Photographs can most certainly lie as people interpret them differently due to the fact that a photograph can tell multiple stories within the single image. Whether the photographer has been manipulated when the photograph was original taken or on photoshop it can have a massive impact on how people look at the image, it can sometimes produce a bias approach. Furthermore, The photographers use of different angles can further change how the photograph is seen as it can change and sometimes remove important parts of the image which changes the story behind the image and how the viewer sees the image. Photographs can be used as a reliable source however can also be used as an unreliable source due to the point about viewers interpreting it differently due to the different angles and alterations made to the image. Furthermore, the photographer will have his own opinion on how he views the image had how he wants the viewer to see it. A photograph can be used as a certain delivery of facts due to how the photographer wants the viewers to interpret an image and whether he claims the photograph is truthful or not. The truth would be shown through different ways depending on the photographers agenda. This photograph above is a good example of how a photograph can lie due the fact this image was either a real life image or a tableau photograph. This could fully determine the images truth behind the image. For example Jeff Wall is able to capture an asian man being racial abused by a man walking alongside him whilst his girlfriend is unaware. Jeff Wall could say he witnessed this however, if the photograph had been set up it could create a different story. In addition, we are unaware for the reason that the white man is abusing the man walking alongside him as we are only able to view this scene from the one photograph which makes the view think more into the truth behind the image.
After exploring a variety of paths which I could follow with this project I have decided to chose ones focused on my grandpa. He was a teacher at the Hautlieu from 1963- 2001 as well as an avid poets, and was involved with various activist movements throughput his life. I want to talk to people who had close relationships with him such as close friends and family members so I can learn more about Guardian reader which links back to the breaking the rules task.
I have found inspiration from the photographer Rita Puig-Serra Costa and her book where mimossa bloom. In the book Rita explores her family history by developing and displaying memories and personal stories which have constructed her as a person.
at the beginning of the book her family tree reveals itself as you turn each page, eventually an image of Rita is displayed and we can see an overview of her relationship with her family. this acts as a sort of introduction to the book and gives us some context for the photos. Rita uses a large variety of images in her book, archival images make a big appearance and connect her new photos with the past. There is staged portraits, still life, double page landscapes and even text and photo copies of documents. Bellow I show some of my favourite pages in the book which have given me a starting point and direction for my own work. I love the way the book is constructed and how all the images compliment each other and also have an interesting narrative.
I have met up and spoken with my gran who is going to help me pick some relevant topics to focus the project on. We spoke about his involvement with groups such as the CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) and concern which was an environmental group in jersey during the 70’s. He also took part in various protests, such as the one at queens valley against the flooding on the area for a reservoir and helped at local elections. A lot of the poems he wrote also had a political story behind them, he often found inspiration from from famous photographs from wars and conflict which he came across in the newspaper. He also had a strong connection to the land, his environmental interest continued into his own home and garden where he spent a lot of time conserving the land, growing organic vegetable and plants for the wildlife. He was a big fan of Bob Dylan, a famous singer-songwriter in the late 60’s who often made political statements in his music.
I am interested in combining all these elements to construct the photo book, I like the idea of using archival images of him that link to my chosen points interests me because it will be a flash back to his life and give a wider understanding and context to the project.
