Visual Inspiration
I will be specifically attempting to replicate the technique used in this photo. Honaker talks little about how he achieves his results so I will have to attempt it using my own knowledge of photo manipulation software like photoshop.
Concept
I have decided to try to replicate an un-named piece from Edward Honarker's series on depression. To do this I will need to take a somewhat somber looking scene, with no or little background detail.
My shoot will be multiple close ups of the subject's head, to try to replicate Honaker's style.
Timings
I will take all of my images at the same time of day as I wish to maintain the dim lighting of the afternoon sun, rather than an incredibly light photo at mid day or a very dark photo at night.
A rough estimate of the time will be 4:30 - 5:30
Details
I will be using my friend Jonas as a model. He is a fellow photographer and would be able to infrom and aid in my work. As a friend it means he is also more easily contactable for me which will make finding a model substantially easier.
I will have him wear his normal clothes as the image is supposed to be of an arban youth struggling with depresion. I will also not have to focus on facial expressio nas the technique I hope to perform will obscure the majority of the face.
I will alter my image using photoshop, specifically the liquify tool as I feel that this would be the best way to replicate Honaker's technique.
Results
 1) ISO: 1600 Tv : 1/60 Av: 18 (Identical for all except 5 which I accidentally changed slightly) |  2) |  3) |
|---|---|---|
 4) |  5) ISO :1600 Tv : 1/60 Av : 22 |  6) |
7) |
I used a dull, concrete wall as a backdrop as it is a common setting in an urban area.
I took similar photos in slightly different poses so as to have a wide selection for later use, so that I may determine which are most suitable later.
I feel that my most successful images were 1, 3 and 4. I will not be using images 6 and 7 as I had not factored my model's chocie of attire into consideration for my image. The somewhat comical doughnut on his shirt is clearly visible and somewhat negates from the serious take on the image, and would be more suitable if the subject was supposed to show child-like innocence.
My images did vary in pose and have provided a wide bank to select from when making the final image. However, the poses are all rather similar, so this may be a possible flaw in this photo shoot.
Digital manipulation
Looking at this image I decided to use the liquify filter on photoshop,as it can create similar swirling effects on images. I decided that this way would be a simple way to execute my desired effect. An example of this tool in use is below.
I settled on this image as the tone position, though slightly different to the one in Honaker's one, was rather effective at showing a typical urban youth. Not aiming, in a rather formal position, directly at the camera, as the man in the suit does (likely due to the formality and professionalism associated with a traditional suit), but rather hunched over slightly looking somewhat apathetic to the situation.
I realised that my image was clearly different in some way, as when I tried to liquify it the colours all merged in an odd way and made the effect less professional or 'polished' looking. I then realised it was as I had used a colour photo, meaning the different colours from the lips, hair and skin all merged, such as ther merging of colours in the example aboved. Therefore I used the black and white colour filter in photoshop.
I then used the liquify tool to try to create the swirled effect in Honaker's piece. It took me multiple attempts to create the effect in a manor that I felt demonstrated my theme clearly and resembled that of Honaker. The direction of the swirls and clear direction in Honaker's was very hard to replicate and required more effort than I had originally percieved. I am pleased however with my final result. Although the direction of the swirls is less clear, the identity has clearly been worn away in the image , with the head still clearly there, but distorted just enough to remove any notion of identity.
Final Result:
This image is supposed to represent the stripping away of identity. This is rperesented by the swirling of all the features into a singular mass that seems to be almost moving, with the face looking almost liquified. The image is in black and white as colour is not the focus of this image. The lack of colour also creates a more somber mood, making it clear that this image is not intended to have a joyful tone.