A collage documenting my creative process from the beginning of the project (top left) to the end of the project (bottom right).

The reason I have so many attempts is because I hadn't done enough research for me to develop my initial idea (which was something to do with hiding or concealing ones identity). I discovered this in feedback sessions with my tutors, and it gave me the kick up the backside I needed to get into some books and the internet to find some inspiration.

My "inspiration" for my photo didn't come from looking at a photo and a light suddenly switched on. No. It came from Photographer Freeman Patterson who, when commenting on developing originality in portraiture said:


 "The camera goes both ways. In expressing the subject, you also express yourself."

Here I began to think about what I was trying to express about myself through my portrait. I guess I discovered how both creative expression is intrinsically linked to personal identity, and, on it's most basic level tackle the question;"what is identity?"

But I did look at some photographs for reference, to see if I could adopt some of the techniques they used and incorporate it into my own work. I looked at American based surrealist photographer Kyle Thompson.


And so that is a shortened down explanation of how I got to my final piece. I am a bit nervous to present but it's just what we have to do to develop as creative people.

above: final submission, titled "Identity (n)"