Playing hide and seek with light

Our photoshoot explores the relationship between mental health and self-awareness through the theme of "Playing hide and seek with light". By examining the complexities of seeking knowledge and understanding oneself, we aim to raise awareness about the impact of this process on mental health. 

The philosophical concept of epistemology is also incorporated, as we question the true nature of reality and how our perception of it shapes our understanding of ourselves. Join us as we journey through self-discovery and find ways to navigate life's complexities, leading to balance and inner peace. 

The message we want to convey is the importance of self-awareness and self-discovery, and the role it plays in understanding oneself and the world around us. Mental health is also a key focus, and we want to emphasize that it's okay to take time to discover oneself and that self-discovery can lead to a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Episode 1 - Lost in play

The first scene of the photoshoot captures the contrasting emotions and experiences of the kid and the parents. The kid is playing with a toy, carefree and with a smile on his face, while his parents are arguing and fighting behind him. The overexposure of the father suggests a lack of control and self-understanding, while the mother's exposure to the father's light represents her struggle to defend herself. 

However, the key moment in this scene is when a light flares above the kid at the moment that the father hit the mother, signifying that this moment will shape the kid's life and future. This moment will be the start of the kid's self-discovery journey and it's crucial to pay attention to details such as how the lighting change, mirrors, background, and accessories to enhance the message of the photoshoot. 

The moral of this scene is that childhood experiences, especially those related to family, can greatly impact a person's life and self-discovery. The contrast highlights the innocence and fragility of childhood and the importance of treating children with care. Difficult experiences can trigger self-discovery and growth, and it's crucial to pay attention to the details in order to understand and navigate them.


Episode 2 - The silent goodbye

The second scene of the photoshoot depicts the kid's reaction to his parents' argument. The kid is seen gazing at the ladder where his father is descending, with a sad and bewildered expression. The low light in the scene symbolizes the kid's lack of understanding as he witnesses his father yelling and his mother crying. The only source of light is from his mother who is positioned behind him and the reflection of the chandelier on the mirror, which adds to the mood of confusion. The scene captures the kid's emotional state and the impact of the situation on him. The light reflection on the mirror symbolizes a reflection of something external in the internal world of the kid, with the light shining on the mirror representing the kid's thoughts and emotions being affected by external events. The reflection in the mirror could be interpreted as representing the kid's internal state and how it is being shaped by the experiences he witnesses. The detail in the light and reflection in the mirror adds an emotional and symbolic layer to the scene, helping to tell the story of the kid's journey and experiences. The scene also shows the kid stopping playing with his toys and grabbing a teddy bear as a way to feel safe.

In the later part of the scene, we see a change in the kid's expression as he realizes that his father will not return. The expression of frustration and loss of hope is evident on his face. The lighting in the scene also changes to reflect this change in the kid's emotions and understanding. As he comes to grips with the situation, we see an increase in the amount of light shining on his mother, as she tries to maintain control. This change in light helps to convey the shift in the dynamic between the kid and his mother, and emphasizes the impact that the situation has had on both of them. The scene captures the kid's emotional journey and the changes in the light and expression of the characters help to enhance the storytelling and convey the message of the impact of experiences and relationships on a person's life.


Episode 3 - The journey within

The scene of the young adult in the shower with water falling on his face and eyes closed symbolizes cleansing and renewal. The close-up shot of his face and the focus on the water suggests that the moment is an intimate and personal one, where he is reflecting on his thoughts and emotions. The fact that his eyes are closed could indicate that he is in a state of introspection and that he is letting go of the past experiences and emotions that have been weighing on him. The falling water also symbolizes the idea of letting go of negative experiences and starting fresh. This scene could also be interpreted as a moment of growth for the young adult, as he faces his emotions and starts to heal from his past experiences. 

The next part of this scene represents the moment of self-awareness and clarity for the teenager. The water falling on his back symbolizes washing away the past, and his hands touching the wall symbolize support and grounding. By looking directly at the camera, he is acknowledging his presence and taking control of his own story. This is the first time that he is really looking at himself, and by doing so, he is beginning to understand who he is and what he wants to be.

The moral of this scene is about finding peace and acceptance within oneself and facing life's challenges with confidence and courage. The young adult is learning to embrace his own identity, let go of past experiences, and look towards the future with hope. This is a message that encourages self-reflection and self-discovery in order to grow and mature as a person.


Episode 4 - Starting fresh

The next scene shows the kid as a teenager, looking at himself in the mirror, wearing a pink outfit and questioning his identity. The shot from the back of the teen gives a point-of-view perspective, making the audience feel as though they are the ones experiencing the internal conflict of the teenager. The fact that only one eye is in shadow and the other eye can only be seen in the light, but is cut off by the mirror, represents the teenager's struggle with accepting himself and his feelings. The teenager's shadowed eye symbolizes the internal turmoil and uncertainty he is experiencing, while the light represents his desire to understand and accept himself.

The teenager's action of touching the mirror with a searching expression emphasizes his desire to find answers to his questions and connect with his true self. This action also represents the physical manifestation of his internal search for identity and acceptance. The message or moral of this scene is that everyone goes through a journey of self-discovery and it can be a challenging and confusing process. It is important to embrace one's own individuality, even if it is not always easy to do so. The scene emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and the power of self-reflection.

Note* 

The first scene of the photo shoot shows the child playing with his toys while his parents are arguing in the background. The light from behind is seen making its way to the room in the background, which is later revealed to be the room with the mirror in later scenes. It could symbolize that the light was searching for the child, even from the beginning.


Episode 5 - The fruits of labor

The scene of the young adult in the shower with water falling on his face and eyes closed symbolizes cleansing and renewal. The close-up shot of his face and the focus on the water suggests that the moment is an intimate and personal one, where he is reflecting on his thoughts and emotions. The fact that his eyes are closed could indicate that he is in a state of introspection and that he is letting go of the past experiences and emotions that have been weighing on him. The falling water also symbolizes the idea of letting go of negative experiences and starting fresh. This scene could also be interpreted as a moment of growth for the young adult, as he faces his emotions and starts to heal from his past experiences. 

The next part of this scene represents the moment of self-awareness and clarity for the teenager. The water falling on his back symbolizes washing away the past, and his hands touching the wall symbolize support and grounding. By looking directly at the camera, he is acknowledging his presence and taking control of his own story. This is the first time that he is really looking at himself, and by doing so, he is beginning to understand who he is and what he wants to be.

The moral of this scene is about finding peace and acceptance within oneself and facing life's challenges with confidence and courage. The young adult is learning to embrace his own identity, let go of past experiences, and look towards the future with hope. This is a message that encourages self-reflection and self-discovery in order to grow and mature as a person.


Episode 6 - Lost in the labor

In the final scene of the sequence, the young adult is depicted as taking his search for knowledge and understanding to the next level. He starts overthinking and questioning the reality around him, leading him to delve into the realm of epistemology. However, this intense mental exploration takes a toll on him, as we can see from the image of him on his knees, looking overwhelmed and desperate. The close-up shot of his face shows a look of craziness and despair, suggesting that the quest for knowledge and understanding has left him feeling overwhelmed and lost.

The final shot of him lying on the ground, naked and calm, symbolizes his surrender to the overwhelming amount of knowledge and light in the world. The background of the scene is filled with chandeliers, representing the abundance of light, knowledge, and information that has consumed him. This final image suggests that the constant pursuit of knowledge and understanding, without taking care of one's mental and emotional well-being, can lead to overwhelming feelings of hopelessness and madness.


Last words... 

The photoshoot tells the story of a person's journey from childhood to adulthood and their quest for knowledge and understanding. The theme of playing hide and seek with light symbolizes the search for truth and knowledge. Throughout the journey, the person is guided by the light and as he grows up, he becomes more and more determined to find the truth about himself and the world. However, this quest for knowledge and understanding takes a toll on him, and eventually, he becomes overwhelmed by his own thoughts and questions about reality. This leads to a state of desperation and ultimately, a breakdown where he becomes empty and unable to continue his search.

The conclusion of this photoshoot is that while seeking knowledge and understanding is important, it is also crucial to find balance and inner peace along the way. The pursuit of truth can be a challenging journey, and it is essential to take care of oneself and not become consumed by the search. The final scene of the photoshoot serves as a reminder that one should be cautious when playing hide and seek with light and not let the pursuit of knowledge take over one's life.

Credits

Playing hide and seek with light - February 2023

Created and presented by Benjamin Filiatrault

Fashion Editor : Santiago Chica

Photographers : Marie Goyer & Olivier Morancy

Production Assistant : Richardson Deliscar & Caleb Deliscar

Model : Amalia Naranjo

Location : Manoir Blackswan