honorable mention
John Dykstra united states
title
Head Space
Each image in this series is a single exposure, with black and white tonal editing in Lightroom. Instead of relying on heavy compositing or Photoshop manipulation to create my work, I head in the opposite direction, ever curious to discover how much of my own creative vision can be captured in-camera. Using creative lighting, practical effects, forced perspective and long exposures, my in-camera techniques help to illustrate my ideas on mental health and personal perspective. I find that these techniques analogize photographic perspective and visual illusions with the illusory nature of the personal perspectives we hold that shape the way we see and interact with the world, and questions the viewer on their perception of photography and reality.
Mankind is an ever inquisitive species, continually raising questions about the circumstances of life, and not often satisfied with its own answers. We often learn to see that the reality of things seem to shift in relation to our perspective. Scientific facts often shift overtime and our personal truths often realign, yet we continue to seek out concrete understanding of our lives and the world around us. This quest to make sense of life, and, by extension, oneself, is an important one. My work, in effect, is an attempt to do the same.
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entry description
I often explore psychological themes in my work. These portraits in particular serve as visual reflections on my experiences with introversion and mental health.Each image in this series is a single exposure, with black and white tonal editing in Lightroom. Instead of relying on heavy compositing or Photoshop manipulation to create my work, I head in the opposite direction, ever curious to discover how much of my own creative vision can be captured in-camera. Using creative lighting, practical effects, forced perspective and long exposures, my in-camera techniques help to illustrate my ideas on mental health and personal perspective. I find that these techniques analogize photographic perspective and visual illusions with the illusory nature of the personal perspectives we hold that shape the way we see and interact with the world, and questions the viewer on their perception of photography and reality.
about the photographer
My work reflects upon the persistence of the human spirit to make sense of our life on earth. In my work, I explore themes of self-discovery, spirituality, and a journey to understanding. My work also investigates perspective, both in relation to the subjectivity of mankind as well as the objectivity of the camera lens, pointing out our tendencies to make assumptions about life.Mankind is an ever inquisitive species, continually raising questions about the circumstances of life, and not often satisfied with its own answers. We often learn to see that the reality of things seem to shift in relation to our perspective. Scientific facts often shift overtime and our personal truths often realign, yet we continue to seek out concrete understanding of our lives and the world around us. This quest to make sense of life, and, by extension, oneself, is an important one. My work, in effect, is an attempt to do the same.
back to gallery