Angry Feminist – Presenting

Here are my two final contrasting images displaying the stereotype of the angry new wave feminist that I supposedly conform to. The image on the right was inspired by the topless protests of the radical feminist group FEMEN and was intended to depict a snapshot of a similar protest. I selected the words “my body my choice”  to paint onto my torso because I felt that it was a slight nod to the shock factor associated with the nudity of the original FEMEN protests. I decided to use the blue backdrop for this image because of the masculine connotations of the colour blue, this side of the stereotype goes against what most people would consider to be “lady-like” as exposing your breast in public is not socially acceptable in western culture. I feel that the image captures a sense of anger, desperation, power and beauty.

The image on the left depicts a more socially acceptable side of the stereotype. A white, middle class female student who has read a few books on feminism and feels the need to lecture anyone who conform or reinforce gender stereotypes or denies the existence of the wage gap. I created a sense of self importance by the disapproving expression and the casual inclusion of a coffee cup as a prop to give a more “young student” vibe. I decided to a pink backdrop for this image to contrast the one on the left with the blue background. Pink also has feminine connotations and this side of the stereotype is certainly more social acceptable and “lady-like” than the previous.

Reflection shoot outcomes

In my previous shoots exploring performance and mirrors I used myself as the subject . These images however are selected from a series of shoots I did with my sister as the model.  I think this idea could be interesting to explore further in reference to artists such as Claude Cahun and the creative collaboration with her half sister. I found these shoots easier than using myself because I was able to focus more on composing the shots especially when using the mirror because It was difficult to position  myself and the camera in order to get the reflections and angles that I wanted as well as ensuring everything was in focus. In some images I considered previous studies I have done with my sister based around classical painting and pre-raphaelite compositions. I also experimented with using a mirror on its own to reveal different sections of environments and I also photographed my sister alone interacting with the landscape for example blending in with the trees. I employed similar basic editing techniques such as cropping, black and white, colour correction and vignetting when adjusting this set of edits.



 

Jack Goes Outside

// J A C K PART 2 //

The second shoot with Jack was the external environment which was selected by the model, Jack. I asked each participant three questions before I planned out the shoots which are shown below.

Where is home for you? Why is this place home? Are your family there? Do you feel safe here? What is it that makes this particular place home?

Home is wherever my family is and a place that I feel comfortable. It normally tales me a while to settle in somewhere, but I always have family and friends and try to stay positive and surround myself with positive people. Anywhere can be home as long as I’m happy. 

What makes Jersey important to you? Do you have good memories here?

Jersey is the place I have grown up, it will always he special to me. It hasn’t always been easy, but then again it isn’t going to be easy anywhere. I have made so many amazing friends and happy memories here. I’ll never forget this lil rock and the awesome times I’ve shared here with my friends and the little adventures I took to find quiet places to relax and unwind. 

Where in Jersey holds the best memories for you? Why is it positive for you?

My favourite place is actually a newly discovered area. It was previously the top of the hill in St. Brelades (just beyond the wayside cafè). My mum took me up to Val de la mar reservoir and I immediately fell in love with it. There are so many paths and unique plant life in the separate areas. Parts I like most are the Australian and Japanese sections. But my absolute favourite part is just above the Japanese section where there is an incredible view over the reservoir and St. Ouen’s bay.

With this response from Jack to work with, we went up to explore around the area and shoot in each of the places previously mentioned. Below is a small selection from the session.

The images above are from the walk we took and show a more varied selection of photos facing different angles with changeable lighting. Below are a selection of images which might be suitable for the final picture of this project section. The portraits are stylized and feature people looking at a particular landscape from the back. details on the body are limited – so no facial features are visible – and there is a much higher emphasis on the area itself. Contrasting this with the inside portraits which feature characters looking strait on, there is a bigger focus on the environment rather than the person here.


J A C K 

The two images I have ultimately selected for this project share a continued line of similarity across their compositions and photographic structure. The first from the home shoot is exactly what I was looking for. A blank expression that shows the figure in their home environment around the things they have grown up with. For many of my models they are still in rooms which they have had since they were very young which is visible in the images. There is something surreal about the contrast between the figure and the backdrop. It is more than typical to surround yourself – and in particular your room – with things that mean the most to you. In a way these portraits are reflective not only in the character shown but also in their room which is ultimately a self portrait of their attitude and emotions.

The internal shoot produced this outcome below which shows the character, Jack, sat in his bedroom at his mum’s house. There is a lot happening in the image so to highlight the central figure I adjusted – mainly through trial and error – the lighting and curtains in order to alter the natural highlights produced across  the face. The duvet and blankets mirror several of the colours featured in the background a