3D mask and anthropomorphic photography.

For my photography workshop outcome I decided to create a 3D wire and paper mask worked from my own observational drawings. I decided to make a rabbit mask.
To create my mask I first created a wire structure frame using thin aluminium wire and pliers to construct and bend the wire. I first created a basic face shame and built up the cheek structure of the rabbit to give a realistic impression of the rabbits face. I then create the rabbits ears using slightly thicker wire to make them more sturdy. I found this process very time consuming as the ears were difficult to secure in place to ensure they would not flop or move. The weight of the ears caused them to droop slightly so a wire support was needed to secure them to the face.

After I had finished constructing the wire rabbit mask I then used thin tissue tracing paper with a similar consistency to tissue paper to cover the mask. I decided to use off white paper as I felt it would give an eerie and transparent look to the mask. I used watered down pva glue to stitch the paper to the wire frame working up in layers to give an impression of the rabbits contours.
Once dry I then fastened thick yarn to the mask for a support allowing it to sit comfortably on the head. I then placed this on my models head and began to use the mask in my photography.
I used a flat lighting set up with a dark background in my photography. I then asked my model to do unusual poses that I felt would suit my theme. I also got her to do some rabbit style poses to add to the anthropomorphic look. I placed my models hair over the yarn I used to secure the mask to head to hide the yarn as best I could.

After I had finished taking my photographs I then edited the photos using photoshop to darken the background and lighten the subject and mask itself. I used curves and levels to lighten the highlights and darken the shadows. I also used the cloning tool to clone the hair over the remaining yarn that was showing to make the mask appear as though it was suspended on the face without support.
I created a series of these photographs in different poses to explore the way the might effected the showdowns of the mask.