Emma Weeks proposes an illustrated project focusing on surreal portraiture photography. She will analyze works by surrealist artists to better understand the genre. The document includes annotations of surreal images by several students. The annotations describe what appeals to them about each image, including compositional elements, symbolism, and political or social connotations. Emma also lists several inspirational surrealist artists to inform her project.

1. Illustrated Project
Proposal
Emma Weeks

2. My Personal Investigation
• Throughout my project I wish to focus on surreal
photography.
• The particular area of surreal photography which I
wish to focus on is surreal portraiture as I feel that
this will effectively combine two of the areas of
photography which I enjoy most.
• I will look into a number of artists who's work fits into
the genre of surrealism in order to gain a good
understanding of the various categories of the genre.

3. Annotated Images

4. Kyle Thompson
Why this image appeals to me: I like this image because of its simplicity as well as the heavy contrast
which can be seen. I also like the way that the colouration gives it a somewhat surreal appearance.
Denotations: A teenage boy is submerged under water. The images colouration is interesting as red
and green are complimentary colours this creates an element of contrast.
Connotations: The fact that the boy is shown breathing underwater could support the idea that today’s
youth feel constricted by society. It can be inferred that this has been an issue throughout time from
the fact that the teenager is wearing a vintage jumper.

5. Rachel BaranWhy this image appeals to me: This image appeals to me because of the use of physical photography
as well as the surreal aspect of the tongue of the subject being cut off. I also like the political undertones
of youth oppression.
Denotation: A physical composed imaged of a pair of scissors cutting off the subjects tongue.
Connotation: The connotations of this image are the lack of freedom of speech of the youth of today.
The relation to todays youth can be seen in the way that the scissors have been formed out of a childlike
dot to dot as well as the fact that the models pose and nose ring make her appear to be youthful and
young.

6. Brooke DiDonato
Why this image appeals to me: This image appeals to me because of it’s simplicity and minimalistic
staging and composition. I also like the cold tones used throughout out as they help to give the
image a more melancholy feel which is furthered by the relatively low saturation of the image.
Denotation: A man naked in the sea with only the back of his head and torso visible.
Connotation: This image displays the way that people feel trapped by society which is represented
by the sea and are scared to be themselves which can be conveyed from the way that the subject is
cradling his body.

7. Inspirational Artists

8. Lara Zankoul

13. Kyle Thompson

18. Caitlin Worthington

23. Laura Zalenga

28. Sarah Ann Loreth

33. Oleg Oprisco

38. Brooke Shaden

43. Martin Stranka

48. Brooke DiDonato

53. Christopher Mckenney

58. Rachel Baran