There is No Greater Misfortune

Shot on Kodak 400 120. Pentax 6x7 Medium format camera.

Here our central figure falls prey to social pressure and insecurity with the introduction of a marriage proposal. A male figure, symbolizing the aspects of colorism seen in arranged marriages, is seen preferring the 'bleached' self while our central figure hides in plain sight.

Diluted is a narrative story about the theory of first belief— a framework for reasoning with the unreasonable. How do you navigate a world that assigns you worth based on proximity to an unobtainable beauty standard?

Skin bleaching in South Asia is a cultural impediment that started during British Imperialism. Colorism has traumatized generations of people who are left dealing with the existentialist aftermath from a lifetime of subliminal prejudice against their skin color.

This story is about the relationship of both selves. What would you do if your anxiety manifested itself into a physical form? A young South Asian woman, at odds with herself, is faced with the mirror image of herself with bleached skin.