Jenna_Identity project PPT

Top 3:

Compared to my statement of intent and first set, I only used light (natural and studio lighting) to explore the theme of human inner nature; human ambivalence. Through using the flashlight from the phone in the bottom right, I contributed to portraying a sense of hopeless and tense mood by only flashing one specific part of the side of my face. Following my other photo analyses, I stated that the eye can symbolize the window of the mind. If the eye is covered or shaded, it can represent the coexistence of opposing perspectives or emotions within an individual. Connecting to my main idea, human ambivalence often involves masking or hiding conflicting emotions, as individuals may feel the need to conceal their paradoxical feelings from others or themselves. In this photo, I tried to hide my eyes and create a creepy atmosphere by employing various techniques, including contrast, line, and tone. To create a strong contrast, I used a similar method as other photos, changing the direction of the flashlight to hide eyes and make extreme contrast between sides that have light and shadow. By separating half of the face from bright and dark sides, I associated with depicting the masking or hiding of conflicting emotions within individuals. Moreover, the usage of contrast outlines the line of the face and emphasizes the technique “line”, and the great contrast creates the highest point to the lowest point of the face, separating the face as half.

Top 2:

Apart from the top 3 and top 1 photos, there are some differences between the top 2 photos, such as the usage of natural light, time, and place.  In terms of the time I took this photo, it was daytime. There was extreme light coming from the window, and I adjusted the direction of light by moving and waving the curtain. The light emphasizes the contrast between the face and the background, highlighting the bright tone of the skin.  By spotlighting the shiny and reflective skin under light, I indicated to highlight the great tone between the part that lights flash and the other part that doesn’t.  Also, it is directly connected to my theme, human ambivalence, for the black part and bright part represents different personalities or sides of the human itself.

Top 1:

For the top 1 photo, I used my phone’s flashlight, to create extreme contrast, shadow, light, and tone. You can check that the lightest part of the face that is reflecting the flashlight, near the cheekbone, emphasizes the usage of tone, and the light brown color of the hair also highlights the overall tone or value of the photo, providing a warm atmosphere. Also, the presence of contrast on the face, besides mouth, eyes, and wrinkles, gives the dramatic effect of spotlighting the tense, empty, and sort of hopeless moods. The overall concept of my final project is to explore human ambivalence and to reach this goal, I rearranged my plan to create a paradox; therefore, I made some options to create a paradox. For example, the model is making a reticent or serious expression, but the tone or mood is warm, which creates contradiction and gives a message to viewers that human ambivalence is paradoxical. To add on, I indicated showcasing the shadow beyond the face, associating to outline the overall line of the face.

Top 4:

Following my statement of intent, I planned to use buchae, the traditional jewelry of Korea, and in this photo, the usage of buchae was to portray a different side of human personality: human ambivalence. By hiding the eyes with buchae, we can only see the lower part of the face, specifically the mouth and nose. Generally, most people experience ambivalence in their lifetime, which refers to the simultaneous presence of conflicting feelings, thoughts, or attitudes toward a particular person, situation, or decision. I have created a paradox to showcase the contradictory situation or feelings, for it can emphasize visual interest, emotional impact, and symbolic representation. For buchae, due to its shape and structural characteristics, the fan symbolizes duality or ambivalence; on one side of the buchae, it usually features beautiful patterns or artwork, while on the other side, it may be plain or lacking any design. This duality can represent the inherent nature and hidden aspects of human beings. In this case, the mouth is slightly smiling, but we can’t figure out whether the eye is also smiling, too, in terms of the buchae is blocking the audience’s viewpoint. Through creating curiousness and contradiction, I contributed to outlining the concept of human ambivalence and expected to think about it.  Basically, I associated the use of three techniques in this photo: color contrast, composition, and line. For the color contrast, the skin color and either the background or buchae make great contrast; because the foundation of the background was like oil, and the skin, which was flashed by the light, those two elements maximize great contrast.  Also, positioning the model and buchae where the vertical line and horizontal line meet, the middle point, I tried to employ composition.  Moreover, the iconic design of the buchae, especially its frame, is repetitive under the bright light, so I assume the photo emphasizes both line and repetition.

Top 3:

For the top 3 photo, I selected the picture taken inside a darkroom, using natural lighting. Apart from the top 4 photos, I used different manners to outline the concept of human ambivalence: light direction. Both the top 3 and top 4 photos not only have similarities but also have differences. If I used buchae to represent the inner nature of human beings in the top 4, in this case, I chose light contrast to spotlight my ideal concept. In this photo, I associated with exploring scenes with a significant difference between bright and dark areas. This exploration could symbolize the conflicting emotions or thoughts within human ambivalence. Light and shadow can create a visual tension that mirrors the internal conflict.

Moreover, it utilizes dramatic lighting to represent conflicting emotions’ intensity and inner confusion. Back to my techniques, I mainly concentrated on contrast, tone, and focus. Firstly, I used strong contrasts between light and dark to evoke a sense of unease or tension, creating an overall mood. In terms of where I took that picture, the darkroom provided the intensity or brightness of light that determines the overall exposure of an image, for high-intensity light creates a more significant difference between highlights and shadows, resulting in higher contrast.  Apart from the other 40 photos, I’ve tried to offer different messages and impressions to viewers by using the “eye” as a window of the mind. Following various photographs, the eye was captured and portrayed as a window of mind; the eyes have been symbolically associated with knowledge, perception, and insight that can view our mind. In this case, the use of the eye emphasized the themes of loss and a sense of hopelessness, which created an overall trapped and tense mood. Secondly, the light from the slightly opened dark room door provides the explicit difference between the dark and bright sides. This differentiation is directly connected to the first technique, contrast. To add on, the shadow made by light from the upper parts appears softest, while the hair on the bright side seems sharpest in the photograph.

Top 2:

Similar to the Top 4 photo, I have taken this photo in the photography room, using a softbox and black background to outline my overall theme and concept. Basically, I took this photo in the photography room, so there was an opportunity to use studio lighting, and I adjusted only one softbox about 45 degrees from the camera; I aimed to concentrate on only the flashing side of the model’s face to highlight the natural side of human ambivalence(statement of intent). Also, using the calm tone of the studio light, the sharp edge of the hairstyle, and the vivid shadow on the face emphasized the focus. This indicates that an overall gray and black tone creates a depressed mood through the reticent or severe facial expression. In addition, I planned the angle of the model upward to showcase that the upper parts of the face(reflected by the bright side) represent emptiness. In contrast, the dark side of the photo symbolizes mystery, somberness, or introspection. The contrast between the side of the face and the background is explicit and can also emphasize the technique of the line.

Top 1:

There are various similarities shared by the top 3 and the top 1 photos, including place, model, and contribution; however, there are also significant differences between the two photographs. Apart from other images, I contributed to portraying an empty and hopeless mood by covering one eye with hair. As I mentioned before, the eye can symbolize the window of mind. If the eye is covered or shaded, it can represent the coexistence of opposing perspectives or emotions within an individual. Connecting to my main idea, human ambivalence often involves masking or hiding conflicting emotions, as individuals may feel the need to conceal their paradoxical feelings from others or themselves. Therefore, the covering eye with hair could metaphorically represent human ambivalence.

Moreover, I employed three techniques to emphasize the connection: contrast, line, and tone. To create a strong contrast, I used a similar method in the Top 3 photo: adjusting the direction of light by the darkroom door. By separating half of the face from bright and dark sides, I contributed to depicting the masking or hiding of conflicting emotions within individuals. Furthermore, the usage of contrast is highly connected to the usage of line, for the light direction or effect directly affects the creation of a line. In t is case, the line is created from the highest point to the lowest point of the face, separating the face as half.

Top 3:

From the 20 photos I took before I worked on the final shoot, I practiced some techniques with my friends, who thankfully became my models; Jenny K, Haeun Roh, Jade Stephens, and Francesca Ren. I mostly focused on how to adjust the light direction and light contrast by using either studio lighting or nature lighting.

For my Top 3 photos, I selected Jenny K’s portrait, for it reflects my aim to include various techniques, such as light contrast, composition, and focus. Basically, I took this photo in the photography room, so there was an opportunity to use studio lighting, and I adjusted only one softbox, about 45 degrees from the camera. By using one softbox in that direction(45 degrees), I aimed to focus on only the flashing side of the model’s face to highlight the natural side of human ambivalence(statement of intent). Also, using the cool tone of the softbox, sharp edge of hairstyle, and vivid shadow on the face emphasized the technique and focus. In fact, I was inspired by how Sally Mann created a tense and serious mood through reticent facial expressions, so Jenny tried to make similar expressions. In addition, skin color and hair color make extreme contrast, like abstraction or black and white photography.

Top 2:

Actually, there are tons of similarities between the Top 3 and Top 2 photos, for I used the same direction of light and background; however, there are two big differences that exist, which are focus and tone of light. Firstly, the model for this portrait emphasized the softest part through curved hairstyle and vivid shadow on the face; compared to the Top 2, the Top 3 portraits also highlighted focus, but in different parts, the sharpest point. Secondly, I planned to flash a warm tone of light on the model’s face to make a contrast between a reticent facial expression and a warm tone or mood.  The overall concept of my final project is to explore human ambivalence and to reach this goal, I rearranged my plan to create a paradox; therefore, I made some options to create a paradox. For example, the model is making a reticent or serious expression, but the tone or mood is warm, which creates contradiction and gives a message to viewers that human ambivalence is paradoxical.

Top 1:

Finally, for the top 1 photo, I have selected Jade’s portrait. In this case, I have found and used natural lighting that slightly came inside the darkroom, and you can check out the light that flashes only a small part of the model’s face. To emphasize the sharpest point of the photo, I adjusted and tried different directions of light in the darkroom so I could showcase both the sharp line of the nose and the soft curve of the lip. Also, apart from the other 19 photos, I’ve tried to provide different messages and impressions to viewers by using the “eye” as a window of the mind. Following various photographs, the eye was captured and portrayed as a window of mind; the eyes have been symbolically associated with knowledge, perception, and insight that can view our mind. In this case, the usage of the eye was to emphasize the themes of loss, hopelessness, and a sense of seriousness, which created an overall trapped and sort of tense mood. By spotlighting the shiny and reflective eye under light, I indicated to highlight the great contrast between the part that lights flash and the other part that doesn’t.  Also, it(contrast) is directly connected to my theme, human ambivalence, for the black part and bright part represent different personalities or sides of the human itself. I expected the audience to think that human personality not only has a bright side but also has a dark side.

Sally Mann

Sally Mann is an American photographer known for her distinctive style and compelling body. In her artworks, they explore versatile themes: family, childhood, nature, and the form of the human body. Generally, she has some key elements that characterize her, including black and white photography, the usage of darkroom techniques, and even the exploration of the taboo. Using those elements, her photos evoke deep emotions of frustration, hopelessness, and negativity that create a tense mood in general. In fact, most of her works inspire me to think about the direction of model, composition, light contrast, and focus, for her photos give me more impressive feelings of frustration and a sense of seriousness than any other expert’s works. By exploring the techniques and creativity she has made, I determined to use the methods that she used, such as light contrast, composition, and focus. Moreover, I will develop my concept and idea by exploiting another technique she didn’t usually use, like the texture of the model’s skin.

Candy Cigarette

This photograph captures Sally Mann’s daughter, “Jessie,” holding a candy cigarette in her fingers and facing the front of the camera.  Also, it was considered the most iconic photograph from the “Immediate Family” series, for the composition inside the picture provided impressive and strong emotions toward viewers. The young teenage girl staring directly in front of the camera, cigarette in hand, this image is striking and portraying with the viewer in its dramatic color contrasts. It depicts a tense mood with severe facial expressions and abstraction among the daughter “Jessie.”

Jessie In the Wind

This photo is also taken with Jessie, Mann’s daughter, staring at the front of the camera. There are many similarities between “Candy Cigarette” and “Jessie in the Wind,” such as abstraction, light contrast, one person being focused while the sight of others staying at opposite sides, and a tense mood. Nevertheless, different elements exist in the precious picture, including the background, more bright and yellow color contrast, and concept.

Juliet in White Chair

“Juliet in White Chair” is one of “Immediate Family” (1984~91) taken by Sally Mann, portrayed as the 12-year-old girl sitting on a white chair. Mann’s artworks have many similarities, including the main character staring into the camera and a serious and tense mood in most models. For most of her works, I could find similar facial expressions from models, creating moods with reticent faces. From my perspective, the reticent facial expressions gave me an idea of how to design and develop.

In the Light of Memory

This photo has been demonstrated as portraying one of the rare and impressive colors of Mann’s series, for most of her photographs are white and black, and the vivid color in the picture isn’t usually seen in her works.  In “In the Light of Memory,” Mann used versatile visual techniques like focus, color contrast, and composition.

The title of this project is “Embodied Identity: The Lans Within.” my ideal concept for this project is exploring the relationship between body and identity. Although human inner nature doesn’t reflect cultural/social issues, I want to explore the ambivalence of human beings through various facial expressions and usage of objects, which is called Buchae. Most people experience ambivalence in their lifetime, which refers to the simultaneous presence of conflicting feelings, thoughts, or attitudes toward a particular person, situation, or decision. It is a natural aspect of human psychology and can be observed in various aspects of life. Also, Buchae has been considered as a piece of jewelry that is often used to hide our face or part of it in my culture. Due to its shape and structural characteristics, the fan can symbolically represent duality or ambivalence; on one side of the buchae, it usually features beautiful patterns or artwork, while on the other side, it may be plain or lacking any design. This duality can represent the inherent nature and hidden aspects of human beings. I want the audience to feel curious and understand my method of portraying human ambivalence. By requiring the model to use Buchae in different directions, I will try to create a paradox, like the mouth is smiling, but Buchae hides their eyes, so the audience can’t figure out which feeling the model is directing beyond the lens. Furthermore, I will get inspiration and develop my ideas by looking for photographs that use objects and contrast in light and color.

Zanele Muholi

While searching for inspiring photos and photographers, I found photographer Zanele Muholi and her art pieces. I can find some common elements in her photographs, such as using contrast in color, light, and objects. Most of her portraits especially emphasize the contrast between her skin color and eyes, which creates a severe and tense mood.

Her portraits:

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Man Ray

The second photographer I found out was an old photographer named Man Ray, who’s fame was widespread for creative expressions on face which were explored by using various objects.  Most of his artworks have tensed and gloomy mood through abstract photography.

His portraits:

Philippe Halsman

Philippe Halsman is famous for his bold, spontaneous photography style, characterized by technical precision, artistic experimentation, and a sense of playfulness. Paradoxically, his photographs simultaneously evoke a sense of creepiness and playfulness, for facial expression and movement incorporate unconventional elements. 

His portraits:

Richard Avedon

Richard Avedon was an influential American fashion and portrait photographer known for his distinct and groundbreaking style. Among them high contrast lighting and Minimalistic and Bold Compositions are the major elements that can found at his photographs.

His portraits:

I have selected body and identity as my ideal concept for this project, specifically exploring the relationship between body and identity. I will focus on how individuals perceive, experience, and express their identities through their body parts; however, taking photos of other’s body parts may come with limitations and restrictions. Therefore, I will choose a specific part of the human body that I am going to take, including hands, eyes, hairs, feet, neck, and so on. Also, I will use objects that have a cultural connection with my culture, which called Buchae.