Research

IDENTITY

My identity is a culmination of my interests, ethnicity, culture, and passions. These factors shape my values, beliefs, and perspectives. They contribute to my sense of self and help me understand my place in the world.

FINAL MAJOR PROJECT IDEAS

As part of my Final Major Project (FMP), I intend to design and produce a series of black-and-white portraits that capture various emotions and expressions of different people. I believe that a picture is worth a thousand words, and the emotions that a person displays can convey a lot about their personality and character.

To create this series of portraits, I will collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. I will use different lighting techniques and angles to capture their emotions and expressions in the best possible way. Additionally, I will link these portraits and create a portfolio on a website.

My target audience for this project is young individuals aged 16 to 28 who have a keen interest in photography and hold strong opinions about emotions and expressions. I believe that this age group is more open-minded and receptive to new ideas and concepts. I aim to inspire them to explore their creative potential and embrace their emotions through my artwork.

Finally, I will showcase all the photography on a website for individuals who are interested in this type of photography to see.

Tadanori Yokoo

Tadanori Yokoo (born 27 June 1936) is a Japanese graphic designer, illustrator, printmaker and painter. Yokoo’s signature style of psychedelia and pastiche engages a wide span of modern visual and cultural phenomena from Japan and around the world. Tadanori Yokoo is a renowned Japanese artist who was born on June 27, 1936. He is a graphic designer, illustrator, printmaker and painter known for his unique and signature style of psychedelia and pastiche. He portrays a wide range of modern cultural and visual phenomena not only from Japan but also from around the world.

I think Tadanori's artwork is very unique and vibrant, incorporating multiple layers and images to create a dynamic composition that resembles an animated scene.

Primary research

Google Forms FMP SURVEY

After creating questions about my FMP and asking people about their thoughts on expression using Google Forms, I discovered that the term has a shared meaning and that everyone answered similarly.

Based on these results, I am going to create a project that caters to everyone's needs in some way, allowing them to connect with it.

Secondary Research

I conducted some research to gain a better understanding of the concept of identity. In my search, I came across the perspective of artists who explore the features that shape our personal and social identities. Through their work, they create a sense of our individual, societal, or national identities while challenging common stereotypes and conventions. They delve into various attributes such as gender, sexuality, race, nationality, and heritage.

Example of Identity in photography:

'The Hair Appointment' photo series celebrates the magic and power of black hair styling.

By Jeremy Rodney-Hall

"Intricate, expressive and totally creative, if anyone argues that hair isn't a form of art, protective hairstyles are here to kindly correct them. Celebrating this is 'The Hair Appointment', an epically beautiful photo series and exhibit curated by creative director of Sunday School, Josef Adamu. On a mission to share visual storytelling driven by people of colour, the Toronto-based agency collaborated with Okay Africa on an interactive exhibition recognising the importance and social impact of black hair styling."

Jeremy's photography expresses the identity of black people through hair, particularly braids, which have a significant place in black history and culture.

Examples of expression in photography

In visual art, self-expression involves conveying personal perspectives and experiences through creative means. For photographers, self-expression means capturing thoughts.

Ethel Waters in Stressful PoseActress Ethel Waters performing in the Cotton Club Revue, in Stormy Weathers.

Creatives linked to identity

Dom Sebastian

Dom Sebastian is a young, multidisciplinary artist based in London who has created his own visually stunning universe. His work features items such as Evian bottles, cute Furbies, still lifes made from sponges and dish soap bottles, three successful clothing lines, VHS videos, pastel colours, and SoundCloud tracks. Sebastian's art has gained popularity online and has become familiar to many.

Dom Sebastian is an artist who gets inspired by random objects and small details he observes in London. He also spends a lot of time browsing the internet and going down the "hyperlink rabbit holes". He draws inspiration from various sources such as horror films, album covers like Goldfrapp and other things that catch his eye.

Neville Brody

Neville Brody, a prominent graphic designer known for his innovative and experimental approach, has greatly influenced the layout of my poster. Renowned for his groundbreaking work in typography and editorial design, Brody's designs often push the boundaries of traditional graphic design, incorporating bold typography, vibrant colours, and dynamic layouts.

In studying Brody's work, I was particularly drawn to his ability to create visually striking compositions that command attention and convey meaning. His use of unconventional typography, asymmetrical layouts, and bold imagery challenged traditional design conventions and inspired me to think creatively about the layout of my poster.

Drawing from Brody's design principles, I sought to create a poster layout that was visually impactful and conceptually engaging. I experimented with bold typography treatments, dynamic compositions, and innovative use of space to capture the essence of the project and draw viewers in.

Additionally, Brody's emphasis on experimentation and pushing the boundaries of design encouraged me to take risks and explore new techniques in my poster layout. By incorporating elements of his distinctive style while infusing it with my own creative vision, I was able to develop a poster layout that effectively communicates the theme of expression and showcases my photography in a dynamic and visually compelling way.

In essence, Neville Brody's groundbreaking work in graphic design served as a powerful source of inspiration for the layout of my poster, pushing me to think outside the box and create a design that is both visually striking and conceptually rich.

Nick Bowers

Examples of his work:

Nick Bowers is an acclaimed photographer known for his compelling black-and-white portraits that capture deep emotional expression. His work often focuses on the raw, unfiltered emotions of his subjects, using the absence of colour to emphasize the contrasts, shadows, and textures that define their features and expressions. Bowers' photography showcases a powerful use of light and shadow, creating a dramatic effect that draws viewers into the emotional world of his subjects.

One of the key elements of Bowers' black-and-white photography is his ability to highlight the emotional depth and complexity of his subjects. By removing the distraction of colour, Bowers allows the viewer to focus on the nuances of expression, the lines of the face, and the interplay of light and dark. This technique not only enhances the mood of the photograph but also adds a timeless quality to his work.

Bowers' approach to black-and-white photography has significantly influenced my own work. His ability to convey strong emotions through monochrome images inspired me to explore this technique in my project. I aimed to capture the raw, unguarded emotions of my subjects by focusing on their expressions and using a plain background to eliminate distractions.

In the studio, I experimented with different lighting setups to create the high contrast and dramatic shadows characteristic of Bowers' work. By adjusting the exposure and highlights in Photoshop, I was able to enhance these effects, making the emotions in my photographs more pronounced. Additionally, Bowers' attention to detail in the facial expressions of his subjects encouraged me to pay closer attention to these elements in my own photography.

Incorporating black and white photography into my project allowed me to create a series of portraits that highlight the emotional depth of my subjects. The inspiration drawn from Nick Bowers' work has helped me understand the power of monochrome photography in conveying mood and expression and has significantly enriched my creative process. His influence is evident in the way I approach lighting, composition, and post-processing, ultimately leading to more impactful and expressive photographs.