Katie Douglas
“Masquerade”
Advanced Photography Project Proposal
“In masks outrageous and austere, the years go by in single file; but none has merited my fear, and none has quite escaped my smile.” –Elinor Wylie
“It is a career of make-believe, of masks. We all have masks in life.” –Judd Nelson
“Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within.” –James A. Baldwin
“Masquerade”
Project Proposal
For my advanced photography project I want to expand on my studio lighting final from last semester. I photographed a model in Venetian facemasks in black in white and printed the images in 16X24 format. I would like to keep the same dimensions for printing as I believe this is the best way to present the images. Although, instead of limiting the series to six images, I would like to increase the number to 20. This way series could include a wide variety of poses, models, masks, and lighting situations. I would also like to increase the number of models and facemasks in order to branch out and make the series more about my ideas and concepts and less about portraiture.
There are several reasons that I want to do this project. The first is that I always been attracted to masks. To me, they represent so many feelings and emotions. Masks are both freeing and confining. To wear a mask, you must hide part of your self and place a wall between you and the world around you. Some people hide behind their masks, concealing their emotions or flaws from everyone around them. They think themselves imperfect and obscure that part of themselves behind their “mask”.
Others use masks as a different way to hide from the world. These individuals view their mask as freeing, anonymous in every action they partake. The mask gives them the freedom to face whatever stands in their way and perform actions their normal character would normally eschew. Another school of thought behind wearing a mask lingers with the mystery of it all. Who is that person? What are they like? Where did they come from?
These questions are not only about the person behind the mask but also about ourselves. As we think about an unidentifiable person, we often times try to insert a bit of ourselves into them until we can learn about them. The mystery is attractive. Flaws are hidden and the imagination takes hold and tries to fill the blanks. People will always want what they cannot have, and in this instance, wanting to know more is checked by the mask. You can’t move it, you can’t see under it, and you can’t see past it. And as they say, nothing is better than a good mystery.
Another part of the mask that is sometimes pushed to the side is the romanticism of it. Hiding who you are and seeing others hide themselves in a group releases many fears surrounding social situations. The imagery many come up with when they think of a masked individual is that coy smile of a courtesan before she dashes away into a crowd. That romanticism of chasing and gaining knowledge is something that I believe drives many relationships today, so why not symbolize it with a mask?
Out of all the research that I have done into this idea, I was unable to find any photographers who were exclusively working in the same direction I am. I found many images made with masks that reference which direction I would like to go in, but most of them were posted on flickr.com or devionart.com. Hence, finding information about the photographers was limited and unfruitful. I did; however, find some artists with imagery that I would like to reference. Brad Lou Tennant, Artur Saribekyan, Yulia Ledenyova, and Jennifer Alder are photographers whose images of female models range from striking, to soft, to seductive, to dramatic. Each of their images is captivating and tells a story, which is something that I would like my images to portray. I have also found several images that are going in the same direction I am and seem, to me at least, to reference the ideas I would like to bring across.
The supplies that I will need for this project will be a DSLR camera, several venetian masks, several strobe lights with various soft boxes, a studio to work in, backdrops, models, a copy of Photoshop to edit with, a print lab, matt board, and time to complete the works. I already have several masks but will need more to provide a wider variety throughout the series. And I also already own a DSLR and can get some models. I may have access to Photoshop within a few days as soon as I hear back from Adobe. I may also have access to studio space and equipment through my job at Mediagraphix Photography, however I would first need to clear it with my boss. Also, I would only be able to have access to it after hours, which could complicate things. I have enclosed a list of websites at which I plan to purchase more masks and I am also planning on several trips to stores like Romancing the Stone to purchase masks.
In short, I would like to do a series of 20 16X24 images in black and white of female models in Venetian masks. The reasons I want to do this are that I am deeply interested in the symbolisms and feelings that masks render, female models are generally the typical idea of beauty and romanticism. The lack of color in the images I believe will promote a more directed view of the image without the distraction of color and white balances. The size is large enough to attract your attention and provide the view with details and not overwhelm them. Overall, I am excited by the idea and believe this could be a run through for thesis.
Areas open for experimentation
I am contemplating experimenting with several different parts of this series. I would like to try to do some location shooting with my models to bring a more gritty and fashion edge to the shots. I also would like to try the prints at 30X40 and possibly using the metallic prints that Elco Color Labs offers. In addition I may also try severely muting the color rather than removing them entirely. Another part of this series that I am thinking about using is to order blank masks and having the models writing on the masks what they think they hide behind, whether for freedom of being nameless or for a wall to hide behind. I am open to any ideas or suggestions that could make this project better.
Photographers I like
Jennifer Alder is a freelance photographer who lives in Northville, Michigan. She has won several awards and shoots both commercial photography and private portrait sessions. She also hosts workshops across the US.
Yulia Ledenyova
Yulia Ledenyova mainly does commercial and portrait work in the Ukraine and Russian.
Artur Saribekyan
Artur Saribekyan is a Russian photographer who works with female models.
Brad Lou Tennant
http://www.modelmayhem.com/1247240
Brad Lou Tennant is a 19-year-old photography student in Australia. He mainly focuses on fashion photography.
Photographs for inspiration
Websites for more inspiration
Masks I would like to purchase
Quotes, from title page
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