SIN? : MASTER'S THESIS PROJECT, MATTHEW BERRY



For my final project I proposed to shoot a non-linear photographic essay, inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins, but shot as a question of how the idea of sin is perceived in contemporary society. As an Art For Commerce student, I shot the project as if it would be published in an editorial magazine such as W Magazine or Nylon. Each image is a stand alone from its own shoot, but relates to the rest of the series in the fact that they are all derived from the question of what is sin. None of the images are titled in a way that will obviously point out which sin and/or sins are being illustrated. I chose, rather, to simply set the stage for the viewer by identifying the underlying question of sin (the title being SIN?), which I believe, provides a starting point for the viewer’s imagination), and allowing them to follow their own path of analysis. The mood and success of each image was determined by the quality of light, dealing with soft and hard light, the use of shadow areas and the directionality of the light. Styling, casting and location also played a pivotal role in emphasizing my point, allowing for the attention to detail necessary to tell each story.
This project kept me very busy, and enabled me to experience many different sides of life. I had an amazing journey, which will no doubt continue to lead me down unexpected paths, and force me to push my limits of reality and perception. The entire process of this project challenged me a great deal, and will challenge the viewer to take a deeper look at themselves and society around them.