Film Stills

Relationship

3 photos I showed in my critique last night. They come from 2 bodies of work.
The top 2 images are photos look like film stills. It all started from the 1st picture which I took when I went back to China. It was a spontaneous shot. I happened to step in this little restaurant with my friend. I like it so much that I want to make more photos like this. I wish to have more control in this picture(lighting, clothing, direction, etc.). So I arranged the shooting in a local restaurant in Memphis, set up light & prepared props & clothing… These photos are about the moment when a person is alone & facing their own problems.
The 3rd picture along with my pinching nipple, biting lip photos, belongs to the relationship project. This photo is about the miscommunication & attitudes of couples.

Feedback:
You have good control of technique.
Which project are you interested in? I have 3 projects right now, a. murder scene, b. relationship, c. film stills.
I’m interested in all of them for different reason. I’m more interested in the compostion of a, the idea of b, & the technique/look/effect of c. I guess it’s time for me to cut down & make up my mind, or maybe try to combine. 
The film stills look like Cindy Sherman meets Brassai.
Have you made a list of places where/what/who contemplate these things (film still)?
It’s kind of a metaphor how you treat your signifigant other - like ass.
Do you have a list of how couples relate? No, I work when I have inspirations. Inspiration is overrated. 
Write an artist statement. I’d been avoiding that, but I’m writing.
You could illustrate the Michelin restaurant review or it could be like another anthropological research project. Do portrait of who eats there, where, what kind of food (ethnicity). Project could revolve around this history of people who frequent these place. There is a potentially a lot of money in that. People like Cindy Sherman, like psychological portraits (Annie Liebovitz). But do it in the next three weeks, cinematography is quicker. It’s “charming” that it’s intercontinental, but it would help if you made a map. Whenever I hear about money I feel compelled to do it, & it usually wears me out. I’ll try to take more photos & see if it works for me, but not possible in these 3 weeks. I’m slow.
Combine short film with photo. I just got myself a miniDV cam.
You could play the language of film by shooting 15 stills. I’ve done story board kind of photos before, not really working.
Haruki Murakami’s Wind-up Bird Chronicles. I’ll try to read it, I never read novels though.
Buffets are more isolating, these look like hometown restaurants. might try tasty buffet.
I’ve only seen your work twice, but I need to hear you articulate more. The film stills are not as strong as the relationship photo. Do you want to pursue conceptual or technical exercises? Maybe you need to be naked in a restaurant. Thanks, Richard
You have a distinctive style, so having 3 bodies of work isn’t problematic, because you have a style. Idears converge and are always connected. I don’t differentiate between the series. Don’t try to limit youself. Thanks, Chase. You are my pal!