Slevin Aaron
Slevin Aaron is a photographer whom I found on Pinterest, and has given me the idea of shooting models in water for a future shoot. The Polish photographer shoots dream-like scenarios, which feature themes of surreal mystifying, and bold contemporary visions of nature. I have particularly focused on one of his projects called 'Secret Garden' which features models in murky water, in some cases only the head is visible in the image which often creates an eerie atmosphere, and the models are then surrounded by different natural objects such as leaves and plants. I think that his work will link in very well with my theme because there is a clear division of mankind and nature in his photographs. If i could recreate these types of images linking in more with my theme, it could be deduced that the nature elements in the image are controlling the model, being metaphorical for mankind and nature throughout the world. The general atmosphere in which has been created throughout the whole of Aaron's project is uneasy, because the models are emotionless and the murky water makes the images quite mysterious as the viewer cannot see entirely what is under the water.
This is one of many of Aarons interesting images in which attracts viewers attention, mostly because of the mysterious aspects in which comes along with it. Firstly, when looking at the models expression in the image, it is very clear that she is emotionless and this creates a sense of unease for the viewer because it is hard to analyse the feelings. Furthermore, the birds eye view in which the image has been taken from allows the viewer to look at the model straight on, making the models face the point of focus. From this view, we can also see how the model barely surfaces the water as her face is just above the water level and her arms are just able to be seen, this also causes mystery for the viewers as they are unable to see the whole body of the model. The lighting used in the image also makes the scene very dull, as all of the colours in the image are very pale including the model. Also, I would argue that the composition of the image is roughly vertically symmetrical because the model is in the centre of the image and there is water and leaves at either side of the model, creating consistent image on both sides. This image links in very well with my theme because there are clear elements of mankind and nature in the image and the way in which the image had been staged, it could be said that the nature in the image is taking over the model, whom represents mankind.
This image is very similar to the last in terms of the symmetrical composition and the way in which the image has been taken. However, the models emotion in the image is slightly different this time as her eyes are closed and most of her face is starting to disappear into water, suggesting she has no control over her body and looks like is going to completely sink at any point. This links in with ideas in my theme because it suggests the water has more control over the model than she does, metaphorically representing man and nature. Furthermore, as there is nothing else in the image other than the plain murky water and the model, this makes the model the point of focus, yet again, in this image. Even though this image is very plain, I believe that it does have a significant effect on the viewer because of the mystery behind the idea of why the model is under the water, and what else is under the water. Moreover, I particularly like the roses in which the model is holding, mostly because of the significance in the colour as this is the only object in the image containing colour and this attracts the viewers attention which is quite important when there is no other colours in the image.
This is another of Aaron's images, which I think is one of the most simple yet most mysterious because of the lack of knowledge the viewer gains from the image. There are so many questions that the viewer would ask about this image such as who's hands are they, what else is under the water and why has the image been taken. The dull, colourless aspect of the image makes the atmosphere very sinister and makes the viewer feel uneasy. The fact that the model is faceless in this image also makes the image even more mysterious as the viewer is getting even less information. Furthermore, the angle of view allows the viewer focus on the hands coming out of the water, and as the hands are not holding onto anything, it makes them look lifeless and out of control, as if the water has took control over the model and this then links into mankind and nature. As in the other images, there is a contrast between mankind and nature with the model and the water, even though there no colour contrast in the image, there is still a contrast between the objects.