Wes Naman

Here is a range of Wes Naman’s images where he uses vast materials (like cellotape and rubber bands/ string) to shape the subjects face and make them look unrecognisable. The idea behind this is to prove that looks aren’t important, and they don’t define you as a person (which closely relates to your identity and how you see yourself).

Technical

The image uses a fast shutter speed, as the subject looks still and in focus. The lighting is artificial, as the viewer can tell they are using a backdrop with strong white lights (which would not happen with natural light), and it seems like it is very intense, as you can notice the outside edges of the top are a lot darker, meaning the photographer has used a strong light on the subject. The image has a good ISO, as there is no grainy elements that are visible.

Visual

The middle-aged man looks unrecognisable as he has rubber bands wrapping his face, giving him a new look. He has a sort of confused and hurt look on his face, which could suggest he is shocked with the feeling. The navy background gives a cool tone, which could represent sorrow and sadness towards the pain of the rubber bands.

Contextual

A common belief is that beauty is everything, so by taking away that view in these images, it leaves the subject wondering who they actually are, and what their identity really is. The history of beauty is been around for centuries, so to counter act the beauty stereotype Wes Naman had his subjects distort their faces.

Conceptual

I believe the reason behind this image is to show the suffering people go through to accept themselves, when they shouldn’t need to. I also have the idea that it links to the appearance of yourself, and by manipulating the face into a different shape, it causes you to wonder what your identity is if you don’t have your looks (which is a common link for identity).

Noor+

Noor+ is a unknown photographer, who writes on the subjects face to show their identity and what they associate with. I liked this idea as I thought that it is a great way to demonstrate you as a person, and the ideas you think you are. Unfortunately, the words aren’t in English, so for my photoshoot, I will base it off of identity. This is also the only image I could find of this photographer, so I cannot create a mood board of his work.