What did you achieve before lockdown started?
– Before lockdown began, I had come as far into my project as shooting a few tests, and had ‘officially’ started shooting the actual concept (Pisces man and Aries woman – 2 out of 12). I liked what I had shot but I felt something was still missing somewhere, but I wasn’t quite sure what it was. With this in mind, I continued to get feedback from the tutors and attempt to develop the concept as much as I possibly could. I got to a place where I began jotting down ideas and forming mind-maps for the developments, which involved a much more focused and refined level of creative planning and execution. It involved higher elements of styling/make-up/hair/props and would require more testing and DIY sub-projects for me. I was excited about this because I love having a collaborative team that can bring their ideas together and form something endearing and joyful. I was also excited to bring my art skills into play, as I had studied it as a subject in school and have a soft spot for making cool things. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to start testing as lockdown was now invoked and I felt that I should save the money I was going to use for purchasing the things I needed for a plan B, due to lack of resources for the original concept at home.
How has the idea, or your book itself changed?
– The new idea (Confinement of the body using a mesh stocking); I must admit, is completely different from the original idea. I was feeling inspired by the current circumstances and how they would be affecting me personally, as well as how I would tackle them. I quickly realised that I had to make the best of what I had around me and was smart enough to have purchased some of my own equipment prior to this. I had made my life just a tad easier for the home set-up process of shooting, which I was thankful for. However, I still had to plan and reference for this new concept and there were things that were missing, which I had to order online to be delivered to me (this was still in the early stages of official lockdown).
What would the idea look like if the circumstances were different?
– The original idea of the zodiac would’ve boasted an array of stunning colours in numerous shades and tones, along with fun and flirty make-up to subtly go hand-in-hand with a characteristic display of related props and headdresses, colour co-ordinated clothes and the models own individuality. I had planned for a cohesive background in the form of a drape, a tapestry representing the four elements or a makeshift photo-booth. My plan was to shoot the models in three’s so as to ignite a field of emotion and expression between them bouncing off their personalities and give a direct reflection of the zodiac’s own compatibilities and key features of the signs. (Earth, fire, air and water).
– The new idea actually offers the complete opposite of this, boding a significantly gloomier scene of confinement, loneliness and deep thought. Keeping it neutral with beige, black and white themes strips the environment bare, highlighting the focus on the figure that moves subtly through the room and how she places herself down to be seen, isolated in thin mesh.
Is the new idea as strong as the original, or does it carry a compromise?
– I don’t believe my new idea is a compromise to my original idea, due to the simple fact that it was something I planned on carrying out as a personal project somewhere down the line and it’s meaningful to me because it’s something that reflects a deeper part of my own mind. However, what I feel would’ve been a compromise is still carrying out my original idea, knowing I wouldn’t be able to execute it as creatively as I intended to in the first place. I was really disappointed about not being able to complete this project but I didn’t want to let it hold me back from creating something special regardless.
How will you develop your idea post-lockdown?
– My development aims for the new idea would feature dancers as models, so that the poses in free-flow would add drama and depth, as well as a bigger set-up to allow for the dancers to have an open space to use their bodies without limits. I would also be intrigued to shoot more than one dancer at a time to capture connections and intertwining. I imagined there to be a very simple or plain piece of furniture in the scene (most likely a bed) as the concept originally stems from insomnia and the effects on the body throughout the day and night.
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKBOOK 