Image Selection For Photoshoot N01

As you can see above I pressed P to keep the images I wanted to use for my final photos. I used X to get rid of the images I didn’t wanted to use for the future. Then I gave a rating for the images, they all had a rating out of 5.The images with 4 and 5 stars are the images I wanted to use for my final photos. The photos I didn’t like I rated 1-3 stars. Finally I gave them the colour yellow or green, green being the best and yellow being average. Red was for the photos that didn’t work out. I will edit the images so I will present final photos.

Photos I Didn’t Like From Photoshoot N01

Photo N01

I didn’t like this photo due to not having a neutral facial expression, this feature ruined the photo and hasn’t really replicated Clare Rae’s environment and it wasn’t taken with the right pose. This pose has ruined the real meaning of the photo and doesn’t replicate what Clare Rae took. This is a facial expression that Clare Rae wouldn’t use in her photos, so it will ruin the photo.

Photo N02

I also didn’t like this photo due to the subject not being positioned properly in the middle and the rule of thirds wasn’t used to scale this photo.

Another reason why I don’t like this photo is due to lots of negative space. In Clare Rae’s photos she doesn’t really show negative space. This is only present in some photos, she has taken. Instead Clare Rae does close up shots from different angles.

Also in the background where the trees are they are overexposed, which means means there was to much light in the photo and Clare Rae doesn’t use this in her photos. By the image being overexposed it will limit the detail that is present in the photo and will reduce any opportunity for shadowing or any noticeable highlights in the image. It give the image a very poor quality.

Photo N03

I didn’t like this photo due to the angle. This photo wasn’t framed correctly so a good photo wasn’t executed. In Clare Rae’s photos her framing is taken on a tripod which will allow no movement the camera will the photo is being taken. Also Rae’s photos where taken with a straight-on angle. By having the photo at this angle means that some of the photo is cut out and gets rid of the important features that are present.

Also this image is overexposed as well. Overexposure is where there is too much lighting hitting the film or ,in a digital camera or a sensor. Overexposed photos are too bright, have very little detail in their highlights, and appear washed out and have lots of blurriness present. It would also give the image a very poor quality.

Image Selection For Photoshoot N02

The photos flagged or selected green is what I’m to develop and use as my final photos. I chose these because they have the perfect lighting and are a perfect replication of Clare Rae’s photos. The photos coloured red or yellow are ones I’m not going to use due to blurriness and to much sunlight, due to being too sunny.

Photos I Didn’t Like

Photo N01

I didn’t like this image due to being very overexposed in the top half of the image. Overexposure is where there is too much lighting hitting the film or ,in a digital camera or a sensor. Overexposed photos are too bright, have very little detail in their highlights, and appear washed out and have lots of blurriness present. It also give the image a poor quality.

There are also too much shadows in this image. In the image Rae did I only spotted one shadow in the image. shadows draw attention to a particular part of the image. This isn’t need in this photo due to the only part needing attention is the subject and the way its positioned.

Photo N02

Another reason why I didn’t like this photo is due to the blurriness. Even though the ISO was set at 100, the camera might of been on Auto Focus which will automatically adjust what’s happening of the camera. Clare Rae’s photo didn’t include blurriness which makes the photo more clear to see.

I didn’t like this photo due to the extra artificial light in this photo. This is why it has an overexposed quality in the background behind the Faldouet Dolmen (La Pouquelaye de Faldouet). By the photo being over exposed it means that the photo is too bright, has very little detail and the image will come out looking faded and of a poor quality.

Photo N03

I didn’t like this image because of the angle. This photo wasn’t framed correctly so a good photo wasn’t executed. In Clare Rae’s photos her framing is taken on a tripod which will allow no movement the camera will the photo is being taken. Also Rae’s photos where taken with a straight-on angle. By having the photo at this angle means that some of the photo is cut out and gets rid of the important features that are present.

I also didn’t like the subjects position due to the hand not being directly placed on the rock. This doesn’t replicate Clare Rae’s Image. By the hand not being on the rock it ruins the final image and it will become a failed photo.

Also Rae’s image has lots of negative space where as mine doesn’t, which means I haven’t scaled the photo correctly while taken it.

 This is Idea 1

I like this image because it makes an upside down dolmen.

This is Idea 2

I like this idea because in the middle of the image this is where the top and the bottom of the rocks meet. This creates a pattern in both of the images.

This is how I want to present my final photos.

Virtual Gallery Presentation

I have presented these images like this with the same frames so they all look neat and tidy and these photos go together as well.

Portraits Final Images Presented

Best Images From Creative Portraits

I like these photos because they all have a unique feature about them and they are all in proportion.

Best Images From Studio Portraits

I like images because they have no negative space and they aren’t blurry.

Best Images From Environmental Portraits

I like these photos because they represent two different sports in the outside environment. Both images look very nice next to each other.

Virtual Gallery for Environmental Portraits, Creative and Studio Portraits.

Identity refers to the sense of who humans are as individuals and as members of social groups. It also refers to the sense of how others may perceive and label themselves. Femininity is a set of attributes, behaviours and roles generally associated with women and girls. Femininity can be understood as socially constructed and there is also evidence that behaviours considered feminine are influenced by cultural factors. Masculinity is a concept that encompasses a range of behaviours, traits, roles and cultural meanings traditionally associated with being male. The term has evolved significantly over time from societal expectations, cultural narratives and individual identities. Identity can be shaped by the interplay between place and upbringing, influencing factors such as gender, culture, society, geography and politics. Gender identity can be shaped by societal norms while cultural identity often stems from geographical origins which may be disrupted by migration or displacement. Social identity emerges through community belonging but can be complicated by stereotypes or prejudices. A lack or loss of identity may result from alienation, creating disconnection from one‘s roots. Ultimately, identity is fluid, evolving through the dynamic interaction of personal experiences and external influences.

Claude Cahun

Claude Cahun was a French writer, photographer, surrealist and performance artist who was born of the name Lucy Renee Mathilde Schwob. Cahun employed a subversive avant-garde art practice as a form of resistance to the Nazis while also exploring the combined issues of gender, sexuality and power. She created antinationalist leaflets that mocked Nazi ideology and distributed them throughout Jersey, leaving them in strategic places. To present her views further, she created a series of photographs and photo montages that challenged traditional ideas of gender, sexuality and identity. In her self portraits she dresses as a man, a woman and a genderless figure; blurring the boundaries between gender and challenging the viewer’s assumptions about identity. Cahun’s connection to Jersey stemmed from many childhood holidays where she stayed on the island.

Visual

This photograph is of Claude Cahun herself. She is posed sat down with her legs crossed to one side while staring directly at the camera. She is wearing a short skirt with leggings underneath that have hearts drawn on them. Her long sleeved top also has writing on it saying ‘I AM TRAINING DONT KISS ME’ with two black dots either side. She has bold and stylistic makeup on her face with her hair slicked into a split style. She is also holding dumbbells with the words ‘TOTOR’ and ‘POPOL’ on them.

Technical

I believe that this photograph uses artificial lighting in order to darken the background and make the subject stand out. The background is in soft focus as the photo seems to be taken with a wide aperture. The photo has been taken at eye level in order to connect the subject and the viewer. Taken at a three quarter body shot, the costuming of the model is able to be seen which is important to convey Cahun’s artist goal.

Contextual

In the 1920’s, women were expected to take more compliant roles; prioritising raising children and providing emotional support for their husbands. However, later on, these demands became less and less compatible with women as they began learning to value their individuality above the needs of others.

Conceptual

Cahun used her work to showcase gender neutrality and to often undermine the traditional concepts of static gender roles. I believe the message on her top presents this idea by implying that she prioritises independence and education over taking a passive role. The use of the two dumbbells could symbolise her multiple and split personalities as she takes on alter egos within her art. The dumbbells are also in juxtaposition with the femininity presented as contrasts seem to be a common theme in her work.

Photoshoot Mind Map and Mood Board

Inge Morath and Saul Steinberg

Inge Morath, who lived during 1923 to 2002, was a well known Austrian photographer who worked with many top celebrities. She collaborated with artist Saul Steinberg to create a collection of photographs they called ‘The Mask Series’. Between 1959 and 1962, Steinberg produced paper masks with an array of social species which were made famous through the photographs taken by Morath of Steinberg and his friends wearing the masks in various settings. He began with the making of masks based on the human face but this idea developed and eventually turned to the masks of other personas. The idea of disguise and masquerade is central to Steinberg’s art. He believed that in the world, everyone wears a mask, whether real or metaphorical and that people invent personas through facial expression and makeup with these facades becoming who they are. The pair produced hundreds of these photographs from glamorous to eerie and disconnected. Steinberg was always regarded to be a true artistic man who was always crossing the boundaries of art by exploring new abstract and uncharted visual territory.

My Inspired Photoshoot

Before I started on taking my photographs, I created three differently shaped and designed masks out of paper. Replicating Saul Steinberg’s work, I focused on building multiple personas and characters within the masks through use of expression. I selected three of my friends, as Steinberg does, to wear the masks in order to further resonate this project to myself. I directed them to pose in various positions and stances, some being naturalistic with others more stylistic, and focused on how their body language worked in sync with each other and their masks. I decided to take these photographs in my living room due to Inge Morath’s photos usually taking place in a similar setting. The use of the intimate background makes this photography concept feel more genuine while also creating a contrast between the mundane environment and the abstract masks. I let my friends wear casual clothing and any accessories that they liked in order to allow them to add their own flare and individuality to the shoot and their character; this is something seen in Morath’s photos also. From observation, I followed similar technical aspects which I found in ‘The Mask Series’. I took my photos with a relatively small aperture in order to have the background in a soft focus but not on the same plane as the models in attempt to not take away too much from the focal point. I also used an ISO setting which had high sensitivity to add slight visual noise and grain to my photographs. Due to using natural lighting in order to achieve my artistic goal, the lighting was unpredictable and I had a lack of control over it. In result of this, the white balance within the photos on my contact sheet is different throughout with some pictures being warmer toned and others being colder toned. Although this would be an issue for me if my goal was to create a typology with the raw photos, I planned to fix this in my edits anyway when making my pictures black and white and more similar to my reference so this was not something that affected the project and was worth it in order for me to achieve the overall aesthetic I wanted.

Best Images with Edits

Studio Photos

Inspired by Giacomo Favilla’s work where animal origami paper masks are displayed over the faces of the photograph’s sitter, I took similar photos in the studio with my models sat a stool against a black background. Following my idea of disguise and masks from my previous work, I created origami pieces of two opposing animals; a dog and a cat. I wanted to add in another layer of juxtaposition through this concept with this ‘black cat’ and ‘golden retriever’ trope. I portrayed this further by having the model which I planned to have as the cat wearing dark toned clothing and sitting in a more typically feminine way. On the other hand, the model for the dog is more slouched while wearing lighter clothes. The ‘cat’ vs ‘dog’ binary opposition also ties in nicely with the ideas and stereotypes surrounding femininity and masculinity. I took two collections of photos, ones of the models and ones of the paper, and in photoshop layered them over one another to be able to achieve a precise and carefully arranged composition. When taking my photographs, I had central lighting from a ring light in order to have control on what I wanted seen in the photograph allowing for a contrast of black in the background to create artificial and staged looking photographs. The final photos build a sense of eeriness due to the unnormal subject matter and how in your face this is. The sitter is in the dead centre of the picture as they are facing directly forward however you can not see their face and eyes; which are normally telling of identity and emotion however they are missing within these images. This helps to create a feeling of unease and disorientation, highlighting the point of loss of identity; replaced with inanimate masks attempting to portray other life forms. As Favilla does, I edited the pictures into black and white to further develop the point of being stripped of personality while also bringing attention to the photo’s formal elements. These photos overall present the idea of grasping for identity after being unsure of your own, followed by pretending to be a one dimensional person allowing society to sift them into binaries and ideologies.

Final Concept

Combining various aspects from all my earlier work, I worked with a sculptural paper mask which I placed over my friends head and photographed her in various places and positions. I decided to work with this mask in particular to portray multiple ideas of identity and concealment which somebody may take in life. I chose to give the mask this somewhat double meaning to symbolise how identity is not just black and white with one meaning or answer either. I wanted viewers to be able to interpret it in their own way, possibly even resonating it back to their own lives. The mask can be seen as a manifestation of a too complex mind to where someone is so confused on there own identity and has too many views that it becomes a burden and spirals out of control into this crazy and intricate wiring of one’s brain. The mask can also be viewed as a masquerade and cover to hide from the fact that someone has no idea who they are. It plays as a cover to distract from the plain and unknown truth of a person deep down.

Favourite Raw Pictures

For this photograph, I wanted to capture a naturalistic shot while also experimenting with levels. I positioned the model sat on top of a brick wall against dull open background in order to represent the mundaneness of life which can appear in most everyone’s day to day. Her body language is causal as she tilts her head slightly towards the floor, showing how the mood in this composition is low but relaxed.

The bridge between the background and the model is something I established in this picture as the subject is in the foreground of where flowers are being sold while she is grasping a bunch herself. By delicately holding the flowers and seeming to look down at them a longing way behind the mask, I wanted to capture a moment of acceptance with loss of identity as the shapes and patterns within these flowers mirror the mask and therefore allow for a moment of peace for the character as she comes face to face with something representative of herself.

In this image I decided to emphasis the idea of disconnection from one’s environment which can relate to a battle with identity. I directed the model to stand central against the woodland environment while purposely not interacting or making contact with anything there. This symbolises the potential loneliness that can come with a lack of identity or too much complexity, highlighting how society can discard those who do not align with their ideologies as they fade into the background being lost in the crowd. Also, I chose to take this photograph on a path to add interesting lines and further formal elements while leading the eye to the subject.

A point I wanted to make is the idea of how people may be struggling with their life and identities but continue with their days and pretend like it is not there. This ties into the idea of performance with the abstract mask being an outward representation of the act someone can be putting on to seem different to their truth and reality. I showed this by staging my model doing something considered to be an ‘everyday task’, shopping, while I took a photo of this activity; ignoring the blatantly obvious strange mask as if it is not there.

I experimented with some action shots with the subject in motion as I took the photographs. I went for a simple concept of walking, but with the mask on, which I managed to capture a frame of by using a high shutter speed. Because the photo is zoomed in but with the model’s whole body in frame, this photo feels quite confrontational as the subject walks straight at the camera and therefore towards the viewer.

With the bananas being so vibrant in the photo, attention is taken away from the model. I wanted this composition to show that distraction and facade can pull away from one’s identity as it can be used as a ploy to avert people from knowing the truth and what can be at the core of somebody’s personality; highlighting the fact that no amount of makeup and acting can conceal or hide what is kept or lacked deep within a person.

I decided to focus on a theme on nostalgia for this photograph, emphasised by the subject standing emotionless over a game of hopscotch; a popular childhood game. I wanted to create the idea of longing for the past however feeling unable to connect with it now; perhaps feeling reminiscing of a type where one feels they had more personality and freedom. The model takes a passive role instead of participating in the game as I positioned them more to the right side of the frame; utilising the rule of thirds to communicate my idea.

Wanting some pictures just focused on the character and mask, I had the sitter centre in the photo facing directly forward. The background is aesthetic pleasing enough to not take away from the subject. The picture is relaxed shown through the use of natural lighting and the casual posture of the model. This allows viewers to observe the character and photograph for what it is in a raw and genuine perspective.

Final Pictures and Photoshop Manipulation

In photoshop, I duplicated the layer of my photograph and made the bottom layer filtered in a black and white effect. On the second layer, I heightened the vibrancy and saturation very subtly in order to extenuate the already colourful backgrounds. With a small brush, I carefully erased the character from the top layer which allowed for her monochrome version underneath to be revealed; creating a huge contrast between the subject and her environment. By visually showing the separation of the two, the various ideas of disconnection from identity and background which I had communicated in the images is further reinforced through technical aspects. This represents different struggles with life and identity that people may be facing from various places and paths of life, highlighting purposeful or forced detachment from one’s self in order to remain present and understood by others; hiding in their own thoughts and head to repressing the truth.

Identity Compositions

My Final Images as a layout

These are my final photos from my two identity photoshoots, these are my favourite photos from across both photoshoots.

Evaluation

How Successful Was Your Final Outcome ?

My final outcome was very successful because I achieved what I wanted to do and I made similarities between my images and my artist reference. It was also a successful outcome because this is the most photos I have taken for a project. I took 121 photos, which gave more variety with my images.

Did You Realise Your Intentions?

Yes I did because I made a plan before the project what I wanted to do and went through with it and I eventually came out to be successful.

What References Did You Make To Your Artist Reference?

I made reference to the visual, technical and the conceptual ideas. I did this by looking through Rae’s photos and seeing what elements I need to include to replicate certain photos that she photographed. I have linked to conceptual because this includes her body and I’ve achieved this in may photos. I’ve linked it to visual because I have used negative space in my photos because Rae doe this as well. Lastly ,I’ve linked it to technical because it used natural lighting instead of artificial. I have used natural lighting because Clare Rae does this in her photos/Images.

Is There Anything To Change?

Yes there is. If I could do this again would have more variety of photos, I would take more photos. I also would take more photos so I would have lots to chose from.

My Final Images

Image NO1

Unedited

This is the original photo that I took to replicate Clare Rae’s ‘Prison Break’ photo. I like the how well the lens of my camera captured my subject, as its in the middle of the foreground so it will be proportional. I also like the type of rock used due tot the texture and it makes the photo look similar to Clare Rae’s original one.

Above the type of filter I used is BW01, I chose this filter because it exactly matches the dark shade of Clare Rae image called ‘Prison Break’.

I edited the contrast and the exposure, so the image didn’t look to dark, so the photo wasn’t impossible to see. If this had happened this photo would have been ruined and ruined the meaning of the photo.

My Experimentation Of This Particular Photo

To create the perfect final image I had to take the exact same photo 10 times to get an image I would like.

Image N02

I like this photo due to the arm hugging the rock, this means that the subject is connected and feels valued with Jersey’s geology and coastline and connected to certain rocks. I also like how the background is slightly blurred because it makes the rock in the foreground to be the main focus. I like how similar this is to Clare Rae’s images as well.

In this photo, there are trees in the background and this is same in Clare Rae’s photo. Also, there trees are slightly blurred and its also like this in Clare Rae’s photo. This means that the photo was taken in an environment where the Dolmen is. She also uses rocks in the background of her photo, which is similar in mine, this means that more texture is automatically created in the photo. My favourite part of this photo is the hugging of the rock, this implies that the rock is in safe hands and its also very protected.

These are a list of filters I used before I finally picked one that I like. I tried to pick the exact one that Clare Rae might have picked during her editing process. I think the filter that I picked is quite accurate. The filter is used was called BW07 which gave m the exact shade of the black and white filter.

In this image I adjusted the texture ,exposure ,contrast and the shadows. I did this because it would help recover details of the photo in the bright and dark parts. I adjusted contrast more due to creating a balance in the photo and it can brig elements out such as dark, light and shadows.

My Experimentation Of This Particular Photo

To create the perfect final image I had to take the exact same photo 14 times to get an image I would like.

Image N03

In this photo the hands that are above the rock are in line with the trees, This means that the rule of thirds are present in this photo. There are trees in this image. Also, there trees are slightly blurred and its also like this in Clare Rae’s photo. This means that the photo was taken in an environment where the Dolmen is. This perfectly replicates Clare Rae’s environment. My favourite part of this photo is the hands in the air because it represents freedom.

These are a list of filters I used before I finally picked one that I like. I tried to pick the exact one that Clare Rae might have picked during her editing process. I think the filter that I picked is quite accurate. The filter is used was called BW01 which gave me the exact shade of the black and white filter.

These are the settings for the BW01 filter, this is how I’ve achieved this particular image.

My Experimentation Of This Particular Photo

To create the perfect final image I had to take the exact same photo 8 times to get an image I would like.

Image N04

This is the original image I took to try and replicate one of the images from ‘Never Standing On Two Feet’ collection. I like the how well the lens of my camera captured my subject, as its in the middle of the foreground so it will be proportional.

In this photo, there are trees in the background which means that the photo was taken in an environment where the Dolmen is. In the original photo Rae is balancing on shelves ,which means it in an indoor environment. I haven’t replicated this in my photos.

Above the type of filter I used is BW01, I chose this filter because its similar to what she uses in her photo.

This is an extended version of the settings for BW01 Filter, this is how I’ve achieved this particular image.

My Experimentation Of This Particular Photo

Although, I like these images they aren’t that similar to Clare Rae’s photo because the arms aren’t leaning on something so its quite different from the original Clare Rae photo.

Clare Rae Comparison

I think that this image is very similar to Clare Rae’s. it is similar due to the environment its taken in, because there are plants and trees in the background of both photos. Another similarity is that there are rock in the foreground, this means that there is some linking done back to the artist, so it will create a successful image.

Comparison 2

I think this image is slightly similar to care Rae’s due to being taken in the same environment it was taken in. Even though it was taken in the same environment I was taken in a completely different rock, this is why both images aren’t at the same angle.

Editing

For the editing on these photos, they were quite simple in which I just tried my best to light up the features of the person and help more with the colouring to enable the emotions in the photos to be expressed more clearly. For example in the photo above in which I had adjusted the sliders to make the images a little bit darker and lighter bits in the photo stand out more.

I also cropped all of them to the right size, fitting them all in a way that makes not only the image sizes the same but also the head sizes, making the photos all look more in proportion to each other. For example in the image above, it shows how I used the cropping tool to just extract the headshot to fit in with the others.

The way I ordered the photos was purposely done to help show some type of meaning towards them, creating a sense of story with the subject almost like they are getting antagonized by the shouting of the other photos, with it getting worse and worse as you go down the rows. I was able to do all of this in the printing section of lightroom, enabling me to also make the presentation of my final outcome grid by changing the margins and cell spacing.

Final outcome

Virtual Gallery

In the artsteps virtual gallery, i have made it so there is every single individual photo in my final piece has been added. i have also added the final piece in its grid format to kind of show all the photos that went into it in more detail.

Evaluation

I think the final outcome was in my opinion quite successful, as I was able to kind of tell a story with the photos pretty much only with the expressions and faces made. In which while i was editing I had these intentions, describing the identity of which the person shows in the form of reactions towards the other photos in the grid. Regarding towards the artist reference, it kind of goes its own way but still remains in the artists technique of the images telling some type of story. But one thing I would like to do differently was that I wish I took more photos in general as this would of made it easier to pick certain faces and expressions that clearly show the emotions i was looking for.

Extra Photos:

Presentation Ideas

These are my presentation ideas for my edited photos, Some of these photos together with the right ones almost look like they match up together and some of them display nicely next to each other. For instance the third presentation looks like a full building with the rock wall on the right looking like it joins up to the old building on the left image. One of the presentations which is my favourite is the second one as those series of photos together go well nicely and it looks similar to how a panoramic view is laid out as the photos joined together look like they form a long rock wall.

Virtual Gallery Presentation

With Art Steps to put my photos into a virtual gallery. Using this I spread my photographs out nicely and displayed them similarly to how an art gallery would display peoples artwork/images.

My Final Images

These are the final images I have chosen to use and print, these images by themselves already look really good but when joined together it creates a panoramic effect which makes it look even better. For example the right side image and left side image both end up with the rock walls ending while the middle image is where both of those images connect to, resulting into a unique presentation when these images are together side by side.

Evaluation

I feel that the final outcome of my images turned out to be really successful, out of the 200 photos I took I had 80 photos which I felt were up to a good standard and out of those 80 there were 6 that really stood out to me. Using those 6 photos and analysing and then editing them turned out to make these already good photos into even better ones. Resulting into me using 3 out of 6 of those photos as my final images. Those final images when printed will look unique and amazing when presented side by side.

I used the plan that I had set for my photographs which were to take photos similar to Clare Rae’s style while changing it up slightly whether it was the pose of the subject or the background behind her. Most of my images met that plan and helped achieve the effect I wanted in my photographs. Especially with editing which allowed me to change the colour scheme to match Clare Rae’s style and also decide what I wanted in view for my image.

When analysing my images I commented on the Conceptual parts of Clare Rae when referencing her, Often making my subject only reveal parts of her figure on my photographs which Clare Rae did similarly which was done to disturb the traditional representation of the female figure that society sees. I also followed her photography style where she would use different landscapes/areas for her photographs which helped make the images unique but also to make a connection between the person and the place hence why some of my landscapes in the background of the image are quite different and not something you would see ordinarily.

If I had to change or do something differently when I did this project I would of experimented with different environments such as doing a photoshoot in a forest or in town, this could have made a more diverse set of images and could of ended up with me having more unique and good quality images I could of used as my final images.

Cerise Doucède is a French photographer widely known for her imaginative and surreal style, which brings the hidden corners of the mind to life. Originally trained in graphic design, she found her passion for photography and graduated from the Spéos Photographic Institute in 2010. Her background in design and her attention to detail shine through in her work, which often feels like a mix of fine art and storytelling.

Doucède gained widespread recognition in 2013 when she won the prestigious Prix HSBC pour la Photographie. Her award-winning series, Égarements (which translates to “Wanderings”), features people surrounded by suspended objects—like cups, books, or paper—seemingly frozen mid-air. These surreal scenes represent the inner thoughts, memories, or emotions of her subjects, giving a visual shape to the chaos and beauty of the mind. What makes her work especially captivating is that these images are not the result of digital manipulation; Doucède painstakingly builds her installations by hand, creating something real and tangible before photographing it.

Her book, Liens Intimes (“Intimate Connections”), published by Actes Sud, gathers four of her photographic series created between 2010 and 2013. It explores themes of human connection and the way people relate to their surroundings, continuing her exploration of perception and reality. Her work often walks the line between the everyday and the extraordinary, transforming familiar objects into something magical and thought-provoking.

What makes Doucède’s photography stand out is its craftsmanship and the dreamlike quality of her scenes. By avoiding digital editing and instead focusing on elaborate, handmade setups, she adds an authentic, tactile depth to her images. Her photos invite viewers into a world where imagination runs wild, and where the inner workings of the mind become a vivid, visual experience. Doucède’s work is both relatable and otherworldly, offering a fresh perspective on the way we see and interpret our own thoughts and emotions.

How she inspired me

This is what inspired me to create the images I created as I strongly agree with the sense of portraying what’s going on inside someone’s head on the outside. I also agree and enjoy the fact that you use physical items and try to set it up really focusing in on the depth of field and other important areas of photography

What is it?

Masculinity is often viewed as a characteristic that highlights ambition, the pursuit of wealth, and distinct roles for different genders. On the other hand, femininity is associated with traits that focus on caring and nurturing, promoting equality in sexuality, being aware of environmental issues, and having more flexible gender roles.

Artist Analysis

Noemia Prada

“My Story 

My name is Noémia Prada. I am a mother of two amazing children, they are the love of my life. I am an artist. I write, I paint, I take photos and I also like to be photographed. I’m a self-taught Painter/Photographer. My academic background is journalism and advertisement.  I am a private person who loves to be at home. I like solitude but not loneliness. Another passion of mine is music. I need music to create, to remember, to laugh and to cry. My life has been a bit erratic. For the last 20 years, I have lived in five different countries: Poland, Croatia, Portugal, United States and Angola. Where did I feel the happiest? In Africa. I have the identity of an expat. That’s who am. I don’t get too attached to people or places. Everything is temporary and ephemeral, unfortunately, or not. There’s a positive side of it. I know different places, cultural backgrounds and languages. My art, my creation portrays what I feel at a certain moment and at a certain place. My style is who I am: diverse, multifaceted and eclectic.”

Some of her photos

Image Analysis

Technical – I’m certain that the lighting in this photo is almost all artificial lighting, there is most likely no natural lighting and it was probably taken in a studio. The aperture is most likely shallow, f/1.2 or f/1.4 and I think it would have been taken of a macro lens.. Moreover the shutter speed is probably fast, something 250 or above, this is because all the hands are in focus and there is no motion blur. The ISO would be something low, maybe 100, I think this because there is no visible noise in the images.

Visual – The colours in this photo are fairly monochrome, with just blacks, greys and whites and moreover a clash of dark and light tones. The textures are both rough and smooth, this is because the upper hand is more rough, likely an older, more worn and weathered person, and the lower hand is is a younger, more innocent person. The rule of thirds is closely followed in this photo, this is because there is negative space in the outer three squares each side and the subject is in the centre three.

Conceptual – The concept behind this image is too show how time effects a person and further more how weathering and how primary or secondary sector work can wear someone’s skin.

Photoshoot plan

Who – I’m going to photograph multiple family members, including my little brother, parents and grandparents.

What – I’m going to take close up, almost macro like, photos of their hands and contrast young and old hands.

Where – I’m going to use an inside, studio like setting, most likely my kitchen and ill turn all the lights off and only use a small, direct light.

When – I’m going to take all my photos over the Christmas school break, and ill be ready to edit and manipulate my photos when I come back in January.

Contact Sheet

Selection Process

My chosen photos

I picked these four photos because they are sharp and in focus while showing an interesting contrast between between young, male, innocent hands and older, woman’s, worn hands.

Editing

Photo 1

Further editing

Photo 2

Further editing

Photo 3

Further editing

Photo 4

Further editing

Final Edited photos

Final further edited photos

I decided to edit my photos like this because it more closely links to Noemia Prada’s style of photos.

Black and white

The black and white links my photos closely back to my artist references photos.

More Photos

I decided to go back to a similar setting, however instead of having young and old hands, I substituted the young hands for objects. By doing this it shows the persons identity more clearly and what hobbies they are into.

Editing

I edited my photos to have a black and white background while keeping the subject in colour to isolate the subject and allow it to stand out more.

My other photoshoots

Contact Sheet

Selection Process

My best photos

Editing

Black and white

Further experimentation

I have decided to further edit my photos like this because it allows them to link back to my first photoshoot further edits.

Composition Experiments

My final outcomes

Art Steps

Evaluation

I believe that this project went really well and was overall successful. My intentions where to create effective portraits and hand pictures to put together to form a final outcome, to some extent I did achieve this but went off course slightly when creating the grid of 6 photos, however I think they are still effective.