Fragments of Light
Fragments of Light names my photographic series wherein shadows form abstractions across the female body in my black and white compositions. Light is key in photography, in fact the word, from Greek, means drawing with light or “light drawing”. This reference underscores my medium of choice, as I use light and its opposite, the shadow. The utilization of the two inverted photos allows viewers to challenge their perceived notions of form and space while paying tribute to the rich history of photographic techniques and processes that have shaped the medium over time.
In the studio, I employ a single light source and a foam board with cutouts to manipulate the shadows that are cast on the models. This arrangement allows me to deliberately craft the compositions to
their body into segments and shapes. By obscuring the identities of my models through the framing decisions and geometric shadows, I shift the focus away from individuality and towards abstraction. There is an intimacy to my approach as well, the camera is positioned so closely to the skin allowing viewers to see the intricate details on the body. A single freckle on their face or a strand of hair on their arm becomes isolated as everything else is engulfed in the darkness.
In this intentional deconstruction, the light becomes a tool for sculpting, defining, and transforming the figure. While the shadows add depth and dimensionality, carving out negative space. Through the juxtaposition of soft curves and sharp angles, tension and harmony are evoked, ultimately showing the complexity of beauty and structure within the human form.
