I think that this project was highly successful as I have been able to create high quality, strong images that tell the story of Jersey’s witches. I performed 6 separate photoshoots that were all meticulously planned, and I believe that my best images came from Mont Orgueil Castle. By working with a single actor and lighting assistant, I was able to produce images like:
The majority of these images are monochrome to force the darkness to control the atmosphere created by the image. However, I do believe that I could have created more colourised final outcomes.
I did however, use photoshop to create double exposed images that combined both monochrome portraits and colourised landscapes that provide deeper stories and meanings behind each photograph.
My intentions from the beginning were to tell a story using historical documents and evidence as well as specific sites that were prominent during the infamous witch trials. I believe that I succeeded in displaying this idea through my photobook, finding creative ways to combine the images that I gathered with the information collected from a wide range of resources.
By using Andrea Eichenberger’s series of images from ‘Le Milles Briques’ as a basis, I was able to create emotive photographs in the dungeons of Mont Orgueil Castle, gathering both portrait and landscape images that could be presented together to develop the story.
Bernd and Hiller Bechers’ typology techniques are utilised to their full extent when creating my typology study of the dolmens and megalithic remains around the island. I also kept these images monochrome to not only create a historical atmosphere but also because at the time when the Bechers’ were creating images, they were restricted to monochrome imagery.
Some of Sesh Sareday’s images directly influenced some that I used in my project but I feel that they would have better suited a more paranormal study, incorporating slow shutter speeds and shadows more so within the project. Despite this, I believe that the overall project was a huge success in how I took the idea of witchcraft and developed into a personal, historical study, directly relating it to my own interests and the island’s history.
The Images that I have Printed have been organised into a variety of diptychs, triptychs and typology arrangements. Some images however, worked better to be presented as solo outcomes. The majority were presented in window mounts, while a few were mounted onto foam board or using both techniques. When planning how I wanted to present these images, I created a series of mock-up pieces using photoshop software.
The images above display a range of solo photos as well as montages, each chosen for how they display the castle as a prison during the time of witches. The double exposure montages communicate that the masked figure is the prisoner and the misery expressed by the actor after being held in the castle dungeons on merely water and bread for months, awaiting his trial and indefinite execution.
Typology
Royal Square (Market Place)
The royal square was the site of all witch executions. The images I have chosen to print and display are all monochrome except for one. The singular colourised image communicates the joy felt amongst the community as they watched witches being burnt but also displays the freedom of the executed’s spirit as it is ‘freed’ from oppression. The monochrome images resemble the darkness and severity of the actions of the towns people and Cour de Cattel, those who accused and murdered many innocents out of fear.
Faldouet Dolmen
These Images detail the rituals conducted by witches at the dolmen and display some of their techniques and curses that they bestowed onto people. The images of the bibles and crosses with an upside-down shadow cross communicate the failed exorcisms of the site and seem like an important part the dolmens witchy story.
Image Wrap + Title (An Island Coven: Jersey’s Witches from Ritual to Trial)
Title Page:
Image + Title + Created by: + With Thanks
Section 1: Faldouet Dolmen – Ritual
Possible Images:
Typology
Section 2: Mont Orgueil Castle: Fortress, Home, Prison
Possible Images:
Typology
Section 3: Royal Square – Trial and Execution
Possible Images:
Typology
Typology Images:
Info Page: Bibliography
Back Cover:
Image Wrap + Blurb
Page Layouts
Cover Choice
I knew that the cover of my book needed a title and some kind of information about the book on the back. The question was which image do I choose?
The image above fits the story but focuses on the castel. It also disallows a clear title that can easily stand out – especially on the spine. After this I knew that I wanted to create some kind of overlaying image that can communicate more than one specific idea.
This image works and all the writing stands out but I think it is better suited for the section on the faldouet dolmen, and the rituals conducted by witches.
The final outcome of the cover is shown above. I chose this specific image where one photo overlays another as it communicates this idea of loneliness and the hell that 66 people had to endure after being accused of witchcraft.
Faldouet Dolmen: Beginning
I chose to use a single image to establish the section of the book and by using this image, it not only begins the section about witches rituals, it also starts the typology study that runs through the book and can be used to separate each section.
I knew that I wanted the book to be creative and emotive, but also informative so it was essential that I added some kind of written aspect throughout that detailed the information that I want to present throughout the final outcome.
Faldouet Dolmen
The images below associate with the first section and I knew that presented alongside written pieces of information would communicate a clear story of the rituals that were thought to be enacted by witches.
Info to Include
4 Pillars of Witchcraft as detailed in the Malleus Maleficarum
Spells – the truth behind them
Poem about sacrifice from ‘These Haunted Islands’
Modern day reports about the Dolmen
The first image below was an initial mock up for one page spread in this section. Simply using two images and some information about what they show. However, I found this to be a bit clunky as the information seems like too much. I want to create a more creative approach so the information should be succinct and to the point. I therefore removed some of the writing and moved around the format to produce the second image which is the final page spread used in the book.
The next too page spreads show a before and after my initial thoughts. The writing in the final outcome works well with the two images that surround it. It communicates the willingness of a witch to follow Satan and renounce their christian faith. The first spread however has a central image that simply has no story behind it. With the page before containing the information about spells, this image seems out of place. So I decided to remove it.
Mont Orgueil: Beginning
The establishing image for this section is simply of the castle itself. The words that accompany get straight to the point that this section is about the imprisonment of those accused.
Mont Orgueil
In my research I found a letter from a prisoner held in the tower. It was written to his daughter the night before his execution, and I deemed that this chapter of the book needed no other information. The images that I decided to use would show no face and simply a singular figure in chains or lit with a single shaft of light. Establishing images that show the castle dungeons interlace with the portraits as the letter continues through the section, telling its story.
LETTER
Royal Square: Beginning
The establishing image for this section is a simple monochrome landscape of the royal square. The idea for the sections title came from the phrase ‘Trial and Retribution’ adapting it to become ‘Trial and Execution’. I decided to not include the and as the only place that I could think to place it on the page spread effectively was in the middle where it would have been lost anyway. I therefore decided that only two words should be used and that is what is scene on the final spread.
Royal Square
I was unsure what to do with this section. The trials were an essential part to the story so had to be included within the book but the challenge was finding an effective way to present them. I found a specific court record in the archives detailing a witches confession. I then thought of the different sentences that were carried out and looked into each trial. The final presentation came from the idea of pairing an image associated with the witch, whether its of the ritual or a prisoner in the castle and to pair a name with that image. On the other side of the page spread, I then used an image of the royal square where the trials and sentencing was held. I then simply wrote the corresponding sentence given to each name; be it execution, banishment or pardon.
Section Separations
To separate each section, I wanted to use a typology study of dolmens and megalithic remains that fell upon ley-lines. These ancient burial and ritual grounds established a basis of pagan beliefs and during the 16th Century, were directly associated with witchcraft and satanism.
The last section of my typology is to photograph the megalithic remains at La Blanche Banque which includes a burial ground, a ritual ground and three menhirs or standing stones.
The castle being a prison would have seen many deaths and all witches in Jersey were imprisoned here. Therefore, I want to stage a photoshoot where an actor would have their face hidden, but they would be taking on the role of a witch. I want to shoot this scene at night so that any spookiness around the outcome will be enhanced.
