Describe the societal/cultural issue you want to explore with your photographs:

Nervousness and self-consciousness in front of the camera. In the age of rapid technological advancements, social media has become more and more prevalent in our lives. Many of us see only the best, bright, sometimes even artificial sides of people on the internet as that is what algorithms choose to serve you. Often leading to social comparison and self-consciousness (https://socialmediavictims.org/mental-health/self-esteem/#:~:text=Social%20Media’s%20Effects%20on%20Self,comments%2C%20and%20exposure%20to%20cyberbullying.)

Find some photographers/photographs or look at photography genres that inspire – not too much detail, but a general idea. You need to show that your research has purposefully informed and inspired your project.

Cindy Sherman

• Face painting and expressive costume design
• Colorful backgrounds (waving lights?)
• Tilted faces (different perspectives)

Phillipe Halsman

• Black and white color schemes
• Closeups of textures
• Jumping motion/actions (playing the trumpet)
• Exaggerated facial emotions

Yayoi Kusama

• Expressive colors and patterns
• Abstract set design
• Could use colors that relate to their character?

A mood board highlighting the societal/cultural issue I want to explore with my photographs

Statement of intent

• The title of this project is…
• The societal/cultural issue I want to explore with my photographs is…..
• I want my audience to feel…..
• I will get inspiration and develop my ideas by looking for photographs that…

Working title:

The societal issue I want to explore with my photographs is nervousness and self-consciousness in front of the camera. Social media has become more and more prevalent in our lives. Many of us see only the best, bright, sometimes even artificial sides of people on the internet as that is what algorithms choose to serve you. Often leading to social comparison and self-consciousness. I want my audience to feel empowered through my photographs displaying the beauty in genuine, spontaneous emotions. I strive to make them realize that they do not need to reach perfection to be confident in front of the camera and I hope to guide my model to reach this understanding as well. I will get inspiration and develop my ideas by looking for photographs that include: jumping (as Halsman stated, jumping makes the mask of nervousness in someone fall and reveal their true selves), strong facial expressions, and spontaneous emotions.