“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.