Muirgheal Forro

Forbidden Paradise

Fujifilm Instax Wide 210

My father was strict and protective (as what I think a father would mostly be) when I was young. We had this river close to our house before. I hear and saw pictures of my cousins and older brother spending time wading and swimming in it when they were younger. What my brother enjoyed, I didn’t. My father was very strict when it comes to having fun outdoors when I was little. I was the youngest and the only girl, not just as his daughter but within my cousins from his side of the family as well. I always pass by wanting to just jump in and cool off from such hot weather but I don’t think that happened until I was around 12 or 13 and even then I still had to keep it a secret. I’m not holding any bitterness towards it. It was just one of those things kept away from you as a child and that feeling of just wanting something so bad and the more you want it just because it’s forbidden.

This is not the actual river of course. But my friends and I went hiking at Little Yosemite in Sunol a couple of days ago and the area brought me back. Not just the river but most things surrounding it. Aside from wanting to pack light (meaning leaving my DSLR behind). I also didn’t want to have the luxury of taking thousands of photos and selecting from it. I only had 13 instant films at that time. I want one shot to matter. 

Stakeout

Whenever I think about Film Noir, detectives and private investigators always come into mind. The long hours and intimate moments of 2 characters isolated in a compact car with nothing to do for hours but uncover some dirty deeds of a cheating wife or surveillance for a drug sting operation. As I was editing these shots I couldn’t help but think about adding more details in the car. Like folders with some top secret files or paper bags of consumed fastfood. 

Train Station 

I was preparing my equipment and props and my model asks me, “So what’s the story behind this?”. Usually, most of my models don’t bother to ask and if I do explain they don’t bother to absorb as much. So then I told her, that she plays someone who’s out on their own in the middle of the night maybe trying to escape from something or venturing out to the unknown starting a life somewhere else. Women are mostly depicted as fragile and vulnerable and I wanted to show how strong and independent women really are and that they could decide on their own, whatever path they want to be in. In my opinion, nothing feels more liberating than taking off in the middle of the night, unaware of where you’ll land on. 

Extra Credit

Kabuki Theater

This is a composition of 3 separate shots. I got my inspiration from searching different dance poses. I decided to do just one movement to simulate some type of motion going on. I bought the mannequin from Daiso and the Japanese paper background as well. I ultimately wanted the soft focus to apply dimension and depth. 

My inspiration photo:

http://www.culturalacts.com/pictures/perform/1204528337_Kabuki%20and%20Japanese%20Dance_240x180.jpg

Expected/Unexpected

Trade-In

Shoes 

I love driving and I will be getting a new car soon & most likely trading this old one in. I love this car. It’s as old as I am, scarred, rugged, and breaks down from time-to-time. It speaks me. 

I chose this angle to show a perspective from my view looking down to my feet resting on the pedals. I wanted to include a part of the steering and dash to get the feel of the environment.

Come, Summer.

Chair

Summer is my time of the year, most people actually. California sun promises the best summer experience that you’ll have and while it’s not here yet, all you could do is sit around & wait. 

I chose this particular angle to ride of the distractions within the surrounding. I cropped just a teeny bit at the top. I waited around till the sun fades away a little to highlight a gloomy & lonely ambiance. 

Objective/Subjective

I wanted to do different lighting for this particular assignment. With the objective shot, I detailed the edges of the box to materialize it as what it is, a box. I closed the windows located behind the subjected and just left the one light coming through from the front which is also natural lighting. For the subjective take on it, I opened the window from behind this time and approached much more softer edges to give that romantic feel. 

Father & Son

The unspoken bond between people when watching football, & any kind of sport in fact. People become one with the game, the players, & everyone seem to speak the same language. I’m not sure if these individuals are really father & son, hell, I’m not even sure if they’re related. Whatever the relationship is, it must be pretty special. 

Progress

We have come a long way with technology & it’s not stopping anytime soon at all. We strive to do better to make everything else efficient & accessible to us but most of the time we lose access to what’s really important, everything else got superficial. I chose this concept personally because back here in Fremont newer, taller, buildings start appearing out of nowhere. I haven’t been here long, but you can drive around here to do your errands and see the beautiful hills from afar, the vast skies. I’m just worried that the future generation may lose that experience, especially if we keep up with this pace. 

(I included the unedited originals.)

Talla

Self - Identity 

I believe that one common fear we share amongst humanity is losing ones identity or not being able to figure out where we really stand and belong in society. And even the idea of losing oneself if put under pressure or just not having a deeper connection within ourselves. It’s a constant struggle which happens to everyone. I chose a simple approach to this shot. An area and lighting enough to give the feeling of sterility, of emptiness. 

Damsel in Distress

The fear of falling and not being caught in terms of a fairytale ending to a love story. A princess waiting for her knight in shining armor. Generally the fear of living life in solitude, without a life partner. I usually am not comfortable working with manipulations such as these but I’m glad that this class allows me to explore.