Hidden Identity

This week at Uni we were asked to take some photographs that hide the identity of the person in the picture. There are various ways this could have been done, such as the use of shadows. 

However, I decided that I wanted to photograph the models hands. I tried to create a personality and story for the person without having to show their face and any physical emotions. My photographs for this series include several hints at what's happening in the 'story'. A face can show so much, but sometimes their emotions can give away the whole story. I find hands such a personal thing and they can hold a lot of information about how a person is feeling. 

Hiding someone's face means that the photographer can't give away any extra information, because someone's face holds a lot of stories and information from their body language and facial expressions. Their story can be shown in so many different ways. By using their hands, I got to decide how much of the story the audience would know. This also gives the viewer the opportunity to create a story of their own and add their input into the story. 

Photographs can mean different things to different people and the idea of a sad story always gets to people in various ways. Some may be able to relate to the story I have created and some may sympathise towards it. But either way they have been able to make their mind up instead of me forcing my perspective onto them. A picture can speak a thousand words and it can be better if they can be different for everyone rather than forcing a fixed opinion onto the audience. 

If you get a chance, please take the time to look at my University photography blog. It's more about the academic side of photography, showing how different techniques can give different outcomes.
https://charlotterogersphotography.wordpress.com/
Thankyou for reading!

Reflections

I decided to name this series of photographs 'Reflection'. Purely based on the reality of how people see themselves in a modern society. I used the mirror in the pictures to symbolise what is happening on the inside or in the mind of a lot of people. 

Due to the expectations people drive from society now a days; it is only seen as acceptable to be or act a certain way. Due to these unrealistic expectations, people seem to feel empty and like their path is headed in the wrong direction. People should be able to believe that everyone is on their own path and should have the right to make their own decisions. But sometimes the idealistic thoughts of these so called 'role models' is enough to sway our decisions and we tend to forget that we are all individuals. 

The mirror is used as a tool to see inside the minds of people. The photograph itself symbolise all the emptiness felt inside and all the troubles they have overcome. Some of the images inside the mirror can mean different things. The concept behind the train track symbolises their journey, but also how everyone should have the chance to find themselves. Whereas the empty room can simply mean the emptiness one may feel or even the sense of abandonment. 

The feelings of emptiness and abandonment that people have inside can be formed solely from the idea that they are not seen as perfect. That they are not like everyone else. All because society and the people around them tell them and fill their heads with these ideas. Some people have to suffer alone and these images depict expectations for the reality that they actually are. 

Hidden Faces

As you can see, I use a lot of bandages in my work. These simply define how over time, people's little insecurities and worried thoughts can eat away at their skin. little by little parts of them begin to decay and become something other than their true selves. This is how I depict depression. As something that get's it's way and leaves a person feeling empty, defenseless and torn apart. It can be taken metaphorically or literally.

Not only can these images be seen as life taking it's toll, but how people let the little things get to them. Once something has been drilled into your mind it is almost impossible to get that thought out. Whether it was someone saying you were 'too fat' or 'not pretty enough', it all begins to hurt in the same way. These little things will pick and pick until they have gotten the best of you. It's just something people find normal now. It's normal to hate people because they are different, or even that they don't look how people want them too look. It's just the harsh reality of how people act today. It's just like human life and human emotion means nothing to them, like they don't feel. If it doesn't effect them, then why would it effect someone else.

Bandaged Secrets

Within this series of photographs, I looked at the typical horror conventions within photography. When researching, I found that people were more scared of something that they cannot see, or they could not see the identity of. The bandages used throughout this series are used to mask the true identity of the person in the image. It could potentially mean that there is two different sides to this person, maybe a split personality. Or, On the other hand, it could be them hiding their imperfections from the people around them.

It is very obvious that people fear the unknown. I find that fear is something very difficult to define, as it is nothing more than a mental obstacle and a figment of our imagination. Ask yourself, what you fear most and what kind of situation you frequently avoid in everyday life, once you are able to understand the root of the fear, then are you able to conquer it.


These images reverse the idea of people hiding from their fears, the fear itself is restricting your view. You as an audience cannot see what is scaring you. This makes the reaction even stronger. The idea behind the bandages represents the damage fear can cause to someone. Some people let it become a mental block and let it stop them from living their lives and becoming who they want to be. It can physically, as well as mentally, scar them to a point of no return.

Hidden Shadows

This series of photographs was inspired by the artist Marek Chaloupka; his use of shadows within his work creates a tense atmosphere.

I thought to myself that photographs have the ability to toy with our emotions, they can make us happy, sad, you name it. So I went with anxiety. I thought the use of the shadows makes the audience seem quite anxious; well that was the goal anyway. The use of the shadows means they don't know what or who is in the image, which then creates that uncertainty. It links to the idea of feeling trapped and isolated from the people around you.

I find that these photographs can be perceived in two different ways. One; the audience could imagine themselves in a situation similar to the photograph, they could be trapped and personally connect with the image. I find that fear can play a big part in the mindset of an audience, if they picture themselves in that situation, they can really feel what other people have gone through. Especially people that have been pushed out by society and completely secluded by those around them. But secondly the images can be used to not put themselves in the perspectives of these people, but understand that there are parts of everyday life that effect people differently.

One of the main themes I looked at when producing these photographs was the idea of phobias and how people struggle to live their lives normally. One I looked at in particular was Cleithrophobia; it is the fear of being trapped or locked in an enclosed space. When looking into this I found that it is often very hard for people to separate their fears with their everyday life. Many people see this an an imperfection or even a problem within them-self. This can often lead into bigger problems down the line. I wanted people to be able to see what some people go through and understand that these 'problems' cannot be controlled and often leave them feeling lonely and not in control of their own lives.

So that's my deep meaning of these photographs and an analysis will be added to each of my series of photographs. They are all my own thought and the intended meanings of the pictures. But I would love to know what you think when you see these photos? Feel free to leave comments.

Hiding In The Dark

This series was all about being hidden from the people and all the troubles around you. I looked into the idea of being pushed away from your loved ones or even trapped. One key factor that lead me to create these images, was mental illness. When most people hear that phrase they try to shy away from the subject and talk about something else. But what about the people that have to go through these problems on a daily basis and hear these people say 'just get over it' or 'Just think of all the people that are worse off than you'. Because to them, this feeling of being trapped and pushed away is normal for them on a daily basis. Just because you can't see what's inside their heads or what is happening, doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.


Just the fact that people seem to lack understanding and empathy for people's feelings leave people stranded alone and fighting themselves. But everyone will have this feeling of isolation at some point in their lives. It's just how we deal with it that makes us come out stronger in the end.

Some people see this as an imperfection within themselves. Or the people around them see this as a flaw because they do not understand it. No one wants to carry their baggage around with them, but it is something that we cannot help, we are all the same and with that, no one is truly perfect.