Steinberg captured people with paper bags over there face, hiding and disguising their identity. On the paper bags there are shapes creating a cartoon style face. When someone looses their identity they tend to hide their emotions with fake ones, the paper bag acts metaphorically to show the fake emotions that a person is likely to present when they loose their identity, which presents the conceptual elements within this photographic series. Technically speaking the models are located in the centre of the frame, allowing them to be the main focus point. The background is used to present the background of the person, the type of people they are. In this case they seem rich due to the posh fireplace and large amount of space surrounding them. The photograph is presented in black and white which allows the image to be high in tonal contrast allowing details to be shown clearer.  Space, tone and texture are the main formal elements which are being presented within this image. They are all presented through the background and the model, which all add the effect of loosing an identity. The camera settings when taking these images where precise, the ISO seems to be slightly high as there seems to be an intended noise, this also contextually shows the time period (1962) that these images were captured in. The shutter speed seems to be quick as there is no intended blur, moreover there is a large depth of field due to the whole frame being in focus. This photograph presents cold artificial lighting, which adds to the depressing and sinister tone which Steinberg is creating around the idea of someone loosing their identity and trying to be someone whom they aren’t. Contextually, Steinberg wanted to show that everyone is society ‘wears a mask’ to hide the true identity, whether it is metaphorically or physically, through makeup. He said that this was because it acted as “a protection against revelation.”. Applying this to loss of identity, it shows how when people loose their identity they try and pretend to be someone they are not, so people do not find out what they are going through. To apply this contextual idea to this image the paper bags are suggesting that because these people are rich they have to act rude and snobby towards others due to the class system.

Based on this artist research I want to conduct a study where I look at capturing my model disguising their identity. In order to present a stronger relationship between the artist and loss of identity, I intended to use plain white masks and plain simplistic background, so no identity is built around the background of the model. Moreover, I intended to use a similar soft cold lighting in order to create a depressing tone to my work. In order for more inspiration with the use of masks and paper bags, to disguise and present the idea that my model has lost their identity and pretending that they are okay, I intended to conduct visual inspiration through a mood board, were further interests surrounding this topic can be presented.

• While exploring further into mask photography, I got a glimpse of the idea of surrealism with masks. Within this I saw a thin white material like a bed sheet around the head of the model, which takes the viewer away from naturalistic photographs. This presents loss of identity as it shows that there is nothing left when you lose your identity, the white sheet presents metaphorically that the person who loses their identity is left with emptiness. This is an aspect which I think could inspire my photoshoot of masks
• Another aspect which present clear ideas is the use of a blank white mask. These masks can be considered eerie and scary, which can present the emotions that a person feels when they loose their identity. Moreover, the mask physically covers the face of the model which shows the loss of their identity.

By conducting this further research of mask photography I have clear ideas and visions that I want to bring forward to my photoshoot which will be inspired by Steinberg’s use of paper bags/masks.

From the stimuli given, I’m going to focus more on the idea of self identity. This will include self portraits and timed frames. This can aid me to explore a person’s ‘mental identity’ because i’m exploring my own. This then can enable me to convey more emotions and ideas due to the model and the photographer being the same mind – it can help convey they correct message. 

The definition of self identity is – ‘the perception or recognition of one’s characteristics as a particular individual, especially in relation to social context’

Self identity is all a collection of beliefs that can physically embody the concept of ‘Who am I?’. This in relation to the stimuli can show the reality of someones thoughts and feelings. 

First Ever Self-Portrait

The first ever self portrait photograph was created by Robert Cornelius. It was created in 1839 , taken only a few months after Louis Daguerre revealed his daguerreotype process in 1839. Cornelius simply ran in front of the camera after taking the cover off the lens, vastly different to today’s technique of snapping away.  

In my first photo shop idea I wanted to show the body of my model disappearing. I decided I wanted to get rid of the body but keep the arms and the head. My model has her head slightly turned showing her nose, this makes it look like she is looking out to the horizon, potentially looking for her identity. Her arms are joined which shows she is trying to keep herself together, due to the disappeared body implies that she is finding it hard to do this. The image is in black and white like Simpson’s work and clearly demonstrates my model loosing her identity. In order to achieve this I cut out my model using the quick selection tool, and placed this layer onto a new A4 white page. I then used the rubber tool in order to rub away the body. I then leveled and desaturated the model layer in order to allow a high contrast in tonal regions. I believe that this edit is successful as it shows the process of the model loosing her identity.

In my second edit I wanted to make it more symbolic, through the use of shapes. In the centre of the image is a black circle, this circle is used to represent the model being swallowed up (her identity being taken away). The color black and white represent a empty void where nothing is, conceptually showing what it is like when you lose your identity. The models legs are sticking out as if she is sitting in this void. This shows that she is so far in (highly depressed) she does not want to come out and talk about, which is usually the best option. Like the other idea no colors have been used in order to prevent a small identity being shown. In order to achieve this idea I created a new A4 page and place a black circle in the center of the page using the ellipsis marquee tool. I the opened up the image I wanted to use and used the quick selection tool to cut out my models legs. I then placed the leg layer on to the A4 document and used the burn and blur tool to blend the legs into the black circle. Using the transformation tool I made the legs smaller, to shows how small loosing your identity can make you feel. I am extremely happy with the outcome of this edit and believe it matches the theme of loss of identity.

Due to the success of my second edit I wanted to use use the black circle again due to meaning and representations it bought to image. I started off by using the quick selection tool to cut out my model, in the bent over position. I then placed the leg layer on to the A4 document and used the burn and blur tool to blend the legs into the black circle. Using the transformation tool I made the legs smaller, to shows how small loosing your identity can make you feel.

In my next idea, I selected the image were someone else was covering the face of the model who has lost their identity. In order to show this person having an Identity, I decided to use the quick selection tool to cut them out. I then turned the background layer black and white by pressing ctrl + U. This created a colour splash, I felt that I could expand this idea. I decided to change the colour of my model to a ‘wild’ colour in order to create a dramatic contrast. I did this by pressing ctrl + u and altered the hue slider. This contrast I feel clearly portrays someone with identity to someone who has lost their identity. The model who has lost their identity can be seen in the background as a blur, which shows that she is a minor and does not want to be seen by others, thus it helps to create a powerful image.

Due to the success of the idea above I decided to follow the same steps but with the image above. Having the hand of someone else covering the models face shows how she is not important and should not be looked at, also presenting what it is like to have lost an identity.

In my final idea I wanted to showcase this natural double exposure. The image was taken through a window, so you are able to see the model and the background being reflected by the mirror. In order to show this I adjusted the levels and curves in order to allow both the model and the scenery to clearly be visible. I turned down the saturation of the image as well to create a dark and depressing mood to the image. I created this to show a before and present image. The scenery is what life was like before the model lost their identity and the model herself is seen looking the other way showing that her life is nothing like this anymore.

I am very happy with all my outcomes from this photoshoot as I believe they all showcase what life is like when you loose your own identity. I believe that these outcomes could lead to successful final pieces.

This photo shoot is inspired by the artist Lorna Simpson, who captured the model without including their face. I believe that this is a good idea when trying to capture someone loss of their identity.

Planning

I will conduct this photo shoot in a variety of settings, from outdoors to indoors in enclosed areas. In these multiple locations I tend to have a plain background which means setting will not ruin the idea of having no identity. My camera settings will be kept normal, however I may experiment with changing the ISO to make the images darker, which also helps to show the dark and depressing side loosing identity has. Moreover, I am going to look at experimenting with the shutter speed in order to create and intended blur, to convey that maybe loosing an Identity leaves your life in a blur, making those images metaphorical. I will be using different props such as people, pillows, windows etc in order to block the face of my model allowing the sense of loss of identity to be shown.

Contact Sheet

I am very happy with the images I managed to take out of this photoshoot as it has provided me with inspiration in the editing stage. However, I found it hard to capture images without repeating the image before, resulting in less images. Knowing this fact it will help inspire my next photoshoot.