Breadth 2: The Power of Words

Breadth 2: The Power of Words

For my second breadth piece I chose to focus on societal issue / concerns. My primary point of interest includes typography, text, filters, effects, actions, and lighting. In addition, I included color, contrast, and framing. I wanted to focus on the societal issue of abuse. Specifically, verbal abuse. In order to capture my thoughts and ideas, I first photographed the subject matter with headphones in and her hands covering the headphones. This represents the impact words have upon individuals being that nothing can block out the pain from the words that are being expressed. I then took the image into photoshop where I typed up words that were hurtful, abusive, and overall cruel. I made each line a different text and style from the one before it so that they each would stand out in their own way. This displays diversity as well and captures the numerous different words that an individual could encounter with verbal abuse. After that, I wanted to incorporate this idea of censorship being that the subject matter is experiencing this abuse but does not have the voice, power, or ability to fight back. She is restricted or even prohibited to right back in a sense. I made the bar across the subjects mouth to represent this idea and I turned it red because red associates with the idea of violence. I then took my image into lightroom where I added a vignette to really focus in on the subject matter itself and frame the whole idea of the piece. I also explored with the idea of lighting and contrast. I made this piece black and white so that the red really stood out to the audience. I personally relate to this issue because of experiences from when I was younger. My brother and I would argue and he would call me names almost everyday. It is important to focus on the issue of name calling when children are younger because they can carry that habit with them when they get older. For example, in high school I still see individuals calling others names, stereotyping them, and discriminating them. Name calling can leave a long lasting impact on individuals. They can carry it with them throughout their life. This is why I wanted to make a piece revolving around this issue and the importance of it.