The Backdrop Series
Inspired by Annie Leibovitz’s Pirelli Calender of 2016, The Backdrop Series is aimed to show the real and raw individualities of everyday people. The photographed subject was asked to stand in front of a plain backdrop that was positioned in front of complex scenery; this then capturing the deconstruction and therefore reaction of the subject to their surroundings. Using the mute backdrop, this creates a different impression by distancing the subject from the background. By showing the outer workings of a daytime studio and the versatile atmosphere of the subject, this references the metatextual awareness of the studio and ‘breaking of the fourth wall’, as the subject is aware of the scenario. This metatextuality results in the breaking down of preconceptions from the viewer and leads the way for fluidity of interpretation, therefore producing an even deeper comprehension of the person's distinctive originality. For each photo, handpicking both subjects and locations created the best possible photo outcome. Referencing the assessment title of ‘Total Control’, the purposefully placed reflectors in the photo show the specifically controlled lighting of the photos and show the functioning outer workings of the daytime studio. These photos expose the genuine identity and dynamism of the particular subject, similarly to Leibovitz’s photos.
