I'm done with my project...finally! I must admit that this has probably been one of my most/deepest conceptually driven and imaginative projects I've ever done but also one of my favorites. My style is more of a documentary style but I'm learning to adopt a style in which I create the scene myself which gives me complete control over the end result. I could learn to like this more! I've decided to go with a square format...just in case you were losing sleep wondering! Not really?! I decided to use five different scenes for each pair for a total of ten prints. I would have liked to have done more but the props I needed did not seem to want to fall into my hands, i.e. a bear claw bathtub and a 1950's stove...what can you do?! Future project....

So...I had a small idea in class about another possible location for one of my setups but will have to do some more research to see if it will be allowed. I would like to use one of the holes on a miniature golf course as a picnic scene..we'll see. Now for a formal/technical frame of mind, I'm pondering the size of my images. I'm a fan of "the square" personally but I'd like some feedback from you, Sama, on what you think would look better compositionally. As a square, the images would be 10x10 but if this is not a successful decision, I would be leaning toward 10x12/12x10. Also, I would just like to inform you of another formal concept that you helped to inspire earlier on in the semester. You told one of the girls that her project could be successful if she took the approach of looking dressed up while she's on the phone but as the camera panned out it would reveal a less put together look. This got me thinking about how I would like to work my concept so I will have 4-6 pairs of images with the first being a tightly cropped image only revealing a small bit of information about what the young lady is doing and hinting at a peaceful and comfortable environment while the second image of the pair reveals the true identity of the location. This is the first example I have right now. I've included both sizes that I mentioned earlier. Let me know what you think!

Due to the availability of my model, I have yet to shoot but will be doing so this weekend. I have, however, been able to scope out the locations that I would like to shoot. They include the round-about on University, the park on Country Club off of Speedway, the Target parking lot by El Con where construction is going on, and a desert road and landscape in Vail where my parents live. I've also decided that my model will not just be enjoying a solo meal but will also be enjoying activities such as reading in an armchair and watching a movie.

For my final project, I'm expanding on project #2 which was my vision of finding serenity in solitude. Personally, I like having a lot of time to myself where I am not bothered, I don't have to entertain anyone, and I can enjoy my time by myself to collect my thoughts or to simply just relax. Most of the time this means I can completely let my guard down, i.e. not wear any make-up and relax in comfy sweats and ex-boyfriend t-shirts. However, there are those days when I feel like I should get dressed up as if someone is there watching me; I should make a big deal out of nothing. In project #2, my model was located in a very serene desert landscape where she was enjoying an "elegant" meal by herself. For this continuation, my model will be enjoying the same tranquil activities, i.e. dining, reading, relaxing..., but in less serene locations, i.e. busy streets, parking lots, front yards...

Images from my peepshow

Open Society Paradox

With the world being overwhelmed by the amount of vulnerability to surveillance and some peoples' desire to exploit themselves or others for personal, public, and even monetary pleasure, I was reminded of a situation that occurred 2 1/2 years ago. A friend and I were looking for an apartment for the summer and we came upon this place that seemed affordable and decent even though the landlord/manager seemed a bit creepy. He must have figured by our faces that the prices he was asking for mediocre studios wasn't pleasing us so he offered us this deal: if we took a particular studio he would knock off a portion of the rent. Okay, fair. But of course it sounded too good to be true. These particular studios had cameras set up in every room, even the bathroom. By signing a lease to these studios we would be agreeing to let anyone who had access to the cameras 24/7 surveillance of our lives. A 24/7 peepshow! We were reassured, however, that we could turn off the cameras whenever we needed privacy, say to use the bathroom or shower, otherwise they were to remain on. Needless to say, we continued looking for apartments elsewhere!