Developed in response to Walter Benjamin’s essay A Short History of Photography, this body of work engages with his idea that ‘when a photograph frees itself from physiognomic, political, and scientific interest, then it becomes creative.’ Drawing inspiration from the aesthetics of commercial food photography, I explored contemporary image-making that captivates viewers through both visual appeal and illusion.
The project presents two distinct approaches: one that imitates the polished style of commercial photography, and another that reveals the concept and construction behind the image itself. This dialogue is extended through a series of experiments examining how colour influences the perceived allure of commercial imagery, ultimately questioning the role of aesthetics in shaping audience perception.
