Makayla Rene Final Project Proposal

For this project I would like to do an observational/narrative series of photos pertaining to relationship dynamics. Whether that be family, friends, lovers or even the relationship between humans and nature. I chose this concept because I feel that during these times a lot of people tend to be so busy that they do not take the time to slow down and appreciate the people and environments that exist around them. The project is not only meant to portray the joy that these relationships may bring but also the frustration and hurt that comes along with it.

To shoot this project I would like to focus on both very fast and very slow shutter speeds. Whichever one I decide to use while shooting will vary depending on what message I am trying to portray behind each photo. The main technical concepts that I will be using for this project is point of view and a limited color palette. I plan to use POV to shape my concept and create a set of photos that are unified through the technical aspects of photography as the subject matter of my photos is going to vary. Using a limited color palette is another way that I will achieve this. My focus when it comes to color is to manipulate my colors in post production to achieve the look that I am going for.

For the output of this project I want to challenge myself and try an idea that i have been thinking about doing for a while now. I want to take the photos that I have taken and merge them into graphic design modules that describe what this project is about visually. After the post-production I will create two of these modules. One will describe the positives and negatives that comes with relationship dynamics and the other one will describe how we as humans have neglected nature. 

RESPONSE FROM REBECCA:

Hi Makayla,

Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed proposal. This is an ambitious idea.

I think that keeping your color palette streamlined as a unifying gesture is wise, particularly considering your background as a painter and the work that you did on the Expressive Color assignment. I have no doubt about your ability to create a body of images that are chromatically and aesthetically cohesive.

When you describe the project as observational, do you mean that you plan to make candid images of people? I’d love to hear more about what the actual process will involve, since the sample images you sent are less observational and more staged/constructed. This project could be carefully staged/crafted, but involve an observational aspect in that you’re researching/observing people and relationships (like field notes) that feed into a body of images that reflect on these ideas. How many different people do you imagine photographing? Will there be recurring “characters” who play multiple “roles” in the images? Is it performative?

I’m not sure that the shutter speed should be your central concern here, as far as the technical input, outside of simply having control over it in general, so that you’re generating the results you want. Regarding the design “modules” that you mention, I’d love to hear more. I think that your previous experience in Photoshop will serve you well if you do plan to do some layering/montage. Just be conscious of time.

I think that the multiple thematic threads you mention, in addition to the highly involved post-production, might be overly complex and varied for such a short-term project. If you plan to layer images, I strongly recommend a tighter thematic focus. The humans/nature/neglect idea might be one that allows you to settle into a tighter way of working for the next two weeks. Bringing together, for examples, landscapes and portraits into layered montages, would already make for a rich and ambitious project, without the complication of the other human/human relationships and the constraint of the positive/negative dichotomy you describe creating.

Take a look at the project Lovely Days by former MassArt Photo student Marissa Ciampi, which (albeit in a different way than what you describe), looks at the complicated and sometimes toxic relationship between humans and nature through the commercial flower industry. If you’re thinking about human relationships, a body of work you should definitely know is Carrie Mae Weems’ Kitchen Table series, which you can read about here. You may already know the early 20th century photomontages of Hannah Höch; those might inspire your collage/montage post-production if you decide to go in that direction; and she’s an important artist to know in that realm. A more contemporary example of photomontage work can be found in the Iranian artist Setah Shabazi’s series Spectral Days. Liam Rimmington also looks at the human/nature relationship. Alexandra Bellissimo is another photomontage artist exploring the same themes.

Overall, I’d focus the idea in a bit more tightly…human relationships or our relationship to nature. Lookig forward to seeing what you come up with. Reach out any time with questions.