Background
Inspired by The Whitworth’s Portraits exhibition we asked post 16 students to explore the theme of self image in the context of today’s modern world of selfies shots and social media. The young people also discussed representations of people from throughout history by artists such as Hogarth and Mary Kelly.
The practical activity helped the students to use their personal camera phones in a more mindful way – looking at classic composition, lightening and colour. Playing with live filters, such as coloured gels and lenses, rather than electronic effects on their phones – the students discovered that it’s not the camera you have but how you use it that counts! After conversations around the methods and motivations of sharing images publicly, the students shared their Playful Portraits on the social media platforms of their choice.
