Technical

The photo was taken using only natural light from two skylights and a reflector in front of me. The photo was made black and white, and the contrast was increased. EXIF: 1/30s, f/4.5, ISO2500, 50mm Canon 5D MKII

The Story

This self-portrait, titled 'iemanders' (a fusion of 'iemand' and 'anders' meaning 'someone' and 'different' in English), represents the first time I stepped out of my comfort zone. I created it because I was often bullied in the past due to my excessive body hair. This bullying led to me developing an inferiority complex and ultimately becoming depressed. I didn't meet my parents' expectations, societal beauty standards, or my own. I tried to be something for everyone, which made me lose sight of who the real Metin should be or was. Do I know that now? More or less.

With this photo, I aim to show that I close my eyes to reality, release my anger through my scream, and use my long nails to demonstrate that I also want to be beautiful, but also that I am lost. I want to be someone else. Through this photo, I attempt to encapsulate my depressive period in a single image.