Further Developments

'I leaned over the edge.'
'I plunged my arm in.'
'My mother found me there an hour later.'

Above, are a series of photographs that are developments of the water scene. To recap, Mara hallucinates above some water, she is then found there an hour later by her mother as she collapses. Developing on my initial attempts, I decided to move away from the levitation above the lake. Re evaluating, and taking on board advice given, I went back to the same location, instead entering the lake. It was a very cool and calm day. The lighting was overcast, yet I went on location in the morning, when the light was set for the day. Amongst the selection are a mixture of close up and full body, as well as different angles. To achieve these photographs, I had a friend helping me, and I was directing her where to place the camera.
The water in the lake was clear, which allowed me to capture the dress underneath the water. Whilst standing in the water, I created ripples by moving my legs under the water to create texture. As the lake is vast behind me, it has created negative space. Subjectively, this creates a sense of isolation which I have taken forward from my previous experiments. Within all of these compositions, objectively, the reflection present on the surface of the water, adds to the isolating feeling. My body positions suggest that I am lost. This relates to the given quote, as Mara is essentially losing herself in her illness. In some compositions, I positioned myself closer to the water, as if searching to something. As there was no movement captured, the photographs are more detailed and refined compared to the blurred effect that I previously achieved.  In post editing, I am keeping the theme constant. I have enhanced the contrast in all photographs, which then enhances the ripples within the water. I have desaturated the photographs, which creates a mysterious and curious feeling. Lastly, I added a slight sepia filter to add the distressing effect.

'They didn't make it.'
'Mara, they didn't make it.'

After my initial experiments of the scene in the graveyard, I decided to go back on location and re shoot this scene. My first attempt, in the white dress, were successful, yet had weaknesses within the composition. My attempts using a black dress were successful, however, I felt that the white dress complimented the storyline better. Upon arriving at the location, I thought about my compositions more carefully. The first section, I decided to create some portrait photographs. There was a large monument that I felt I could use as the main element of these photographs as it compliments the portrait orientation. I set my camera up on a tripod and, as these series of photographs contain movement, I set my camera on a slow shutter speed. I proceeded to dance around the monument as my helper pressed the shutter constantly. As I moved around the monument, the camera captured my movements. As I focused mainly on one monument, subjectively, it creates a scarily supernatural feeling, as if I am worshipping the dead, or as if I came from that grave. This links with the story as Mara is confused as to why her friends died, and she didn't. It reflects her confusion in the current situation. The next section contains a landscape experiment, in and around the graves. I used the same technique by using a slow shutter speed. These photographs presently show me floating around the graves. The last set of photographs, were taken similarly to my initial experiments. These were set along the path which creates the leading lines. I ran up and down the path, documenting the movement. The ones that I am most fond of, are the ones where the camera captures my face amongst the movement. This enhances the meaning behind the photograph due to Mara still being alive, yet part of her died along with her friends. I enhanced the contrast in all of these photographs and desaturated them to expand on the ghost like effect I want to achieve.  

'They were replaced by gauzy white bandages wrapped around my skin. Spots of red bled through.'

I reshot my initial photographs for the first composition that I  tried out. I used the same composition as my first shoot, yet on location rather than the studio. Personally, I do not feel that the shoot for this topic was as successful comparing to my other shoots. The lighting that was used was natural. The lighting was bright and had warm tones on that particular day, therefore, when I began to edit in photo shop, I desaturated the photograph like the rest of my other photographs in my project. However, when I desaturated this photograph the warm tones did not subside, therefore I felt that it didm't really fit in well as part of my series compared to my other compositions. 

'I closed my eyes, tossed my head back and brought the glass to my mouth.'

This series of photographs, were taken with inspiration from Christopher McKenney. I used a sheet, to which I poured water over it so that it was damp. When I placed it over my face, the fabric stuck to my face, creating a more surreal effect as the contrast is shown through of my facial features. I experimented with 3 different compositions using the sheet. I wanted to include this technique from McKenney, as this is the last composition of the series, I wanted to enhance the narrative from this quotation. Subjectively, the sheet over my face, represents Mara's realisation that she has the skill to kill people with her mind- if she wishes someone to die, it happens. This came after she drank a solution found in a jar which helps her remember. Once she drank what was in the jar, she finally remembers what happened that initial night in the abandoned building. The 'suffocation' element reflects Mara's reaction to finding out this information. Taking this set of photographs, was trial and error. I did not have help with taking these compositions, therefore, I had my camera on a tripod and used the self timer setting. In post editing, I enhanced the contrast slightly more than my other sections, due to it being the last photograph of the series, showing the resolved darkness to the storyline.