Photography: Mirror Benedict Blythe and Oliver Stone

Benedict Blythe YEAR 1 1

MIRROR MIRROR

Having been given the task of creating the cover image for the Mirror issue of the magazine, I immediately began to explore different ideas. I considered different approaches to how a mirror can be incorporated into an image. More importantly, I focused on what a mirror-based image can make people think, see and feel.

The image you see on the cover is quite minimal, without too many distracting elements to it which intends to emphasise the mirror and make it stand out.

The cover image you see on the front is intended to explore a lot of different layers of meaning, like an onion. Knowing that I wanted this to have an element of protest against climate change to it, the mirror itself creates a sense of visual distortion in the landscape, symbolising what we as humans are doing to the planet. The mirror itself is not an expected feature of what is otherwise a rather idyllic landscape; it exists in a very surrealist way. This further adds to this sense of distortion. The powerful way in which the mirror is composed within the image is designed to make people notice and think about the mirror, possibly promoting the freedom of emotions, making them ask questions about its purpose and existence. A further layer of meaning behind the mirror is the mirror itself. Not only does having it in the image provide visual distortion and create a personal experience, it also creates the opportunity to think about literal self-reflection: to think about your life and your impact on the planet.

The inspiration behind this provocative placing of the mirror also relates to concepts found in Romanticism. We are presented with a very beautiful landscape that we are both part of and very isolated from. The existence of the mirror represents humans as not belonging in a landscape in this way. The importance of colour and space within the image also adds to this concept of Romanticism. The depth of the colour and surrealist placing of the mirror is aimed to take you there and imagine yourself within it, creating a personal, subjective experience.

Images above and below by Benedict Blythe