The Constructed Self.
A photographic project exploring image authenticity.
The curated image and mirage of truth in modern imagery.
The Constructed Self.
Clean
The minor corrections one makes, to create a subtle yet seemingly "authentic" image
Polished
Light smoothing and tonal adjustments presents a socially acceptable and well-groomed version of the initial picture.
To the average person, manipulation has not occurred the image still looks authentic.
Idealised
Increased refinement and subtle contouring construct an idealised representation of the self. Too subtle to be noticed, but enough to enhance.
Social Media
Digital facial reshaping with the jaw and enhanced clarity and smoothness of the skin reflects the curated image many social media influences use to fake to the masses.
The image still looks borderline authentic, with only minimal changes being done to the facial structure like contouring and jawline development through editing.
To the average person this still looks "authentic" but in the next images we will start to see where the line starts to blur.
Influencer
Heavier manipulation and heightened polish signal a curated and performative online identity.
The edge between a seemingly authentic image, and a complete lie.
The jawline, chin and cheeks have been minimally contoured and manipulated with the eyes being brightened, as i was editing some of these photos i began to realise the somewhat lie of image "authenticity".
Any image can be tampered with and often most likely are, soon what we see with our eyes will cease to be the truth no more, as image manipulation gets easier and stronger by the year.
Almost Fake
Excessive smoothing and symmetry begin to destabilise realism, drawing attention to the constructed nature of the image.
Something is just, off about the image, everything has been tampered with, the whitening of the teeth the facial structure the eyes, the porcelain like nature of the skin, its almost not real, but yet still, human. Its uncanny.
Uncanny
Extreme manipulation pushes the image far beyond authenticity, resulting in an unsettling and artificial representation.
This is to show how far one can push manipulation through editing, and clearly the camera has taken a backseat in modern imagery, with carefully curated manipulation taking center stage in the years to come.