Idea Blog: Color transitioning

Right now, I have established that I need to focus on my color in my pieces. I recently have tried a few different techniques to combat this issue, and try to find better ways to deal with the issue. The main one I started to focus on was to use my clothing as a representation of Kenya, rather than try and edit all of the photographs to imitate shades of colors that remind me of Kenya. The main issue I had with the pieces of last semester was the connection with Kenya and the viewer. I felt like the viewer did not pick up on the hints of Kenya, because the experience of Kenya gave me the idea of changing hues and saturation to imitate shades of Kenya. If they had never been to Kenya, then that specific ideal would not be conveyed at all. So this semester I did some brainstorming of ways to use color to better influence each individual piece. My first idea was with my clothing, as I stated earlier, focusing on a shirt I own that is the National Kenyan Jersey for their rugby team. It clearly shows the flag colors, as well as the flag pattern as the main part of the Jersey, and I decided that the images would be unified by all having those bright and distinct colors and shapes, and that would somehow connect all the pieces. I thought of having a photograph where the shirt is close enough in the photograph so that the viewer can identify with it and directly point it out. I also thought about giving more emphasis on this by giving a gradient of color to black and white from the shirt out into the environment phtoographed. This would also help to influence the idea of separation that I feel internally from the environment I am in now, and give the influence of a 'trying to blend' effect, as if the two identities were trying to mix in this 'one-identity' photograph. They are both competing for the attention, and this is the result of their fighting, a confused and separated photograph. The pictures at the top are examples of what I worked on. I will continue to deal with this issue, trying to iron out a successful and solid idea for uniting the photographs, both in color, and in conveying of the concept.