Virtual Synergy 3
Over the past 4 months, during the pandemic, I have been making photographs using Zoom as my studio. The longer we spend in quarantine the more my photo portrait series grows, and the more I experiment with this new photo environment.
ZOE PAPIANNI
My photoshoot with Zoe was full of new inventions and discoveries. At first, I used pieces of shiny emergency blanket to create a highlight effect. Then I thought of cutting pieces of shiny foil to create a more spontaneous-looking composition rather than using big blocks. When I cut the pieces, I realized it would take so much time and patience (that I don’t have) to tape them to my screen. So I simply flipped my laptop. This quick solution allowed me to freely experiment with placement of any physical items on the screen, changing my perspective in literal and figurative sense. The photoshoot came out magical with a sprinkle of hand-made confetti, creating an atmosphere of fantasy.
ADWOA ADOMAKO
It was so fun and easy to shoot with Adwoa Adomako. Every time I would get excited about another great photo being captured, Adwoa would reflect the same response back. One of the most intriguing and interesting things that I noticed during all these shoots is the environments that models are in. Some people want their room to become the main focus while others just choose a monotone surface as a backdrop. I’m always curious where people will decide to display themselves. While we were shooting, Adwoa showed me around her room and asked me where she should place herself. While I usually gravitate to simpler backgrounds to emphasize the model, Adwoa was willing to experiment with the surroundings. She also came to the shoot prepared with a phone stand, light source, and confident poses. It was so simple to just keep clicking and capturing her essence.
EMMANUEL AMOAKOHENE
Before the photoshoot Emmanuel and I had a long conversation about handling the pandemic and our uncertainties with our future career paths. After an hour of talking, Emmanuel asked me how do I take the photos so discretely, and I said I haven’t been taking any yet, I was so engaged in the conversation there was no way I could focus on anything other than listening and thinking. Then we went straight to it. Despite us starting late at night, we both felt energized and engaged in the photoshoot. Emmanuel was experimenting with the dramatic light effect, while I was playing with tape and red flash. This was also the first time I didn’t use a full screen zoom video, making is smaller, closer in size to my physical elements. When discussing the photoshoot afterwards, Emmanuel highlighted one of the photos with an overpowering orange as the one capturing his personality, “as a state of existing and not existing simultaneously.” I once again realized that out of these experiments come some surprising and beautiful discoveries. I discovered that these photoshoots are a way to reconnect, support and highlight the energy of the model.
