Journal #2

 In Image Music Text, Roland Barthes argues that “a text is not a line of words releasing a single ‘theological’ meaning but a multi dimensional space in which a variety of writings, none of them original, blend and clash” (p. 146).

My work cannot be considered completely “original” in the Barthesian sense. The portraits I am planning are shaped by existing influences styling, posing, and editing techniques drawn from other artists and my research. Photography, especially portraits, exists within an established genre, where meaning is fluid and built collaboratively between subject, creator, and viewer. Even though I will make choices about lighting, makeup, and colors, the people I photograph bring their own presence, history, and aesthetic to the images. I’m not the only one shaping what these images mean; the people I photograph and those who view them play a role.

Barthes writes, “the birth of the reader must be at the cost of the death of the Author” (p. 148). In that spirit, I see my audience as active interpreters. Each viewer might see something different emotion, identity, story depending on their own experiences.

Project update 

I have decided not to move forward with making short films for my final project and instead shifted my focus entirely to portrait photography. So far, I’ve asked several people to participate and have confirmed three I’ve been planning potential shoot locations and waiting for the weather to cooperate, since I want to shoot outdoors to incorporate natural light.

In the meantime, I’ve been researching editing techniques especially those that deal with color to bring mood or tone. I’ve also started collecting references and experimenting with posing ideas that reflect each subject. This research has helped me think more critically about how to communicate emotion through choices.