Haven't you ever wondered what retouching really looks like? As a part of contemporary photography, it's commonly accepted that most photographs are manipulated in some way or another, but it's hard to identity how exactly. Aside from #PhotoshopFail or #BeforeandAfter images that leak onto the internet, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the possibility of invisible alternations and how they affect the imagery we consume on a daily basis.
The Intentional Object is a project that reveals the gestures made in digital retouching. Each image begins with a photograph that the artist, Danielle Ezzo, takes herself. She then retouches the portrait based on real retouching industry secrets. Finally, the original image is removed, and what is left is only a trace of the photographic image! It speaks directly to the body and how we view ourselves through the cultural and personal lens. Instead of removing physical attributes – a bruise, tattoo, a beauty mark – the images highlight only these features. Each portrait is a portrait of “imperfections”. By reversing commercial anesthetization, each becomes a bold statement proudly finding beauty through artifact.
Layers builds upon a recognition of the familiar yet all the while being deeply unknown; disrupting the expectation of how the photograph behaves. Through the translation of the portrait you are left with something surprisingly even more human.
For the full series, take a look at her website: www.danielleezzo.com
More info: danielleezzo.com
Figure Study, 1
Figure Study, 2
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Figure Study, 12
Figure Study, 13
Figure Study, 4
