Out Of Place Alex Duncan
Out Of Place Brief -‐
Ar3st Analysis On first glance, the image seems to be based on a fashion brief. However, the image is actually collabora3on between photographer Richard Burbridge and fine ar3st Maurizio Anzeri. In an interview with Dazed magazine, Anzeri states that the set of photographs are based on trying to capture the atmosphere of “last century photos of ectoplasm”, infused with contemporary fashion. This gives the impression that the photographer, Burbridge, aimed to create a set of photographs which were technically and visually modern, but communicate an old, paranormal atmosphere. As these images were based on last century ectoplasm, the photographer could be trying to communicate the 21st century, modern day version of releasing your demons. In which case, the imagery in this photograph could actually be symbolic of the changing society standards from previous centuries where people, especially women, were expected to hide their problems from people outside of their close family – whereas now, it is socially acceptable, and seen as mentally healthy, to discuss your problems or personal demons with other people. I believe this concept is represented in both models. The image on the leM represents the expecta3on of containing your issues to yourself, as the subject maOer has her hands covering her ears, as if not to let out her demons. This idea is paralleled in the chao3c use of thread, sugges3ng inner turmoil or anguish. The controlled flow of thread, specifically on the right image, highlights the idea of concealing emo3ons, as emo3ons are so complex which contrasts against the controlled thread. The photograph on the right represents the modern day acceptance of sharing your problems because it is clear, with Anzeri’s work that the subject maOer is screaming as if releasing her demons. Another interpreta3on of the imagery could be that the coloured s3tching represents our emo3ons or mind. When we allow our emo3ons to show, that is when we are most bold and compelling to be around – which implies that the photographer is trying to communicate that we should let our minds and emo3ons speak for themselves because that is what makes us who we really are so we shouldn’t hide that.
My personal response to this image is posi3ve as both Richard Burbridge and Maurizio Anzeri’s style connected well paired together. What I like most about this image is the framing of the images. Burbridge kept the images simple which allowed Anzeri’s s3tching to not detract from the actual photographs. What inspired me to take my own images is the composi3on of the photographs as they are parallel which demonstrates a contrast, which I could use to show the difference in emo3on in my brief, of feeling out of place. Also, they appear as if solarised, forming unreal human quali3es which enhances the contrast of colour in the s3tching compared to the image itself.
Ini3al Photographs
Developed Photographs
Idea 1 evalua3on My original inten3on in taking these photographs were to explore the personal feeling behind the brief “out of place”. I opted not to go down the route of making something physically out of place in this set of images, and instead I aimed to explore how people feel when they are in situa3ons which make them feel out of place. I believe I did achieve this by taking two different sets of images. One set in front of a white back drop, with the subject maOer posed in an almost candid, normal way. I then took another set of photos in a dark room with one light source directed towards the subject maOer’s face whilst she posed as if she was screaming. I put these two sets of images next to each other to create a contrast between what we feel inside and what we show on the outside. Overall I’m pleased with the technical and visual quali3es of the images from Idea 1. I used ligh3ng which would complement the symbolic meaning behind the two different types of images. In the ‘normal’ white background images, I used two flash light boxes so that the images were in simple, nice looking light. In the black background images, I used one con3nuous light source which was only directed on the subject maOer’s face. By doing this I hoped that a stark contrast would be portrayed effec3vely that supported my ideas behind the images. As well as this, I’m pleased with the focus on each of the images because there is a deep depth of field so everything is in focus which is what I aimed for (apart from the one blurred image, which was intended to not be in focus). My developed Idea 1 images will have more of a visual impact on a viewer than the Idea 1 ini3al images. I intended to make the developed images more prominent and thought provoking that the ini3al images by s3tching extra colour and intricate detailing on the images. The expression in which the subject maOer holds in the images will create a visual impact on a viewer because of the obvious contrasts between the two juxtaposing images. There is a higher level of symbolism in the developed set of Idea 1 images in which a viewer will be capable of deciphering the meaning. This is because of the symbolism behind the s3tching. I intended for the s3tching to symbolise how our internal struggle of our emo3ons in situa3ons in which we do not feel comfortable, or feel out of place, takes over and filters through to your outward persona. I demonstrated this by s3tching thread in an X forma3on over the subject maOer’s mouth, symbolising how you may be screaming on the inside, but you may be constricted to let your emo3ons out. In another image, the thread travels from the subject maOer’s mouth on the dark side, to the subject maOer’s eyes on the light side. This represents how you can be blinded by emo3ons or be constrained by how you’re feeling. Therefore, because of the presenta3on of the symbolism I believe that a viewer could decipher their own meaning behind the symbolism of feeling out of place.
My main aims for this set of photos for Idea 2 is to take a more abstract approach to the brief “Out Of Place”. In the set of photographs for Idea 1, I explored the constraints of feeling out of place and I would like to con3nue with this idea so the project flows and has a clear thought process to it. I aim to also con3nue using physical techniques like using acetate, letraset and paint to develop these images.
Ini3al Photographs
Developed  Images Â
Idea 2 evalua3on
My original inten3on in taking this set of Idea 2 photographs was to con3nue exploring the idea of feeling out of place for the brief “out of place”. I intended to use the same subject maOer to enhance a sense of con3nuity throughout this project. I also aimed to create more of a well thought out symbolic meaning behind the images, which I achieved through using physical representa3ons of emo3ons in the images themselves. Although I am pleased overall how the images for Idea 2 turned out, I could have improved on some visual quali3es by adjus3ng technical considera3ons like ligh3ng. I used a well light room in natural daylight for the source of ligh3ng in these images and looking back on them now, I could improve the images by u3lizing some harsher ligh3ng. This would have make the focal point stronger and the photos less muted. However I am pleased with the visual quality of the focusing in these images as no photographs are out of focus, and the images have a deep depth of field so the en3re image is in focus. I am also pleased with other general elements such as the composi3on of some images. I par3cularly like the image in which the subject maOer is not face on to the camera, and is orientated to the leM of the image. This gives the set of photographs variety and works well with the effect of the emo3ons spilling out of the subject maOer’s mouth. The texture of the images works beOer in the desaturated images because it creates a more vivid contrast between the emo3ons and the subject maOer’s skin and hair. The curling form of the paper which has the emo3ons wriOen on creates interes3ng shapes in the images also.
My images will have a strong visual impact on a viewer mainly on a first look because paper is spilling out of a subject maOer’s mouth, which is quite shocking if you do not expect to see it. However, aMer the ini3al reac3on, my images will have an impact because of the symbolism portrayed within the photographs. Also, I expect the set of idea 2 images will have more of an impact on a viewer because they are more abstract than my Idea 1 images. I believe I achieved the level of symbolism I wanted in my Idea 2 photographs because a viewer can see that there are words such as “anxiety” and “confusion” which can lead the viewer to decipher what they wish from these words. However I believe the symbolic message is quite clear to interpret because of the process of development throughout my whole project. The main symbolic message I tried to convey through these images was that eventually, what you feel inside will alter and disfigure how you are on the outside. This is relatable to most people; therefore I believe that a viewer could decipher the meaning behind the images.
Final 3 Outcomes