Self Portrait Thoughts

Speaking of identify and self-portrait, the first thing I can think of is the fact that I'm Asian and I have to take a selfie. #asian #girl #lotsofhashtages


The generalisation of smartphones and rapid development of social media are making self-portraits less valuable because of its mass quantity uploaded on internet. The word "selfie" then appeared and made official in the Oxford English Dictionary. I have been intentionally avoid being "basic girls" who upload loads of selfies on social networking for years, and I would like to continue to do so for the rest of my life. The Self Portrait project is perfect for me to take photo of myself and put meaning in it. Maybe the the difference between "selfie" and "self-portrait" is that one represents your physical self, one represents both physical and mental self. By mental self I mean soul, not a pretty but empty shell captured by digital camera. The idea of taking a meaningful selfie is really exciting and the use of photoshop in the project is a challenge accepted.

I was thinking about making a series of photos to show the journey of self-realisation to my identity. But then I realise I already did something similar in my Foundation (http://mymaisiemok.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/got-distinction-in-fmp.html). I now seize to show my current state of mind which is to hold onto something. I had been drifting for so long in the path of non-creative industry. Being in a creative arts university is the greatest learning experience I have ever had and this is the opportunity that I want to hold on to. It might be different to different people but every person must have some strong belief at some points of their lives or even through out their lives.

Strangely, I am thinking of the summer project that I did: https://goo.gl/photos/Hc4EGc81fgiaegSr8 .
#catportrait





My main inspiration comes from Bill Viola The Passion series, especially this one:



The video looks just like still but given more emotion. I would like my final outcome be a still that shows action. The action from me reaching out.

Also, I will create a short video to support the final outcome in my presentation. The final image will of course speak for itself and I believe the short video will highlight the purpose of it. Currently, I am thinking of filming a everyday mundane scene with the Edgar Wright editing style to make them interesting. The last scene of the short video will be followed by my final image of me reaching out to give it more sense of action.

Hope this will do me well.

Reading list:
Bright, S. (2010) Auto focus: The self-portrait in contemporary photography. London: Thames & 

Hudson.

Dybisz, N. and Aniela (2011) Self-portrait photography: The ultimate in personal expression. 

United Kingdom: Ilex.

Spence, J. and Ribalta, J. (2005) Jo Spence. Barcelona: Museu D’Art Contemporani de Barcelona 

(MACBA).

Wearing, G., Herrmann, D. F., Krystof, D. and Schwenk, B. (2012) Gillian wearing. London: 

RIDINGHOUSE.