Helsinki-based photographer Johan Entchev re-produces feelings of childhood anxiety and wonder in his high-contrast series of black-and-white images.
Photographing his sons, a usual practice for the photographer, Entchev explores subconscious inclinations rather than conscious realities. Adding to the mystery of the subject matter, his sons are often partially concealed, almost as if the childhood desires are being viewed in hindsight, through the adult lens of nostalgia.
The stark black-and-white palette represents invisible ghosts, fears and nightmares that persistently plague and haunt childhood. The experience of being a child is not exclusively rooted in innocence; there are layers of suspicion, worry and anxiety about the unknown. The series ultimately explores the complexity of the childhood psyche as it navigates itself throughout the world.
Bewildered Childhood Photography
Johan Entchev Delves into the Childhood Psyche with This Series
Trend Themes
1. Childhood Anxiety Photography - Reproducing childhood anxiety through photography presents an opportunity to explore the psychological well-being of children and develop innovative therapies.
2. Subconscious Exploration - Delving into the subconscious inclinations of children through photography offers an opportunity to better understand their emotions and mental states, leading to new approaches in child psychology.
3. Black-and-white Palette Representation - Using a stark black-and-white palette in photography can be a disruptive innovation in capturing and visually portraying the complex emotions and experiences of childhood.
Industry Implications
1. Child Therapy - The exploration of childhood anxiety through photography opens up new possibilities for therapeutic interventions and treatments in the field of child therapy.
2. Child Psychology - Understanding the subconscious inclinations of children through photography can inform breakthroughs in child psychology research and contribute to the development of new therapeutic techniques.
3. Photography and Art Therapy - The use of black-and-white photography as a medium for exploring childhood emotions presents a disruptive innovation in photography and art therapy, offering new avenues for self-expression and healing.