You can see the similarities in this image as the model is sitting in a tree and is posing similar to the model in Justine Kurland’s image.
This image relates to Kurland’s image because the model is sitting in a man made hut that we found. It link back to the ‘Girl book’ images as it labels the model as a ‘run away’
To recreate these images I got the model to throw up the flowers. I really like how the bright yellow flowers contrast with the fog in background.
Direct comparison:
These images were both taken digitally, the mise-en-scene presents a girl sitting in a tree. Justine Kurland’s image was taken at a straight on angle, whereas I took mine from a lower down angle. Both the images were taken with a small aperture as everything is in focus. There is definitely a strong correlation between the two images as they have many similarities.
For this photo shoot, I will base my work off of Claude Cahun and Frida Kahlo. I will get my sister to wear a mix of feminine clothing (e.g. skirt) and masculine clothing (e.g. suits) which links back to the painting of Frida Kahlo in a suit and the work of Claude Cahun.
Photoshoot 2:
For this shoot I will base my work off of Justine Kurland and her early images when she took photos of Alyssum. I will go to a rural area and take photos of my sister, replicating the work of Kurland.
Justine Kurland is an American photographer who is famous for her book of ‘girl pictures’ which includes images of girls in rural landscapes, focusing on the theme of femininity. There is a sense of freedom throughout the images as the teenage girls are seen to be exploring nature with no care in the world, not worrying about judgement that would typically come from males. Kurland’s images were inspired by the after-school TV special. She also channelled her “raw, angry energy of girl bands”, into her photographs she took of teenage girls.
How it all started
Justine Kurland stated by taking photos of a teenage girl called Alyssum, who was the daughter of a guy she was dating. Some could say that Alyssum was a rebellious child as she was known for skipping school and smoking pot, which is why Kurland decided she would start to take photos of her. They both came up with the idea that Alyssum would be the subject, known as the ‘teenage runaway.’
Pink Tree 1999
Kurland then decided to expand her cast, she added some collage freshmen and any teenage girls that genuinely wanted to collaborate with her. The teenage girls were known as the ‘runaways’, they built forts in forests, which can be seen in the images.
Puppy Love, Fire 1999
In my opinion, Justine Kurland’s work relates to the theme of felinity as her images show teenage girls that have been given freedom. I like how there is a sense of nostalgia and enjoyment through out all the images as the teenage girls are doing activities that some would consider more masculine, for example camping in the woods and getting muddy.
For this project I am going to base my work off of Justine Kurland as I think her way exploring what it is to be feminine is unique and creative.
Image analysis:
Justine Kurland- Pink Tree 1999
This is a digital image taken by Justine Kurland. The mise-en-scene presents Alyssum sitting in a blossom tree between Hudson river and a highway. This image has been taken on a straight on angle, and has a large depth of field using a f-stop of around f/11 or f/16. I know this because all/most of the image is in focus. Kurland has used the rule of thirds, and it can be argued that she has used leading lines to show the audience where the focal point is.
Claude Cahun, born Lucy Schwob, was a French surrealist photographer born in Nantes who is most well known for her self-portraits, which were collaborated with Marcel Moore, Claude Cahuns partner. Cauhun’s self-portraits explored and broke down barriers of identity and gender stereotypes as she dressed up as many characters, questioning what is it to be women in the Nazi occupation happening in Jersey at the time.
Claude’s connection to Jersey began from her early childhood, as she would go there on family holidays. In 1937, Claude and her partner Marcel moved over to Jersey and lived in a house along St. Brelade’s Bay. The pair were campaigning against the Nazi’s and were later sentenced to death. However, Jersey got liberated on the 8th of June so they were set free.
Claude Cahuns work is unique and explores the theme of identity well. You can see that Claude presents herself as many different characters, breaking downnthe stereotypical view of what a woman should look like. Cauhuns work could be seen as controversial at the time as she presents herself as more ‘masculine’ model.
Image analysis:
This is a analogue self-portrait of Claude Cahun. The mise-en-scene presents Claude Cahun staring down the camera lens with a refection of herself in the mirror. This image was taken with a small aperture as everything is in focus. The photo was taken on a straight on angle. The image appears to be taken with natural lighting as you can see a slight shadow on Cahun’s neck in the mirror. The image is a monochrome image and has a range of tones which contrast. This can be seen with the black desk and the white wall.
