Assignment 5b

Self-Portaiture

For this activity, I wanted to explore a deeply personal theme—embracing one’s sexuality and overcoming the fear of being seen. These two photos represent a visual narrative of coming to terms with my identity as a lesbian, and the quiet strength it takes to step into the world as your true self.

I focused the idea on the term "coming out of the closet," something that queer individuals use to identify the act of exposing their true selves after living in secrecy through fear or ignorance. That was a metaphor that seemed strong and tangible to me—something that I could feel on an emotional level and bring to life visually.

Headshot

The first photo is a headshot that’s all about becoming. I’m standing still, staring into the lens, letting the rainbow light fall naturally over me. The rainbow represents queerness, of course, but it also shows how identity can be colorful, soft, and powerful all at once. In this photo, I’m not hiding anything. I’m not trying to perform or explain. It's just me, acknowledging my truth, and coming to be okay with the notion that being different is something to be afraid of. It's something to claim. I used to care about what others would think, or how they'd act around me, but this picture shows the quiet moment of finally declaring, "This is who I am," even if my voice trembles a little.

In post-processing, I added a rainbow effect across the image to reflect the LGBTQIA+ pride symbolically and emotionally. I also cropped the photo slightly to frame the expression and lighting more powerfully.

Candid Shot

The second photo is more on reminiscing, but still emotional. It’s me sitting inside a closet, dressed in white like an innocent kid playing hide and seek. On the surface, it looks like I’m just hiding for fun—but the metaphor runs deeper. It’s about hiding parts of yourself while you’re still figuring things out. The closet is both literal and symbolic, and the white shirt represents innocence, like how young I was when I first started asking myself questions about who I am. This photo captures that strange mix of curiosity and fear. The moment right before you come out and wonder: “Will the world still accept me?” I think a lot of queer people go through that phase—playing hide and seek with their own identity, and coming out of the closet means they are choosing to live more openly and honestly about who they are.

The Setup

My setup was very simple. I used my phone camera on a tripod, a handheld light, and a Bluetooth remote control for the shutter. For the lighting in the first photo, I moved the light manually to create a dramatic effect. I didn’t use any complex equipment or studio tools—just what I had at home and a lot of experimenting with angles and positioning.

Completing this assignment gave me the time to stop and think about how far I've come on this journey. I came to understand that this wasn't just a photography exercise—it became an experience of personal healing and celebration. Seeing the photos, I see someone who's a little vulnerable, yet stronger and more confident than ever before. It made me realize how much I appreciate my growth and how I'm no longer hiding in any closet.

This experience taught me that art can be more than creative—it can be personal, emotional, and liberating. And honestly, I’m proud of myself for choosing to be seen.

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