Photography for Self Expression

 Photography for Self Expression

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A project I recently worked on for Advanced Studio was all about Mindful Photography. I utilized two books to learn about this process: Exploring the self through Photography by Claire Clark and Zen Camera by David Ulrich. 

The Books

The Discovery

Even before this Advanced Studio class, I was looking at using photography as a tool for self awareness, especially through workshop series. 

Mindful Photography

Mindful Photography is a way to look at the world around you, as well as your values/what is important to you, by capturing it in images, then reflecting on the process and the image taken. 

The Process: Example

The following is the process followed during my Advanced Studio project. 

Supplies needed: camera, tripod, journal, pens/pencils

Objectives:

·       Understand myself and the world around me by capturing photographs relating to how I view myself after reflection and journaling.

·       Understand what is important to me by capturing photographs of these after reflection and journaling.

·       Understand what my values are by capturing photographs after completing the values sort exercise.

·       Capture 20 to 30 images that can be used as a reminder of who I am, my values, and how I see myself and the world around me.

 

Part 1: Learning about myself

·       Write down 3 things that describe yourself. Capture the essence of who you are, without you being in the photos.

·       Write down 3 things in your world that are important to you OR that help you be who you are. Capture these in photographs.

·       Write down 3 things you are grateful for. Capture these in photographs.

·       Complete the values sort. What are your top 10 most important values? How can you capture 5 of these in photographs?

 

Part 2: Perspectives of other living and non-living things

·       Go to a location of your choice. Try to pick a location that has some people, animals, object, etc.

·       Make a list of 5 to 10 different perspectives within this area. For example: the person sitting on a bench, the rock on the corner, etc.

·       You are going to take a picture from each of these perspectives. Do the following prior to each individual picture:

o   Close your eyes. Envision yourself in the role from that perspective for a few seconds. Take 3 deep breaths. Open your eyes.

o   Take a picture, putting yourself in the perspective of the specific item, person, object, etc.

o   Write about being in that perspective. Put yourself in their shoes. Write about it.

Creative Ways to Display

 The way I chose to display this process is below. 

Project description

This display brings together mindful photography, journaling, paintings, digital artwork, video, and re-usable materials to create an engaging experience for the audience relating to the topic of perspective. We all perceive the world differently, and this project explores the use of mindful photography as a tool to increase self-awareness and self-understanding, by looking internally at our values, emotions, what we are grateful for, and what is important to us. It helped me capture different perspectives that I do not always pay attention to, reflect on what I see around me, and helped me better understand my values. It encompasses a love for environmental issues by using Styrofoam, recycled paper, and old magazines as foundations of the display. It is my hope that viewers will also look internally at their values, emotions, what they are grateful for, and what is important to them as they explore my work.

Through research, I learned that the camera can be used as way to explore the self and be more mindful (Ulrich, 2018) and that photography can be used a tool, whether as an individual or as a group, to reflect and look at the world from different perspectives (Craig, 2009).

Throughout this project, I explored myself and the world around me through a journal process, which involved writing and reflecting on photographs that I took while on my favourite walk. This project also incorporates my physical and digital art perspective through a video, represented through the pupil/iris of the eye. This resulted in a mixed media display that was meaningful to me and shares my perspective within the world.

The use of re-useable materials, such as Styrofoam and magazines, explores the ability to create stronger connections between multiple disciplines. The use of these materials is related to my perspective on the issues that arise in the environmental field. I believe that materials can be used in a way beyond their original purpose, reducing the cyclical impacts that some materials create.

Final Thoughts

There are many ways to use a process like this for individuals who would potentially engage in a workshop for self-exploration. How I chose to display my process is one option. 

This project reflects my inner views, emotions, thoughts, and values through reflection, outer perspective, and digitizing artworks. I believe the foundations of this project can be used to help others become more mindful, self-aware, and better understand their perspective within the world.

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I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback on these images!