When I first begun to take my final images I decided that I wanted to split the project up into two different sets of images. One set of images I wanted to represent the metaphorical symbolism of someone who suffers from Allodoxaphobia and the effects this has on them mentally and the other set being the physical representation.
One aspect that was very important to me in this project was the order of the images in the photo book. I wanted each image to parallel or juxtapose along side each other throughout. For example I want to reflect a metaphorical image with a physical one as I feel that the images would create more impact this way.
Firstly I would like to explain my faviourite image, ‘Breaking Point’, which is the one I begin my photo-book with. Simply enough I feel that this image is a good reflection of the cracking up of someones mental state. There are a variety of features which I found intriguing and interesting in this photograph. The way the cracks deepen towards the middle represents how deeply scarred someone who is suffering from this phobia could be by those around them. Along with the cracks, the colour grows darker also towards the centre of the image and i think the mixture of greys work well together to further emphasize the complexity of the image.
My next image, ‘Hot Air’, is another that I feel particularly proud of. Using a balloon in an image was part of my original ideas to express the mental state behind Allodoxaphobia. I wanted to play with the idea of our opinions and words are simply air but also I thought a balloon would be a good way to show the tension that people suffering from Allodoxaphoia would face everyday from everyone having everything to say about anything and that, some of the time, it is simply hot air. Originally I tried to capture an image of a balloon bursting to show the pointlessness of our words and the harmful effects it could have on others however, technically this proved an issue as I could never grasp the exact moment and I ran out of props! However I feel the deep matte purple compared with the neutral background and the stripped colour of the model works nicely as well.
These two of my photographs are called ‘Scrape Away’. The first image of the rake caught my eye and was an improvised image. What drew me to it was how ironic it was; for example the function of the tool is to create order and structure. However not only has this tool been abandoned in this situation but also the weeds, grass soil and manure has all grown around and over it, burying it underneath the very debris it was created to organise. I simply thought that this paired very well with the second image of the two people- with one of them yelling and the other clearly in distress. It must be how Allodoxaphobic people feel with everyone around them. One of our main functions as humans is to have our own opinions and individual beliefs and without this there would be order and and whilst this may not be a good thing, it would prevent Allodoxaphobic people from feeling as suffocated and useless as the rake. The composition of the images were different and I am still not entire sure they compliment each other in this aspect. The rake image has a good depth from the foreground, the middle and the background where as the second image with the people is mostly the opposite. However I do like the way the second image, although looks staged, cuts the eyes out of the second person to put emphasis on the persons mouth as the main feature of distress.
This image of the woman in the window I find very calming. Most of the photographs and ideas I had for this project mostly relied on conjuring up disturbing or distressing issues and connotations however this is only one which I feel reflects the softer side of this phobia. Here I wanted to show the more vulnerable shy reclusive side. Mostly psychologists believe that people who suffer from this phobia do so as a result of fear from past abuse. Therefore I feel the image of the woman captures how faceless and alone these people must feel. I find the statue elegant however I feel that during editing I could have used more to edit to either make her stand out more against the background or to emphasize her figure more. I did experiment with turning her black and white however I found that this effect took away some of the elegance of the image which was my most favorite aspect though I do appreciate technically it is not the best.
My next pairing of images is called ‘intro-verted’ as a play on words to show the fact that the second image of a wide shot of metal has been used as my only inverted image in the project. The reason I introverted this image was because when it was in colour you could not see the imperfections in the metal but when you turned it ‘inside out’ as to say it reveals all sorts of blemishes in a similar way our skin protects others from seeing the suffering on the inside and without digging deeper our fears (such as allodoxaphobia) are hidden. The second image also reflects this view and acts as another of my stronger images. I wanted to create the representation of a mentality I have previously mentioned that without our individual beliefs (shown through the light bulb) we are all just a face. I’m quite proud that I actually managed to take this shot as it was quite difficult to maneuver the camera and the light bulb and my model to exactly the right position but I feel that the outcome was worth the perseverance.
I called these images ‘Feeding The Fishes’. The first image of the frog fountain sculpture I wanted to use because I liked the symbolism of how a fish stares blankly and moves its mouth open and shut without making any sounds. I think this paired well with the second image which was one of my darker photographs. Here, I wanted the photograph to be grotesque and crude (which I believe it came across as) that we simply shove words out of our mouths without consequence. That sometimes our words have no meaning. Despite how the lighting and tone of these two photographs are very different and I, if i could do these again would probably have taken that into account, I still find that together they prove to be an effective grouping.
This is my second favorite photograph. Named ‘Music to my ears’ for obvious reasons I feel that it portrays the meaning of Allodoxaphobia better than any of my others. Again, this was one of my first original ideas however when I set out I begun to take profile pictures of the two of them but found that from the front the image held more impact. The shadow from the model on the right which covers the face of the woman on the left is one of the most effective features as it represents the imposing figure of the public always there and shoving there points of view into your ears no matter how hard you try and avoid it. The only ways I believe that I could have improved this image
This pairing is called ‘Trapped’ for a variety of reasons. The image of the boy on the right side is portrayed differently to how I had first thought the idea to be shown as. I wanted to create a slightly darker image than I created. I feel as though I could have executed this idea better and possibly make the hands more of a feature to focus on rather than the face. However I also could not resist this angle therefore I chose this image and considering how the photo shoot went what is portrayed on the models face is genuine distress so I did not have to worry about authenticity. The second image was what I found in the middle of a field. A gardener had obviously given the tree some plastic in order to direct its growth however over the years the tree has grown in a different direction and the work of man has stifled its growth and caused the plastic to split and the wood to splinter. Those suffering from the Allodoxaphobia also have there mental growth stifled by the fear of forming there own opinions and hearing others.
Appropriately named ‘Lip-Lock’ and ‘Talking Trash’ I have to say that I do like the imagery of these two images though I do feel that the right image of the bin is definitely my weakest. My intentions with the second photograph is I wanted to give the appearance of two lips with a tongue inside and I liked the grotesque feel of the bin as sort of an ‘offhand’ looking photograph as it was not a style I had used any where else in this project. However I believe the execution is definitely lacking in technique. The keys in the lips I prefer as it sets a more appropriate tone which I had not yet explored in these images which is slightly colder and more metallic which fits better with the style more than the photograph of the bin which translates as more amateurish.
This is one my stronger images I believe in terms of concept. Called ‘Skin’ this image stands alone as the rust is slowly corroding the metal around a plug hole. The idea behind this image is resonably straight forward. The photograph is meant to express the years of corroding of an Allodoxaphobic persons mental state as they grow and learn that more and more people speak there minds whether they want to be heard or not. Some of it they can let go over there heads and drain away (hence the plug hole) however sometimes its the residue that sticks and rusts away slowly staining there emotional and mental states beyond repair. During editing I attempted to recreate a more skin-like tone with the rust which was originally a grey mould colour. I think this works well in the image and I particularly like the colours contrast with the metal and then the solid back of the segments.
Lastly I conclude my book with another strong image called ‘Inhale’. This is meant to represent the media and its constant feeding of information to us. The pressure of the views which are pressed upon us everyday on the television, from adverts, the radio, the internet and other media forums we simply cannot escape from which is what the inhaler is metaphorically representing. The bandages are showing how we are helpless to see the pollution from the media and we are helpless to choose what we see or hear in our everyday lives which must be something terrifying for those suffering with Allodoxaphobia. In terms of technique I wanted the light to shine from the most important to the least important features in this image. For example the inhaler should be the first object in the image to draw the viewers attention, then the bandages and then the face. The fact that the face of the person is robbed from the image is something that I was intending from the beginning as one of my original ideas. I wanted the model to represent everyone of all sexes and age further emphasized by the fact that her hair fades into the black background. I like the way that this is the photo to conclude the book. Despite the fact that it is quite a depressing concept I feel the last image should leave an appropriate impression on the viewer and hopefully make some impact on there view on Allodoxaphobia.
I feel over all that my photo book project was a success. I believe that my only weaknesses were perhaps on first observation it is hard to grasp the meaning behind the images or what I am exactly attempting to portray.
