Self Portraits
I struggled with creativity in this project, particularly because Wisconsin is shutdown with the exception of a few county parks, such as Indian Lake, where these pictures were taken. I tried to capture the essence of my relationship with nature, in some photographs as only the boots I hike in. One of the main points I tried to make with this series is that when I am in nature, I am not the focal point, and it is not my environment to control. I am a part of the environment, not the focus. Therefore, despite being self portraits, I was not even in the frame of a few photos.
I do like all of your pictures and the point that you were trying to make with the boots in the first three pictures. One thing that could be done different is maybe try to switch up the location due to the fact that they all kind of look the same and have the same backdrop. Keep the idea of the boots though, I really liked that and was intrigued to why you did that. The feel of your pictures is somewhat like Taylor's pictures in the fact that you both have the eerie trees surrounding you and in the background. The tone of your pictures is also similar to hers with that natural, earthy fell which I love. I also love the different angles and points of view that you took on the boot pictures and didn't just photograph them all from the same angle.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy all of your pictures and I really like the boot idea and the quality of your pictures are crisp.I'd have to agree with Quinton and say change up the scenery just so things aren't the same in every picture.I'd say just set up the shoes in different areas because I think they're a good subject.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the idea in the first three photos of how your body isn't in it but your shoes are, it makes the viewer want to walk in your shoes and experience the nature around you. I would also have to agree with Quinton and Khamaron about changing the scene. Maybe if you had a picture with the shoes outside and then a picture with the shoes in your house and then maybe have a picture with your shoes with a family member to have some variety and tell more of a story. I really liked the wide depth of field you had in the last image because it really made me think, what does that path lead to?
ReplyDeleteI like how you used your boots in the photos because even though you aren't in them, it shows that you left a mark in the world. My favorite two are the ones looking out over an area. I really like the third photo with the idea of you behind a tree but I think that you can be more creative with it, like maybe grab some branches and leaves to make it look like you are apart of the tree/forest
ReplyDeleteYour strongest photograph is probably your fourth photograph. I think that this is extremely interesting because it takes the viewer a while to notice that there is a figure within the composition. This photograph creates questions of whether this figure it hiding, resting, waiting etc. The lack of emotion present in this portrait makes the figure seem less human and more like a statue. You do a nice job of utilizing a tree trunk as a means of almost replacing your body. I think what is nice about this photograph is that, the tree trunk you DID choose to hide behind is a tree trunk that stands out from the rest because it had been chopped/ broken. A lot of stories can be created from this photograph. One thing that I think you should work on is not only photograph your shoes, but photograph yourself with the shoes/ wearing the shoes. You can tell more of a story by being apart of the photograph.
ReplyDeleteI think your photos work very nice as a series. I really enjoy the somewhat monochromatic colorscheme, because it creates a calming mood. It seems to tell the viewer that when you are out in nature, you are most at ease. I think using the boots alone to represent you was also smart and successful. I would love to see you further explore photos like the fourth for your reshoot, because it is a nice way of showing a oneness with nature. Nice work!
ReplyDeletelove the nature and love how you use the shoes to show movement and still representing a person at the same time. The color pallet is very cohesive and calming! each image has so much information that i miss seeing you in some of the images but i think that was the point. I think one of the most successful images is the one of you walking down the path, i love the tall trees around you and the scenic path you're on!
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ReplyDeleteI think it's cool that you're not physically in each image, a part of you is in essence. Nature is a part of what defines you, and I think these images convey that well. I'd say that either the first or second image could benefit from a reshoot. I feel that they are a bit too similar to each other.
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