Noell S. Osvald
www.noellosvald.carbonmade.com
Noell S. Osvald is a Hungarian self portraiture photographer who has only been shooting images for just over a year. Osvald chooses to work in black and white because she feels that colour distracts from her conceptual ideas. She wishes for views of her work to find their own meaning and interpretations of each image. Osvald has only a select few pieces of her work displayed on the web, however they show expert skills despite her short amount of experience in photography.
I will be analysing these photographs utilizing the theme of disguise. This first photograph features Noell hiding her face with her hands, with a veil over her head. The background is dark, and there is a strong contrast between the light and dark areas of her body. I believe that this photograph could be interpreted as the subject is hiding strong depressive emotions behind a veil, or mask. And that when left alone in their own company, we can see their true feelings. Firstly, the piece of material - presumably organza - reminds me of a waterfall, cascading down from the subjects face. This could be symbolic of the tears that she is hiding, flooding out when released. Although the models face is hidden from us, the dipped head and positioning of her hands suggest that she feels vulnerable, or ashamed of the emotions that she is attempting to conceal.
I will be analysing these photographs utilizing the theme of disguise. This first photograph features Noell hiding her face with her hands, with a veil over her head. The background is dark, and there is a strong contrast between the light and dark areas of her body. I believe that this photograph could be interpreted as the subject is hiding strong depressive emotions behind a veil, or mask. And that when left alone in their own company, we can see their true feelings. Firstly, the piece of material - presumably organza - reminds me of a waterfall, cascading down from the subjects face. This could be symbolic of the tears that she is hiding, flooding out when released. Although the models face is hidden from us, the dipped head and positioning of her hands suggest that she feels vulnerable, or ashamed of the emotions that she is attempting to conceal.
This second photograph is shot from a closer viewpoint than the previous one. This one features the subject looking away from the camera from underneath the transparent material. The main focal point in this photograph is the models eye, which has been emphasised by the dark mascara. It almost looks as if there isn't any material covering the models face at all.
I believe the photographer has done this in order to show that despite how clearly we think we can see someones face, we don't notice the disguise that they are hiding their emotions behind. The models expression in this photograph is very neutral, which enforces this idea. There is a strong contrast between the light and dark areas in this image, with the model being half in the light and half in the shadow. The background also fits in with this, fading out into darkness on the right hand side of the image.
This reminds me of yin and yang. The idea that even in the most perfect of people there is evil, or flaws in this case. However even in those who chose to be evil, there is some good. But in both cases, there is an attempt to hide it.
I believe the photographer has done this in order to show that despite how clearly we think we can see someones face, we don't notice the disguise that they are hiding their emotions behind. The models expression in this photograph is very neutral, which enforces this idea. There is a strong contrast between the light and dark areas in this image, with the model being half in the light and half in the shadow. The background also fits in with this, fading out into darkness on the right hand side of the image.
This reminds me of yin and yang. The idea that even in the most perfect of people there is evil, or flaws in this case. However even in those who chose to be evil, there is some good. But in both cases, there is an attempt to hide it.
I find this final image to be the most interesting out of this shoot. This photograph features the same model, from a zoomed out perspective, underneath the same piece of transparent material. However in this shot there use of props. The subject is holding a small bird on her hand, and is illuminated from the far side of the shot.
In this photograph, I believe the theme is disguising desires. In my interpretation, the subject desires the freedom that the bird has, yet is trapped behind a disguise that she has created. The material represents the 'cage' or 'disguise' that has trapped her. With the light representing the purity of the bird she is holding.
Overall, I find Noell S Osvald's work to be simple, but fascinating. The use of lighting is key in her photography, and I love that she chooses to work in black and white so that the eye isn't distracted.
In this photograph, I believe the theme is disguising desires. In my interpretation, the subject desires the freedom that the bird has, yet is trapped behind a disguise that she has created. The material represents the 'cage' or 'disguise' that has trapped her. With the light representing the purity of the bird she is holding.
Overall, I find Noell S Osvald's work to be simple, but fascinating. The use of lighting is key in her photography, and I love that she chooses to work in black and white so that the eye isn't distracted.