Only Five Years Late...

Originally my plans were to post all of the work I had produced over the three years I spent at university. However, other projects outside of university took up most of my time, effort and focus. Recently, I felt inspired that I was ready to share at least a little something from my years at university but I didn't want to jump straight back into blogging with new material and no explanation. After five years I think this blog and you guys deserved at least that.

26/03/2020

Gothic Surrealism

Final Module Project - Photography and Video BA (Hons) Degree

So, for my third and final year at university, we were required to design and create our own experimental and analytical project for one of our final modules. What I loved most about my final year, and particularly this project, was that we had the freedom to do whatever we wanted. For some time I wasn't exactly sure what that might look like or what themes I wanted to present or experiment with. 

To begin with I was very interested in using ideas that best represented fairytales with a realistic, magical fantasy feel. When researching I found various artists that had beautifully achieved that mystical aesthetic that are found within fairytale-like worlds. Annie Leibovitz in particular manages to perfectly capture many Disney animated stories. With a number of collaborations with well known celebrities and cleverly designed character costumes, Leibovitz captured her audience through popularity and identification, whilst managing to re-create those ever familiar fairytale scenes.

Later in my research I became somewhat un-inspired and decided to take a much darker route. I've always been drawn to books or films that convey feelings of unsteadiness. This was clearly evident during my first year as I co-produced a short video titled 'nightmare'. To some people, the idea of the unknown or paranormal behaviour can bring a sense of fear. For me it's quite the opposite. I find it all the more exciting. Christopher Mckenney, a photographer that specialises in 'horror surrealist photography', was exactly the inspiration I needed. His work portrays the paranormal in a very simplistic yet effective way. Other artists in particular Kevin Corrado and Clarence John Laughlin, collectively gave me the driving force for this project.

Naming the project 'Gothic Surrealism' and producing my ten final prints, my time at university came to a close. Do I miss it? No, Do I regret it? Not one bit! My final year was by far my favourite and thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with and truly developing my knowledge and skills. However, I can assure you that I don't miss the deadlines or the nervousness before presenting my work, or the anxieties I felt whilst waiting for my results! I learnt so many things, made what I hope to be lifelong friends and discovered a love for other projects such as making videos. I can remember despising any video work in my first year, and yet now I make video content for YouTube. Funny the paths that life can lead you along.

Prom Princess: Double Rainbow

Chapter 4.

Double Rainbow

Not much later, Claire's best friend Bethan arrived in a beautiful dress lined with layers of different coloured material, complemented with a white and silver Venetian mask. Polishing off her prom look she wore silver glittered heals and curled hair pinned to the side leaving the hair to drape over her left shoulder.

Both looking beautiful and both with high excited spirits, looking forward to their evening together, commemorating the end of a very short part of their lives and moving on to begin their next. The best part about it all is they get to share it together, as soul sisters, as best friends just like a double rainbow.

Moments like these are often brushed aside or not celebrated as much as they should be. Proms, Balls, Grades or Graduations are all put in place to cherish, recognise and celebrate our achievements. I'm just so happy that I was able to photograph these stunning ladies before they went off to enjoy their special celebratory evening.

A beautiful end and beautiful beginning!

The End.

Prom Princess: The Sapphire Girl

Chapter 3.

The Sapphire Girl

After many hours of preparations leading up to this special night and the excitement that is clearly visible in these photographs, following. It was time for Claire, so beautifully dressed in a stunning royal blue gown topped off with a frilled short sleeve cardigan, to attend her ball... you could say.

Before her fellow students and chauffeur arrived we had enough time to ease in a small but elegant photo shoot that Claire was so eager to get stuck in to. It was perfect atmospheric wise, with the blue sky, the odd spots of fluffy clouds and a green lawn so perfectly scattered with little white daises. The setting was I guess magic! In all this helped create the right feel, look and effect that was just simply ideal for such an occasional shoot.

Next Chapter.

Prom Princess: Double Rainbow

Life Is a Rollercoaster!

I can't believe we're just two and half weeks away from Christmas! The past three months have flown by. I have managed to balance my social life and personal life, making time for myself as well as getting work done. It's been quite a roller coaster, getting back into the swing of student life was quite surprisingly easy, but it wasn't long before I found myself a little stressed out and overworked. Coming towards the end of this first term, I realise that I am on schedule and so ready for the holidays.

In between all that worry, relationships and friendships have popped up out of nowhere. Though they've surprised me and caught me off guard a little, I'm excited to see what the future holds. I look back at what these past few months have given me and the people I've met and honestly I couldn't imagine life without them. I must say that I've experienced things that I never want to encounter again, but then of course there are things that I can't wait to do...even ten times over...but I guess i'll have to!

Just to make things clear...
Because of the busy bee I've become, I have had to accept that I will only be able post photos on here and social sites when I have the time! You may view 'sneak peek' shots on here or via my Facebook page, for posts that will eventually appear but I am uncertain of when. But for now bare with me and I will try to update you the best I can.

Leicesters Landscapes

...and more from the 'Prom Princess'

Prom Princess: The Princess's Boutonniere

Chapter 2.

The Princess's Boutonniere

In attending prom all of the girls received a Boutonniere, no not a Corsage. There's not much of a story to these photos, except that the following morning I charged out of bed grabbed my camera and ran down stairs to set up a little studio for the flowers. Even though I put them in a small vase before going to bed the night before they had already started to wilt and wither away. However I thought that this helped to create the impression, tone and sense of how enjoyable Claire's prom night actually was. So in turn it was a small bonus. 

These photos represent Claire's little souvenir. Like the remains of plant secured within pages of a diary entry or a piece of confetti from a rock concert tucked away in a safe box, that when ever looked upon in the future, brings that individual flash backs and strong memories from that particular event they experienced.

Next Chapter.

Prom Princess: The Sapphire Girl

Prom Princess: The Venetian Mask

Chapter 1.

The Venetian Mask

So most of you will know where this beautiful Venetian mask came from, for those of you who don't know let me tell you. For a start my sister and I are vintage collectors, we love anything old, vintage, classy and out of the ordinary. 

So two years ago during our annual family Butlins holiday, Claire spotted a collection of different and vibrant Venetian Masks hanging in one of the souvenir shops. After having our own little photo shoot, in the corner of the shop, we left. Did she buy it? I hear you say, well you would think so since there is photo evidence just below, but at the time Claire was unsure. You never know if something else will pop up, realising only then you have no money to buy that one thing you really wanted. By the end of the holiday she had spent most of her money, all that was left were a few pound coins that unfortunately didn't add up to the total cost of the Venetian mask. So that was the end of that...

...of course it wasn't. The following year we both had completely forgotten about the masks, we were both focused on our excitement for the week ahead of us. A few days into our holiday, we past that same souvenir shop. I then began to question if they were still selling the Venetian masks that they had the previous year. I grabbed my sister and headed in, scanning the place like forensic scientists looking for DNA evidence. With no results, we began making our way towards the shop doors when I saw something red and white out of the corner of my eye. Turning, I walked towards the object. There, hanging from a small shelf, hung several Venetian masks. Even though it had taken a year to decide Claire finally bought the blue Venetian mask she had previously wanted. 

A year later, ending her final year in secondary/high school. It was coming up to that time of year when all girls start planning and mums start spending. Though most girls go for the highly expensive dresses and accessories around, whilst our family prefer looking the part at half the price or even less. Now my sister isn't the type of girl who thinks that her prom night is going to be the best day of her life and frankly when I was her age I didn't either. But nonetheless if your going to attend your high school prom, you want to look your best, even if it means you have to wear a dress. But of course just like any prom there is the task of finding the 'Perfect' dress first. But that's another story!

Next Chapter.

Prom Princess: The Princess's Boutonniere