Project 1: Curating Self

The idea of Acceptance

I wanted to play around with the concept of acceptance in all 3 of my components. Usually, acceptance is associated with a positive meaning but in my case, I wanted to add a little sadness to it. 


Component 1: Me

absence of self-Acceptance

#1

I wanted to show vulnerability even in the place where I felt the most comfortable, which is my bed. I hid my face in my arms to show how afraid I am in my own skin.

The curling of the body creates a rectangular shape that holds the focus of the viewer.

 

#2

A mask of chemicals to hide my imperfections and only letting you see what I want you to see through my eyes in the mirror, the only way where I felt I looked presentable.

The polaroid-like borders brings emphasis to the subject.

#3

Portrait shots are meant to be taken as clearly as possible, to show you every detail of your face and body but in my portrait, I am looking at the camera but I am blurred out, showing how I am unable to bring down my walls.

 

The absence of my face in every photo of component 1 shows my insecurities, worries and lack of confidence as an individual, unable to face another person directly without worries.


Component 2

Accepting that he can’t always be with me

#1

This bear was a gift to me by someone I love.  The bear represents him when he’s not around me. I tried to give the bear a more human-like look, as though I’m actually leaning on a person to rest my tired, weary head.

#2

To me, physical affection is direct connection to another person. I wanted to give the bear a more humanly touch, just like how I would hold tightly onto the hands of the ones I love.

#3

The image is intentionally cropped to create a sense of closeness and the hands on the bear’s thighs adds a sense of affection and love I have for the bear.


Component 3

Accepting that most of my childhood can’t be taken back

#1

This is a familiar sight growing up, when I visited my grandma’s house.

The low angle shows how I view this flight of stairs being powerful and impactful in the earlier parts of my life.

#2

Whenever I revisit this flight of stairs,  I feel like my body has turned back in time back to when I was a kid, with my head playfully peeking through the triangular hole in the wall. The white walls signifies a sense of purity and innocence.

The image is shifted to the left to give a sense of flow and direction, as well as to adhere to the rule of thirds.

#3

This was a common view when I was a kid. The low angle gives emphasis to the big influence this place had in my life. The walls used to be painted red, which I associated with the love I had for my Grandma and her house though the repainted walls shows how I had to paint over the memories I made here as a kid. I never quite understood the reasons for the holes in the walls but the light peeking through it shows the newfound hope I have for an old but unfamiliar place.


END