My tutor actually showed me this photographer after hearing my initial ideas surrounding about connections in lockdown and thought it would be beneficial to my work. He was right- although at first glance I looked at them and was blind to the special emotions that where behind them. I almost thought 'Well these are aesthetically beautiful but also kind of boring?'. I then realised that this criticism came from my own personal insecurities about my photography. I way too regularly think my images are boring and I don't have enough(or any)  props, abstract locations or good enough ideas unlike some of my peers. In reality however I know that I prefer down to earth shoots about real topics and that I always have a mental idea that is usually translated into words and backed up my research WITH the photos added to get a personal outlook. 

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So long story aside I realised the beauty of this prestigious photographers work and could understand very clearly why she is award winning( with her most recent one being the Taylor Wessing portrait photographer prize in which she created this project- "The lost summer". I really resonated with her as well as this project is full of aspirational qualities coinciding with the motto I live by (originally stolen from Ibsen) - "A picture tells a thousand words". 

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Diverting back to "The lost Summer" Tomlinson took 44 portraits of teenagers ranging from 15-19 in what they would have worn to prom but the difference being photographed in their back yards, gardens or parks. She took this series of images on a large format camera( hence the black and white) which I believe makes it 100 times more special. I also think the unknowing of shooting film and not knowing how it'll turn out is parallel to the naivety and discovery that you have in your teenage years. 

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Pictured directly to the left by this paragraph is probably my favourite image in the entire gallery of photos. I love when photos are taken so the subject is bang on in the middle- my mind seems to enjoy the clean, crisp way its set out. I think this image just really provokes sympathy for those who did lose out on prom ( and their final years in school/ sixth form). I am aware in the grand scheme of things COVID has brought a turmoil of damage into peoples lives including devastating death and so much time apart from important family members whilst trying to keep them safe. That being said It still doesn't make different types of losses less painful. Not necessarily prom as its physical being but the metaphorical turning point it brings and the celebration of success is a hard thing to lose out on( in my opinion). The girls gloomy face and crossed arms whilst in a stunning dress makes me feel empathy for her.

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Again on the left is another favourite- I feel I repeat myself a lot by saying this but I am OBSESSED with high aperture/shallow depths of field in photos and the striking blurred branches plus the subject being in the centre really make it very aesthetically pleasing for me.

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Tomlinsons work has inspired me to keep true to myself and that I should have the confidence to discover new ideas no matter the circumstance. Additionally its motivated me to look into the subjects expressions for means of connections which for my next couple of shoots I shall do- so to make my photos as real as possible. 

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