To notice or perceive something and register it as being significant.
Synonyms:
Notice, see, discover, detect, examine
Seek
What is the definition of seek?
To attempt to find something.
Synonyms:
Explore, follow, investigate, pursue
Challenge
What is the definition of challenge?
A call to prove or justify something, or participating in a competitive situation or fight to decide who is superior in terms of ability or strength.
Synonyms:
Stand against, opposition, dispute, provocation
Mindmap:
For this mind map, I read an old exam essay for inspiration, and took words and terms from that essay that I thought linked when thinking about the words ‘observe, seek, challenge’. I used these to help think about ideas that I could use for my new personal study. I decided to chose to do girlhood for my personal study as I have loads of ideas I could use to expand people’s knowledge of every day lives of girls nowadays.
My mood board of ideas:
My ideas:
For this topic, I am aiming to produce photos which represent ideas around girlhood, feminism and gender roles. I will include photos from my own childhood, and how I have grown up as a girl. I want to include aspects of stereotypical themes around females, this may include wearing pink, using make-up, perfume, having long hair, having long nails, dressed in dresses, skirts, and heels, being sensitive, and engaging in activities that are traditionally associated with femininity, such as talking about relationships. But I would also like to challenge these ideas and produce photos around unfeminine stereotypical aspects; for example, showing dominance, having short hair, wearing plain coloured clothes and not involving themselves in any beauty activities like makeup.
Here is a mind-map which I produced with 2 of my classmates. In the green and blue is the a breakdown of the words Observe, Seek and Challenge and what they mean to us. In the pink and orange is ideas for our personal studies. We covered a range of ideas from personal interests to the exploration of history and natural forms such as the human body and landscapes.
Mood-Boards
Natural Forms (Human Body + Nature)
History + Ideologies
Personal Interests
This mood-board is based on Architecture as it is my passion.
Introduction (250 words): Reflect on the origin of photography and describe in your own words the difference between the two photographic processes, Daguerreotype and Calotype. Consider how they could be viewed as either a mirror or a window of the world according to John Szarkowski’s thesis. Choose one quote from Szarkowski’s text and comment if you agree or disagree.
Read John Szarkowski’s introduction and review by Jed Pearl- and select 3 quotes form each that is relevant to your essay
–“Is it a mirror reflecting a portrait of the artist who made it, or a window, through which one might better know the world”.
Select two images, one that represent a mirror and another that represents a window as examples to use in your essay.
Use some of the key words that you listed above to describe what the mirrors and windows suggest.
My Top 3 Quotes:
“The photograph is seen either as a mirror- a romantic expression of the photographers sensibility as it projects itself onto the things and sights of this world; or as a window- through which the exterior world is explored in all its presence and reality”
Paragraph 1 (250 words): Choose an image that in your view is a mirror and analyse how it is a subjective expression and staged approach to image-making. Choose one quote from Szarkowski’s thesis and another from Jed Pearl’s review which either supports of opposes Szarkowski’s original point of view. Make sure you comment to advance argumentation in providing a critical perspective.
Paragraph 2(250 words): Choose an image that in your view is a window and analyse how it is an objective expression rooted in a sense of realism. Choose one quote from Szarkowski’s thesis and another from Jed Pearl’s review and follow similar procedure as above ie. two opposing points of view and commentary to provide a critical perspective.
Conclusion (250 words): Refer back to the essay question and write a conclusion where you summarise Szarkowski’s theory and Pearl’s review of his thesis. Describe differences and similarities between the two images above and their opposing concepts of objectivity and subjectivity, realism and romanticism, factual and fiction, public and private.
What are the differences between photographs that are WINDOWS and MIRRORS.
Windows include perspectives and ‘show the world as it is’. They invite the person looking to view an outside experience. They also capture life from a distance and promote curiosity and wonder about ‘the outside’.
Mirrors incorporate a reflection which may show a persons mood, feelings and personality. It also portrays specific moments and experiences which reflects a persons identity or story through a mirror image.
Window photographs open up the world for exploration, while mirror photographs invite personal reflection and connection.
John Szarkowski
My favourite quote –“Is it a mirror reflecting a portrait of the artist who made it, or a window, through which one might better know the world”. This is saying that mirrors reflect the society we are in and can reflect a lot about us and how we do things. “Mirrors” are photographs through which a photographer is trying to tell us how he feels about himself. The study of texts that reflect their own identities, experiences and motivations. They also provide insight into the identities, experiences and motivations of others.
“A mirror – a romantic expression of the photographers sensibility as it projects itself on the things and sights of this world; or as a window- through which the exterior world is explored in all its presence and reality” – JOHN SZARKOSKI
The Mirror and Window Analogy.
“MIRRORS AND WINDOWS has been organised around Szarkowski’s thesis that such personal visions take one of two forms. In metaphorical terms, the photograph is seen either as a mirror – a romantic expression of the photographer’s sensibility as it projects itself on the things and sights of this world; or as a window – through which the exterior world is explored in all its presence and reality.”
Mijanou and friends from Beverly Hills High School spending their Senior Beach Day at Will Rogers State Beach in Los Angeles. Mijanou won the title of “best physique” at Beverly Hills High.
Lauren Greenfield photographs acclaimed chroniclers of youth culture. These photographs reveal insight into the daily lives and rituals of women. Her photos range from extreme to more genuine photographs. She photographs girls of all ages from pre-schoolers to post-grads, with a multitude of different jobs. The thing I admire most about Lauren Greenfield’s work, is her exploration of the peer pressure, exploitation and sexualisation which women experience, and how it may effect their emotions of self-worth.
This photo demonstrates a girl who is not especially rich, but her friends are. The girl is dealing with the pressures of the world, and struggling with keeping up with it all. However, due to her beauty, she is able to enter the popular, higher class group of people. However, she believes in substance over beauty and did not want to be included only for her looks and instead for her personality. This creates a mirror in the image as the main character in the photograph is seeking more than what the eye can see. This photo is a mirror as…
Two people are looking at each other like a reflection. There is 2 cars next to each other and 3 people in each car.
2. It is also a mirror metaphorically as It is reflecting the girls place and feelings in the group as she is unfocused and shows the lifestyle of Los Angeles an how young people grow up quickly under the influence of Hollywood.
Window Image:
Child with a toy hand grenade in Central Park, N.Y.C.
Diane Arbus was an American photographer best known for her intimate black-and-white portraits.
This image of young Colin Wood, a skinny boy is stood in Central Park holding a toy grenade in his hand. is seen as ‘iconic’ as it shows the tension between childhood fun and violence, this photo is highly celebrated due to its historical attributes. This photo is a window into the boys life and also a window from childhood innocence and silliness, into adult danger, death and aggravation through war. America’s historic transition from isolationism of the 1950s to the turmoil that would emerge in the late 1960s and 1970s is portrayed in this image.
An iconic image that embodies the awkward tension between childhood tomfoolery and primal violence, this has become one of the most celebrated photographs in the history of the medium. America’s historic transition from the complacent isolationism of the 1950s to the socio-political turmoil that would emerge in the late 1960s and 1970s seems to seethe beneath the surface of this image, underscoring Arbus’ prescience and intuitive understanding of her time.
For environmental portraiture we studied a famous photographer called Arnold Newman. His work focused a lot on people in their natural environment while capturing clear images of their portrait which created almost a story behind their faces as the background and environment they were in had a special meaning to them.
Here is some of his work:
MARTHA GRAHAM, NEW YORK CITY, 1961PABLO PICASSO, VALLAURIS, FRANCE, 1954KUNIYOSHI, NEW YORK, 1941
I really enjoyed this area of study as Environmental portraiture creates meaningful images with stories behind them. the people within the images are in a certain place at a certain time which creates a really unique background to the images. In addition, many of the locations in which we take the images of these people have a special connection to that place which makes the images that more special.
Landscape photography
For Landscape photography we studied two different areas within. We did anthropocene which is when we did a photoshoot focusing on the environment in the way of life and how it has been changed due to us as humans whilst also doing a photoshoot based around how natural causes can also change the world in various ways.
For the theme of Anthropocene within landscape photography I looked at the artist called Mandy Barker, she really inspired my photoshoot for this theme as I really loved her work and the stories behind it.
Cindy Sherman was born in 1954 in Glen Ridge, New Jersey; she lives and works in New York. American artists who came to artistic maturity and critical recognition during the early 1980s.
Cynthia Morris Sherman is an American artist whose work consists primarily of photographic self-portraits, depicting herself in many different contexts and as various imagined characters. She is based around and the misogyny women have to go through, even in 2024 – the present day. Women are stereotyped and shamed upon for this stereotypical way that women need to cook and clean whilst the man goes to work. I think that Sherman tries to show this within her images of photography, here are some of Sherman’s images.
She photograph’s very feminine women. She shows elements of sexual desire and domination, the fashioning of self-identity as mass deception. Sherman recognizes those fixed identity concepts surrounding women, suggesting the possibility of women’s self-authorization in reality (self esteem).
This is done by By dressing up, posing, and photographing herself in different scenarios, Sherman effectively critiques the way women are portrayed in popular media. These images challenge the viewer to question their preconceived notions about identity and the roles society imposes upon women.
How does this relate to observe, seek & challenge?
This is particularly for Sherman’s elaborately “disguised” self-portraits that comment on social role-playing and sexual stereotypes. Sherman is trying to make a move and a change into women’s lives within her images. Images have a message, they are not just a picture. Especially when they are for the good.
One of my favourite images that Sherman took. This is because of the stereotypical change Sherman’s trying to make. The type of lighting id black and white, imitating that the image was taken in the early 1900s. The white balance is cool/cold which I really like in an image. There is deep historical and a connection to Sherman’s work which is this huge male misogyny and what women have to go through i.e. cat calling, women have to go through, whereas men get away with it and women “have to suffer in silence”. Even in 2024 some women are scared to leave the house at night but Sherman is trying to raise awareness for that.
Similarly, another one of Sherman’s images is one of her on the kitchen floor, cleaning and doing chores’ – once again you could assume this is for a man with kids. Which doesn’t just have thought but also the essence of the work itself. This image has low exposure for the shutter speed, the ISO is high light sensitivity and the white balance is cold temperature. Sherman is sitting down the floor, almost looking tired from doing so much. Each of her images have value and the deeper you go the deeper meaning each image has. The tone of Sherman’s image is dark (black and white) which you could say shows a sense of depression. The rule of thirds is in her images too you could argue.
Comparing both images
However comparing both images, you can see that they both rely deeper meaning within the image about women’s historical views such as equality and equal pay, women’s rights and women being able to vote. In 2024 you see a lot less of Using intimidating or humiliating behaviour to destroy a woman’s self-confidence and undermine her. Discriminating against women, for example a woman is not offered a job that she is qualified for because she is a woman or it is assumed that a woman can’t do something because she is a woman from what you would see back then which is why I love Sherman’s products as she projects issues from so long ago and is trying to make awareness just with a photograph. They are both in B&W of a “stereotypical” beautfuil housewife.
An environmental portrait is a portrait executed in the subject’s usual environment, such as in their home or workplace, and typically illuminates the subject’s life and surroundings. The term is most frequently used as a genre of photography.
It is a shot that captures a subject at work, at home, or in another important location. Good environmental portraits will tell strong stories of their subjects. Their immediate surroundings will give the viewer insight into where these people are, what they do, and who they are.
This photography task included looking at the themes of identity in a way. The project focused on people, and what they do for a living/in their natural environment. I used a documentary approach, using pictures with people involved in real events to provide a factual report on a particular subject. Arnold Newman was an artist reference in my work. Newman is often known well by being the photographer who articulated and who consistently employed the genre of environmental portraiture; a well known example being his portrait of Igor. Newman began his career in photography in 1938 working at chain portrait studios in Philadelphia, and immediately began working in abstract and documentary photography on his own. To edit my photos, I used Lightroom, making my pictures way more sustainable. I also learnt new ways of photographical skills, including different settings on the camera to fit the environment.
Femininity and Masculinity
I focused on femininity.
Justine Kurland images
Cindy Sherman Images
This photography task included looking at the themes of femininity and masculinity in a way. The project focused on in general, being “feminine”; often encompasses qualities and behaviours that are traditionally associated with women, such as nurturing, empathy, grace, and gentleness. However, it’s important to remember that these traits are not inherently tied to gender, and people of any gender can express these qualities. And masculinity; involving a display of attitudes and behaviours that signify and validate maleness, and involves being recognised in particular ways by other men and women. Masculinity is constructed and defined socially, historically and politically, rather than being biologically driven. I used a documentary approach, using pictures with people involved in real events to provide a factual report on a particular subject. Cindy Sherman is an American photographer, born 19th January 1954, New Jersey, United States. Her work consists primarily of photos which depict herself in many different contexts and as various different imagined characters. Sherman usually inserts herself into a dialogue about stereotypical portrayals of women in her photographs, which resemble scenes from 1950s and 1960s films. Her art plays on the feminist idea that gender arises exclusively within culture and deconstructs dominant gender ideologies, representing the underside of popular culture’s definition of “woman.” To edit my photos, I used photoshop, experimenting with my pictures and their filters. I also learnt new ways of editorial skills, including different factors on the app to make the pictures look interesting and eye catching.
The New Topographics
New Topographics was a term coined by William Jenkins in 1975 to describe a group of American photographers (such as Robert Adams and Lewis Baltz) whose pictures had a similar banal aesthetic, in that they were formal, mostly black and white prints of the urban landscape. Unlike their predecessors, these new “topographic” photographers (such as Robert Adams) were less concerned with portraying an ideal image of nature and were more interested in showing plainly how man has altered it.
Robert Adams is an American photographer best known for his images of the American West. Offering solemn meditations on the landscapes of California, Colorado, and Oregon, Adams’s black-and-white photos document the changes wrought by humans upon nature. While Adams was teaching English at Colorado College, he began taking pictures of nature and architecture with a 35 mm reflex camera, and learned photographic technique from the professional photographer Myron Wood. His earliest series The New West (1968–1971) depicts the uniform housing tracts that were part of suburban development in Colorado.
