I feel so pleased to have showcased my photography work here to give all of you the chance to see the Final Major Project work I have produced.

Without further ado, I will take a look back over the course of this month.

1.5.2017 – Welcoming you all to May on Mother Nature, I mentioned that May was set to be one of the busiest months for me considering I had a lot of revision and coursework to, and I also went on to mention that the next few weeks would be full of a lot of hard work and dedication.

7.5.2017 – As this day marked the end of such a fantastic weekend, considering I went out and partied the night before at my friend’s house, I seized the opportunity to photograph BOXPARK before heading home after staying at my friend’s house for the night.

11.5.2017 – I continued the Headshot photographic collection I was developing for my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project by photographing my close friend, Leonardo Mouza, for Headshot #5. This headshot photography collection came after I photographed the famous actor and Mental Health Awareness Campaigner, Oli Regan.

15.5.2017 – I continued the research phase of my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project by picking August Sander as the fourth photographer I would research and I included Harvard Referencing as Harvard Referencing is essential for my coursework.

16.5.2017 – Headshot #6 continued on from Headshot #5, as I photographed Leonardo Mouza for my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project, along with his close friend, Terrence Mathew. The photographs I produced for Headshot #6 involved photographing both Leonardo and Terrence in the walkway outside Croydon College.

18.5.2017 – For Headshot #7, I photographed my close friend, Mhamad Rauf, but just like before, I photographed Mhamad in the walkway outside Croydon College, and also did some modelling headshots whilst the etched graffiti walls were present.

20.5.2017 – My good friend, Miles Khan, launched his website, and his website contains work he has produced of his multi-coloured pills, which he has been advertising on Instagram. I also detailed the pill designs that Miles Khan has produced so that you can choose from a wide array of choices of the type of pill design you want to purchase.

Also, on this day, I drew the research stage of my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project to a remarkable close, as the fifth and final photographer I chose to research for my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project was David Bailey.

22.5.2017 – As part of my Final Major Project, Headshot #8 followed on from Headshot #7, which focused on the subject, Mhamad Rauf, as I photographed my close friend, Kasra Soltani, for my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project. I used the walkway again outside Croydon College to create an entirely different approach to the facial expressions I wanted Kasra to make by getting him to do those facial expressions I asked him to make in the way he does those facial expressions naturally.

Also, on this day, I notified all of you in advance of the General Election on Thursday 8th June 2017 that you had until 11:59 PM on this day to register to vote so that you could vote for your choice of government, including getting the chance to get your voice heard on Thursday 8th June 2017.

24.5.2017 – I continued on from Headshot #8 by photographing my close friend, Kasra Soltani, again for Headshot #9 of my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project, but instead, just like with the subjects I photographed earlier on in the Final Major Project, I used a black backdrop to bring out the emphasis in the facial expressions I asked Kasra to make.

26.5.2017 – Headshot #10 brought my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project, as I photographed my close friend, Kasra Soltani, for my Final Major Project. As Headshot #10 was the final collection of photographs I had produced for my Final Major Project, I did make sure to adjust the lighting so that the lighting could accommodate for better focus on Kasra so that each expression he has made would connect to the photography work I have already produced.

30.5.2017 – As I prepared to end my Final Major Project, which I mentioned would come to a close on Monday 5th June 2017, I produced Contact Sheets for my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project which I would stick into my sketchbook once they were printed. All of the Contact Sheets I produced would feature all of the photography work I have produced throughout the duration of my own Facial Expressionism Final Major Project work, which would feature my photographed subjects; Jonathan McCartney, Steven Geer, Oli Regan, Leonardo Mouza, Terrence Mathew, Mhamad Rauf & Kasra Soltani.

Also, on this day, I mentioned to all of you that after a lot of hype, anticipation and a lot of excitement, Sonic Mania would officially grace our screens on the 15th August. I also mentioned that this news couldn’t have come at a better time, as 2017 would mark 26 years since Sonic the Hedgehog graced our screens.

It’s been such a busy month but was worth being busy and I won’t lie, although there have been a few ups and downs over the past few weeks with the coursework, stress and other things personal-based, I am glad to have got through this month knowing I worked my socks off and being so dedicated to aiming high and achieving the best out of the work I have produced and all of this wouldn’t have been possible without all of you by my side, so thank you so much for everything everyone.

Thanks for such a fantastic month and I will see all of you in June!

Alex Smithson

Sonic Mania. Out 15th August!

After a lot of hype, a lot of anticipation and a lot of excitement, Sonic Mania will officially grace our screens on the 15th August!

This news couldn’t have come at a better time, as this year will mark 26 years since Sonic the Hedgehog graced our screens.

Christian Whitehead, PagodaWest Games & Headcannon, who are responsible for making Sonic Mania a reality, showed us Green Hill Zone, including Studiopolis & Mirage Saloon, which are two new levels for the Sonic franchise, with past-time favourites, such as Flying Battery Zone and Stardust Speedway even making a comeback.

I must admit, when SEGA announced the game was being delayed until the Summer, I wasn’t sure at first, but I am so glad they delayed it because it made more sense to delay the game so that it could give them more time to make sure the game could not only capture the magic of the first three Sonic games, but that Sonic Mania could pay homage to the franchise itself. Stardust Speedway, which made its debut in Sonic CD (or Sonic the Hedgehog CD, however you choose to call it), which last featured in Sonic Generations and in Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (Episode II) for the segment, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode Metal, returns in Sonic Mania with modernised visuals that go old-school, which is what myself and every Sonic the Hedgehog fan wanted.

Overall, I have a strong feeling this game will not just be popular once it’s released, but I can guarantee this game will be a smash-hit for SEGA when it is released before the next Sonic game in the Sonic franchise, Sonic Forces. Sonic Mania is most definitely the game I will be playing and reviewing so stay tuned as there’s more to come, what with Miles “Tails” Prower and Knuckles the Echidna also returning in Sonic Mania!

Are you excited for Sonic Mania and Sonic Forces? Please let me know. I would love to hear your response.

Alex Smithson

Related articles

• Sega Releases ‘Sonic Forces’ Footage Featuring Classic Green Hill Zone Level
• Sonic Mania delayed, but Sonic Forces announced
• Project Sonic 2017 Revealed As Sonic Forces, First Gameplay Footage Released; Sonic Mania Delayed
• ‘Sonic Mania’ Delayed; New Estimated Release Date Revealed
• Sonic Forces To Feature Custom Character; New Gameplay Trailer Released
• US: Sonic Mania Collectors For Nintendo Switch Back In Stock At Amazon

Headshot Photographs / #1 to #10 / Facial Expressionism / Final Major Project / Contact Sheets

As I prepare to end my Final Major Project, which comes to a close on Monday 5th June, I have created Contact Sheets for my Final Major Project, which will be in my sketchbook once printed.

All of the Headshot Photographs which consist of my close friends, which are Jonathan McCartney, Steven Geer, Oli Regan, Leonardo Mouza, Terrence Mathew, Mhamad Rauf & Kasra Soltani, are almost ready for the End of Year Show, and all I need to do now is get the photos put on to a large number of slides, timed around 10 to 20 seconds each, and then all that’s left is to finalise my proposal and then the sketchbook annotations, along with the Final Evaluation.

I hadn’t anticipated my last year of college would fly so quick! Time flies when you’re having fun, also when you’re working your socks off to make sure you can achieve the best from the work you produce.

Below are all of the contact sheets from #1 to #10, including the photo edits and black and white versions of the original photographs.

Headshot #1 – Jonathan McCartney

Headshot #1 – Jonathan McCartney / WordFoto Edits

Headshot #2 – Jonathan McCartney

Headshot #2 – Jonathan McCartney / WordFoto Edits

Headshot #2 – Jonathan McCartney / Black & White Versions of Original Photographs

Headshot #3 – Steven Geer

Headshot #3 – Steven Geer / WordFoto Edits

Headshot #3 – Steven Geer / Black & White Versions of Original Photographs

Headshot #4 – Oli Regan / Black Backdrop & Red Backdrop

Headshot #4 – Oli Regan / WordFoto Edits / Black Backdrop & Red Backdrop

Headshot #4 – Oli Regan / Black & White Versions of Original Photographs

Headshot #5 – Leonardo Mouza

Headshot #5 – Leonardo Mouza / WordFoto Edits

Headshot #5 – Leonardo Mouza / Black & White Versions of Original Photographs

Headshot #6 – Terrence Mathew & Leonardo Mouza

Headshot #6 – Terrence Mathew & Leonardo Mouza / WordFoto Edits

Headshot #6 – Terrence Mathew & Leonardo Mouza / Black & White Versions of Original Photographs

Headshot #7 – Mhamad Rauf

Headshot #7 – Mhamad Rauf / WordFoto Edits

Headshot #7 – Mhamad Rauf / Black & White Versions of Original Photographs

Headshot #8 – Kasra Soltani

Headshot #8 – Kasra Soltani / WordFoto Edits

Headshot #8 – Kasra Soltani / Monochrome (Black & White) / Facial Expressionism Photographs + A Continuation of the First Set of Facial Expressionism Photographs

Headshot #9 – Kasra Soltani

Headshot #9 – Kasra Soltani / WordFoto Edits

Headshot #9 – Kasra Soltani / Black & White Versions of Original Photographs

Headshot #10 – Kasra Soltani

Headshot #10 – Kasra Soltani / WordFoto Edits

Headshot #10 – Kasra Soltani / Black & White Versions of Original Photographs

These contact sheets are essential for the project work I have produced, as they cover all of the work I have produced for the Final Major Project and given the fact I have named the photographs, this is beneficial for me as I can prepare for the end of the Final Major Project whilst I prepare a photographic presentation for the End of Year Show.

It’s hard to believe that on Monday 5th June at 11:30 AM, all of the work I have produced will be handed in for what will be the last time. I still cannot get my head around the fact I have only a few weeks left at Croydon College. The time sure flew! School went quick, there’s no denying that, but college, on the other hand, went like a blip!

These contact sheets, which go in conjunction with all of the coursework I have produced, will be viewable in the E-Folio.

Please submit below your response on whether there are any improvements I can make for when I produce photography work similar to the headshot photography work I have produced in the future. I would love to hear your response.

Alex Smithson

Headshot #10 / Facial Expressionism / Final Major Project / Kasra Soltani

Bringing my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project to a remarkable close, Headshot #10 marks the end of my Final Major Project Practical Work as I have photographed my close friend, Kasra Soltani.

For this final collection of headshot photographs, I have made sure to get Kasra to do some facial expressions like before, but for these headshot photographs, I have adjusted the lighting to accommodate for better focus on Kasra so that each expression he has made connects to the photography work I have already produced. Taking a new direction on the photographs, Kasra has done some new facial expressions that I initially didn’t have in mind at first and this has given me a better outlook as to how I can assign each expression with its own name, as well as to how that specific emotion connects to the facial expression I have not only asked him to make, but the facial expressions he has made naturally in most of these photographs.

This final headshot collection has informed my critical thinking, as well as the research I have done on the five photographers, which are Fazal Sheikh, Irving Penn, Thomas Ruff, August Sander & David Bailey.

Below are the final headshot photographs for my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project, complete with the WordFoto Edits and Black & White Versions of the Original Photographs.

Canon EOS 1200D

Calm & Collective (1)

Concentrated Whilst Relaxed (2)

Thinking of Life (3)

Depressed (4)

Concentrated With Arms Crossed (5)

Smile! Make the World Go Around! (6)

Furious or Stunned (7)

Be Rebellious & Enjoy Life! (8)

Interested (9)

In the Shadows (10)

Observing the Area (11)

Naturally Suspended (12)

Concentrated (13)

Hey You! I’m Looking at You! (14)

Hey You! Come Here! (15)

I’m Looking at You! I Need You! (16)

Smile. Happiness Makes This World a Better Place (17)

Yes! It’s Good to Be Back! (18)

Concentrate on the Best Things in Life (19)

Focus on You & Only You (20)

Unhappy, Interested or Fascinated (21)

WordFoto Edits

Calm & Collective (1)

Concentrated Whilst Relaxed (2)

Thinking of Life (3)

Depressed (4)

Concentrated With Arms Crossed (5)

Smile! Make the World Go Around! (6)

Furious or Stunned (7)

Be Rebellious & Enjoy Life! (8)

Interested (9)

In the Shadows (10)

Observing the Area (11)

Naturally Suspended (12)

Concentrated (13)

Hey You! I’m Looking at You! (14)

Hey You! Come Here! (15)

I’m Looking at You! I Need You! (16)

Smile. Happiness Makes This World a Better Place (17)

Yes! It’s Good to Be Back! (18)

Concentrate on the Best Things in Life (19)

Focus on You & Only You (20)

Unhappy, Interested or Fascinated (21)

Black & White Versions of Original Photographs

Calm & Collective (1)

Concentrated Whilst Relaxed (2)

Thinking of Life (3)

Depressed (4)

Concentrated With Arms Crossed (5)

Smile! Make the World Go Around! (6)

Furious or Stunned (7)

Be Rebellious & Enjoy Life! (8)

Interested (9)

In the Shadows (10)

Observing the Area (11)

Naturally Suspended (12)

Concentrated (13)

Hey You! I’m Looking at You! (14)

Hey You! Come Here! (15)

I’m Looking at You! I Need You! (16)

Smile. Happiness Makes This World a Better Place (17)

Yes! It’s Good to Be Back! (18)

Concentrate on the Best Things in Life (19)

Focus on You & Only You (20)

Unhappy, Interested or Fascinated (21)

I am so pleased to have achieved such fantastic results from the photography work I have produced throughout the course of the Facial Expressionism Final Major Project, and I have noticed that every headshot collection I have produced I’ve seen improvements every time. Now that I have got together all the photographs I have produced for my Final Major Project, I will be making sure to pick a selected number of photographs from all of the headshot articles to present them as my chosen final pieces. Contact sheets are being produced at this stage which will be going in my sketchbook and my aim is to get the Final Major Project Proposal done and finalised and then get the last of my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project work done and ready before Monday 5th June.

All of the research and headshot photographs I have produced as part of my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project coursework can be found in my E-Folio.

Headshot #10 brings the practical work for my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project to a remarkable close. I am so pleased to have worked my socks off over the last few weeks. All this hard work will eventually pay off and considering it’s my final year at Croydon College and my final year of the two-year film and photography course, I want to make sure I can aim for a higher grade with all of this coursework. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I can get the best final result possible by the end of this year.

I am open to your responses and critique, so please feel free to suggest any improvements you feel I could make when it comes to producing any future photography work.

Your responses and critique are greatly appreciated.

Alex Smithson

If you want to follow my close friend, Kasra Soltani, on Instagram, I have provided his Instagram username here: @Kass.ll7

Headshot #9 / Facial Expressionism / Final Major Project / Kasra Soltani

Continuing on from Headshot #8, I have photographed my close friend, Kasra Soltani, for Headshot #9 of my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project.

For these headshot photographs, just like I did with Jonathan McCartney, Steven Geer, Oli Regan & Leonardo Mouza, I have used a black backdrop to bring out the emphasis of the facial expressions I have asked him to make.

As my research has influenced, informed and helped me to develop my critical thinking and photography skills further, I have made sure that these photographs stand out and give the facial expressions I have asked Kasra to make a better insight, so that each facial expression brings to the surface the emotion that goes with that specific facial expression.

As well as the facial expressions I have asked Kasra to make, I have also photographed him doing different facial expressions naturally, so in this case, when I say natural, I mean he has been able to do facial expressions I wouldn’t usually expect him or anyone else to do. I’ve even got him to do some of the expressions again, but this time, in his own way, so at least then his natural facial expressions compared to the facial expressions I have asked him to make put more emphasis on the photography work I have produced.

Below are the headshot photographs, including the WordFoto Edits and the Black & White Versions of these photographs I have produced featuring my cl0se friend, Kasra Soltani.

Canon EOS 1200D

Normal (1)

Normal (2)

Thinking (3)

Thinking (4)

Unhappy (5)

Surprised (6)

Angry (7)

Concentrated (8)

Resurrection (9)

Meditation (10)

Excited (11)

Interested (12)

Interested (13)

Interested (14)

Confused (15)

Furious (16)

Fuming Red Mist (17)

Red Mist (18)

Don’t You Dare Mess With Me! (19)

Just Keep Calm & Compose Yourself (20)

Just Act Naturally (21)

Serious Disgust (22)

Let the Eye Focus You (23)

Look to the Future (24)

Feeling Truly Content (25)

WordFoto Edits

Normal (1)

Normal (2)

Thinking (3)

Thinking (4)

Unhappy (5)

Surprised (6)

Angry (7)

Concentrated (8)

Resurrection (9)

Meditation (10)

Excited (11)

Interested (12)

Interested (13)

Interested (14)

Confused (15)

Furious (16)

Fuming Red Mist (17)

Red Mist (18)

Don’t You Dare Mess With Me! (19)

Just Keep Calm & Compose Yourself (20)

Just Act Naturally (21)

Serious Disgust (22)

Let the Eye Focus You (23)

Look to the Future (24)

Feeling Truly Content (25)

Black & White Versions of Original Photographs

Normal (1)

Normal (2)

Thinking (3)

Thinking (4)

Unhappy (5)

Surprised (6)

Angry (7)

Concentrated (8)

Resurrection (9)

Meditation (10)

Excited (11)

Interested (12)

Interested (13)

Interested (14)

Confused (15)

Furious (16)

Fuming Red Mist (17)

Red Mist (18)

Don’t You Dare Mess With Me! (19)

Just Keep Calm & Compose Yourself (20)

Just Act Naturally (21)

Serious Disgust (22)

Let the Eye Focus You (23)

Look to the Future (24)

Feeling Truly Content (25)

I feel that these photographs I have produced of my close friend, Kasra, for Headshot #9, show dramatic improvements in my photography skills, as I have made sure to adjust the position of the light to set the tone of these photographs correctly to the emotions I have asked Kasra to make, and I have noticed that my photographs have more of a shallow depth of field. I have also noticed and improved over the course of time with the clarity of the photographs I have taken, and I strongly feel that Headshot #9 has helped to inform and note the improvements and changes I have made to make these photographs stand out. To improve for next time, I will be making sure to explore the emotions effectively as opposed to Kasra’s body language, so that his body language can reflect the facial expressions I have asked him to make, as well as the facial expressions he has made himself.

These photos of my close friend, Kasra Soltani, that I have produced for Headshot #9 can be found in my E-Folio.

I am open to your responses, so please let me know if there are any improvements I can make for next time and if so, please highlight the areas you feel I could improve on for next time when I publish Headshot #10. which will be the final headshot article to close much of the practical side of my Facial Expressionism Final Major Project.

Your responses and critique are greatly appreciated.

Alex Smithson

If you want to follow my close friend, Kasra, on Instagram, I have provided his Instagram username here: @Kass.ll7

REGISTER TO VOTE!

If you haven’t yet registered to vote, you have until 11:59 PM tonight to register. This is your only chance to register to vote as this will give you the chance to vote for your choice of government and will also give you the chance to get your voice heard on Thursday 8th June 2017.

Again, if you haven’t already done so, please register to vote before tonight and have your National Insurance Number on hand for when you register to vote.

Hope this helps,

Alex Smithson

Headshot #8 / Facial Expressionism / Final Major Project / Kasra Soltani

As part of my Final Major Project, Headshot #8 follows on Headshot #7, which focused on the subject, Mhamad Rauf, and Headshot #8 focuses on my next subject, which is my close friend, Kasra Soltani.

For these photographs, I wanted to create a different approach to the facial expressions I wanted Kasra to make by getting him to do those facial expressions as to the way he makes those facial expressions naturally.

I experimented, just like with Headshot #6 of Terrence & Leonardo and with Headshot #7 of Mhamad, with the graffiti as a backdrop, as I wanted to photograph Kasra down in the walkway that is just on the right-hand-side outside the rotunda of Croydon College.

All of these headshot photographs build further on all of the research I have done over the course of the Facial Expressionism Final Major Project, and the five photographers I have done research on are Fazal Sheikh, Irving Penn, Thomas Ruff, August Sander & David Bailey.

Below are the headshot photographs I have produced of Kasra, including some Monochrome photographs that I produced after I finished photographing Kasra making the facial expressions I asked him to do for these photographs.

Canon EOS 1200D

Normal (1)

Normal (2)

Thinking (3)

Unhappy (4)

Amused (5)

Surprised (6)

Concentrated (7)

Angry (8)

Excited (9)

Interested (10)

Confused (11)

Furious (12)

Observing Something Whilst Disgusted (13)

Focusing on the Big Picture (14)

WordFoto Edits

Normal (1)

Normal (2)

Thinking (3)

Unhappy (4)

Amused (5)

Surprised (6)

Concentrated (7)

Angry (8)

Excited (9)

Interested (10)

Confused (11)

Furious (12)

Observing Something Whilst Disgusted (13)

Focusing on the Big Picture (14)

Concentrating on What Really Matters, Life (15)

Look Up & Smile (16)

Go With the Flow (17)

Always Be Happy (18)

Concentrate on Being You (19)

Stand Up & Fight for What You Believe In (20)

Let Your Creativity Flow (21)

It’s Good to Laugh (22)

You Have a Graffiti Heart (23)

Oh Yeah! (24)

It’s Good to Be Happy (25)

Carefully Composed (26)

Who is That? (27)

There’s Light at the End of the Tunnel (28)

Always Strive to Be Happy (29)

Just Be Yourself & Never Change (30)

Clarity is All That Matters (31)

You Deserve the Best in Life (32)

Believe in Yourself (33)

Time to Face the Music! (34)

Believe You Can Be the Best! (35)

Get Ready Because Here I Come! (36)

Monochrome (Black & White) / Facial Expressionism Photographs + A Continuation of the First Set of Facial Expressionism Photographs

Normal (1)

Normal (2)

Thinking (3)

Unhappy (4)

Amused (5)

Surprised (6)

Concentrated (7)

Angry (8)

Excited (9)

Interested (10)

Confused (11)

Furious (12)

Observing Something Whilst Disgusted (13)

Focusing on the Big Picture (14)

Concentrating on What Really Matters, Life (15)

Look Up & Smile (16)

Go With the Flow (17)

Always Be Happy (18)

Concentrate on Being You (19)

Stand Up & Fight for What You Believe In (20)

Let Your Creativity Flow (21)

It’s Good to Laugh (22)

You Have a Graffiti Heart (23)

Oh Yeah! (24)

It’s Good to Be Happy (25)

Carefully Composed (26)

Who is That? (27)

There’s Light at the End of the Tunnel (28)

Always Strive to Be Happy (29)

Just Be Yourself & Never Change (30)

Clarity is All That Matters (31)

You Deserve the Best in Life (32)

Believe in Yourself (33)

Time to Face the Music! (34)

Believe You Can Be the Best! (35)

Get Ready Because Here I Come! (36)

I feel that the research I have done over the course of the Facial Expressionism Final Major Project has really informed and developed my photography skills further. I have noticed with these photographs I have taken of Kasra that my photography skills have rapidly improved. Up until I photographed Terrence, Leo, Mhamad & Kasra, I was initially against the idea of photographing outside the college, but I was glad to have experimented further with my photography skills by photographing outside the college. as I have noticed in just the short space of a few weeks that my photography skills are now a lot better.

These photographs I have taken of my close friend, Kasra Soltani, including the edits I have produced can be found in my E-Folio, but stay tuned, as I will be publishing Headshot #9 very soon, in which I have photographed Kasra again, but this time in the photography studio. I can guarantee that the next batch of photographs I have produced for Headshot #9 featuring Kasra will be the best photographs I have produced yet.

I would most certainly love to get your response on these photographs and please let me know if there are any improvements I can make for next time. Your response is greatly appreciated.

Alex Smithson

If you want to follow my close friend, Kasra, on Instagram, I have provided his Instagram username here: @Kass.ll7