Samantha Everton Ali, Omar and Harveena

1. Samantha Everton Ali, Omar and Harveena

2. The photograph... Samantha Everton combines many emotions in order to create an almost mirrored photograph. The use of vintage dolls emphasisesthe over structured and perfect look; which not only alters the realty with in, but adds a pinch of loneliness and isolation. The solitude produces this negative impact towards the photographwhich leaves the viewer bewildered as to what is taking place.

3. Balloons give the theme of celebration and have a positive connotation. Having both genders at the table relates with equality. Contrast of Themes Items on the table such the cake and drinks give the impression and theme of celebration. The outfit that the two young girls are wearing imply that the occasion is special and again contribute to the theme of celebration. The lighting in the photo is very dim and dark. This lack of light gives negative connotations such as sadness, depression and horror. The spot light relates with the theme of mystery as we don’t know why it’s there The outfit of the girls is coloured white and the adults’ outfits are dark and black. The colour white relates with purity, innocence, perfection and can be portrayed as a symbol of piece. On the other hand, the colour black, and all other dark colours, relate to things such as danger, fear and horror, e.g. Animals such as crows.

4. How: technically... The photograph has been desaturated in colour in order to fade the image to bring that negative outlook. The Australian photographer has edited the image, leaving nothing but a table, 4 dolls and 4 balloons. The way in which it was produced was staged, therefore creating something in mind with a varied selection of emotions and feelings. In this case Photoshop was used, inserting and deleting certain objects such as the dolls. The fact that the colour impacts the image, the dark colour spread across this photograph almost brings a depressing feel towards the viewer, by negatively portraying a birthday party in a surreal setting.

5. How: compositionally... Sam has composed this photograph using dolls and balloons. The mixture of colour balloons that have been used, automatically softens and alleviates the image, but could also stand for each person’s personality. The fact that more or less everything is placed central of the photograph, this almost brings an uncomfortable feel towards the viewer, as it is directed and focussed on one point . We feel the photographer is trying to balance the image, by inserting balloons onto the top vertical intersections. When observing the image, we can instantly recognise that the subjects are lying on the bottom horizontal intersection, this not only creates that structured look, but it allows the elaboration of the ‘edge’ to the photograph.

6. Digitally manipulated.... It has been digitally manipulated.... • Manipulation for photo restoration or enhancement. This meansadjusting colours / contrast, sharpness, removing elements or visible errors on skin or materials. Sam has used this in order to desaturate the photograph by using editing techniques, to form a dim, yet open photograph where we as viewers, are left to explore.

7. More about the image... • The use of old walls/wallpaper gives the impression that it was supposed to be set within the 80/90s era. • It might be a reflection of the photographers childhood memories. • Emphasising isolation from others, as well as neglected or child abuse. • Child abuse- there are no facial expressions, bright colours neither any energy existing within the photograph.

8. Mood/feel... • Creates an surreal effect – Too structured and perfect • Brings mood down - desaturated colour/ the use of negative colours-black/grey • Depressed and miserable • Sad • Gloomy – no life or excitement • Confused – the balancing of colours whilst in a desaturated process. • All these moods and feelings are expressed within the photograph. The fact that the photograph is portraying something which no child would ever want; a party with no life.

9. Themes... • Fear – the fact that everything is still and no movement. • Childhood worries - the use of young dolls to represent the main perspective. The expression on their faces are scared, furthermore looking petrified. • Aggression – the use of negative colours allows the build of anger to take place. • Innocence – the colour white classifies purity and wholesomeness. • Horror - too gloomy and dull which provides that uncomfortable. feel leading to fright and nervousness/anxiety. • Birthday Party

10. Deconstruction...

11. We have constructed our own image based on the original . The fact that there is now a consistency between the colour of the balloons, but also creating a mirroring feature within the table, allows us and you as the viewers to relate the composition to themes. An example would be fear, the way the mirroring feature plays along with this theme, is that it is surreal, something which would bring a surprising element towards the photograph and elaborate on the childhood fears and worries.