Journal number 3

May 14, 2025

Journal number 3

Just as Barthes suggests that music becomes more meaningful through absence, I believe that photographs can become more meaningful through what is unseen—what is suggested or implied outside the frame.

The private components of my project like the planning, scheduling, and inspiration. They guide the work, but are not directly visible to the viewer. This “studio work” includes researching poses, studying light and color editing, and coordinating with my subjects to find the right time and environment. These behind the-scenes decisions create the structure that allows the public component each final image to communicate something larger than itself.

Once exhibited or posted, the photos become performative. The audience reads them according to their own experiences and emotions. I am not dictating a specific message; I am presenting a space for viewers to engage with the image, perhaps even projecting their own narratives. In this way, the portraits, like a musical performance, become a shared event.

Project Update:

I’ve scheduled the shoots to accommodate my subjects’ availability. I have finalized dates and working toward my editing deadlines.

Inspiration