5 Stills Development and Final Stills

 




After doing the shoots I try to think of a different way to present it than just a set of enlarged passport photos. So I searched online on how to remove the shadows in the background.





Then I choose the photos to be used and edit them: high contrast(100%) and low saturation(-50%).

Later when I think of presenting in a different way I try to split 4 subjects in 5 photos to represent the feeling of having separate cultures in one person (western born but asian culture centred). However, I then realised the focus of the stills should be on challenging the stereotypes instead of on their actual identities.

When I was in Tate Modern I saw something simple but strong.

LORNA SIMPSON

I like how the simplicity of it brings out the concept even more.
So I finalised my 5 stills back to passport-photo-like portraits.

Visualising the Installation 


Made in ... 


Image 1       Image 2       Image 3       Image 4       Image 5 

Canada        UK                UK               Portugal          Germany

"Made in ..." is referring the places they were born in and also a identity related phrase e.g. Made in Chelsea (TV series), Made in China (News: China surpasses US as world's largest trading nation) ...


Summary/ Reflection

The final series looks really well, better than I expected as a newbie to portrait photography. I learnt a lot from chatting with the subjects. The challenge is, since I could not book out a studio due to unpredictable schedules with the subject, that I had to do my lightings in the homemade studio carefully to make the lightings look similar. Also, for one of my subject I had to travel to Epsom, so it's another totally different environment to do my equipment set up. I am glad that I can fix most of the flaws in Photoshop but I would say I can do better if I have more time with the subjects or have them in one day in a proper studio.


Artist Statement 


Through talking to other Asian people I realised we all had experiences of being misunderstood or stereotyped. Not every white face is British, so as not every Asian face is Chinese/ Japanese/ no difference(no we don't look the same). The series intrigues people to rethink before assuming one's identity.