5 Objects

For this assignment, we were instructed to find 5 objects that had a value of meaning to us and photograph them using a digital camera but find a unique way to display the item, with the background also having a deeper meaning of the object. For my 5 objects, I wanted to choose things that were in my dorm room, because some of these are things I have collected while at school, and others have been brought from home. My room is a personal safe space for me and I enjoy being in it as I feel I am constantly surrounded by the things I love the most, which is why I chose my objects to be from there.

This is my teddy bear Benjamin Button. I got him the day we moved to the United States from England at Harrod’s in Heathrow airport. As silly as it seems, I still have to sleep with him every night as a comfort item and even my friends at school have grown to love and accept Benji as their own. I decided to shoot this image with him sitting pride of place on my bed, as this is how he usually sits after I make my bed every morning. I also liked how the lighting was a little darker because it was slightly comedic to me how mysterious it made him look, seeing as he is just a teddy bear.

The next item that I always keep close to me is this sign that my big in my sorority gave me last year. I keep it next to my bed at school, and at home because it is one of the first things I see in the morning which is a nice way to stay motivated and positive. I decided to place these picture frames behind it but keep them out of focus because I was really close to my grandfather, who has now passed, so its a nice reminder to keep looking up because I know he is looking down on me.

Another item that I keep very close to my heart (no pun intended) is this wooden heart that I was given after my grandfather passed away. He used to hold it at night as it fits into your hands perfectly because of the indentation in the top. Whenever I am sad and miss him, I like to hold it and think of him, but it makes me happy because it is as if I have a piece of him to myself. I decided to place it against the wooden background because I thought it was a cool contrast of having the horizontal wooden pattern against the vertical wooden pattern of the heart, to make it stand out a little better.

The next meaningful thing isn’t technically an item but it is a collection of memories and moments from my life that are important to me all in one place next to my bed. I didn’t take this photo to focus in on specific individual pictures or posters, it was to capture the overall sense of love I get from looking at this wall every day surrounded by people and things that I love. I edited this picture to have slightly cooler tones because I thought it made the letters in the signs stand out more which was the vibe I was trying to achieve.

My fifth, and final object is this blanket that I was given by my boyfriend. It was a Christmas present from this year but was one of the sweetest gifts I have ever gotten. The collection of pictures and words on the blanket makes it so special as it makes me feel close to him when we are separated. I remember how happy I was when I got it and every time I use it that feeling comes rushing back to me and makes me instantly in a better mood. I decided to take the picture of it laid out across my couch because this is where I like to keep it for on the go use. I usually have it around my head walking around my apartment but I thought the contrast of the white couch and the purple blanket in front of the wall of string lights really made it stand out.