Evaluation

Overall, I’m really happy with how this project turned out. I never would have guessed when I started, that this is where it would’ve ended up. At the beginning, I had ideas of expressing my anger towards the recent rise of the far-right in the UK. This then quickly changed to a more personal, feminist message surrounding sexual assault, which was triggered by the tragic death of Sarah Everard back in March. What has run through this project, however, is my continual use and exploration of the folk horror genre and aesthetic. I’ve learnt a lot about its history, particularly being drawn to the fact that it originated around the area I grew up, further strengthening my choice to use it as my main source of photographic inspiration. I feel that I’ve really developed as a photographer over the course of this project, which is particularly evident when I look back at the work I was making in stage 1. My visual language has definitely evolved since, with my photographs now looking a lot more polished since gaining a much better understanding of my way around a camera. I also finally got to experiment with film photography in this project, something I’ve wanted to do since I started at AUB. Despite my photos being over exposed, I still ended up using them in my final photo book as they really fit the dreamlike, folk horror look I’ve been aiming for. I’m very grateful that I got the opportunity to use this equipment as trying something new added an extra edge to my photo book which I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Sadly, I didn’t get time to professionally print my photo book, which was my aim, but being able to express my final outcome through a digital book I think works just as well. I’m really proud of the final version of my photobook. I think it perfectly expresses my message of celebrating and sharing the power of women, especially those who have experiences sexual assault, and encouraging the embracement of nature as a way to heal personal pain all through a deliberately in-explicit narrative and folk horror inspired aesthetic.