Hidden camera

I spent today looking at how I can hide a camera to catch people on film in a mundane home situation unaware of being filmed.

When people think they are totally alone their behaviour will differ, catching moments on film that are priceless.

There is something very interesting about breaking down the social walls and boundaries that we put around ourself in social situations such as going to the toilet. Although it is a total invasion of privacy and may be degrading, if done tastefully and with editing which suits peoples needs there could be some really interesting film created.

I started by thinking about the visuals of hiding a camera. Making disguises, some comical, some which may actually work - a box covered in feathers, a green box hidden by leaves, a hole in a tea bag box, a plastic bag in the fridge.

The leaf disguised camera, inspired by Tue Greenfort and his fox photographs looked like a birdcage, and I started thinking about how you could attract birds to the camera, I.e. bird feed.

Wanting to steer clear of nature, as I am more interested in human social behaviour I started thinking about how you can draw peoples attention to the camera without them knowing its there.

Humans need something less obvious, so i started thinking about putting the camera in a position/place that people go to a lot, for example, the fridge or cupboard, the bathroom...etc. I did a few practise runs...which will follow.

There are so many routes i could take this, taking the camera out of the house...for example, a party situation. Putting the camera next to free cigarettes, next to the dj or ipod - watching people choosing music etc.

Possible situations

Cupboard - making tea / food

Fridge - making food

Toilet cupboard - brushing teeth

Toilet box - People on the loo

Shower - nakey (not sure about how people would react to this-maybe too risky, not fair)

Hoping to capture -

people talking to themselves,

humming,

singing,

facial expressions,

embarrassing moments,

stealing food...