Tess Barlow

My coursework theme is identity. I explored this through the avenues of self-perception and the perception of others , location and personality, all combined with an overarching theme of surrealism. At first my work is visually appealing, using dynamic content and layout to produce an interesting photograph, but as you dive deeper into each image there is a meaning to be unpicked. The three chosen avenues have allowed me to deconstruct my own identity as well as the concept of identity itself and use photography to show my findings. My interest in surrealism developed as a response to my research into self-portraiture and emotional photography. This led me to artists such as Jamelia Mould and Guy Bourdin, who have inspired not only my stylistic approach to photography, but also a deeper sense of meaning and use of it as a medium to explore the unconscious and conscious mind.

What is best about surreal photography is the lack of creative boundaries, which has built my skills in Photoshop and enhanced my more basic skills such as altering lighting and composition to produce a visually captivating result.

I am hoping to go on to study media, film and television at Nottingham Trent, so it is essential for me to put these skills into practice.