Evaluation

by patrickclarkphotography

Evaluation – My Skin

At the beginning of my project I proposed that I would take double exposure pictures of models and their tattoos. I wanted to go to tattoo parlours, and capture the meaning of what these tattoos meant to their bearer.

I feel that as a whole my project was quite successful as my photographs worked in showing that the bearer has a relationship with each of their tattoos, as they usually mean something to them.

I had originally planned to go into tattoo parlours, and get pictures of models whilst they were being tattooed. However I believe that taking photographs outside of the tattoo parlour environment was not only adequate but in fact superior. I realised throughout my project that firstly I wanted a more personal feel to the project, one that I believed would be absent in a tattoo parlour environment, and two that people don’t instantly have meaning to their tattoo when they first get it, and that meaning develops over time. For example, my model Stanley’s tattoo below. When he first got the tattoo it didn’t have any significant meaning to him, however over time it has become a reminder of good times to him.

If I could change anything about my progress throughout the project it would be to experiment with a film camera, because even though the images worked as they were, I would have liked to capture images with a real double exposure rather than just effect. Additionally I would like to explore the plan b options I had on my proposal of cracks and forced perspective as I feel they were ideas that could have of been interesting, and I may explore these in a personal project later.

One thing about the project that happened unintentionally was the tattoos on the models face. After editing the tattoo onto my model’s face I realised that it worked excellently because facial tattoos are still considered taboo unlike body tattoos. I feel that this is an attempt to break boundaries and the stigma attached with facial tattoos.

I have selected Sarah’s photograph below for close analysis as I feel it is one of the best images throughout the project in the sense that it portrays the meaning I am trying to get across to the audience excellently.

I like Sarah’s photograph because the tattoo represents her sexuality, herself, and is a tattoo she got to express herself.

There are four different theories that can be applied to photographs. Realism, which is showing the world for what it is, Expressionism which is the photographer communicating their expressions, whether it be emotion or experience, Formalism which is emphasising the look and form of the photo, and Instrumentalism which is concerning the photo with social concerns, for social purpose.

Out of the above theories I feel that expressionism and instrumentalism can be applied the best. Expressionism can be applied as the photo communicates my vision of tattoos, that they shouldn’t have such a stigma attached to them, they are art and self representation. I also feel expressionism is shown from my model as she is representing her sexuality.

Instrumentalism can be applied as the photo communicates the need for change with the social view on tattoos. The social opinion on tattoos has drastically improved over recent time, as we can see in the photo above, tattoos aren’t predominantly restricted to white, working class males, however I still feel there is a stigma attached to tattoos which needs to stop.

Realism can also be applied in the above photo as it is showing the beginning of social acceptance of tattoos. As previously mentioned tattoos are usually associated with white working class men, as opposed to females.

Formalism can’t be applied as well, but can in the sense that tattoo aligns well with Sarah’s face, creating an aesthetically pleasing look.