Edits

For my first edit, I decided to experiment with overlaying two photos on top of each other. I used a similar technique in my first shoot, and wanted to further experiment with this method as I think that the outcome is very effective and portrays relevant messages that relate to my topic of beauty standards. My idea behind overlaying two photos on top of each other was to portray the 'mask' that people in society feel they need to put on in order to fit in. This edit portrays our inner thoughts; on the outside we may come across as happy or confident, however inside we could feel the opposite, judging our own actions and feeling insecure.

I wanted to incorporate text into my photos, therefore in this edit I added different sentences and words that I think are most commonly thought and said by people, especially by young girls. Phrases such as "Will they like me?" and "Not good enough" are hard hitting and have an effect on the viewer as they might be able to relate to the sentences on this edit. In the first edit, I purposely put the text on top of the photograph to portray how overwhelming these thoughts can be and how much they can effect us. For the second edit, I placed the text in the background to show how these phrases have almost been normalised in society. This edit suggests that many people bury their own thoughts, and I think that it is a topic that needs to be spoken about more often, as many young people struggle with body image and having confidence.

In this edit, I wanted to practice duplicating the model by using photoshop to cut around the images. I liked the idea of having the same model a number of times on one image, as it conveys messages of someone with anxiety who feels as if they have to have different personalities around different people. As my photographer Arielle Bobb Willis explains, someone with anxiety might feel like they have to please everyone, and it is overwhelming in certain situations as they feel like they are trapped. With this edit I tried to reinforce this message. I think that this was a successful edit as the it gives the viewer something to think about, whilst also being aesthetically pleasing to look at.

My idea behind these edits was to show another side of the model by using reflections. I made sure that none of the images that I used showed the models face, as a way of portraying a 'hidden identity', which creates a sensation of mystery in the edits. The poses of the model in the mirror are awkward and are taken in mid movement, which emphasises ideas of anxiety and the struggle to fit into society. I also increased the contrast and exposure levels to create a more dramatic effect. I think that this edit was successful.