The style I want to follow is one that shows “When Time was Prime”. This is in the style of the american photographer Richard Koenig and his work with pictures hanging in a scene, they depict the scene but when it was older and full of life.
The main area of his work that I will be looking at is the ones where he has a photo he has frames the picture in the scene and suspended it in front of the real area to show a different time.
My main inspiration for it is this image where he has shown the man sitting in his chair in the two images that are hanging up and in between you can see a gap where the man is missing.
This image to me represents loss and the lack of the identity of the area and the subject, because the chair that he once sat in now lies empty and unfilled, also Koenig has used a shallow depth of field to make the chair and the background have less detail and to make it so that the viewer focuses on the photos and ‘what it was’ rather than what it is.
Identity is defined as “the characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is”. This can be influenced by various factors including geographical or cultural influences. There have been arguments relating to the importance of nature vs. nurture and which has a larger impact on ones identity.
Different Types of Identity in Photography
Gender Identity: This is the idea of using gender to define ones identity. This is an idea often explored by various photographers/ artists such as Lorna Simpson. This work varies from more abstract pieces exploring the idea of gender identity crossing over to loss of identity to ides of empowerment in her work.
Cultural Identity: This is the idea of exploring culture and how it affects a persons identity. this can range from exploring how various cultures are portrayed/ stereotyped as well as being used to give a better insight into the reality of their culture. This has been explored by artists such as Paul Sepuya.
Social Identity: Social identity relates to the idea that a person can be the surrounding community, this is the same idea as the ‘nurture’ aspect of nature vs. nurture. This also relates to the idea that social pressure can change someones identity on a fundamental level through peer pressure etc. This has been explored by photographers such as Robert Frank, his work explores the influence of the ideals of their community on ones identity including ideas such as nationalism. However this piece also relates to the idea of Geographical/ political identity.
Loss of/ Lack of identity: This is an idea that someones identity can be stripped from them either by some form of disaster or by social out casting. This is often explored in conjunction with other forms of identity such as some of Lorna Simpsons work. This is an idea also commonly explored using a surrealist approach.
Born in 1960, Richard Koenig received his BFA from Pratt Institute. In 1998 he received his MFA from Indiana University and began teaching art and photography courses at Kalamazoo College, Michigan. Koenig has done lots of work but the portfolio of his that I am focusing on is called “Inserts/Koans”. In this he takes old prints and of images showing a frame with something or someone in then in the same framing he removes the main subject and then takes another picture with the first photo with the main subject in suspended in front of the new framing with the area lined up and the main markings lined up.
The effect of these images is that the viewer sees the image before it has undergone change or before something has been removed. And i have chosen this for identity and place because I can depict something that has lost its identity and is missing the identity that it had before when the main subject was there.
In order to experiment with natural lighting during the portrait project, I used an open window to produce the lighting for a photo-shoot. The following images show examples of subjects faces being illuminated with the use of just natural lighting from a window.
The above 2 images simply use natural lighting, and nothing else. the use of natural lighting in this instance allows for a soft illumination of the subjects face, allowing shadows to be cast across the face, but without them being too sharp or dark. This produces a more natural image, and allows the subject to be portrayed as they naturally are in reality.
For the above 2 images, I experimented with changing the background color of the image. This was done using a large black piece of card. I feel like this draws more attention to the face of the subject, and defined the shapes of the subject, separating them more from the background. I feel like the addition of a black background allows for the photograph to be given more dimensions, and feel more 3D.
Overall, the use of natural lighting in photography was a success, as I was able to create images that show the drastic contrasts between natural and studio lighting. Although natural lighting creates a more natural, soft light that portrays the subject in an (often) more flattering way, the lack of control that comes with using natural lighting can cause lighting issues (e.g the above 3 images are slightly darker, as they were taken when the sky was more overcast, thus the light was blocked.)
Photography is a medium that can be used to explore and play with identity, where the different aspects of a photographers cultural, social, geographical identity can be portrayed, and their views and opinions can be displayed for the viewer to understand and analyse.
The following is a mind-map including all examples of aspects that can be considered when taking photographs that experiment with identity:
Environmental factors such as the upbringing of the photographer, the lifestyle that they choose to lead, and the experiences they have had throughout their life that have shaped their thoughts and opinions all effect how a photographer will interpret the definition of identity.
Examples of Identity in Photography:
Photographers such as Shirin Neshat create images that more obviously involve the topic of cultural identity, and include bold, eye drawing subjects to allow the viewer to realize the initial concept of the image, while also adding less obvious, more metaphorical meanings that can create a discussion on cultural differences and tensions after further analysis of her images, the following is an example of her work:
(The eye catching subject of the image is the Arabic writing on the soles of the feet, which immediately indicates that the image is of cultural relevance. However, the use of the tag on the foot is more subjective, as it could indicate that the feet belong to that of a corpse, therefore opening a discussion about the violence and tension surrounding cultural minorities.)
Other photographers who choose to experiment with identity in their work. Photographer Tish Murtha experimented with social identity, taking into account and documenting the different aspects of society, and the differences between the social groups that make it up. Her style allows for the life of the people in her images to be documented in a candid, natural fashion, while at the same time her images can be compared to show the differences between social groups at the time she was actively photographing, and the different struggles and issues that each social group faced. The below image is an example of her work:
This image can be said to be a candid image displaying children growing up in England in the 1970’s, however it also displays the importance of the developing bonds, connections and friendships between the children, and displays them as their own social group, independent fro adults, showing the complexities of the lives and relationships that children have.
Lack of Identity in Photography:
On top of photographers using photography to blatantly explore identity, some use it to distort or hide identity, allowing for the subject of the image to become less an individual. Hiding the identity of the subject of an image to create a sense of mystery and disassociation has been a popular tactic in art for years, a famous example being that of the painting “The Son of Man”, by Rene Magritte (1946), where the subject of her image lacks identity due to the covering of his face with an apple:
“The Son of Man”, by Rene Magritte (1946)
An example of a modern photographer who experiments with using a lack of identity in her images, is Polish photographer Michalina Wozniak in her Identity series, which makes use of blank masks in her photographs to hide the identity of her subject, opening up a dialogue for questions such as who the subject really, what their intentions are, and what they represent. An example of her work can be seen blow:
When exploring different ideas for for this shoot (or multiple potential shoots) I came across the use of mirrors obscuring different parts of the body, and though this would be a great way to not only show the loss of identity in a person, but also have a further metaphorical meaning of how so many people ‘reflect’ onto other people when talking, not relieving how they really feel. Similar to the picture below (left), i wanted the mirror to cover the face of the subject, to show how people take ideas from around them, similar to how a mirror reflects. However, the pictures to the right show that using Photoshop to erase the inside of the mirror to show what is behind the subject (by taking one picture with a subject in frame and one without) makes the image look, in my opinion, a lot cleaner and even more professional.
Multiple Exposures and Slow Shutter
While using mirrors is at the top of my priority list, I also wanted to focus on using double or multiple exposures, as well as long exposure times to create blurred and distorted images of peoples faces and features, further showing the nature of uncertainty of the subject’s identity. Using similar techniques as the pictures below, i want to create my own interpretation of them. As i have experimented with long exposures in the past for landscape photography in my own time, i understand the basics, however I have never really used a slow shutter speed when taking portraits unless it was absolutely necessary to bring up the exposure, but still using a tripod.
Other Ideas:
While the two techniques above are what interest me most, I will also try to explore different such as: burning printed images, using objects to obscure parts of the image, damaging the image(scratching, ripping, taring, etc.), digitally erasing parts of the image, and selecting specific coloured areas.
Peter Kennard is an artist who was born and is based in London, who create photo montages. He is especially known for being involved in the Anti-Vietnam war movement and for being in favor of Nuclear Disarmament. Most of his photo montages are based on his political views and also on problems in society.
Mood board
Not my images.
Analysing
Image by Peter Kennard
Context
This photo montage was first seen in the Guardian on the 13th November, 1989.
Visual
In this image, we can see two hands shaking through a wall. Where but the hands are joined. The wall appears to be breaking.
Technical
This montages was created by placing prints and ink on card.
Conceptual
This is one of my favorite montages by Kennard as it conveys a very happy feeling. This image was published 4 days after the Berlin Wall began falling. Both the hands shaking from each side is symbolic in showing how West and East Germany were finally going to be united again. I believe that this shows that Kennard feels that’s it was a good thing that they were no longer going to be separated as he portrays their connection with a handshake, which is a peaceful and positive connection between two people.
Analysing
Soviet gag by Peter Kennard
Context
This montage was published in the socialist challenge on the 31st December 1977.
Visual
In this photo, we can see a close up image of a man who’s mouth is being covered with piece of fabric what has the soviet Russian flag on it. The fabric gag is being held by 2 hands, but the body or face of the person isn’t seen.
Technical
This montages was printed onto card
Conceptual
During the time this montage was made, Russia and the entire USSR was under the rule of a communist government. During this time a lot of people’s thoughts and feelings were suppressed due to heavy government restrictions on freedom of speech. This is shown through the montage very literally, and the gag with the soviet flag on it is seen as stopping the man from talking.
Identity is the fact of being who or what a person or thing is. identity is a very personal subject as every person has a different identity, and can be influenced by a person’s situation, living environment, lifestyle, etc. For example, people brought up in a religious household, will be more likely to have religious views and beliefs, and these beliefs therefor become a part of their identity. However, identities are always changing, and that means that their views on different subjects and feelings towards different things will change as well. There are several different types of identity, including:
Gender identity – The self-perception of their own and other people’s roles based on their gender Cultural identity – Belonging to a group of people and a culture, such as a religion or community, which influence a person’s life. Social identity – how people identify and view others around them in society.
Geographical identity /political identity – a sense of attachment to a place or political agenda that a person can relate and identify with.
Lack/Loss of identity – The psychological view that a person has no role in society and lacks a sense of community, often brought on by the confusion of not knowing the kind of person you are and what role you play in society.
Mood Board:
I wanted to explore the ideas of the lack/loss of identity, as i feel there is a lot of room for exploring different techniques. Below are some ideas for the type of ideas that could influence my final piece of work for this unit.
To cut the subject from the background I used the quick selection toolTo make the selection softer I used the refine edge option and drew around the edges using the brushI applied the layer mask to remove the backgroundI applied a white backgroundI added the mountain imageI selected layer 0 (subject) and changed the blending mode to lightenThe subject is faded into the backgroundTo cut out the rest of the mountain image, I applied the same mask on layer 2I unlinked the two images in layer 2 and selected the mountain image and pressed ctrl T so I could move the image to a suitable areaTo remove the fade, I selected layer 0 and made a copy of itI then changed the blending mode of this layer from lighten to normalI selected the layer mask and made sure that the foreground colour was black. I then pressed Alt + backspace to hide everything on the normal blend mode layerI selected the brush tool and made sure the hardness was 0% to have a soft brush. I painted with white to bring the normal image backI created a new adjustment layer and selected curves. This created contrastOriginalPhoto Montage
Evaluation
To replicate Antonio Mora’s photo manipulation, I blended the subject and an image of nature to create a surreal artwork on Photoshop. I have merged two images together using various tools such as the blending mode, applying masks on layers, image adjustments and levels. I wanted to use the same technique of blending two images seamlessly to create an illusion for the viewer. This process has resulted in a portrait that consists of the natural and unnatural world. Antonio works with images he finds through the internet and fuses them together with his photo manipulation techniques. I captured images of my subject using my camera and found a landscape image of a mountain online. I got this image from a photographer called Jonathan Bean. Before capturing images of the subject I told her to wear a shirt that exposed her shoulders so it would be easier to select the subject with the quick selection tool on Photoshop. The person in the image was born in Gran Canaria, an island that has a variety of landscapes in a small space of rugged rock formations in the interior. In the North there is a fertile coastal landscape, in the South there are gentle dunes and a rocky coastline in the West. I decided to contrast the subject with a different environment by using an image of a snowy mountain range instead of sand dunes. This creates a sense of lost cultural identity. Since most of his double exposures are in black and white, I have applied the black and white adjustment onto my own so the two images blend better together since they are both tonal. I have also adjusted the contrast so the highlights and shadows can be bold. Although most of Antonio’s double exposures hide most of the subject’s face, I decided to only cover the hair to create a sharp outline of her head through the peaks of the mountain range.
This image can be said to be a candid image displaying children growing up in England in the 1970’s, however it also displays the importance of the developing bonds, connections and friendships between the children, and displays them as their own social group, independent fro adults, showing the complexities of the lives and relationships that children have.
