Photography allows creatives to communicate their take on a scene to the world. As a medium for sharing ideas, some have used photography to help youth express their feelings and provoke conversation, including the UK-based Photography Movement's Show and Tell Project.
Created in 2020 to help young people cope with the stress of the pandemic, the Show and Tell Project engaged youth between 11 and 18. In the first year, it asked them to choose a word that summed up their emotions. Then, participants took an image that reflected their feelings. After accumulating the photographs, the project displayed them as a part of a national exhibition. Outside of the project, photographers use several devices to speak to viewers about the subject of their photographs. The subject serves as the foundation as the photographer elicits a response from viewers, especially if the photographer uses light and angles to set the mood and tone. Light, in addition to color, is another important device that conveys emotion and mood. Other devices include objects and scenery that tell the photograph's narrative or the photograph's composition. The second year of the Show and Tell projects focused on "Photography for Life, not Likes." Participants received tips from professional photographers on taking snapshots of nature, sport, street, and beauty. The slogan addressed the impulse of youth to get more "likes" on social media and its adverse impacts on how children feel about themselves. This project culminated in a youth-led exhibition that took place in 2022. As of a September 2021 Yahoo Life article, 180 schools signed up for the project, requiring students to take a picture responding to a brief that asked them, "How are you feeling?" One educator interviewed for the article commented on how photography served as the catalyst for helping children communicate, especially during crises such as COVID-19. The pandemic was in the background of this project, a phenomenon that saw many of the nation's youth wracked with anxiety. A November 2020 National Geographic article stated that pandemic-related anxiety affected youth in diverse ways. Some feared not knowing how, when, or who contracted the virus. Others feared the deteriorating social structures. Furthermore, during lockdown, 42 percent of youth reported that staying indoors and away from social settings worsened their mental health. Another study published in the November 2020 National Geographic reported that during the first wave of COVID-19, 36.7 percent of individuals between 16 and 24 experienced heightened levels of mental distress. Before the project, students had no outlet to express their feelings. The project provided them with safe spaces for expression. Photographer and co-founder of the project, Rankin, stated that sometimes it is easier to convey difficult emotions in a picture rather than words. For example, the subject of a 2021 submission featured a face in darkness illuminated by a ray of light. The person who submitted the photograph explained that the image depicted his feeling trapped by the light, alluding to an open door. The picture also engendered a sense of isolation.
0 Comments
Artwork, when properly hung and showcased, enhances the look and ambiance of rooms. It showcases taste while providing a sense of interior balance and harmony. The following are some strategies for correctly hanging artwork, including hanging the pieces at the optimal height.
First, create cutouts of frames using backing paper or extra wallpaper. Place the templates in various positions. The templates will give individuals a sense of how the art will look on walls. The template also allows one to mark where the string or hook on the back of the frame lies. Therefore, the strategy ensures nails and screws go into the right spot on the first try. If individuals have various hanging options, hang the templates and change their positions once daily. Assess if the positions deliver the right ambiance during daily activities. In addition to changing the locations, change the positions, which may necessitate rearranging the furniture. Try various combinations, narrowing the choices to two or three that provide the desired effects. If in doubt, repeat the process, gaining input from friends and family members on their perspectives. When soliciting feedback or a decision is imminent, consider adding the actual artwork to the mix, although this may result in unwanted extra holes in the walls. When calculating an ideal height, the artwork's center should sit at eye level. This is around 57 to 60 inches off the floor for someone of average height. However, the style of the piece, its frame, and ceiling height all change the arithmetic. Tall individuals can hang the artwork higher. However, galleries and other public venues aim for a height that fulfills the expectations of those of average height. To hang art at the right height, consider using the following formula. Measure the frame height and divide it by two. Then, measure the distance from the frame’s top edge to the hanging point, where the nail supports the hook or string, and subtract it from the quotient of the first step. Add the difference from the second step to the preferred height, usually between 57 and 60 inches, which provides the exact point for the nail. In quantifiable terms, the formula looks like this: ([Height of the frame/2] - [distance between hanging string or hook]) + 57, 58, 59, or 60 inches = point to plant the nail). For a frame that is 50 inches high, first divide by two, arriving at 25 inches. If measuring from the frame’s top edge to the fixing yields five inches, subtract this from 25 to get 20. Assuming an individual selects 57 inches as a preferred eye-level height, add 20 to 57. The ideal spot for the nail becomes 77 inches above the floor. The formula provides some guidance. Sometimes, architectural elements, such as a shelf, window frame, or entryway, impede the nail's ideal spot. Others will hope to line frames with components to create consistent lines. Therefore, when there is furniture, such as a desk or couch, on the wall below the artwork, aim to place the bottom edge of the frame around eight inches above it. Any lower and the space may begin to feel cluttered, while the art can seem disconnected from the furniture if it is placed further up the wall. In his short essay “The Lost Art of Art,” Nate Boaz argues that people of all ages need more arts and crafts. He quotes John Lennon, who opined, "Every child is an artist until he’s told he’s not an artist.”
Boaz encourages readers to delve back into their memory banks and find a discipline they felt passionate about at a young age, left behind, and continued to pursue on a subconscious level. Each person has their art; for the author, it is poetry and writing; his mother and daughter find meaning in sketching and painting; his uncle focuses on music and songwriting, and his father enjoys carpentry and woodworking. After leaving the service, one ex-Marine friend learned the art of blacksmithing and now creates hand-forged custom knives. Unfortunately, social expectations, the need to make a living, raise a family, and events beyond one's control often squash these dreams or make them incidental to the basic requirements of living. This comes at a significant cost: the admonishment not to wind up as a starving artist often creates half-formed adults who are “miserable souls in the pursuit of money.” Boaz quotes Carleton Noyes, an early 20th-century art critic who wrote: “Gradually the material world shuts in about us until it becomes for us a hard, inert thing, and no longer a living, changing presence, instinct with infinite possibilities of experience and feeling.” As the author sees it, it’s vital to return to a world of infinite possibilities, not impossible. Instead, individuals must permit themselves to do what feeds their soul rather than their pocketbook and rekindle whatever art and crafts fueled childhood passion. The artist and teacher Belinda Del Pasco writes of a purgatory she experienced as an adult, dabbling in art on and off for decades before committing to her passion full-time. In her early 20s, her roommates and friends encouraged her to doodle, paint, and keep copious art journals. Unfortunately, trusted friends and relatives she consulted told her there were no real jobs for artists except as commercial illustrators and educators. The “sheer delight of creative output” and of surmounting new artistic challenges ultimately gave way to the harsh but necessary grind of maintaining steady, non-art jobs. Ultimately forging a well-compensated and time-consuming career in a non-art discipline, Del Pasco found her art supplies relegated to the garage. That said, she never wholly severed herself from her earlier passion. She surrounded herself with creative thinking, painting, and designing friends and loved ones. Before retaking the plunge into art, she had doubts, mainly due to her age, yet committed to finally making a living at something she loved. Attending gallery exhibits and art festivals, Del Pasco joined art associations and read books on the subject while immersing herself in the tactile aspects of creation. She complemented art journals with a blog to share her journey with others online. The effort and outreach positively affected her; she shadowed a veteran art festival exhibitor and learned the requirements to present a public image and sell art on the road. What she finally, as a more mature artist, was able to do successfully was to understand the sales and business end of the artistic discipline. The intermarrying of the creative and the capitalistic is something that people’s non-creative jobs often prepare them to excel at. She could return to something she truly loved, feed her soul, and make a living at the same time. Many adults become so consumed by obligations and daily tasks that they lose touch with their once vibrant, creative spirits as children. During childhood, exploring various art forms helps develop valuable skills that remain relevant into adulthood, such as problem-solving, self-expression, and finding joy in creation. Fortunately, adults can still rediscover this lost passion for making art.
As an adult, you can cultivate your once vibrant inner creative spirit by looking inward to rediscover your core motivations and aim for self-expression. Identify why creating art is personally meaningful and what it adds to your life. Gaining clarity around these unique motivations builds an unshakeable foundation of self-understanding, empowering you with confidence and resilience. After years away from creating, you may doubt your abilities or right to call yourself an artist. However, as in childhood, it is important to avoid getting tangled in definitions or labels, as this can prevent you from enjoying the process. Rather than excessively philosophizing about what constitutes art, reconnect with your playful, creative side through hands-on projects pursued purely for enjoyment. When starting your creative journey, look to admired artists for inspiration, skills, and wisdom. However, be realistic about your abilities and avoid comparing yourself to more experienced peers, as this can stall your growth and dampen your self-esteem. Instead, concentrate on developing your unique voice and improving through practice, prioritizing the joy of self-expression. Allow yourself to experiment freely without harsh criticism or the pressure to duplicate or copy the style/work of other artists. Embrace the process, make mistakes, and learn from them to maximize learning. Additionally, consider what nourishes your artistic spirit and engage in those activities, whether directly artistic or not. When motivation or ideas feel scarce due to mental blocks, divert mental energy temporarily to allow the mind to develop creativity unconsciously. Pursuing new experiences that satisfy your innate curiosity, such as travel, reading, cultural activities, time in nature, or hobbies separate from art, can spark fresh perspectives and revive creativity. You can also visit museums to appreciate artistic works and gain more perspective. Reconnecting with creativity doesn't necessarily require a solitary effort. You can also support your creativity by taking local or virtual art classes. Museums and independent art stores often offer workshops on diverse mediums that provide interactive, hands-on learning experiences. Those with musical talents can join a local studio, choir, or group to rediscover their passion. Classes foster joyful discovery through low-pressure experimentation and allow you to engage with fellow artists, receive feedback, and gain inspiration from others. You can also engage in local art communities or learning networks to nurture a supportive space for blossoming creatively. These communal spaces prioritize growth over competition and can provide a safe space for experimentation and risk-taking. Additionally, you can commit to uplifting others through thoughtful discussion and feedback on their work, acknowledgment of their accomplishments, and motivation. Cultivating compassionate habits inspires both inner and outer artistic journeys, with an emphasis on embracing imperfection throughout the process of growth. Technology can also inspire rediscovery. Combining technology with hands-on crafts can inject a refreshing sense of adventure and further enhance your creation. Popular digital art apps, such as Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, and Autodesk Sketchbook, can allow you to explore new artistic techniques, try different mediums, and create stunning digital artworks. A growing number of teenagers and young adults experience some type of mental disorder. According to recent studies, depression and anxiety are among the most frequent mental health issues among adolescents. These conditions often continue into adulthood, significantly impacting the quality of life of individuals.
Society, with its fast-paced nature and the omnipresence of social media, plays a significant role in exacerbating these issues. Around 14% of teenagers between 10 and 19 years of age experience mental health conditions, but many remain undiagnosed. In this complex scenario, finding ways to address these issues and improve mental health is paramount. Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, encompassing emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Anxiety and depression, prevalent among the youth, often stem from various factors such as discrimination, quality of life, comparison with peers, and the pervasive influence of social media. The curated realities on social media platforms create unrealistic standards, leading to feelings of inadequacy and isolation. Art has long been recognized as a therapeutic outlet for emotional expression. Engaging in creative endeavors provides a means of processing emotions and channeling them into tangible forms, fostering a sense of control and self-discovery. Whether through painting, writing, or other artistic pursuits, creation brings relief and healing. Among the various art forms, photography is a powerful tool for enhancing mental health. Individuals can explore and express complex emotions while capturing moments through their camera lens. Portrait photography, in particular, offers a unique avenue for self-reflection and emotional articulation. Portrait photography serves as a canvas for expressing emotions that may be challenging to communicate verbally. Playing with light and shadow and capturing facial expressions and body language can convey a spectrum of feelings, allowing individuals to externalize and make sense of their internal worlds. While photographers focus on capturing the emotions of their subjects, they also express their own by choosing specific lighting or angles. Photography becomes an intimate exploration, fostering empathy and connection between the photographer and the subject. This shared experience contributes to a sense of understanding and community, combating feelings of isolation. Engaging in portrait photography stimulates creativity, offering a constructive outlet for self-expression. Capturing and manipulating images engages the imagination, providing a healthy escape from stress and promoting positivity. The social nature of portrait photography fosters connection. Through collaborative sessions, individuals build confidence and interpersonal skills. The shared endeavor of creating meaningful portraits becomes an excuse to forge connections, fostering a sense of belonging and support. Lastly, portrait photography can promote mindfulness, which means being present in the moment. Photographers must notice the details of the present, hone their observational skills, and pay attention to details, from their subject to the camera settings. This heightened awareness contributes to a more grounded and centered state of being. Several initiatives leverage the therapeutic potential of photography to address mental health issues. The Photography Movement's "Show and Tell" project encourages individuals to share their mental health stories through images, fostering dialogue and reducing stigma. Similarly, the "Too Tired Project" uses photography as a medium to raise awareness and build understanding around mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Ultimately, portrait photography is a profound instrument for nurturing mental health. As the world navigates the complexities of youth mental health, the art of portrait photography can be a therapeutic ally in the pursuit of well-being. |
AuthorThe History of Vita Brevis Fine Art Photography Studio ArchivesCategories |