While scrolling the internet, I found these images. The photographers behind some of these pictures weren’t necessarily trying to convey messages relating to ”self Image”, but to me, and the way I perceive them, they could relate to such matters.
In my opinion, all the images I printed here on these two pages of my sketchbook are to do with internal issues -emotions the models are feeling inside of them. Which, in most cases, can effect what goes on outside your body… Physical actions towards others as a result of inner feelings, body language and how you hold yourself may convoy inner confidence or insecurities.
Here are a few reasons I think this and some of my opinions behind a selection of these inspirational photographs…
Here, the perspective of what seems to be a hallway is going deeper and deeper as you look at it, which suggests we as the viewer are looking inside this male’s head.
There is a saying about a “light at the end of the tunnel”, and the end of this hallway/tunnel does not seem to be very light at all. Alongside this aspect, my first statement on this image and the rather straight face the model has, I would say this image may have a thing or two to do with a bad emotional state, perhaps there is no happiness in sight, or no perhaps it may be hard to turn back to happiness.
This photograph is created by Christian Hopkins, a young photographer I have researched in my research file. Unlike the previous image, this conveys something inside reaching out.
Hopkins created this photograph by capturing himself sitting on a stool infant of a backdrop, in a kind of pose where his back appears exposed. He then photographed his hands under a bed sheet and collated them on Photoshop.
Hopkins suffers from Depression, and he claims to use photography as a source of therapy.
The way in which the hands are trying to force their way out of his body, makes me think he has ”inner demons” trying to escape. The way his ‘real’ hands are also placed, sort of looks like he is trying to push them back in, but he can’t quite reach all of them. Food for thought behind the feelings linked with depression.
I also think this image shows something ‘inside’. Simply because the model is being hidden behind a sheet. The model also has his/her hands in front of their face.. this could show insecurity, or some kind of deeper emotion. The picture lacks saturation, and most would say colour is happy.. so I wouldn’t associate this image with happy thoughts at all. This image may not have anything to do with self image as such.. but I feel there is a definate message involving some kind of negative emotion within a persons mind.
Daniella Jefferies 