Description

Create an experimental camera with a specific purpose or usage in mind. The purpose of this experimental camera is to demonstrate how people can be different on the outside and inside. Often times we are concerned with how other people think about us and therefore can be forced to present ourselves in a certain way. For example, people who work in areas of customer service have to put aside their emotions and put the customer's satisfaction as their priority. Despite their friendliness, their true inner feelings may be different which we will never know. In addition, many people with social anxiety might also try to smile in order to avoid uncomfortable situations, but in reality may feel extremely distressed. With this experimental camera, I wanted to capture such instances where we might present ourselves falsely and how people can misinterpret us falsely as well.

Design Process

My other two ideas for this assignment explored filters and how we associate meaning and representation through color. However, I ended up choosing this idea because the two idea approaches could be combined and inncorporated into this experimental camera. I created a red rectangle boundary to guide the position of the face. I then used the clm.tracker to draw eyes around the face to represent how we can act differently with people watching us. Expanding on the idea of how a smile is elusive and can be misunderstood or misrepresented, when the mouth smiles or the length between the two points on each end of the mouth exceeds a certain number, an inverse filter is applied. Also when we are forced to present ourselves in a certain way, it is mostly in a positive and friendly way. However, I wanted to create a negative and uncomfortable environment, hence the red filter and eyes aren't humanlike. The inverse filter abruptly changes the way the smile is interpreted and almost feels like an alter ego.

Reflection

The process of searching for meaning of the experimental camera was very challenging. Cameras have assimilated into our everyday lives and the ease of taking a photo has made its significance very minimal. It was difficult to grasp a concept that was something more than a colored filter. However the process of designing an experimental camera provided insight into how facial recognition is an area that could be easily explored. Without much complicated code, anyone could apply it to their own needs and further explore this area.