Like the theme of Family, Community is a very difficult to properly define. When looking at different definitions on the internet and in dictionaries there are various different definitions and interpretations of what a community is. These are some of the definitions I came across in my research
- a group of people living in the same place
- a group of friends
- members of the same sporting/recreational activities
- body of nations or states unified by common interests.
- denoting a worker or resource designed to serve the people of a particular area
The main idea that I developed from the my research is that community is much more broader than family. Community is often a larger group of people, an the relationship shared within that community tend to be less personal than family.
Community is an important part of a person’s identity. Community can be race related, nationalistic, religious, political, or even just a group of neighbours and people who live in an area, who might not even know each other. Nearly everyone to some degree would consider themselves to be a member of community.
Community Photography
Community is one of the most popular types of topic to study in documentary photography. It has lead to some of the most influential bodies of photographic work in the 20th and 21st Centuries. Here are a list of some photograph who have explored the theme of community within their work.
Martin Parr; Think of England
Alec Soth; Sleeping by the Mississippi
Jonas Bendikson; British Wool
Mikhael Subotsky: Die Vier Hoeke
Yuri Toropstov: Marylin and I