Depths of Field

                                                   

                                                               Aperture set to 3.5
                                 
                                                              Aperture set to 4.5

                                                                 Aperture set to 8

Aperture set to 11

       Here I was exploring using the aperture setting on my camera to focus on different parts of the scene especially the masked object in the foreground and the security monitor in the background. In the scene, I used a stuffed plushy of Gunther from Adventure Time and a Tengu mask I got from a Japanese summer festival in Edgewater, NJ. The character Gunter is seen as a mischievous penguin that is far from the playful and kind penguins we think they are. The reason why I put the Tengu mask on the plush toy is because Tengu are Japanese spirits that are seen as angry and mischievous spirits like the character like Gunter. However, in Buddhism the Tengu is also seen as a protectors of the forest and mountains, so to reinforce that concept as protectors I displayed a home security camera monitor in the background to create the image of divine protection but also security through technology. This can be connected to how technology has advanced so much that we rely more on technology for protection and explaining the unexplained, whereas our ancestors put  their faith in religion for divine protection and answers.