After studying photography with specific briefs for two years, it's refreshing to not have a particular brief this year. I have been given free reign to create a final year project of my choice.
However, this freedom has given me a lot to think about. What kind of project do I want to make? Portraits? Landscape? Microphotography? Do I want my project to be obscure, thought provoking, reminiscent, or something completely different?
I didn't know where to start, so I thought I'd begin with looking at my past work/photographs.
It was whilst looking at my past projects, especially last year's (http://photoy2.blogspot.co.uk, 'Family Focus'), that I realised I wanted this year's project to somehow relate to previous projects.
The photo below of my nephew, Arlo, is where an idea blossomed.
Situated between photos of the adult members of my family, this photo stood out to me. It didn't take me long to realise that it was simply because he didn't care - he didn't care how his photo looked, his appearance when having his photo taken, he didn't feel awkward, he was simply being himself.
It's very rare when adults, and even older children, don't worry or act differently when having their photo taken. They are aware that having a camera pointed at them is more than simply clicking a button to take a photo - where does that photo end up? Who does it belong to? Who will see the photos? What will I look like? What do I want to look like?
This thought process doesn't happen with young children. They aren't aware of the repercussions of having their photo taken. They are innocent.
Hence my idea of creating my final year project based around child innocence.
