Duality in Motion by Natalya Charlemagne
The concept behind this project is a contrast of “Converging Fates” and “Stillness in Motion.” The relationship between the initial image and the subsequent one reflects a transition from stillness to disarray, with the second image delving into the profound narrative of individuals gravitating rapidly towards chaos. This is vividly represented by the scattered alcohol bottles surrounding the “Drunk Baker” bag, with the lettering “Drunk Baker” presented in a rainbow palette, emblematic of the allure of disorder and disruption. The woman wearing a mask approaching the chaos, and the other woman driving swiftly toward it, collectively signify the human attraction to such scenarios. While the first photograph exudes a sense of blandness and an absence of allure, the second image paints a vivid picture of human magnetism toward chaos.
Contact Sheet
Regarding the selection of my contact sheet location, I chose Drunk Baker because it has an aesthetically pleasing ambiance and provided an opportunity to capture captivating photographs to incorporate into my photo diptych project. Furthermore, upon arriving in China and encountering the Drunk Baker bakery, I found the name to be somewhat comical, offering the potential to establish a relationship between the images based on the bakery’s name. This decision led me to choose the image of the “Drunk Baker” bag as the foundational element of my Diptych project, as I believed this photograph effectively conveyed the play of light on the bag, accentuating the words “Drunk Baker” while creating a contemplative and ‘silent’ atmosphere within the frame.
The digital process involving the use of Adobe Photoshop presented a significant challenge, because I am not familiar with this software. In response, I used resources such as slides from our class and instructional materials on YouTube to enhance my proficiency. In the second image, I modified the color of the “Drunk Baker” lettering to rainbow colors, as I found the original image was not interesting, I aimed to align it more closely with the theme of glamorizing chaos. Additionally, I removed the the cup from the original image, as it did not contribute to the intended narrative. Furthermore, I employed techniques to smoothen the bag’s appearance and eliminate any visible tape, resulting in a cleaner aesthetic.
To expand on the visual narrative, I utilized the magnetic lasso tool to extract various items from a photograph of a collage I had taken a picture of in Drunk Baker. These extracted images were integrated into the image featuring the Drunk Baker bag. The application of motion blur effects created the illusion of motion within these inserted elements. Through the process of copying and pasting these cutouts multiple times while adjusting opacity levels, I aimed to convey a heightened sense of rapid movement. To maintain thematic consistency, I integrated cutout images of alcohol bottles, strategically dispersing them across the image to reinforce the connection with the word “Drunk” within Drunk Baker.
In conclusion, the process of creating my photo diptych was an engaging endeavor. If I were to improve this diptych, I would involve the exploration of additional illustrations to occupy empty spaces on the left side of the image, contributing to a more visually dynamic composition. Furthermore, I would like to take more creative risks and explore more Adobe Photoshop tools in my future projects, recognizing the software’s immense potential for artistic expression and visual storytelling.
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