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