Research

This is something I have realized I need to do a lot more of in order completely figure out what my concept is.  I know I want to document people (in every spectrum I can cover) who do things to alter, modify or change themselves.  Through all the research I have done so far I have realized what interests me the most is imagery people decide to permanently place on themselves (tattoos, scarification, and in other ways).  Also from researching what interests me the most is just learning all the different way people can modify themselves.  So I thought maybe my project could be more about my process of learning about different ways people modify themselves and teaching people what I learn through my work.  I still want to print my images large I want people to have to get close and see the details of what i show wether it is gruesome or not.  I believe maybe I could have writing on the image or on the side talking about what I learned with each photo.  What also fascinates me the most why each individual chooses to do what they do.  I also have realised I want to document people that have there change or modification because its what they love and not because they think "its cool".  It will mean more if the subjects are truly passionate what what they do or have changed or modified.  I want to give credit to Harrison for talking to me about what I am doing giving me advice on modification and where to go to learn more.

A couple qoutes from the book Modern Primitives I have been reading
(qoutes solely on tattoos)
"Any Tattoo that didn't come from inside you is not for you"
This was in the book and from Ed Hardy
"A tattoo is an affirmation: that this body is yours to have and enjoy while you're here.  Nobody else can control what you do with it.  That's why tattooing is such a big thing in prison: It's an expression of freedom."

Modern Primitives is the book I have been getting most my information from.  I am planning on getting a book called Modcon that is more updated to learn about more ways people alter themselves.  The book im reading will teach people the several different ways people can change themselves, the reasons why they do it and the experiences people go through when modifying themselves. 

Research will really help me with my work in understanding it more.  Once I have done more I will understand what im doing develope my concept.  Research, although, is what I feel I want my concept to be about.  My research, documentation and learning about all and every way one can modify or change themselves.  I want my concept to be about my learning and teaching about what ive learned through the photos i take.  I do realize I want to change the appearance of my photos since I want to cover more wide spectrum of people and processes people change, alter or modify themselves.

Suspension only one small area I will cover through my work.