Spirit Photography

http://designyoutrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Delusional-Imprisonment-by-JolsAriella.jpg

My initial idea was to produce five images using double exposure and for the right of the first image to relate to the left of the second image and to continue this pattern through to the last image. Finally stitching all five images together to create something almost like a timeline of events. I wanted the images to centre around the visual style of Instagram-like images almost like 'selfies' - something that completely dominates the content of Instagram. Another feature I wanted to add was a dream like/surreal look to the images because I wanted to adapt the usual conventions of Instagram photos but maintain an overall feel of the 'selfie'. I wanted to create a timeline that depicted 'a construction of a selfie' in which each image would show a physical piece of the models face being added to her face in an attempt to portray the physical and metaphorical 'break down' of the selfie in an attempt to comment on todays 'selfie culture' and the impact its impact.

An example of one of Mumler's images
http://www.forensicgenealogy.info/images/ghost_pic.jpg

My new updated idea is to produce 5 images surrounding the theme of loss, in particular the loss of loved ones or the loss of something of great importance i.e the ability to see or to hear. I want to keep some features of my previous idea such as the use of double exposure. I want to use the double exposure to help emphasise the characters loss in the image. I took a lot of influence from William Mumler who was a spirit photographer during the 1800's. His images consisted of family members appearing to pose with loved ones who'd passed away through the use of double exposure. The deceased in the images were faded and looked (in the stereotypical sense) like a ghost. Mumler's images were very popular during the 1800's due to the amount of sickness and war and due to this people wanted to believe in his hoax photography so they didn't, in a way, have to let go of their loved ones.

Lewis Carroll - 'Sleeping Girl'
https://flavorwire.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/10-lewis-carroll.jpg

I've spent quite some time now exploring amateur and professional pieces of double exposure. I've decided to centre my five images on loss of loved ones and abandon the idea of loss of senses. I want to make a much stricter theme within the images and something that can be easily visually recognisable, I think by centring it more around the loss of family and loved ones this will be much easier to convey.

Duane Michals - 'Violent Women'
https://juan314.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/duane-michals-violent-women.jpg?w=636

This passage will talk about the photographers I've researched and looked at and more importantly the ones that have influenced me and why.

There are many photographers that have influenced me visually, although the subtext/message within the images are very different to mine.

*Robert Mapplethorpe- 'Hand on Fire' - I love this image, it's beautifully constructed and composed and the empowering emotion of the hands posture almost sinks in with the fluid-like movements of the fire in the image. The double exposure and the use of black and white photography helps give to the image that ghostly visual style I would like to achieve in my images.
*Man Ray - 'Demain' - In this image the use of double exposure helps manipulate the overall representation of the protagonists body through the use of two postures wrapped into one. This image appeals to me through the ghostly feel the image has by overlapping the faces and arms, again applying this 'supernatural' feel .

There are many others who influenced the visual style I wanted to achieve, such as:
*Claude Cahun - 'what do you mean?'
*Gjon Mili's work with double exposure
*Duane Michals - 'Violent Women'

But the two that stand have influenced me the most is William Mumler's spirit photography, all of which directly relate to my idea. Another photographer who's had a direct impact on the construction and planning of my images is that of Lewis Carroll's 'sleeping girls' series which depicts a ghostly figure of the girl sleeping plotting her death. The use of double exposure directly relates to my aim of creating a 'ghost', although my intentions behind the images aren't as sinister or vicious as plotting a young girls death, the imagery of ghosts through its use of double exposure is something I aim to replicate.

Image 1
http://i.imgur.com/lLG7N6J.jpg

Image 1:

The first image shows the passing of the friend and his transcendence to spirit form.

For this image I stacked several sofa cushions underneath him and with help from the use of double exposure helped create this appearance of floating.

Image 2
http://i.imgur.com/VdfEnfY.jpg

Image 2:

This image shows the pair beginning to continue their daily lives. The use of props and body language helps give this feel of a natural and normal environment.

Image 3
http://i.imgur.com/ktFFYdj.jpg

Image 3:

This is a carry on from the previous image, continuing a sense of normality and continuation of life. I placed plants in this image to push this sense of 'life' and 'living' to reflect the pairs relationship and the the importance of 'living' for them.

Image 4
http://i.imgur.com/uEFLUzy.jpg

Image 4

This image represents the starting of letting go, essentially bringing this short narrative to a conclusion. This was also my most direct reference to Mumler's work. The image depict the spirit comforting his living friend and to help him begin to move on.

Image 5
http://i.imgur.com/L2SdG54.jpg

Final image

This image wraps ups the narrative. There is both a visual and figurative sense of letting go present. The spirit is holding the door open for his friend in an attempt to aid him letting go by leaving the room. There is also, purposely, a strong contrast between the room he's about to exit and the room he's about to enter. The white bright room portrays the comfort in the ignorance of not having to 'let go' whereas the room he's about to enter shows a dark and bleak room, representing the dark and dull objective of leaving his friend and having to let go and move on.