Portraits: Concept Research

After the last portraits task I knew I needed to find, choose, and research a concept for the photo series fast in order to streamline my work process and so I can create a stronger series in the end. Initially I was stumped as because we have more freedom on this task it was almost too much and I couldn't focus onto one subject that I was thinking of from outside sources. I was looking into the current political climate and it just wasn't talking to me in anyway. I eventually realised that it was because of more personal reasons that I couldn't focus. Very soon after receiving the brief for this project my, now ex, boyfriend broke up with me and it didn't leave me in a very good place. I've never been very good at dealing with some emotions becuase I kind of just ignore them and pack them away in a box never to be felt, so I thought I use this project as a way to channel this awful situation into something beautiful. 

The Red Thread of Fate

The red thread of fate has been an idea that I've always known about as since I was young Ive been exposed to East Asian pop culture through anime and music, and the concept of it is in most stories. The belief originated from Chinese legend and it's said that the gods would tie a red string around the ankles of people who are destined to be together. In Japanese culture it's been popularised to be tied around the little finger instead. The two people connected by the red thread are destined to be lovers, regardless of place, time, or circumstances. This magical string may stretch or tangle, but never break. The myth is directly comparable to the Western concept of soulmates.

I'd like to utilize the idea of the red string in my portraits series as a way to represent either the journey of my late relationship or as symbolic metaphor within the greater image. I think this alongside the beautiful almost glamour shots I hope to shoot  I think will come together to make a really striking image. With this new Idea I'm not sure how much I want to digitally manipulate my images as I almost want to keep them as simple as possible in order to have the concept be what makes the images special rather than the manipulation. Plus with my style of manipulation being mainly through duplication and layer blending I feel this montage method would end up creating a third meaning within the images which is something I dont want.