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Research

Reflection on Mental health

https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Reflection-On-Mental-Health-P32ZV6RS4LF

Reflection allows me to improve the ability to move on, do better and learn from experience and examine myself. 

Self Reflection

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/time-for-some-self-reflection#:~:text=But%20introspection%20%E2%80%94%20or%20self%2Dreflection,to%20cope%20with%20life's%20challenges.

Self-reflection can spark insight altering the way we see ourselves and those around us (alters perspective)

Turning inward strengthens emotional intelligence making it easier to cope with life's challenges

Personal Reflection: Disclosing mental health issues to family 

https://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/ethnicity-health/asian-american/reflection-disclosing

Reflection & Reflective practices for promoting positive mental health

https://positivementalhealth.eu/2021/01/06/reflection-and-reflective-practices-for-promoting-positive-mental-health/

Kolbs learning Cycle: Experience → Reflective Observation (reviewing/reflecting on experience) → Conceptualisation (learning from experience) → Experimentation (try what you learned) 

Developing a reflective attitude nurturing Intra and interpersonal intelligence

Deepens awareness about self, others and the context they’re in, to deal with changes and challenges

Unobserved thoughts and feelings can lead to repetitive negative patterns - the ability to slow down, observe and reflect to move forward with life and relationships

Reflection is intended to explore subtle inner and relational processes, to reveal causes and personal triggers

Reflection is no longer conceived as a mere evaluation or logical process of cause and effect but rather as a holistic process of discovery and deep insight Individuals connect body and mind to become more aware of who they are, what they feel, what they think and how they relate to others and the context they are in. Reflection is indicated by some form of emotional intensity in which they demonstrate the connection between themselves and the topic. 

Mental Health Photographers

https://kulturehub.com/mental-health-photographers-importance/

Edward Honaker: Documents his experience with chronic depression, making a series of black and white self-portraits, capturing the isolating fear from depression. Honaker used his camera to turn his emotions into a tangible expression, taking steps toward finding a solution.

Katie Joy Crawford: Anxious Heart series represents her physical experiences with anxiety and depression. Capturing internal struggles and bringing them to light. Explores the emotional and physical journey of her life experiences with her diagnosis. Explains the weight that these bear on society and challenging social taboos. 

Heather Agyepong: Black trauma and difficulties dealing with racism. Series of staged self-portraits. Mixes historical figures and own experiences. Negative feelings of inequality and racism. 

John William Keedy: Series “Its Hardly noticeable” Anxiety disorder. Series as a representation of himself but also relatable and helpful for his audience. Portraying the different struggles of anxiety that different people have. 

Etinosa Yvonne Osayimwe: Depicts trauma and uses it as evidence against atrocities. “It’s all in my head” series. Helps people open up about their experience and help them deal with trauma. 

Yospie Cardoso: Schizophrenia, self-portraits depicting life with schizophrenia. Incentivises awareness and eliminates stigmas. 

Exploring mental health through photography

https://www.creativereview.co.uk/exploring-mental-health-through-photography/

Time to change campaign: combat mental health discrimination, change the way media depicts mental health issues. 

“Head clutches” photo: reading an article about depression and at the top of the article about depression is a picture of a person holding their head in their hands - as a reductive depiction of depression 

More nuanced methods of capturing the experience of living with mental health issues. These are of isolation, and pervasive alienation. 

It Opens the door for more artists to make work about their personal experiences and share it with a wider audience. There are greater opportunities for people to explore photography as a medium to process, document and therapeutically conceptualise inner states.

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Portrayal & Learning Outcomes

How photo-book relates to the concept of portrayal

My photobook relates to the concept of portrayal through the portraits of Stacey and Mackenzie, it is personal to them and their experience with depression but is also relatable to the audience. Stacey and Mackenzie are depicted in the photos in either their face or parts of their body, some in which you can just see their figure underneath the lace but all as representations of them and their challenges with depression. 

Learning outcomes

Critique and employ theories relating to photographic representation that are relevant to ideas in your work: 

I used photoshop to help create a mood board of what I was going for, I was able to evaluate the look and feel of the type of images I wanted and then when going to my shoots I was able to narrow this down to specific images that took on this ethereal look and feel I was going for whilst also visually communicating the message I wanted to send around mental health and reflection. 

Through the final process of choosing images for my photobook I cut out entire shoots such as that of the caravan shoot, I evaluated the message they sent in connection with other images that I had and decided that the two did not flow smoothly together to give the correct context to my photo book image series. 

Research and interpret theoretical discourses as appropriate to the selected contextual output

My research and interpretation of the concept of mental health and specific depression came both from word of mouth, personal experience, talking with Stacey and Mackenzie and research into academic articles based on mental health and reflection. This research is demonstrated in my Tumblr blog. 

Integrate lighting strategies to communicate intended meaning within photographic imagery

My main strategy with lighting for this photobook was the aim to making a gloomy, ethereal, moody environment. I relied on natural lighting mainly as my photoshoot was outdoors on a beach, so my shoot was weather dependent. I chose a cloudy, overcast windy day. This had its challenges with overexposure but also contributed greatly to the nice contrast between the black sand and the sky. The mirror was also helpful in directing light.

Explore and critique the relationships between digital camera technologies, and lighting. Post-production and editing as related to photographic communication 

Because of the location and weather, the relationship between the photos I took and the lighting was crucial. Overexposure was a common threat and naturally changing light made it a constant battle. To combat this I was constantly changing my settings between shoots and would input the images into my laptop to check before moving locations to ensure I had the correct settings and focus for my photos. Minor changes I would ignore as I knew I could fix them in post-production with lightroom as my main post-prod platform. 

With the images that I had taken I wanted to turn my focus to creating more mood in my post-production. My main focus was on contrast, brightness and temperature to create the ethereal moody effect.  

Analyze and critique socio-cultural and political-ethical issues relating to representation within photographic image-making and specific contextual output

Socio-Cultural issues would mostly be the main issue in the context of my photobook being around mental health and depression. This is a sensitive subject for many and misinformation is a critical thing to avoid, sensitive subjects require careful consideration around wording and portrayal through the images is the same. The culture and social backgrounds of viewers also impact how they receive and interpret information both written, verbally and visually and include issues such as stigma. It is important to make the message of your photobook clear to avoid any socio-cultural issues arising. This photobook states it is about a personal experience and not a generalization of everyone's experience and sends positive messages about finding support for people through emotional challenges. 

Political-ethical issues are not as big of a focus for this photobook but there are some general issues around mental health including consent (of which I have from Stacey and Mackenzie), vulnerability and exploitation.

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Other Photo Books:

Too tired for sunshine by Tara Wray: documents depression darkness, absurdity and beauty in everyday life. Explores loneliness and isolation. Absurdist dark humour. 

https://www.tarawray.net/tootiredforsunshine \

https://tootiredproject.com/ 

Big Brother by Louis Quail: About his older sibling and his life with schizophrenia, and daily struggles. 

https://www.huckmag.com/art-and-culture/photography-2/photographer-documenting-brothers-life-schizophrenia/

Fade Out by Daniel SmithOwn personal experience with depression, inspired by music and TV, fully immersive

http://fragmentary.org/daniel-smith/ 

Decisions to be made and how to resolve

A decision I have yet to make is the sequence in which to put these images. Mental health is not a linear process, there are setbacks and victories and more setbacks. I think this is also an important message to portray to those who may not experience deep struggles with their mental health both on an educational and emotional level. It is important to understand that emotions change, feelings and ideas change over time and nothing is truly linear. So my challenge is sequencing and what is the best way in which to communicate my ideas. I plan to do further research into image sequencing and processes around experiences of mental health to help convey my idea to the best extent. Whether a more linear approach is simply just more logical for readers or whether a nonlinear approach is better for conveying mental health. Am I just thinking too much into it?

Reflecting on this after further research, I decided to go for a storytelling sequence as explained in this assignment. I thought this would be the most appropriate and easily understandable way for the audience to see the photo book. 

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Visual Communication

I intended to visually communicate the process in which Stacey and Mackenzie experienced their mental health journey, specifically their battle with depression and their support for one another throughout the past 18 years. I tried to create a story format between the shoots to help bring across this intention.

This photo book starts with them covered in lace, as a visual representation of a blanket of depression, their fight against this and also the juxtaposition of them giving up and embracing it, too tired to fight the emotional battle. To show that the process of mental health and emotions is not linear. 

This photobook then moves more into the idea of reflection through the use of the mirror, with this I wanted to visually communicate the process of avoiding, moving to facing and reflecting on oneself, showing the support of friends, either together in the mirror or holding it up for the other. But also shows emotions of isolation and alienation with the deserted location surrounding them. Hiding parts of themselves and turning their backs to the mirror as an act of avoidance and hesitation to facing the mirror head-on, showing the willingness to battle their depression and reflect on their experiences and feelings. 

From here on it focuses on water as a motif for reflection, I wanted to visually communicate the idea of immersing yourself in your battle and reflection on yourself bringing back the main idea of Reflection as a way in which it allows us to move on, do better and learn from experience by looking back into oneself. And these photos are a representation of this - I also visually attempted for an ethereal feel.

My Position & Voice 

My position and voice in this photo book are with me as an empath and witness to their experience and as a tool to share this experience and message. I voice my full support for making mental health an approachable and important topic to talk about for everyone. I wanted to voice the importance of mental health as a non-linear roller coaster ride of emotions and stress the importance of finding support for people through their challenges in life. 

Audience Think & Feel

My intention is for the audience to think about their own experience and journey with their mental health and reflect on how it has impacted them to this point in life, to encourage taking steps to get help, find support from people and be comfortable talking about their struggles. I wanted the audience to feel empathy, and curiosity around how they can improve their own experience and also ethereality

Role of Text in Book

The role of text in this book is to support the story which the images tell for the viewer, to give deeper context to the thoughts and feelings that are evoked. This is mainly done through the introduction of this book and the title.

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Explain & Justify

Title: Reflections Topic: Friendship through mental health (depression)

People

I chose to portray Stacey and Mackenzie, they have been best friends for 18 years and have battled mental illnesses such as depression. I want to portray their relationship and support for one another through their challenges with depression. Looking back on the idea of reflection. Friends and support during times of emotional distress are so very important and I wanted to reflect that in this book.  Reflection is a way that allows us to move on, do better and learn from experience by looking back on ourselves. 

Location

Bethells Beach is the main location for this photobook, I chose it because of the black sand in contrast with the weather on that day being very gloomy and cloudy it set a very good tone/mood for the type of image portrayal that I was after. I wanted a beach location as I wanted my shoot to focus on water as a representation of reflection.

Objects

Water: I used water for this photoshoot to follow along with the idea of reflection, something that was either sitting in the background of the photo or fully immersed in by the subject. I intended to portray the idea of how mental health is fully immersive and the process of one reflecting on themselves either in the circumstances of avoidance, fully immersed, head on etc. are all portrayed in this photo book either with the water or the mirror.

Mirror: I used the circle mirror because a circle represents cycles such as that of life, emotions, and mental health and also as a symbol of unity between Stacey and Mackenzie in their shared battles. The mirror was an object which I could control and move, I tried to ensure that the models interacted with the mirror to help send the message of support for one another through reflections 

ie. one photo of Mackenzie holding the mirror up in front of Stacey whose in a vulnerable position on her knees (send the idea of support for friends when Stacey needs to reflect on herself, Mackenzie is there for support)

Lace: The lace in this shoot intends to portray it as something that sort of “binds” their depression and mental health to them. The photobook shows them struggling against it when they're fighting for themselves but also the juxtaposition of them embracing it and welcoming it as something they're too tired to fight against. This is the depiction of the non-linear relationship with depression. 

Stool: Was used as a symbol of rising above, a stepping stone to improving mental health. A majority of the photos with the stool did not end up being used in the final photobook. 

Paint (Gold & Silver): Silver is a spiritual symbol of emotions, psychic mind, love and healing whereas gold is a spiritual symbol of light, heart, tree of life, and prosperity. I painted this on the girls' hands to symbolize such. I also thought the contrast with these colours and the dark backgrounds made for a very eye-catching piece of imagery, a reminder of where they came from to where they are now in their mental health journey.

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Part 2

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Favouroite photos from Bethells shoot Part 1

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Bethells Beach RAW photos

Shoot 1: on top of the big black sand dunes with a mirror. focused on the idea of not wanting to face yourself and your inner demons, and the slow progression towards reflecting and looking within yourself for happiness. Showing the support the two girls have for each other through their mental health battles. Challenges with angles in the mirror, over exposure due to the glarey cloudy day white dresses and mirror. 

Shoot 2: Smaller sand dunes using the stool and lace. Idea of ghostly, blanket of depression, lace as something so delicate but the way in which it was used with the model made it overpowering and all-encompassing, visual representation of the battle with mental health. Stool used as the visual representation of rising above the feelings which can bring you down, that you battle against

Shoot 3: Gold and Silver paint. painting the hands in gold or silver as a representation of a brighter future, i liked the contract between the paint and the dark gloomy background

Shoot 4: In the water! the shoot was done quick and fast due to middle of winter freezing cold and windy. The idea of the girls immersing themselves in the water as a representation of reflection, allowing themselves to wash away the negative emotions, embrace the idea of reflection and personal growth, looking to ones self. 

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Location Scouting Photos

Murrays bay, Waiake Beach, Wenderholm Regional Park wharf, Hatfields Beach

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Wharf photos RAW

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Some personal favourite photos from the caravan and wharf shoot. This was focused on the loss of loved ones, nostalgia and the unity that a shared loss brought to these two girls. Kind of gave culty the shinning vibes so wasn't sure how this would flow with the rest of the photobook. The old furniture to represent what the ones they lost left behind. the caravan as a nostalgic memories of camping trips in their past. 

Furniture outside - inspired by Michael Betzner Photography 

https://michaelbetznerphotography.com/

i love his work as one of my favourite conceptual photographers

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PHOTOSHOOT 1

Morning Shoots: Caravan & Wharf

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Shoot Plan

3. Photoshoot

I organised a day for my models and for my father to drop off our caravan as i was wanting to do a shoot at Wenderholm with it to bring across the idea of nostalgia/loss. I had done my research into where we were going to go and when. I offered clothing options that i thought would best suit the image i wanted to create etc. I had limited free time slots available so we dedicated a full day to shooting at locations, trying to smash everything out in one go. I could put my SD card into my computer and check i had the shots i needed before leaving the location due to one being up north and the other being on the west coast alot of travel time and weather dependednt due to the rainy cloudy day. 

Morning: Wenderholm shoot 

Caravan/Outdoor furniture shoot

Wharf Shoot

Afternoon: Bethells shoot 

Big Sand dunes Mirror shoot

Small sand dunes Lace/Stool/Paint shoot

Water/Inlet Mirror shoot (saving getting in the freezing water for last)

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Shoot Plans

2. Location, Props & People

I had my two girls as my models for this shoot (my friends/flatmates) I already had deep insights into their experiences with mental health and how to portray this with the help of my research on Pinterest. 

I had a few locations I had scouted during my 30day photo challenge including Wenderholm regional park, Hatfields Beach, Waiake beach and Murrays bay. I had gone to all of these places, taking photos to both potentially use in the assignment and areas in which I wanted to come back with my models to shoot. 

There were a few locations I had in mind that I could not physically get to in time before the shoots. I turned to Instagram to find the locations of where I was interested which were mainly Bethells beach and Muriwai. 

Based on my visual research and plan I went to Spotlight to get some props for my photoshoot, I got some lace a stool some fake flowers and a circle mirror to help me accomplish the look I was going for in my shoots. 

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Shoot plans

1. Inspiration and visual research

I had honed in on my topic of mental health and wanted to find a way to depict illnesses such as depression, I had this as my main focus for the shoot as I had two friends that like me had their experiences with mental health and depression that were interested in being photographed for this assignment. I was able to focus my topic and idea after years of talking about mental health and personal experiences together I wanted to portray mental health and reflection slightly different to how it is commonly portrayed, I wanted a more conceptual focus on the idea rather than such literal photos. I used Pinterest as my main visual inspiration and research tool for this stage and looked into images with ethereal, surreal, dark but enrapturing types of images. This is where beach photography spoke to me quite strongly. The beach is a representation of both a place of calmness and chaos with the waves such as that of the feeling associated with depression and cycles of mental health. I got the idea for the mirror in this research and thought it was a great tool to help show the idea of reflection 

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Topic reflection and change

For my photobook assignment, I had originally planned on basing my photobook around the loss of loved ones and the different ways in which we see the people that we love after their death. This is why I focused on night shoots and water for a while. I wanted to portray the idea that when we die we turn to the stars and some of us view them as if the ashes turn to stardust. Looking up into the heavens. I have had time to reflect on the topic and the idea of this night shoot and thought this may be too difficult to portray what I am aiming to portray in the right way. Over time my topic has changed more towards the focus on mental health ie. such as after losing someone and the deep depression which you can go into. This focus turned more and more towards depression and mental health with the idea of water as a reflective element in nature but a representation of reflection on ones self too. 

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Second-night shoot

Still somewhat of a fail, I managed to light up the background without using foreground lights but still had issues with the focus on my camera. I liked the effect as it almost looked like stars in the daytime. clearly, more time playing with settings I think I need to look into the long exposure settings more on my camera.