Laura Stevens - Another November, 2015
This project was created and photographed by Laura Stevens, which came about after a significant relationship she had been in for a long time ended. Whilst Stevens was adjusting to being a single woman, she chose to create a photographic narrative to display the stages in which she was going through and realising as she was developing to the single life e.g. eating alone, sleeping alone. She began with constructing the models to replicate the emotions she was feeling at that time then, as she was developing and changing as a person and re-modelling her identity. The models used throughout the series range from people whom she has been friends with and those who were strangers she met on the street.
Throughout all of the images, there are very dark tones with minimal lighting, forecasting a very negative and dull atmosphere within the pictures. This replicates well to the audience how she is feeling as, after a break up you feel different as in isolated, upset alone, especially after it had been a long relationship. The negative space surrounding the subjects in the pictures also emphasise the loneliness that occurs when going through a break up, showing how isolation is unavoidable. All the models are looking away from the camera, either down at the floor or a ‘looking into the distance’ stare, which connotes that their mind is elsewhere whilst the pictures are being taken.
Most of the pictures are quite plain and desaturated due to the colours used not being bold or contrasting, it makes the experience of going through a break up appear as even more of a bleak period. The top image showing a woman sat on her bed surrounded by many blue tones in a secluded room, the story behind her was that she actually cut her hair short after going through a stressful break up. It is really surprising how when relationships end, they affect people in several different ways.
Looking at Another November has given me inspiration for the portraits that I am taking alongside the objects I am photographing left behind after break ups. I want them to appear as they are straight faced, unhappy and not smiling. Whether I want them standing up or sitting on a bed etc I am unsure but, this work has definitely given me ideas to how I don’t want them looking into the camera for pictures. Also, it is an all women project and, I am thinking of making this an all female project but am not completely sure as of yet.
