fotu - a photography magazine

fotu

Welcome to the first issue of fotu; a magazine catalouging some of the best photography projects done by the students of MDSVAD. We are thrilled to showcase the amazing talent of these student photographers from our institution.

In this issue, we have curated a diverse range of photography that explores various themes and styles, from documentary photography that captures real-life moments, conceptual art that challenges our perceptions to fashion photography that highlights the beauty of the human form.

Photography is one of the most versatile forms of art that allows an artist to explore many different ideas in their work. They share their insights into their creative processes, their inspirations, and the challenges they face in pursuing their art. We hope their stories inspire you to explore new ways of seeing and capturing the world around you.

fotu provides a kaleidoscopic view at the world of photography in the twenty first century from the perspective of the talented students of MD SVAD. We hope that you enjoy flipping through the pages and dont forget to support your local photographers!

Happy reading,

Raheel Tiwana

editor’s note

the sinister side of black and white

Aiman Amin

Tatheer Raza

Haleema Kamran

Alyzae Adnan

Ilsa Zia Subista Kayastha

Marryam Shakeel Haider

Raheel Hussain Tiwana

by Aiman Amin

an intersex woman’s story through the lens

Aiman explores her theme of choice by spending and documenting the day of an intersex woman living and working in Pakistan; Anaya. Through her photojournalist work, she aims to highlight the struggles of the gender minorities of the country while also reminding her audience that these people are regular human beings with mundane lives.

Journey to finding acceptance and opportunities has been a difficult one. Despite earning her bachelor’s degree from COMSATS in 2018, she faced rejection from companies due to her sexuality. To earn a living, Anaya turned to comedy, performing with “Aurat Naak”. However, a traumatic experience with an audience member led her to stop performing. She also tried her hand at dancing but found that living as a trans person in Pakistan made it hard to pursue

her passions. Eventually, Anaya moved to Dubai, where she found work at an insurance company and had to dress as a man to do so. But her hard work and determination paid off, she now works at Pakistan’s biggest corporate company. This photo documentary offers a glimpse into Anaya’s journey of resilience and perseverance

left; Anaya I 2022

right; Anaya II 2022

She has three tattoos and recently added two more to her collection. One of the tattoos holds a special meaning for her, it’s an inscription that reads “I will meet you in heaven”.

will meet you in heaven”

by Alyzae Adnan

juxtaposing the modern with the traditional fashion.. portraiture .

guloona

Alyzae explores the vibrant colors of Bollywood in her portrait series, “Guloona”. Using her roots in fashion studies, she cites the likes of Rekha as inspiration for this shoot. Bollywood has long been a source of inspiration for fashion lovers around the world. With its vibrant colors, intricate designs, and bold styles, Bollywood fashion is truly unique and eye-catching. One way to capture the essence of this style is through bollywood-inspired fashion portraits. These portraits can feature elements such as intricate embroidery, flowing fabrics, and bold jewelry that are often seen in traditional Indian attire

left; Guloona I 2022

The portraits also incorporate modern twists such as fusion wear, which blends Indian and Western fashion styles. Whether it’s a classic saree draped elegantly over the shoulder or a modern lehenga with a crop top, bollywoodinspired fashion portraits offer a stunning visual representation of Indian fashion that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Indian fashion has always been an amalgamation of various cultural influences, and it is constantly evolving with time. With the influence of Bollywood movies and fashion, there has been a modern twist in the way traditional Indian wear is being styled and showcased. One such modern twist is the fusion wear, which blends Indian and Western fashion styles. left;

Guloona III 2022

top to bottom; Guloona IV 2022

Guloona V 2022

a provocative escape fashion. portraiture . abstract .

on the beach

by Marryam Shakeel Haider

This fashion photography project draws inspiration from the legendary French photographer Guy Bourdin. Known for his provocative and surreal imagery, Bourdin revolutionized fashion photography in the 1970s and his work continues to inspire contemporary photographers to this day. The project aims to pay homage to Bourdin’s iconic style while adding a modern twist to the images.

S to MP

left; cool stuff inside 2021 top; stomp on it 2021

Marryam takes inspiration from the drink “Sex on the Beach” and taps into its playful and exotic quailty The project features a series of fashion photographs that incorporate Bourdin’s signature elements such as bright colors, surreal compositions, and provocative poses. The images feature models in bold and daring outfits, striking bold poses against a range of backdrops that emphasize the playful and surreal nature of Bourdin’s aesthetic. The use of props and lighting techniques further enhances the visual impact of the images.

The project also explores the themes of sexuality, power, and femininity that are prevalent in Bourdin’s work. The photographs challenge traditional gender norms and encourage viewers to question societal norms around beauty and desire.

above; covered in you 2021

CRUSH

classica

by Raheel Hussain Tiwana

a whimsical ode to the past film . conceptual

Raheel uses a blushed out color palette of pastels to take the viewer on a nostalgic journey. The photography project is a visual exploration inspired by the distinct cinematic style of Wes Anderson and his affinity for the ornate and symmetrical elements of neo-classical architecture. The project aims to capture the essence of Anderson’s quirky and whimsical world by fusing the grandeur of classical architecture with playful, colorful imagery.

classica

mundane things”

top to bottom; cheesecake

2023

pilliar 2023

The project takes the viewer on a visual journey through various locations that are reminiscent of Anderson’s film sets, incorporating elements of symmetry, repetition, and pastel colors to create a surreal yet familiar aesthetic. The images feature neo-classical structures, which serve as the perfect backdrop for the quirky and eccentric characters that inhabit Anderson’s world. The photographer says he likes finding fantasy in mundane things and is inspired by the whimsical nature of the locations he shot at.

Overall, the project aims to transport the viewer into a dreamlike world that evokes a sense of nostalgia and whimsy, while paying homage to the timeless beauty of neoclassical architecture. The project aims to make the viewer see the world around them from a fantasical perspective.

the sinister side of black and white

by Tatheer Razana

a study into voyeurism

Tatheer surrounds her work around the idea of voyeurism and its adverse effects. She taps into the mind of someone whos having their privacy invaded and channels their frustration and helpnessness through her model, but as she is taking the photos she becomes both the watcher and the watched.

The project aims to create a sense of intimacy and intrigue, drawing the viewer into the private moments of the subject. The use of black and white photography enhances the mood of the images, giving them a timeless quality and adding a layer of mystery to the scenes. left; the watched

The photographer uses light and shadow to create a sense of depth and contrast, adding to the drama of the images.

The project also explores the psychological aspect of voyeurism, where the viewer is drawn into the scene, imagining the lives of the people captured in the images. The project challenges the viewer’s perception of privacy, asking them to consider the ethics of observing the lives of others.

by Haleema Kamran

in the absence of the physical self

conceptual . portraiture . abstract .

FACE

“the most important part of the body is the in terms of recognition so this project was a challenge to allow my recognition to come from my aura”

Haleema works on the concept of self-comfort, consciousness, and growth. The notion of hiding one’s face to allow their presence to speak for itself challenges the traditional notion of recognition being based on facial features. This project’s primary objective is to showcase the subject’s aura, a concept that is difficult to express visually. The face is indeed the most recognizable part of the body, and people often use it to identify others. However, the aura is an energy field that surrounds an individual and is believed to reflect their personality, mood, and

emotions. Capturing the essence of a person’s aura through photography is an intriguing challenge that requires skill and creativity. Hiding the subject’s face may seem counter-intuitive at first, but it allows her to focus on other aspects of their presence. For instance, the subject’s body language, clothing, and posture can all convey a sense of their personality and character. In addition, she also explores how the subject interacts with their environment, such as nature or the urban landscape, to create a visual narrative of their aura. left; she is a performer II

Ilsa aims to capture the essence of summer in all its hazy and dreamy glory. The photographs are shot in a way that gives the impression of a daydream, with a soft focus and muted colors that evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing. Each photograph captures a fleeting moment of a midsummer day, inviting viewers to pause and reflect on the beauty of the world around them.

The project also plays with the idea of light and shadow, creating an interplay between the bright and the dark that adds a layer of complexity to the imagery. The photographs are full of contrasts, with the bright sunshine casting shadows that lend depth and texture to the scenes.

She uses a perfect balance of warm and cool tones to visualize the heat of summer but also the refreshing connotations that it brings.

a midsummer day

by Ilsa Zia

a midsummer day I 2022

from left to right; a midsummer day II

2022

a midsummer day III

2022

a midsummer day IV

2022

Ultimately, “A Midsummer Day” is a celebration of the magic of summer, a season that holds a special place in the hearts of many. Through its use of hazy and whimsical imagery, the project captures the blues of summer in all their multifaceted glory, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the beauty of the season and all that it represents.

Subista explores the intersection of shadow, smoke, and dark portraiture, creating striking images that are both haunting and beautiful. By using smoke as a tool to manipulate light and shadow, the photographs reveal a hidden world that exists just beyond our everyday perception.

ka’ala an exploration

by Subista Kayastha

The interplay between light and shadow is a defining characteristic of the project, with the smoke serving as a medium through which the photographer can manipulate the intensity and direction of the light. The result is a series of images that are at once ethereal and grounded, capturing the duality of the human experience. The dark portraiture aspect of the project emphasizes

the emotional weight of the subject matter, with the photographs evoking feelings of melancholy, nostalgia, and introspection. The use of shadow and smoke adds to the sense of intimacy and vulnerability that the portraits convey, making the images all the more impactful.

from left to right; ka’ala III 2023