The Strangeness of Self

Massive apologies for the gap in posts. I'm not sure what happened there. A one week respite that over ran by a little. Nevermind, it gave me a chance to catch up on some important DIY and continue getting the house a little more finished. I've now learnt how to make a sideboard, a kitchen unit, bathroom storage and a tooth!

In the gap between posts I heard back from another competition over at LensCulture. Taking on board the constructive advice offered to me from their last comp I gathered together some self portraits (most of which were taken for my Leica Monochrom Mondays Project and presented 'The Strangeness of Self' as a my entry for their portrait competition. I thought I'd share the pictures entered and the accompanying write up about my entry as it was very positive and I was pleased as punch to receive such nice remarks.



The Strangeness of Self

Review given (identity of reviewer is kept anonymous) 

Clayton, I find your investigations fantastic. 

I really enjoy how you are so freely exploring notions of the self. 

So far because I do not see that many photographs I can honestly tell you that all of your images are powerful and evocative. Some images do remind me of surrealism, specially 05 to Frida Kahlo and 04 to Rene Magritte somehow, but also to contemporary artist Duane Michals. I see you as developing your own unique voice within the frame of fine art photography, however there is a history of this type of photography that I suggest that you become fully familiar with. The tonality of your shots is so rich, good job using the blacks. I wonder if the stories that are alluded under each image will be included in the image, perhaps as borders or handwritten text, I wonder how important it is for the viewer to know the origin of these images, since you added them but do not mention it in your statement. Image 01, is personally one of my favorite in the series, I see a lot of play, humor but also an in-depth analysis and a disposition towards deconstruction, which I feel occupies many of your images and it is also at the core of the “strangeness of self”. 

I really hope you keep developing this work and keep participating in portfolio reviews and competitions once you have the work thoroughly finished. I see so much potential and so many avenues yet to explore.

I have added some links to support you in your photographic journey, 
Thank you for your submission and I wish you good luck in your endeavors 
Keep shooting

And for today's post I thought it only fitting that I continue with the theme of surreal portraits.