4. Dan Mountford

Dan Mountford

Dan Mountford is a photographer and graphic designer based in Brighton. He is most famously known for his 'in camera' double exposure photography.

In camera double exposure means that all of his photos were not overlayed in photoshop but rather in the camera. He then edited the colours on photoshop but the initial overlaying is all done on his camera. In order to do this he will have set his camera to "multiple exposure" and then taken the first shot as a silhouette of the model (animal or human) and the settings his camera would be on are something along the lines of Exposure 1/1000, Aperture F/1.8 and ISO 100 then for his second shot which is of whatever he wanted to fill his photos with would have been taken with the settings of Exposure 1/320, Aperture F/8 and ISO 100

I think that this photograph is a very striking image as the expression of the lion and the contrast of the butterflies are exquisite. I think that the composition of the photograph is intriguing and the photograph as a whole is very powerful. Dan Mountford's double exposure in this photograph has been done really well as with this photograph he has to do the photograph of the lion and then the photograph of the butterflies straight after the other so there is no room to make a mistake. He has carefully considered his composition of his photographs thinking about how they would look once they have been overlaid in his camera on the multiple exposure setting. He has captured the Lions head in perfect timing capturing the lions mouth open, this can indicate the strength of the lion and the power he has being the "king of the jungle" this then contrasts with the butterflies which are very delicate creatures. I do however think the photograph would have been more powerful if the Lion's eyesight was directed straight at the camera.

I think that this photograph is fascinating as it's so intricate and complicated yet so simple and confined. I think that the silhouette of the girl is interesting as it captures no emotion and yet says so much about her. I think all the creativity that is happening in the space of her head is fascinating and really concise. I think that one of the main things I like about Dan Mountford's photography is that he combines his passions and he is passionate about photography and graphics and so I think it's really powerful and beautiful that he has incorporated his graphics into this photograph after he has uploaded and edited his photograph. The composition of the photograph is rewarding as it explores one side of a persons face, outlining her outer features. the contrast between the dark hair and pale face of the girl creates a stable basis for the double exposure allowing the building and trees to be seen in the photograph and yet not distance the photograph from the human reality of the silhouette. The lack of colour in this photograph makes the photograph more identifiable and bold as if the photograph were in colour the whole photograph would become very busy and distracting. The graphics side to the photograph brings a new light to it helping draw the audience of the photograph back into the reality that the outline of the photograph is the side on portrait of a girl. I think from an interpretative perspective the lack of eye captured in this photograph is very fitting as it creates a strong back story of imagination and intricate thoughts. This idea mitigated by the lack of eye shows how beautiful it can be to follow your imagination and not everything seen right in front of you.

This photograph is very powerful. The side on portraiture is really interesting as when you first look  at the photograph our eyes draw around this silhouette and then the building. It is very interesting how the eye moves around the photograph exploring all aspects. I think the colour of this photograph is really accurate as it gives the image a warm and pleasant feel as the inside of the models head is very creative and adventurous which in other colouring and lighting could be interpreted as setting a different mood making him look trapped in his mind or thoughts. The presence of subtle colours creates a warm and comforting feeling. The composition of the photograph with the silhouette central is important visually as it sits well in the space. The buildings featured in the photograph create a sense of limitlessness as they are rising. I think that the trees situated on the right hand side of the silhouette are a vital aspect of the photograph as they develop the contrast drawing your eye towards the branches. This from an interpretive perspective makes the audience appreciate the limitless opportunities that arise from imagination and where your imagination leads you. This photograph takes the audience on a journey. Personally when I look at this photograph I see the bottom of the photograph first as it is where it is most dark, then my eye catches the creamy colours at the bottom of the building and my eyes rise to the top of the building following the outline. I am then drawn to the leaves and the trees steaming out from the models facial features, I can then follow the outline of the model from the top of his head/hair down to his nose, his mouth, his chin. Then down his neck, around his clothing, across the bottom and then up round the back. However rather than my eye immediately deciding to add up that the outline should join back when it started, I can accept that instead my eye draws around the outline of the building and then the trees and then back round to the top of the head and around his face again. I think that that is a complex and yet successful way for my eye to be drawn to the photograph.

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