The theme for the final exam in photography is ‘Union’..
What is the simple definition of union?
1. : an act or instance of uniting or joining two or more things into one. especially : the formation of a single political unit from two or more separate and individual units.
I am going to start my project based around feminism and girlhood.
What do the terms mean by feminism and girlhood?
Feminism in Photography focuses on challenging gender stereotypes and how women are portrayed.
It includes:
Reclaiming the female gaze, where women are shown from their own perspective, not just as objects for male viewers/pleasure.
Challenging gender roles and depicting women in complex ways rather than just sexually.
Body politics, exploring themes like body image and how we are depicted compared to men.
Famous feminist photographers’; Cindy Sherman, who focuses on issues like identity and self-representation.
Girlhood refers to the period of a girl’s life, focusing on her experiences, development, and social identity as she grows up. It’s not just about biological growth but also the social expectations, challenges, and roles associated with being a girl in society.
The term often explores themes like:
Social conditioning, where societal norms influence how girls are expected to behave, look, and interact.
Gender identity, examining how girls develop their understanding of themselves and their place in the world.
What’s the history behind this concept?
Historically, girlhood was defined by unspoken societal roles, with girls primarily prepared for domestic life as wives and mothers, often with limited education (cooking and cleaning for their husbands and kids, stay at home mums). In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, feminism and the women’s rights movement began challenging these traditional views, advocating for girls’ education and opportunities outside the home, you could even start to think about the suffragists were by they were the ones who fought for women to have the right to vote, pushing back against old-school ideas about what women could and couldn’t do. They made a huge impact, and their efforts set the stage for today’s movements that focus on empowering girls and women, helping them claim their rights, get an education, and have a voice in the world. Here are some images from the suffragists protest.
Feminism is still a big fight in today’s world, with protests and social media being powerful tools for change. A good example of this is the #MeToo movement, where women can share their stories about sexual harassment or assault online. By speaking out, they not only help others who might relate but also inspire more people to come forward and raise awareness about these issues.
I want to create images like these..
These images all show how girls are portrayed and grown, not just by men but by women too. I want to try and challenge these ideas and try put a stop to this as it shouldn’t be seen as the norm anymore and we should be moving forward as a society. This is why I have chosen to girlhood and fermium for my union project as we can all be seen as a group/union and we all need to stick together as one.
Photoshoots
For my photoshoot plan/idea, I am going to start to have a think about these areas. bathroom/bathtub The bath feels like freedom to me, candles, bubbles and relaxing.
Les Quennevais Park: A simpler, more personal place. I imagine shots of a model sitting on a swing, walking barefoot in the grass. These moments feel real—like when we’re alone with our thoughts, reflecting on who we are.
Woods:
This gives the feel of girlhood back in the day, with there camping and swimming in lakes. I want to capture every element I can for my project
The Look & Models: I want the models to feel like themselves—natural and effortless, something that doesn’t feel too forced. I’d love to include different women of various ages, body types, and backgrounds because femininity looks different on everyone, and that’s the beauty of it.
Vibe & Feel: I want the photos to feel like a conversation—gentle but empowering, vulnerable but strong. I’d play with natural light, capturing both quiet, intimate moments and bold, freeing shots. It’s about showing the different sides of being a girl and a woman.
In the end, this project is about connection. Between women, between ourselves, and between our past and present. The locations, the models, the light—all of it should tell a story of unity, growth, and strength.
For these images I went to various different places, such as Corbiere, my garden, garden centre, car park, mine & my friends car and the beach. I took a range of different images and ill upload some before & after.
Here are some of my favourites images that I developed and edited using light room and Photoshop.
Image 1 – Large. For this image I used photoshop and cut out the whole background, made it all pink then went in the rubber to tweak any imperfection’s. G1
Image 2 – Small. For this image I used Lightroom to adjust/ tweak any minor issues with the image. I then changed the image into black and white. G2
Image 3 – Medium. For this image I also used Lightroom and i included HDR for a better/ vibrant approach. G3
Image 4 – Medium. I used Lightroom for this image and tweaked out any imperfections. G3
Image 5 – Small. For this image I used Lightroom to adjust/ tweak any minor issues with the image. I then changed the image into black and white. G2
Image 6 – Medium. For this image I used Lightroom too. G3
Image 7 – Large. For this image I used photoshop and got a background and places it behind the two girls. G1
Image 8 – Medium. For this image I used Lightroom and HDR. G3
Image 9 – Medium. For this image I used photoshop and got a background and places it behind the women. G1
Image 10 – Large. For this image I used photoshop and got a background and places it behind the girls. G1
Image 11 – Small. For this image I used Lightroom to adjust/ tweak any minor issues with the image. I then changed the image into black and white. G2
Here are the tools that I used to create my final images for Lightroom and photoshop.
Juno Calypso is a British photographer and visual artist renowned for her dramatic, sexualised self-portraits that are feminine explorations of loneliness, beauty, and the complexities of human relationships. Her genre combines elements of art, surrealism, and filmmaking, and as such, she is the perfect reference guide for photographers interested in experimenting with staged photographs and edited images, you never actually understand what she is trying to uncover.
Calypso’s photography is identifiable due to her distinctive aesthetic choices and the way she edits her images. Some of the most significant visual elements are:
Pastel and Neon Colour Schemes – Her images often feature pale pinks, greens, and blues, which create a nostalgic atmosphere.
Cinematic Lighting – She is careful with her lighting to enhance mood, often adding soft glows. A lot of her shoots are staged in retro-like environments, such as old hotels, beauty salons, or home situations, adding to the glamorous feel of her photographs.
Themes in Her Photography
Juno Calypso’s work goes beyond the visual, discussing deeper themes with regards to modern womanhood and self-discovery, which is what my project is all about.
Construction of Femininity – Through makeup, wigs, and staged photographs, she investigates how femininity is created and performed in society and she somehow finds a way to relate it all to girlhood just because of her images.
Isolation and Artifice – Her models (often herself disguised) are presented as isolated, artificial figures, raising questions about beauty standards, self-reflection, and personal space. She makes her self look fake, almost giving element’s of hyperreality.
Surrealism and Satire – Her work often has a satirical or eerie undertone that leaves the observer questioning whether they are observing things as they truly appear or why they are the way they are.
Exam start
Union and Connection – While Calypso generally presents individuals isolated, she also examines tension between connection, especially in social or romantic relationships. Her photographs sometimes present the concept of union as she relates many different “strange” you could say perspectives and real life ones too.
Conclusion
Juno Calypso’s photography is a masterclass in marrying substance and beauty. Whether you adore her surreal storytelling, her powerful use of colour, or her contemplative themes, learning from her can be an excellent means of elevating your photographic aesthetic to the next level. Adopting her technique of staging, lighting, and performance can lead you to create powerful and captivating images that make an impact on real life and photography too.
