dazed and unfazed
Conceptual Photography
To build a character out of a colour.
I have built a character out of the colour red, this character has the juxtaposition of a dreamy yet strong personality. These traits are communicated purely through the use of material objects associated with the colour. The photographs also aim to create a strong sense of ‘a subject’/ ‘personality’ in the absence of a ‘subject’ within the frame.
Project Overview
Key skills:
Art Direction, Lighting, Photography, Editing
Concept Key Words:
Cinematic, Dreamy, Iconic
The Challenge:
What meets the eye, heart, and more
I wanted to create an image that had some elements of a personal story and a few of a collectively resonant story. The personal story objects needed to be recognisable and still have some room for a mystery to be sought. Whereas the recognisable elements needed to be associated with strong collective memories, like coca-cola is associated with opening a can of happiness and enjoying small moments with friends and family.
Light up my world
The relationship between textures and lighting is an important one, it can completely make or take away from the image. Satin can feel harsh, and too shiny if it’s not well lit, or backed by a mellow absorbent cloth! Simply put, little things go a long way with the right shutter speed.
The Process
Researching relevant photography references, looking up iconic brands, and material objects associated with the colour and building an album with these sources. The album acts as a collection of memories with just the right mix of ingredients: compositions, objects, lighting, and overall styles to analyze and get into a bob the builder mode.
1. Gather Memories
2. Gather Materials
3. Playground
Once everything I need to shoot my shot is ready, both literally with materials and metaphorically, with references + other background work, we go out and play! Try out different compositions, tweak things and finalise the set-ups to go ahead with.
4. Finally set the lights + set the stage, shoot!
5. Finish up
6. Outcome
Photos that investigate the world from a physical, aesthetic, and stylistic perspective, create a viewing experience that feels sensory+ sensational.
With post-production photo selection and editing!
