This photo uses partial occlusion technology. Flowers are used to partially cover the face, creating an interesting composition. In addition, the use of low-key lighting is evident, with warm light projecting a soft glow that enhances the texture of the cling film and petals, as well as increasing the depth of the image. The combination of obstruction and lighting creates a sense of mystery and allure. The partially hidden face makes the subject seem enigmatic, while the warm, soft lighting gives the photo a dreamy and intimate atmosphere. The plastic wrap adds an extra layer of texture and a slightly surreal quality to the overall scene. Viewers are likely to feel a sense of curiosity and intrigue, as the obscured face invites them to guess the identity and emotions of the person. The warm lighting also evokes feelings of warmth and coziness, yet the mystery of the partially hidden face adds an element of suspense, making the viewing experience engaging and thought – provoking. Simone Bramante is known for his innovative and artistic approach to photography. This work may be related to his style in terms of using everyday objects (like plastic wrap) and natural elements (flowers) to create a visually striking and conceptually rich image. Similar to Bramante’s works, this photo seems to explore the interplay between light, texture, and partial concealment to evoke certain emotions and draw the viewer into a unique visual world.

The two Technique I used the most are. Obstruction and Texture Emphasis: Plastic film is used to partially cover the face, creating an obstruction effect. This not only adds an element of mystery but also emphasizes the texture of the plastic film, which is highlighted by the light. Lighting Control: The photo uses focused lighting, likely a side – light or back – light source, to create strong contrast between the illuminated part of the face and the dark background. This lighting technique accentuates the contours of the face and the texture of the plastic film. Using plastic film to partially cover the face gives a mysterious and hazy feeling, making the subject’s identity and emotions somewhat concealed. The lighting creates a dramatic and artistic atmosphere, making the image visually striking and attracting the audience’s attention to the interaction between light, plastic film, and face. Viewers may feel a sense of intrigue and curiosity, as the partially hidden face and the unique use of plastic film make them want to understand the story behind the photo. The dramatic lighting also evokes a mood of solemnity or introspection, making the viewing experience thought – provoking. Simone Bramante is known for his creative use of elements to tell stories and create unique visual experiences. This photo may connect with his work in terms of using ordinary materials (like plastic film) to create an artistic and moody atmosphere. Just as Bramante uses various techniques to make his works full of story – telling and emotional resonance, this photo also tries to convey a certain mood and mystery through the combination of obstruction and lighting, following his creative approach of exploring the potential of everyday objects in photography.

Obstacles and composition: Plastic film and flowers are used for obstacles, creating a unique composition method. Plastic film adds a hazy feeling to the image, while flowers as foreground elements serve as visual guides, enriching the layering of the image. In addition, the use of light and shadow is also worth noting. The light seems to come from above or above, creating a contrast between light and dark on the character’s face and plastic film, thus creating a mysterious atmosphere. This photo successfully creates a mysterious, hazy, and somewhat dreamlike atmosphere. The semi transparent texture of plastic film combined with the softness of flowers blurs the boundary between the subject and the background, giving the picture a sense of art and narrative. The audience may experience an elusive sense of mystery and may be eager to explore the story behind this photo. At the same time, the contrast between the softness brought by flowers and the cold texture of plastic film triggers complex emotional experiences, providing unique visual impact and psychological stimulation. Simone Bramante’s works often feature unique creativity, exquisite control of light and shadow, and an artistic presentation. This photo may draw inspiration from Bramante’s approach of artistically processing ordinary objects (such as plastic film and flowers) to construct an artistic image and creating an atmosphere through light and shadow. That is, it follows the idea of excavating the potential aesthetic value of ordinary things in Bramante’s works. However, due to the limited number of pictures and the lack of detailed comparison with Simone Bramante’s works, this analysis of the connection is only a broad speculation. More information about the works can be provided for further analysis.

TOP 10:

Light and shadow (ISO, lighting, contrast )

Light and shadow (ISO, lighting, contrast )

Light and shadow (ISO, lighting, contrast )
Tone

Light and shadow (ISO, lighting, contrast )

Tone

Light and shadow (ISO, lighting, contrast )

Light and shadow (ISO, lighting, contrast )

Tone

Light and shadow (ISO, lighting, contrast )

color contrast

Light and shadow (ISO, lighting, contrast )

Color contrast

Light and shadow (ISO, lighting, contrast )

Set: Psycho

-Light and shadow

-Color contrast

-Light and shadow

-Color contrast

-Light and shadow

-Color contrast

-Light and shadow

-Color contrast

-Light and shadow

-Light and shadow

-Rule of thirds

– Light and shadow

– Color contrast

-Light and shadow

-Color contrast

-Light and shadow

-Color contrast

-Light and shadow

-Light and shadow

-Light and shadow

-Rule of thirds

Artistic statement #1:

Title: Rend

I hope my audience can deeply feel a profound sense of vulnerability and a calm yet intense atmosphere when watching my works. It was as if they stood silently beside, witnessing a deeply private and intimate moment that gradually broke through the suffocating darkness. The narrow beam passing through torn plastic is not just a beam of light; It symbolizes more. It represents exposure, the act of revealing hidden things to the public, and at the same time, it represents hope. It’s like something primitive and beautiful, something pure and uncontaminated, slowly emerging from the enclosed space that once bound it.

In addition, I will also delve into the image of creating a sharp contrast between soft and dazzling light. Soft light can evoke a gentle and comfortable feeling, while dazzling light can bring a harsh or enlightening feeling. By juxtaposing these two, I hope to add another layer of complexity to my work. In addition, I will continue to use materials such as plastic, but in more innovative ways. I want to explore how plastic distorts or filters reality in emotionally powerful ways. Perhaps by creating unique textures, distorting the subject’s perspective, or diffusing light in unexpected ways, I can further enhance the emotional resonance of photos, making them not only visual enjoyment but also carriers of deep emotions.

Mood board:

Simone Bramante’s project: 

Artistic statment #2: 

Title: Psycho

I want my audience feel a sense of psychological tension and dreamlike confusion, as if they were peering into the layered complexity of human thinking. By using overlapping images with different levels of transparency, I aim to evoke inner conflicts, blurred memories, and unforgettable introspective emotions.

I will gain inspiration and develop my ideas by searching for photos that depict surreal compositions, emotional depth, and strong contrasts of light and shadow. I will closely monitor Polina Washington’s use of layered exposure and melancholic color palettes. I will also study how other photographers visualize themes such as identity, memory, and unconsciousness, using distorted, blurred, and symbolic images to express inner states.

Mood Board: 

Polina Washington’s Project: 

First Artist: Simone Bramante

The quiet beauty of portraits: Inspiration from photography master Simone. Photography “Window” is a unique way for us to converse with the world. Many people long to capture those brief and beautiful moments through the lens, but often feel lost
The works of Italian photography master Simone Bramante always evoke deep thoughts in people, and each photo seems to contain a profound soul and story.
Simone’s style is unique, as he brings a fresh perspective that perfectly combines light and close ups of characters, showcasing a unique and serene beauty.
Through his works, we seem to be able to see the emotional flow within the characters, with every subtle expression accurately and affectionately captured, leaving a profound impact on the soul.

Composition and visual hierarchy:
– The characters in the picture are separated by a semi transparent plastic film, and their faces are only vaguely visible through a torn part.
– The torn lines run vertically through the center of the screen, like a torn curtain, naturally focusing the audience’s gaze on the characters’ eyes and creating a strong visual tension.

Color tone and atmosphere:
– The overall cool blue-green tone creates a dreamy, blurred, and realistic atmosphere in the picture.
– The skin color and clothing of the characters become soft and hazy under the cover of the film, as if they were images from memory or illusion.

Imagery and Theme:
– The torn plastic film can be interpreted as a symbol of “boundaries”: the boundaries between the individual and the outside world, self and others, dreams and reality.
– The tearing of the membrane also implies a behavior of “voyeurism” or “escape”, seemingly a self breakthrough in a state of repression.

Continue reading

“Dissociation”

• Technique: Upward – looking shot with an object placement over the eyes. A piece with a landscape image is placed above the subject’s eyes, and the photo also uses selective color to highlight the image on the prop against the mostly desaturated face.

• Emotion conveyed: The obstruction of the eyes by the prop represents a form of self – concealment or a break in perception. The teardrop on the face adds a sense of sadness and pain, reinforcing the idea of a fragmented and tormented personality.

• Technique: Profile shot with reflective props on the shoulders. The props show a cityscape reflection, and the overall image has a desaturated tone except for the reflections. This creates a contrast between the neutral – toned subject and the vivid reflected scenes.

• Emotion conveyed: The reflective props on the shoulders imply an external influence or a divide between the inner self and the outside world. The desaturated color of the subject emphasizes a sense of isolation and the fragmentation of the self in relation to the surrounding environment.

• Technique: Partial – face covering with a prop in a close – up shot. The subject holds a piece with a floral pattern, covering one side of the face. The contrast between the monochromatic skin and the colorful pattern on the prop is emphasized by selective color processing.

• Emotion conveyed: The covered part of the face symbolizes the hidden or fragmented aspects of the personality. The difference in color between the face and the prop suggests a disconnection within the self, expressing the theme of personality fragmentation.

• Technique: Composite photography with a rear – view of the subject. Multiple fragmented mirror – like pieces showing different expressions of the person are arranged on the background. The photo is in grayscale, which adds a somber and melancholic atmosphere.

• Emotion conveyed: The fragmented reflections of the subject’s face on the background pieces symbolize the breakdown of the self – identity. The grayscale tone enhances the feeling of desolation and the shattered state of the personality.

My set of four photos clearly draw inspiration from the original image with ropes and shattered glass. In terms of technique, both utilize fragmented elements as a visual language. My set use reflective props and composite arrangements of multiple images, similar to how the shattered glass in the original creates a fragmented effect. This fragmentation serves as a metaphor for a broken state, whether it represents the fragmentation of personality in my set of photos or an undefined sense of disruption in the original.

However, there are significant differences. My set of photos adopt a more subdued and introspective approach. They use selective color processing and close – up shots of the subject interacting with props to convey the emotional depth of personality fragmentation subtly. In contrast, the original photo is more intense and dramatic. The presence of ropes binding the person and the dynamic composition with flying glass shards suggest a sense of struggle and perhaps external forces causing the fragmentation. The lighting and overall atmosphere in the original are darker and more impactful, while the my set of photos tend to have a lighter and more contemplative tone. Overall, while my set focus on the internal emotional aspect of personality fragmentation, the original leaves more room for interpretation about the nature and source of the brokenness, with a stronger emphasis on the visual impact of the fragmented scene.

These photos are some of my testing photographs before the final set I thought went well.

First photo

• Technique: Low – angle shooting. The reflective prop is placed close to the neck, creating a striking contrast between the skin and the prop’s sheen, adding a sense of depth through the upward view.

Second photo

• Technique: Frontal shot with an angled prop placement. The black reflective object is positioned diagonally over the eye area, blocking part of the face and generating an interesting play of light and shadow on the exposed skin.

Third photo

• Technique: Three – quarter side shot with a hand – held prop. The model holding the prop near the face gives a sense of interaction, and the side view shows the facial contour while the prop adds an element of visual interest.

Fourth photo

• Technique: Low – angle shot with a closed – eye expression. The upward view emphasizes the neck and jawline, and the closed eyes convey a serene or contemplative mood against the plain background.

Fifth photo

• Technique: Straight – on frontal shot. Without any prop obstruction, it presents the model’s natural facial features directly, highlighting the expression and skin texture in a straightforward manner.

Sixth photo

• Technique: Profile shot with prop on the cheek. Placing the reflective prop on the cheek creates a unique pattern of light reflection on the face, enhancing the three – dimensional effect of the profile.

Seventh photo

• Technique: High – angle shot with props on the shoulder. The top – down perspective makes the props on the shoulder stand out, and it also gives an overall view of the upper body and the prop’s shape.

Eighth photo

• Technique: Side shot with partial face coverage by the prop. The prop covering part of the face adds a sense of mystery, and the side view shows the remaining visible facial features in a more focused way.

Ninth photo

• Technique: Frontal shot with a close – up of the prop near the nose. This close – up emphasizes the detail of the prop and its relationship with the facial feature, creating an intimate and detailed visual effect.

In the final set, I will use the same shooting technique, but the difference is that I will add some editing techniques. In the mirrors that appear on the characters, I will add some elements that do not belong to this photo, such as bright flowers, sunset in the sky, brightly lit cities, and so on. On this basis, I will also try to adjust the saturation of the photo, hoping to create some different sparks.

Overall, in these photos, the model’s expressions are mostly calm and indifferent. Paired with the black reflective props that divide and obscure the face, it indeed conveys a sense of “personality fragmentation”, which links back to my title: dissociation . The props are like broken lenses, splitting the character’s image, as if symbolizing the separation of different aspects of the personality, and conveying a confused, complex, and fragmented emotion. Meanwhile, the model’s diverse angles and postures seem to showcase the various states of the multiple facets of personality during the process of fragmentation.

My working title of this project: Dissociation

The message I aim to convey is the internal struggle and fragmentation of one’s identity. When the audience sees the final presentation, I want them to feel a sense of unease and empathy for the subject’s inner turmoil.

To show this message through photography, I will use the following techniques, styles, and subjects:

• Techniques: I’ll employ a combination of sharp focus on the subject and a deliberately shattered or fragmented foreground (using real or digitally – added broken elements like glass shards) to create a sense of disconnection. Low – key lighting can be used to add a moody and somber atmosphere, highlighting the shadows and emphasizing the brokenness. I will also include nature elements in the mirror.

• Styles: The style will be a blend of surrealism and fine – art photography. The surreal aspect comes from the use of elements that don’t typically occur together in reality, like the shards of glass floating around the subject. The fine – art style is reflected in the careful composition and the use of strong visual metaphors.

• Subjects: The central subject will be a person, whose facial expression and body language convey a sense of distress or confusion. I may also include props such as ropes or other restrictive objects to further symbolize the internal constraints and the struggle to break free from the fragmented self.

Mood board:

First photo

• Technique: Low – angle shot with a reflective prop placed over the eyes. The upward view emphasizes the neck and jawline, while the prop with an internal image adds an element of mystery.

• Emotion conveyed: It reflects a sense of being veiled or hidden, as if part of the personality is obscured, contributing to the overall theme of personality fragmentation.

Second photo：

• Technique: Profile – facing shot with reflective props on the shoulders showing an external scene. The side view focuses on the facial contour and the contrast between the human body and the reflected urban scenery.

• Emotion conveyed: The juxtaposition of the personal self and the reflected urban environment may imply the conflict between the inner self and the outside world, suggesting a fragmented state of personality.

Third photo：

• Technique: Rear – view shot. This perspective focuses on the back of the figure, leaving the face unseen, which creates a sense of mystery and detachment.

• Emotion conveyed: The lack of a visible face represents a kind of disconnection or fragmentation of the recognizable self, enhancing the theme of personality breakdown.

Fourth photo：

• Technique: Profile – facing shot with reflective props on the shoulders. Similar to the second photo, it combines the human form with the reflective elements, but here the reflection on the props has a more abstract look.

• Emotion conveyed: The abstract reflections on the props can be seen as a representation of the chaotic and fragmented nature of the inner self.

Fifth photo：

• Technique: Front – facing close – up with a single teardrop. This close – up shot emphasizes the facial expression and the tear, drawing attention to the emotional state.

• Emotion conveyed: The teardrop symbolizes sadness or inner turmoil, which can be associated with the pain and fragmentation within the personality.

Sixth photo：

• Technique: Front – facing shot with the model holding a reflective prop to partially cover the face. It creates a contrast between the visible and hidden parts of the face.

• Emotion conveyed: The partial coverage of the face by the prop represents the broken and incomplete nature of the personality, as if different aspects are being masked.

Seventh photo：

• Technique: Similar to the sixth photo, it’s a front – facing shot with the model holding a reflective prop near the face, but with eyes closed. The closed eyes add a sense of introspection.

• Emotion conveyed: The closed eyes along with the prop near the face suggest a retreat into the self, while the prop still implies the fragmentation of the self – image.

Eighth photo：

• Technique: Profile – facing shot with a small reflective prop on the cheek. This draws attention to a specific part of the face and the interaction between the prop and the skin.

• Emotion conveyed: The small prop on the cheek can be seen as a fragment of the self – perception, contributing to the overall idea of a fragmented personality.

Ninth photo and tenth photo：

• Technique: Both are front – facing close – up shots, highlighting the facial expressions with the teardrop. The repetition emphasizes the emotional state.

• Emotion conveyed: The tears and the solemn facial expressions reinforce the sense of sadness and the brokenness within the personality, which aligns with the theme of personality fragmentation.

eleventh photo

• Technique: Composite photography with a rear – view of the subject. Multiple fragmented mirror – like pieces showing different expressions of the person are arranged on the background, creating a sense of disconnection.

• Emotion conveyed: It represents the fragmentation of the self, where the different reflected expressions suggest various aspects of the personality being split apart.

twelfth  photo:

• Technique: Close – up with a prop interaction. The subject holds a reflective black piece near the face, partially obscuring one side. The close – up emphasizes the facial expression and the interaction with the prop.

• Emotion conveyed: The partial concealment by the prop symbolizes the hidden or broken parts of the personality, while the tear on the face indicates inner distress.

Thirtieth photo:

• Technique: Lying – down angle shot. The subject lies down with a reflective prop on the neck area. The upward – looking angle gives a sense of vulnerability.

• Emotion conveyed: The reflective prop on the neck and the upward gaze might imply a feeling of being exposed and fragmented, as if the self is in a state of disarray.

Fourteenth photo:

• Technique: Upward – looking close – up. The subject has a reflective strip on the forehead and is looking upwards with closed eyes and tears on the face. The close – up focuses on the emotional details.

• Emotion conveyed: The combination of the closed eyes, tears, and the reflective prop on the forehead conveys a sense of pain and the shattering of the self – image, which is in line with the theme of personality fragmentation.