VERTIGO
PHOTOGRAPHY | UNIVERSITY PROJECT | 2025
VERTIGO is a collection of photographs inspired by the headrush of falling in love. The grungy, dark aesthetic emulates the feeling of staying out past closing because you just want to keep spending time with someone. The world around you closes briefly and in those late hours its just you, them, and the glow of the streetlights.
Inspiration
This collection is inspired by Nan Goldin’s extensive body of work - particularly her journalistic candid compositions and her creative use of environmental lighting. The subject matter of my collection is also inspired by Nan’s frequent themes of relationships, queer culture and nightlife.
Process
Photos were shot with a DSLR and were mostly lit by existing environmental lighting, particularly street lights. The photos were edited heavily in Lightroom to create a strong contrast between the shadows and highlights and allow for colour to still come through. Motion blurs were added sparingly in Photoshop to visually represent the headrush feeling.
Insight
This project was a valuable lesson in composition, a principle that I can carry across all visual formats, and an opportunity to learn how to direct and execute a creative concept photographically. I also built my skills in being able to break down a visual reference into its distinct features (lighting, composition, colour, subject etc.) and utilise references more effectively.
