TEST SHOOT NO.2

FLY ON THE WALL PHOTOGRAPHY

The aim of this test shoot was to create some imagery inspired by the likes of Petra Collins. The concept behind this was to document how addictive Facebook can be and how hours can pass so quickly when using the online platform.

I have chosen to use a close group of friends/family as models to show a true representation of ‘real people’ in their environments, using my younger sibling William within his bedroom as a location on this occasion. An observation was made while exploring Collins work, noticing that her images had a relaxed, fly-on-the-wall aura about them because of the locations used. Each individual within the images looked comfortable within the chosen environment, hence why I decided to use this technique within my own work.

The people I wish to document throughout my project aren’t professional models, so they don’t have the same proficient skills and confidence when placed in front of the camera. By keeping William within his own environment/habitat, I found that this helped keep him at ease and created natural looking images without a tense and awkward posture. I want to try and steer clear of producing lots of staged outcomes (e.g. in a studio) when creating this research project that focuses on real life personalities and their online uses as I feel that it reduces how relatable it is to the reader.

These images haven’t been retouched within Photoshop at all, as I didn’t feel as though they needed it as there wasn't any major imperfections that ruined the aesthetics of the images. Keeping them natural, also keeps the fly-on-the-wall atmosphere that was anticipated. By adjusting the focus of the camera while shooting, along with the white balance settings and shutter speed, I was able to create the desired lighting and mood that is a true representation of my brother and how he is almost always locked away in his dark room, scrolling through Facebook for hours on end. 

The effect within the first image was a happy accident as I actually jolted the camera by mishap when shooting, causing the final image to blur. This outcome could work really well within the future of my project as it works as a connotation of the blurring of online worlds & reality and how sometimes there is no filter between what is updated and shared online for all your friends/followers to see and what is shared privately offline. (Click here to see research)

REFLECTIONS

• I feel that the images were successful in helping me understand the camera settings and lighting needed to create photography that reflects the chosen personality, mood and characteristics, however I don’t think that it translates the message I was hoping for. When looking at the images for a first time, they do just show a young boy in his bedroom looking at Facebook on a laptop. I need to rethink of a way in which to show how Facebook and other online networking platforms is slowly taking up so much time within individuals day and how they may not be appreciating the real world as much as the online one they are so engrossed within.
• Collecting some first hand information from individuals on the places in which they check their social media could help gain an understanding of their habits, such as: first thing in the morning, when eating lunch, when on the commute to work, etc.