In the second set, I’m still exploring identity through water, but from a different angle. While the earlier photos showed my brother’s face distorted through a glass, quiet, fragile, and still, these new images capture him being hit with a splash of water. The water isn’t calm or constricted anymore; it’s wild, aggressive, and alive. This represents another side of growing up. Identity isn’t only shaped slowly and gradually; sometimes it’s also shaped by sudden moments, surprises, and experiences we are not aware of. In these photos, the water shifts from a static and distorted aesthetic to one that emphasizes movement and emotion. It shows more joy and the chaos that comes with being young. Both sets use water as a way of understanding how a child becomes themselves, but this time, the feeling is more playful and open. I want viewers to see that childhood isn’t just vulnerable, it’s also full of energy and unexpected moments that help shape who we are.

The title of this project is “The Fluid Self”. I aim to investigate how children and young people develop their identities while being influenced by the expectations surrounding them—family, school, culture, and society. By photographing my little brother through glasses of water, I use distortion as a visual metaphor for the way a child’s sense of self can feel unclear and constantly shifting. The refraction in the images hints at how his identity is still developing, and how outside influences can subtly alter the way he sees himself or how others see him. I want my audience to feel curiosity, tenderness, and reflection as they look at these warped portraits, and to think about the vulnerability and constant change that define childhood. My hope is that viewers will feel a sense of empathy and protection toward a young person whose inner world is still in the process of forming. To develop this idea, I will look at photographers who explore childhood, identity, and perception, especially those who use distortion, reflection, and everyday objects, such as glass, mirrors, or water, to express emotional or psychological ideas. Their work will inspire me to represent my brother’s growing identity in a meaningful and thoughtful way.

“Experimenting with colour & light” – Lee Kirby

Lee Kirby is a freelance photographer from London who is especially well-known for his portrait work, but he also experiments with light, color, and projection. One of his most striking projects is called Pro-ject, where he projects images onto his human subjects and captures the interplay between the projected light and the contours of the body.

Kirby’s approach is part fashion, part art, and very much about experimentation. He often uses long exposures when projecting to make the light blend naturally with the body. “German artist Gerhard Richter has played a massive part in the inspiration behind Pro-ject. His way of working has always interested me, creating a painting that resembles a photograph. Richter focuses on photographic techniques when painting, even down to how photographic paper has a sheen to it, which he uses in his work”(Kirby).

What’s really interesting to me is how Kirby’s work present what identity looks like when layered with colored lights and visuals – how the outer self and the inner self integrate to create a new look.

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Portraiture is a form of art, encompassing paintings, photographs, sculptures, or other artistic representations of a person. A portrait is a photograph that shows more than just what someone looks like—it tries to express who they are. A picture becomes a portrait when it reveals something about a person’s personality, emotions, or story. A good portrait creates a sense of connection with the viewer. It can even focus on a small detail, like a hand or an object, if that detail represents the person.

 

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