maginei inter|act blog

Here are the images from last semester’s final project: The Dollhouse.

By the nature of the subject, scale was a pivotal formal element in the image, as was repetition and line. I used line and boundary boxes throughout the series to stress my concept, and the direction of the characters’ views were intricate to the overall story. The environment was exaggerated, with a somewhat unreal sense, and the values of the figures were altered. Leveling and sharpening were used in the context of the particular image.

I wanted to explore the ways in which we are impacted by the way that mass media manipulates fear and creates personifications—of individuals and of our broader society—that are artificial, unreal and unsustainable. The closed, contrived environment that I used to explore these subjects becomes part of the message, as does my choice of obvious Photoshop manipulation.

This project ended up as a philosophical exploration. What is the impact on individuals in a society where every magazine, advertisement, reality TV show etc. projects images of unreal people in unreal environments masquerading as everyday life? How have new technologies affected the way we interact and communicate?

I’m thrilled to let you know that after several long months without a studio, maginei will have a ‘photographic roof’ over our heads again. I’d thought that with the amount of location photography that I do, it wouldn’t be that large of a loss to go without a studio. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

We’ll be situated at Rodeo Plaza, a warehouse complex off of 41st Ave in Santa Cruz. Details (and photos) to come, but wanted to share the big new!

Jessica and Kyle joined me in the studio for an action-packed session. They were high-energy, enthusiastic, and photogenic – every photographer’s ideal combination for models.

Kyle & Jessica, ‘Come Hither’
Boarder Kyle

Jessica

Kyle & Jessica

Copyright 2008 Kimberley Bermender
maginei photography

Work begins on the new maginei studio! Located in downtown Santa Cruz, it will offer studio sessions for clients, workshops, and studio rental space for photographers, continuing my personal mandate to work in and support the photographic community.

We’ll be having a grand opening celebration, probably July 1st timeframe to properly celebrate this big step for maginei photography.