CAPSTONE Proposal: The World Beneath

Autumn Stevens
My Capstone project is a digital surreal photography project that will incorporate photos of human body
parts and landscapes. My plan is to photograph peoples body parts (i.e. arms, back, neck, etc.) and create an
image that reveals their skin folding/peeling away to reveal a landscape underneath.
For example, one I idea I have in mind is a photograph of a naked back with the skin peeling away (like
the way you open a newspaper) in order to reveal a snowy mountain range beneath it. My idea is that the skin
would be revealing the specific landscape associated with the body part by surreally peeling away. For this
specific example, the mountain range would be imitating the individuals spine. This association of anatomy and
photography--specifically photo editing--was key in my divergent thinking and has great potential to be
successful. As for my example, my photo could be an aerial view of the individuals back or a side-view that is
slightly angled. With the aerial view, I would have to capture a photo of the mountains from above which might
end up being a challenge. Likewise, the angled view would display the snowy slopes of the mountains and the
side of the persons body--it might also be easier to capture a photo of the mountains from the side, too.
As for the creation of my project, I would take photos of both peoples body parts and specific
landscapes that I would associate with each body part. I will most-likely attach silk to the individuals body part
in order to imitate the persons skin peeling away. Then comes my favorite part: editing. Using Photoshop, I will
combine the photos to make it seem that the landscape is being revealed underneath the skin. I have done some
research on Erik Johansson who is an expert in surreal photography. My peeling away aspect is a re-creation
of his work Cut and Fold. He had a time-lapse of his editing process in Photoshop which I would like to study
with more detail later. Obviously my project will be a bit simpler than his, but I would like to learn his methods
of editing due to my admiration of his work.
For a final product, I imagine myself having 2-3 completely edited and printed photos. I am planning on
using the back/mountain range idea and an arm/valley idea Ive mustered up, as well. My excitement for this
project is seemingly endless as I cannot wait to begin getting photos of the La Plata Mountains and start the
editing process.

Using Photoshop, I will create surreal photography that illustrates the skin on human body parts being
peeled away to reveal a landscape imitating an anatomical aspect of the body part.

Skills to Learn/Improve:
1. Obviously, editing in Photoshop. I got hooked on Photoshop last year in my Digital Photography
class. Last summer I bought a Macbook computer with the utilization of Photoshop in mind. Not only is
photo-editing academic for me, but I often find myself editing photos in my free time. I would love to
extend my knowledge and discover the limits of Photoshop. Considering this project is a based on
surreal photography, I think there is plenty of editing to be done and plenty of tools and ideas to
experiment with.
2. Photography itself. Because I love editing so much, I often dont appreciate the aspects of a
good, natural photo. In order to successfully photograph the human body parts and landscapes, I want to
experiment with angles, shadows, and every other aspect of real photos in order to make my surreal
photos as realistic as possible.
3. Honestly, meeting expectations. Mondino knows first-hand my issues with setting expectations
and not meeting them. For this project, I would like to fulfill this idea of mine and present it in the end
1

with pride and a strong feeling of accomplishment. I have a crystal clear image of what I want to achieve
with this project, and for once in my life I would like to achieve it. I think the process of meeting the
expectations I have and learning how not to settle for an idea will be real challenges for me; that is why I
want to learn how to do them. I dont believe its a matter of drive for me, but more a matter of mental
perseverance.
Creativity Skills:
1. Enjoy and Use Fantasy: Obviously, its surreal photography. The idea of a landscape imitating a
anatomical aspect of the human body is definitely fantastical. Luckily, Photoshop will be my tool to
make it seem realistic.
2. Highlight the Essence: because I am using the landscapes to imitate/highlight an anatomical
aspect inside the body part, I feel that they will be the essence of my photos. My project is so specific of
the body part, landscape, etc. and I feel that reflects the highlighting of a definite subject.
3. Visualize it Richly and Colorfully: Im not so sure about the idea of vibrant colors, but I am
2000% sure that my photos will be rich in both ideas and subjects. My idea itself is very rich and unique,
and I believe that my photos will reflect that through their subject matter and composition.
DaVinci Pillars:
I will DISCOVER:
- new tools in
Photoshop
- the limits of
specific tools in
Photoshop
- the elements of a
realistic photo

I will CONNECT:
- aspects of reality
and imagination
- the human body
and Earth by
incorporating
anatomical connections
and/or imitations

I will CREATE:
I will REFLECT by:
- surreal photos that
- presenting my
seem realistic
final product
- expectations that I
- continuously
can reach
editing my photos and
- documentation of
consistently taking
my process in creating
photos as needed
this project

Sources:
Eileen Mondino: digital photography teacher at DHS and Photoshop expert
I will be in her class and will gain expertise from her as the project progresses.
Online (?) : I considered contacting Erik Johansson (the surreal photographer Im basing my
project off of), but I dont know if that is a real possibility. If I did, it would be with specific and
opinion-based questions to further my research rather than learning the tools of Photoshop. More so, I
see myself relying on Photoshop tutorials from YouTube and other such things. Because this is a digital
project, I imagine that most of my resources will be on the web.

Documentation:
I have considered many ideas for this, but havent any Im going to make final. Clearly, I will document
the progress of my project each day in my sketchbook. My only question with that is the amount of detail I
should include; should it be so extensive as to include the specific Photoshop tools I used? Primarily, though, I
was considering taking a time-lapse of my work in Photoshop as my editing progresses. Questions with this idea
include (a) since there is so much to be experimented with, would it be a hassle? (b) what software would I use?
(c) could that be an alternative to having to write extensive documentation in my sketchbook? (d) how much
should I focus my attention on the timelapse versus the product itself? Anyhow, Im leaning toward the
timelapse its just a matter of logistics I need to figure out.
3

Presentation and Final Product:

As for the products themselves, I plan on printing them on canvas boxes with a size depending on the
photo itself. For the back/mountain photo example I may use unique measurements but with others Im not sure
yet. My parents discussed professional printing (i.e. Basin Printing and Imaging) and the financials associated
with that; they are willing to cover them. I thought about going so far as to publish my photos in some sort of
competition or online database. I feel I will make that decision based on how close the photos are to being
finalized and what time there is left if Im not already consumed with completing my final presentation. For the
presentation itself, I plan on discussing each of the aspects mentioned in this proposal along with a detailed
explanation of my learning process in Photoshop, the creation process of each photo, and other important things
that I am sure will come to light later in the project. Ill most-likely do a slide-show and include the time-lapse
of my editing process along with other documentation and other aspects of a good presentation.
Legitimately so excited to start this project I was already researching Erik Johansson before my idea was
finalized. Lets see what expectations get met, and where this exhilarating idea takes me.