Black Hair Project
Black Hair Project
I am very pleased with the outcome, especially it being my first photography based project, my professor gave an A. I learnt a lot about creating the right environment, editing style, the importance of lighting and detail.
I wanted to have a voice over to make it more relatable as well as to feel the emotion within my voice, I wanted the audience whether they are black or not, to understand the struggle of having to conform to standards of European beauty of you are not European. I wanted black women to relate to my experiences and experiences of others that I mentioned for instance black hair styles such as dreadlocks are being banned in schools. However dreadlocks holds spiritual and cultural connection within African culture, yet they perceived to have a connection with gang culture. This mentality perpetuates the idea that black hairstyles are criminal hence black women trying to change their natural hair to look professional because our natural hair is not perceived as professional. This has serious effects on how black women view their hair, also what they teach their children or sisters about their hair.
I remember in one of my classes we looked at what aspects of our documentary could enhance a specific emotion and one of them was music, with this knowledge I used the Nina Simone version of Strange Fruit. This is a famous song which carries all the emotion I wanted to be projected knowing the history behind it; a reaction the lynching of black people in Southern American during the 30's. I also edited some of the pictures in black and white with a red hue to give it a 1890's effect, to intensify that dark emotion. However I wanted my documentary to end happily, and show the new embrace of black women and their natural hair, learning how to keep it healthy with love and care. I accompanied this part of the documentary with Thina Simnqobile by Soweto Gospel Choir, a South African gospel song that talks about overcoming hardship. This is a reflection of the self acclamation we now have towards our hair. It is also a message to women, to be happy and proud of our natural beauty.
I am very pleased with the outcome, especially it being my first photography based project, my professor gave an A. I learnt a lot about creating the right environment, editing style, the importance of lighting and detail.
I wanted to have a voice over to make it more relatable as well as to feel the emotion within my voice, I wanted the audience whether they are black or not, to understand the struggle of having to conform to standards of European beauty of you are not European. I wanted black women to relate to my experiences and experiences of others that I mentioned for instance black hair styles such as dreadlocks are being banned in schools. However dreadlocks holds spiritual and cultural connection within African culture, yet they perceived to have a connection with gang culture. This mentality perpetuates the idea that black hairstyles are criminal hence black women trying to change their natural hair to look professional because our natural hair is not perceived as professional. This has serious effects on how black women view their hair, also what they teach their children or sisters about their hair.
I remember in one of my classes we looked at what aspects of our documentary could enhance a specific emotion and one of them was music, with this knowledge I used the Nina Simone version of Strange Fruit. This is a famous song which carries all the emotion I wanted to be projected knowing the history behind it; a reaction the lynching of black people in Southern American during the 30's. I also edited some of the pictures in black and white with a red hue to give it a 1890's effect, to intensify that dark emotion. However I wanted my documentary to end happily, and show the new embrace of black women and their natural hair, learning how to keep it healthy with love and care. I accompanied this part of the documentary with Thina Simnqobile by Soweto Gospel Choir, a South African gospel song that talks about overcoming hardship. This is a reflection of the self acclamation we now have towards our hair. It is also a message to women, to be happy and proud of our natural beauty.
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