Photo Series-The Wrinkles on My Face

As we age we start changing and our faces reflect the passing of time more poignantly than almost any other part of our bodies. We can also show the effects of a hard life, illness or many other factors in pretty much the same way.

This project is geared towards capturing images of this aging process as it is reflected upon the face of a person and thus carries a sense of humanity, reality and resolution about the truth behind our existence in this wonderful place we call Earth.

To do the project as it is meant to be done, you must seek out suitable and willing subjects that will not be opposed to having the photos taken, much less showcase their age, even their "history" shown in photographs. This is often much easier said than done.

Remember that you should capture images in a rather close up mode since this allows a viewer of such images to really appreciate how a person changes with the passing of time.

"Wrinkles are creases, folds or ridges in the skin. Most commonly, wrinkles appear as we get older....Wrinkles are an inevitable part of the natural aging process. As we become older our skin gets thinner, drier and less elastic. Our skin's ability to protect itself from damage is also reduced as we age. Eventually, wrinkles, creases and lines form on our skin." http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Why should doing a photographic project like this be easier said than done, you may ask/. People are o at least can become very sensitive to someone recording any image of them that will make them appear in a not so pleasant "light", not their best side as it were.

In many countries wrinkles are sometimes welcomed as they represent a symbol of wisdom. However, most industrialized nations view them as unwelcome signs of age and billions are spent each year in efforts to eliminate or at least reduce their appearance.

Your efforts should be directed at capturing these images but doing so with humbleness and humility and above all, respect for your subject, even if you are paying them to pose for you.

However, do not approach the project as a gloom and doom theme. There are many situations that lend themselves for doing the project and shows a common occurrence and can be made into subtle hints of graceful natural processes.

Do not overlook other situations or subjects such as those found in nature, especially those that are present due to the way nature designed a living thing. There are many animal species that look as if they were old simply because their faces are full of wrinkles. Pay attention to several dog breeds such as the sharpeis whose facial features.actually, their entire bodies, are wrinkled yet still have a pleasant appeal to them.

Another good technique, especially with people is to capture the images in black and white. This medium focuses the attention of the texture and the features better than color and this should not be overlooked.

For more joyous or carefree scenes color may work well, but for more serious and for more poignancy monochrome is better.

If you are using a digital camera, remember that you can turn your color images into black and whites later and compare them side by side to see which image looks better or has a better appeal as if relates to the theme.

With any photographic project the key is to know how you relate to your subject and not how you relate to your equipment.

The camera does not make the photographer, its the other way around no matter how fancy or modern or technically advanced it happens to be.

Being studios about your subject and attentive to details, rules and other factors are what will make you a better photographer and will gain you recognition and respect from your peers and others.

This will also lead the way for you to successfully submit your work to commercial entities as well and will, if done right, make you get a belief in what you do and appreciate the world around you that much more.