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Top 3:
For my third top photo, I selected the final image featuring Ms. Belcon, which clearly reflects her identity. While photographing her, I aimed to emphasize her role as a chemistry teacher. To achieve this, I used a glass cylinder without water, positioning it to appear as though her gaze was directed through the cylinder, aligning with the audience’s perspective. In this particular photo, I employed lighting techniques, balance, high shutter speed, and mid-ISO settings. I intentionally illuminated only the right side of her face, which cast light on her glasses, the cylinder, and nearly half of her face. This lighting creates a narrative where she somehow looks like a “mad scientist,” as the stark contrast between the light and dark sides not only highlights one aspect of her persona but also adds an element of suspense and seriousness. Additionally, the balance of negative space enhances the overall theme, making it more impactful and noticeable, because the balanced dark background amplifies the suspense, emphasizing the model’s expression and the overall mood of the photograph.
Top 2:
While I chose Ms Belcon as my second model for the final set, the first model was Eunseong, who is my age and has various differences from Ms Belcon. With several conceptual tries and experiments, I utilized a glass cup filled with water to emphasize his eye, which serves as a metaphorical window into his mind. Visually, the “eye” symbolizes perception and insight, and by focusing on this aspect, I aimed to capture the themes of isolation and duality that align with my statement of intent. The glass cup works as a magnifying glass, allowing the audience to delve deeper into the model’s inner world and highlighting his isolation within the frame. This reinforces the idea that our external appearances often hide the complexities of our inner selves.
In terms of technique, I employed careful composition, editing, and mid-shutter speed to clearly underscore these themes. The use of negative space and depth of field around his eye also enhances the sense of isolation. While the bottom of the glass creates an effect similar to that of a reading glass, it invites viewers to think of something behind his expression. Moreover, the black-and-white version of the photo enhances its abstract quality and isolation, evoking a feeling of coldness. The absence of colour allows the viewer to focus more intently on the shapes, contrasts, and emotions conveyed in the image, further emphasizing the themes of duality.
Top 1:
This photo stands out as the top photo in my final set of reflections, as it closely aligns with the inspiring examples I gathered on my mood board and matches my original intent of exploring glass reflections and optical illusions. Connecting back to my statement of intent, this photograph illustrates the theme of duality—the contrast between our inner selves and outward appearances. The glass’s exterior displays a smiling expression, yet the true expression behind the glass remains hidden, symbolizing the complexity of our identities. By positioning the model with the glass held forward, I represent what we choose to show others while hiding our true feelings. This highlights a significant issue in the society: a lack of expression, and the glass acts as both a barrier and a lens that reflects how we often hide our true selves.
In terms of visual techniques, I employed composition: negative space and the rule of thirds, and strategic lighting with a high shutter speed to emphasize the theme of duality. Not only does the negative space surrounding the model draw attention to the glass and her expression, inviting viewers to engage with the photo, but also the usage of the rule of thirds positions the glass in a way that creates curiosity about the expression behind it, encouraging the audience to question about the hidden part within the photograph. The lighting technique enhances the negative space and directs focus toward both the model and the glass, further reinforcing the themes of duality and lack of expression.
Moreover, I also edited the model’s expression in the coloured photo to make it look old or black-and-white. This change highlights her smile while reducing the colours around her, showing the contrast between how we appear and how we really feel inside. It represents the idea that we might smile on the outside, but often our true emotions are hidden beneath that smile.
