top of page
UNIT 2 - IDENTITY
Artist analysis
Elena Kulikova is a San Francisco based artist whose photography career started in Amsterdam. Her photographs mainly focus on the use of double exposure and the repetition of multi-layering in order to represent an process of infinity. Furthermore, she explores the idea of light leaks and the idea of bringing tow scenes together to create an unique and creative affect on the result of her overall work. Most of her work consists of abstract images of the human body which is then edited in an sensual, vibrant and explosive result which will then expand an deeper meaning towards her art. The setting within her photographs, is an simplistic, white background for the majority of her double exposures however some of her photographs are set in an bathtub with a mixture of colours using a bath bomb which dissolves and intercepts with the other colours used within the setting.
The main lighting used within her work, is high key in order for a more clean and precise affect when using double exposure and multi-layering. In addition, her photographs also have an vibrant and colourful tone of different bright colours which contrast well with eachother in order for an fun and creative outlook. She does this by layering different colours as well as using the hue and saturation levels when editing. The angle within her frame is be eye-level and straight-forward in order for a clear and precise capture towards the focal point of the subject. Elena Kulikova has done this in order to mainly ensure that her demonstration towards the subject is fixated on the use of vibrant colours and the double exposure within the frame so others can ensure that it shifts and grabs their perspective on what Elena Kulikova intention of showing.
Elena Kulikova's technique within her angles is to represent the contrast between the colours and the person for an creative, unique affect on her overall photographs. She does this in order to create an focused, highlighted way which shows she is attempting to intrigue one's perspective on only the focal point which is demonstrated as colorful and bold for an overall eye-catching view. She places the subject of the photo in the center of her frame and then ensures the vibrant colours are mainly mixed in the focal point of her double exposures to create an abstract, shifted look on her work. Having the colours and the high-key lighting contrasted, aligns with the tone perfectly for a bold representation within the frame.
When she edits her photographs, she ensures the tone of her work is vibrant and bright so that when she edits it can easily mix well. In some of her photos, she does double exposure meaning she mas the main subject in different positions to then mix along with the colours too. Furthermore, most of her work actually consists of the main subject being twisted and stretched out as well an glitchy affect mixed along in order to create an surreal, strange impact on the overall outlook on her ideas and work. Elena Kulikova clearly has the intention to capture the essence of the mix and contrast towards colours to then apply to the main subject. She then stretches her photographs in an peculiar, unusual formation. Furthermore, Elena Kulikova has also clearly structured her work in a way where she has aimed to provoke a specific reaction of people to be intrigued and identify the representation of how abstract and ominous her work is. Overall, her work has mainly been ensured to be portrayed in a way the colours and the abstract editing all correlates into the fixation of the focal point/subject.
Photoshoot plan
Contact sheet
In my contact sheet, I have demonstrated the photos that I will edit and display in my further developments. Furthermore, these photographs were the most successful due to the fact they are in the right lighting, angle and is in a focused and clean perspective. The lighting I have used within my photographs is high-key as well as using an white background to ensure that in my developments will contrast well withthe . The angles in each photo is varied in different ways in order to capture all aspects of the subject. For example, when looking at the photos displayed, you can tell I have partially zoomed into her face, focused on one side of her face and I have also simply used an straight-forward, eye-level angle to capture everything within the frame for a clean, precise affect to have an positive impact on my overall work.
Developments
exploring glitch art -
Colour experiments
In my developments above, I have decided to explore glitch art by experimenting with a variety of vibrant colours similarly to what Elena Kulikova has done for her work. Furthermore, I have done this by playing around with the hue and saturation and then editing my photographs in double exposure for an illusionary affect. Furthermore, I have used the saturation level and increased it to create a colourful background to contrast with the exposure as this will result in the colours aligning perfectly with the blur and the added on exposure to create an abstract, surreal outcome. My overall plan and idea of creating a unique photoshoot laid out, has successfully worked into place as I have clearly set my photoshoot in an similar style as how Elena Kulikova has by having an simplistic background in order for the saturation and hue levels to look bold .
Exploring black and white imagery
In my developments, I have demonstrated multiple edits exploring the style of Elena Kulikova. In the first few photos, I have explored with double exposure and motion blur to create an unique and intricate affect similar to Kulikova's work.
In my second photograph, I have attempted to create an triple layer of double exposure added on with the intention to create a strange affect as to having multiple faces spiraling on one another is ominously peculiar. My overall plan and idea of creating a unique photoshoot laid out, has successfully worked into place as I have clearly set my photoshoot in an simplistic background as how Elena Kulikova has. Furthermore, I have succeeded in achieving creating my own developments by obtaining and including my own unique perspective so my overall outcome of my work would have my own twist to it in order for an creative affect for a new outcome and look on how I have attempted to recreate her style. In some photographs, I have drew with the burn tool to darken some of the black tones within.
Further developments-experimenting with gradient
In my photographs above, I have experimented with gradient by flipping the original photo and ensuring both photos are an bold, solid colour which compliment eachother well. The lighting within these photos are contrasted with two colours that align nicely with each other. My overall challenge is to ensure both photos contrast well with each other for an intricate, bold affect on my work. Furthermore, I have made sure both colours are stood out in an way where it is represented as sharp and clean. However, each photograph, must have an clean and precise look aswell.
Process log
During the process of editing, I have decided to experiment with mirroring and blending an overlay of a multicolour gradient to then blend and flatten. Furthermore, this technique has contrasted well with the photo hence why the mix of the colour of turquoise and dark blue, align perfectly in tone with eachother. After this, I have duplicated the photograph and created an double exposure on top of the original photograph to then flip it upside down to create an abstract, surreal affect on my photo.
I have flipped it upside down in order for the colours to be represented in more a solid, precise clean tone as well as obtaining an unique and peculiar perspective and style similarly to Elena Kulikova. The colours that I have chosen for each of my developments compliment eachother well.
Redraft photoshoot-contact sheet II
In my contact sheet, I have selected the most successful photographs which will be edited for my further developments. Some of the photos displayed, are long exposure in order to capture an peculiar perspective within the frame which can create an illusionary affect. Furthermore, each of these photos are taken with an pink, vibrant background similarly to Elena Kulikova's setting.
Developments
exploring glitch art -
Colour experiments
In my developments above, I have demonstrated more advanced photos of double exposure and I have ensured to create the result of my photographs as peculiar and intricate as possible. In this shoot, I have used a pink, vibrant background by applying four sheets of pink against a wall. I have done this as Elena Kulikova uses vibrant, colourful backgrounds to create an fun, creative affect on the result of her work. Furthermore, the more movement within the photograph, the more of the outcome being strange and blurred for an ominous and mysterious look. As well as this, I have ensured the lighting is bright and natural for a fresh, clean look on my work as well as precision. The angle within these photos are eye-level and straight-forward in order to capture everything in the frame, including the double exposure.
I have edited each photo in a different, vibrant colour similarly to Elena Kulikova's work by experimenting with the hue option to then selecting between a various amount of colours for an vibrant and creative affect. Furthermore, for some of my developments, I have decided to double exposure them by duplicating the photograph to then layering it on top of the original photo to then blend it with the option 'multiply.' I have done this as the majority of Kulikova's work is double exposed with multiple layering for an abstract and intricate affect. As well as this, I have added a small amount of motion blur within the frames in order to highlight the main focal point of the subject as well as highlighting the affect of double exposure edited within.
Developments
exploring gradient
In my developments above, i have decided to explore gradient and an variety of different colours that compliment each other well. For example, blue and pink both align with each other nicely as well as the colours within the frame has smoothly intercept/mix from one colour at the top to then mixing into another colour with the same tone. I have done this in order to demonstrate an creative, colourful perspective on my work similarly to Elena Kulikova as she experiments with a variety of bright colours within a frame which compliment each other well
Further developments- Exploring with mirroring
In my developments above, I have mirrored my photographs in order to create an unique yet intricate look towards my photographs. I have switched my photographs to more a vibrant, light colour range similarly to Elena Kulikova's color scheme she has throughout her work produced. I have done this in order to demonstrate my ability to create an illusionary yet vibrant experimentation within my editing. This will create an creative, abstract look on these set of developments produced.
Highlighting success
This development that I have created experimenting with gradient is my most successful due to the fact it is my most abstract and unique photograph that includes a gradient of vibrant colours such as tones of orange, red and yellow. This photograph is an example of long exposure meaning the gradient added is an emphasis towards how illusionary and creative the photo taken is.
Further developments III- Exploring glitch art
I have decided to do a new photoshoot as I was inspired by the glitch, distorted art portrayed through the photographs of the eye. In my developments, I have made an attempt to create an glitchy, illusionary outcome by stretching out the eye and adding a glitchy affect for an ominous perspective. Furthermore, I have attempted to mirror and duplicate the eye in order for a similar abstract outcome like Elena Kulikova's work. When editing these developments, I have decided to use similar colours to Elena Kulikova's by using bright, colourful colours that align nicely with eachother. This will have an vibrant and creative affect towards the outcome.
Highlighting my success
I have decided to create a new set of developments mainly focusing on the perspective of the eye. I believe this is my most successful development from this shoot due to the fact it is the closest to Elena Kulikova's style of editing. I have done this by adding a glitchy affect as well as mirroring the photograph for an illusionary affect similarly to Elena Kulikova's photographs of the eyes distorted. She mainly uses glitch editing in the majority of the photographs.
bottom of page