Ahhh Easter break.

I have made a mock-up of a little book of Polaroids I took a while ago to experiment with a few ideas and haven't really known what to do with. So a little pamphlet stitch makes a rather satisfying book...

I have been planning shoots like crazy recently, trying to stop myself from panicking at the thought that once back in Manchester, there is so much to do in the little space of 6 weeks until degree show.

To follow on from the previous blog regarding my work... black and white or colour... here is a colour image with no props, soon to be adding a black and white image with props. I need to cover all possible bases before making a truly informed decision about where to finally go with this project.

The first image is completely bare, apart from the body. The second includes the edge of a mirror. This isn't meant as a prop, just as a dimension to put the figure in some kind of perspective. I'm not trying to create an abstract image anymore. I don't think.

My mind, probably a lot like this post, is such a jumble of ideas at the moment. I need to find some clarification soon.

Black and White or Colour?

I have chosen to work with black and white for the majority of this body of work, without really owning up to the reasons why... After much deliberation and reflection (and shooting a few colour films) I realised that black and white images are softer on the body, omitting the harsh reality of the body image. I read a couple of days ago that when shooting nudes, black and white images tend to focus more on the shape of the body, contours, lines... whereas colour images are more real, showing the viewer what the body really looks like, there is no escaping a colour image... Does this mean its less beautiful? Both the images use the same body parts, from the same model. The black and white image, although softer, is showing the isolated body, with no other distractions in the frame. The colour image on the other hand includes props, a backdrop... these items bring with them connotations, and allow the viewer to be distracted, asking them questions and allowing them to put the body in a place and time... Do I want more control?

I have been looking back to my favourite painter's recently for inspiration... A gorgeous Degas for example!

What is beauty? What makes something or someone beautiful? This is what I am trying to tackle. A normal body, doing a normal task, presented in a certain way elevates it to the beautiful. Or does it?

A nice quote to get me thinking -

' Beauty is an unstable property because it is not a property at all. It is the name of a particular interaction between two beings, a 'self' and an 'Other'.'

- Wendy Steiner.

I am using this blog to introduce my work, talk through my work and develop ideas and research. I'm not completely sure at this moment that it is right for me but I have been reassured by follow bloggers that it is a good experience, gets you writing and reflecting (which I admittedly do not do enough of) and is a good place to share and see other artist's work. I hope so!