THE RAYLIST
Fierce
Visionary Artist Statement
Fierce: defined by our own interpretations through the lenses of our own experiences. This project reveals what is seen through these lenses as we are left to our own devices. Each photo was taken with the intention of capturing the raw fierceness that resides within us all. Enjoy
Circus
black and white image
This image was taken when the model was asked to put on the prop hat and hit a pose. The model smiled and giggled apprehensively at the thought of poses they could strike. This image shows this captured moment
Likes
black and white image
This image was posed by the model herself. She had the idea of creating the appearance of her taking an image of herself with a film camera; wanting to capture her own fierceness and to show this off to others who look at the film camera image.
Looking Glass
Solarized image
This image was taken spontaneously as the model turned and faced the camera. It represents the natural stillness that fierceness can have and how it can show even in subtle ways
Electric
Solarized image
I define this image as electric because it truly is. The model took this image unprompted just to show her fierce in my camera film. If that isn't being fierce then I don't know what is. To enhance this fierceness, the background of the image has been outlined and lightened to create the appearance of electricity, caused by the model's fierceness, being spread throughout the entire image.
Paper Mate
Adobe Photoshopped image
Tape was the theme used for this photoshoot. In this image, tape was used to cover the parts of the model that they didn't like/felt insecure about, with the goal of trying to feel fierce when these were covered. However, the exact opposite effect happened. The model frowned as this picture was taken, feeling restricted in the corrective tape that covered them. Along with the red filter added to the image, the background has been warped to emphasize the uncomfortable feeling felt by the model. The tape itself, as well as the folds of the model's shirt, and specific places on the body (mouth & hands) have been highlighted, showing more places that need to be corrected that hinder the model's fierceness from being shown.
Release
Adobe photoshopped image
In this image, the model was asked to recreate a moment where they felt angry. The model picked by the model was an instance where they were cut off several times mid-sentence. They wanted to scream at them but couldn't for fear of being seen as over dramatic or overreacting, this image let them do this and captured how that moment would have been. The outline of the model has been highlighted and outlined. A red blotch, representing the tongue of the model, has been blocked by caution tape as the model's scream would be a nuance and danger to others.
Masked
Alternate process: Layering and double exposure
The original image was of two models looking at the camera after being asked to show their resting faces. However, when developing the image I decided to scan the image once more, and this image became the one you are looking at to the left. The image shows their different versions of the two models placed together. The lines of the models' faces are highlighted as much as possible to create the illusion of all three figures being mask of the models resting fierce faces, or being the faces of once fierce models being masked by other forces.
Encender El Cristo
(Lighting of christ)
Alternate reality image: adobe photoshopped
This imagine is a personal favorite of mine. The image was taken in New York City of the model during a moment of insecurity. A loss of fierceness was felt by the model. The flame like surrounding of the model represents this loss of fierceness as it is being burned away by the fire, as their body is being torn apart by their haunting insecurity. A black line (symbolic as a snake) is seen entering the mouth of the model as it is consumed by more flames. The large hands are the model's aid, trying to pull them away from slipping into a metaphorical hell, however, the model being overwhelmed by the circumstances, disregarding this help, and sinks into the fires.
