Experimental Series
Oakland's College, I have worked with on multiple projects- from their hair and makeup department to their music department. I decided for mental health awareness week, I would talk to some of the students and create a series inspired by feelings, their realities and their depictions of reality itself. Topics such as anxiety and the feeling of being trapped or confused by gender and sexual orientation stood out more than anything. Following some really insightful conversations with different students, a few volunteered themselves for a shoot.
While carrying out each shoot, I avoided making many directions and instead asked my models to describe how they were feeling and move accordingly. I then used their movement to respond to with my lighting and camera controls.
On looking at the photos I had produced, I used Adobe Photoshop and After Effects to digitally manipulate my photos. Again, taking inspiration from my models' dialogue, I wanted to represent their feelings visually through my work.
Jayden ( the first model) struggled especially with sexuality and gender norms. When I met Jayden, she was contemplating a male gender transition. Katie (the second model) is vocal about the effects of anxiety and depression on young females aswell as the effects coming out as bisexual can have on the older generations around a person who no longer associates with the conformity of a traditional society.
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The Hooded Photographer
- Photography