Idea One: Working Title: Protect/Project
CONCEPT/SUBJECT:
Masks or Face coverings hide and obscure, they protect against unwanted germs or viruses and serve a vital purpose during this pandemic. But while the mask protects and hides it also projects intentionally or unintentionally. What are we saying when we choose or create a mask or are forced to use what we have on hand?
The goal of this project is to photograph (document) various people on the street with masks/face coverings; with the idea that what may be on the surface of the mask reveals some deeper truths…
TECHNICAL APPROACH (INPUT):
Camera: Canon 7D Markii, Canon EF-S18-135mm zoom lens
No tripod
Shooting outdoors in different places and time of day so varied color temperature.
ISO 100 or 200 depending on time of day, fast shutter speed, open aperture.
Composition & Framing: Tight Closeups on face combined with shots of the full person to show context of either the environment/place or significant objects.
TECHNICAL APPROACH AND SPECS (OUTPUT):
Create a virtual exhibition using https://www.artsteps.com/ If I can’t figure out a virtual gallery then a webpage with a “lightbox” type plugin that will look like a gallery wall. I want the photos to be viewed as a body of work together. I want the viewer to feel confronted and draw meaning from the juxtaposition of the images. The images will not be uniformly scaled and will be in color.
Hi MaryAlice!
What a powerful approach to our current situation. With so many angles that you could take with our circumstances in mind, I like that you are focusing on a very specific subject of the masks. Diving so deeply into a specific feature I think will yield a really strong body of work. It will be interesting to view how individuals are captured with a variety of backgrounds and mask choices. I anticipate each image being so deeply thought-provoking.
We’ve seen some beautiful and powerful portraits from you so far, and I look forward to seeing your new portraits all together.
Maggie
Hi Mary Alice,
I love your project idea. The mask provides such an opportunity to explore limited human expression. What do our eyes tells us? What do the wrinkles around on our face say about the emotions we are feeling? We are outside, but with a mask on, we are still hidden. I heard a story about a nurse who has a picture of herself printed on paper that she wears on her chest so that her patients can see her smiling. It is interesting how much we rely on our lower face to express our feelings, mood, intention.
I am so looking forward to seeing what you produce. You are so talented at taking portraits already this will add such an interesting element to the stories you are already telling.
Leslie
Hi Mary Alice,
I think your project idea is amazing and unique! I think this project will be great in the sense that we will see people for more then just a person and start to really stop and notice them. I think this project is super fitting for this time where probably a lot of people are putting up that mask (metaphorically) to either hide or show a of side of themselves they want people to see.
Super excited to see the end results!