When we look at relationships we normally study how people relate to each other. You may notice how they are holding her hand or how his brow is furrowed while she makes a confusing remark. According to Ohio State University, humans can make 21 distinct facial expressions. I wanted my photos to be an interpretation of these appearances in order to see how an audience would perceive them. I chose to specifically focus on the eyes and how eye contact and focus changes the meaning and relationship expressed in an image. 

I chose these photographs to represent my theme “eyes and human connectivity”  because I think that the facings of these images and their subjects expressly show the value and intimacy or lack there of in relationships. My inspiration stemmed from looking at influential and popular photography and analyzing the elements that I believe make each piece stand out. I think that the reason people feel connected to a piece is because of the element of humanity or distance that a photograph creates. I also believe that if a photographer takes time to connect with their subject it tends to make the photo more interesting. 

In the photo series “Power Pose” featured in the general collection the photos are chosen to address female empowerment in a modern setting in relationship with the female liberation movement of the late 1960s. This photo series taken on a Canon Rebel camera in October of 2019 highlights the strength and individuality of young women through self – expression and bravery. It takes place against an artificial sunset setting but pushes to recognize the authenticity of style and confidence. The photo was taken at Glossier which is a company owned by a woman – this location was chosen because of the precedent it sets for female entrepreneurs and how it can inspire goals of success. The expressions on the faces of the subjects as well as them being close friends, assists in their intention to express power. The second photo featured in the collection is titled “Essence of Friendship.” It shows the nature of friendship through the candid shot as well by capturing conversational behavior. The photo reveals how the eye contact displayed by the subject of a photograph plays into the interpretations of photos. The third image included in the collection is called “Hero” and aims to reveal how many heroes go unrecognized, the subjects cropped out face is supposed to resemble the selfless nature of true heroism. This photo shows how expression plays into the photo showing an alternative perspective on the overarching theme of the collection. The fourth photo that I chose to use is my historical recreation photo called “ Modern Elegance.”  The photographer spent time adjusting angles and hair to try to somewhat mirror the photo taken by Edward Steichen of a model taken more than 90 years prior at a social photo shoot. The photographer added a modern twist to the photo, the woman can be seen with a chain choker and dark eyeliner which contrasts some of the elements of style featured in the original photo while still sticking to the basics of posture and unstructured elegance. The black and white feature in both photos add depth and perspective to the face and background (however plain). The expression in this photo is selectively chosen in order to mirror the carefree but serious expression of the initial subject thus creating a portal between 2019 and the 1920s in New York City. 

All of my photos expose a relationship whether it be between norms and society, people and their photographer, friends, and time. These relationships are revealed almost poetically through a mixture of tools used to take the photos such as the iPhone, the Canon explorer, and the Canon mini powershot camera. The process of selecting locations and meaning behind the people chosen to pose were all part of preparing to showcase relationships in an abstract way in a different style. My photos show human relationships and call attention to the links between the past and current times through the representation of pure humanity and connectivity.