Tom Hunter does similar style photos to Philip-Lorca diCorcia with the still, staged photos with the theme of loneliness. Also, Tom Hunter is a London-based British artist working in photography and film. His photographs often reference and reimagine classical paintings.
Emotional: The effect of these images makes me feel sadness, with a use of loneliness joined, this is because a lot of his photos are very dull, dark and gives a ‘lost’ sense in them. There is no stereo type for them but it shows how they might not have money or might be struggling with something. They also have no emotion in their faces, which help express the sadness and depression.
Visual: These photos are very central based with the person being the main focus in their environment. They are also on the darker shade of editing with commonly not looking at the camera with light coming in either through the natural light like the window, or the sun on the woman in the grass, or an electrical light like the lamp on the second photo, but even the lamp makes the photo look dull.
Technical: The people are always in the centre of the photo or if there is two people like the first one with the woman and her baby, they are both evenly each side with the woman holding a piece of paper in the centre of the photo.
Conceptual: These photos make theses subjects look lonely or make them look like they are struggling with something to showcase it through the photos that many people wouldn’t expect with their day to day lifes.
Contextual:
All of these photos have a similar theme with both women in the last two photos by themselves expressing sadness, or being lost, or almost having an idea of ‘no plan for their life’.
The first photo involves a women with her baby in a house/flat that looks run down, whilst looking at her bills or some piece of paper to do with money. This gives an idea to the photo that she might not have enough money to support herself and her baby and doesn’t know what to do.
I can use Tom Hunter as another artist reference because firstly, he has similar photos to Philip-Lorca diCorcia but also, for my actual photoshoot theme, with the basketball player/team, I can photoshoot them ‘expressing sadness’ after a game loss, or maybe photoshoot the whole team happy celebrating together after a win, but then focusing on one player after they all leave and go home with him regretting plays and mistakes he made during the game linking back to the sadness.
Write a Statement of Intent of 250-500 words that clearly contextualise;
What you want to explore?
Why it matters to you?
How you wish to develop your project?
Which form you wish to present your study (photobook, film, prints etc)
When and where you intend to begin your study?
The topic I am most interested to explore is Stereotypes, in particular, gender stereotypes. I chose this topic as I really enjoyed the Femininity vs masculinity project that we did as a previous class topic and I think I produced a few of my best photos during that theme. Stereotypes are a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like, especially an idea that is wrong. They are able to shape our perceptions of groups of individuals which can lead to misunderstanding and sometimes discrimination. I want to be able to show things such as stereotypical activities, clothing and actions that are done by each gender as well as showing opposites. I also want part of my project to explore the evolution of male and female stereotypes over the decades and uncover how different expectations in our society have shifted with time. My project will consist of a range of photographic techniques including portraiture, staged shoots, group shoots and individual ones too. I’m hoping for my photoshoots to include different ages and genders, since I will be focussing on generations I am hoping that I will be able to get family members involved. My project will have separate parts to it as I’m conducting a few different ideas under the topic of stereotypes. This will include the evolution of stereotypes over generations, male and female stereotypes now amongst teenagers and the current generation and also exploring opposites within stereotypes.
The first idea I am wanting to explore is stereotyped of male and female teenagers nowadays. This is generally focussing on gender stereotypes but within my age group. My aim is to show through photos groups of teenagers in their usual life engaging in their usual activities. this would include groups of male friends, groups of female friends and also them together. I plan to use many different environments when creating the staged images such as schools, urban spaces and private environments to fully show the individuals lives and how environment can affect certain traits and experiences. I also want to conduct some photos in the studio using artificial lighting to gather more in depth images focussing on one person. this idea links mostly with Cindy Sherman who very clearly focussed on the topic of female stereotypes. She regularly alters her appearance beyond recognition through makeup, prosthetics, and costumes. To create her images, she assumes the multiple roles of photographer, model, makeup artist, hairdresser, and stylist. She becomes the character in the story she is attempting to portray through her images. My idea links to her the most as I am also showing gender stereotypes however I am focussing on both genders and also the stereotypes of teenagers. I want this idea to explore both documentary (windows, observational) and tableaux (mirrors, staged) images as I can create staged images using my own models but I also can observe others and collect photos in that way. This idea also links with the artist Justine Kurland who is known for her elaborate staging of photographs. Kurland has used staged tableaux to explore the social landscape of girlhood, life on communes, and life in the wilderness. My shoot will also focus on stereotypical roles of genders and showing how they can be shown by both genders and not just one. This idea is mostly going to be conducted in the studio using artificial lighting. My main idea was also used during the femininity and masculinity project where I photographed my friend who is a dancer. I really enjoyed taking and editing those photos and I think it works well with the stereotype theme as dance is stereotypically a ‘girl sport’ and I can show that by using a female model engaging with her sport but I could also try showing a male doing the same thing as nowadays there aren’t really female or male sports because its been normalized for all genders to take part in any sport. This idea links mostly to the artist Claude Cahun who was known mostly for her photography work where she would dress up as different people to create different stories within her photos. Cahun presents herself in a variety of guises, adopting different personas and exploring the fluidity of identity. She dresses as both men and women when exploring the theme of identity and gender roles.
My second idea is exploring stereotypes over generations. I want to show how stereotypes have transformed over time and how society has adapted overtime. I will mostly focus on females for this project and use my own family members. I want to show how things such as clothing, activities and styles have changed over generations by using my Nan’s, Mum’s and my own generation. I am basing this shoot mostly on photo albums as that will be my own source of photos for the past generations. However, I also plan to hopefully find a model in my own generation who will recreate photos that were in my Nan/Mum’s generation.
All of my photos will include people as the main focus however some of the photos in photoshoot 1 will also focus on the place and background as it will show the environment of the groups of people. My photoshoots will include both outdoor and indoor locations as I will focus on the environments of that individual as well as including set up shoots in the studio. the shoots will be a mix of documentary and tableaux as some will be photos of observation of certain groups of people making it a window however some tableaux images will be staged and more mirror based images. I’d want to present these images in a book where each photoshoot has its own part of the layout. I’d want to include text to some images to explain them but also leave some of the photos down to interpretation for the viewer. I will also include editing such as AI technology to make my images more interesting to the viewer and show different skills within the photos.
Environmental Portraits depict people in their working environments or environments they are associated with.
They are portraits which are taken in the subjects natural surroundings, such as their home or workplace, that illuminates the subjects life and surroundings.
Arnold Newman
Pioneer of environmental portrait, while also being known for his still life and abstract photography. He is considered as one of the most influential photographers in the 20th century. Newman’s environmental approach to portraiture was greatly influenced by impressionism and symbolism, which attracts the viewer no matter how well we know what the focus is.
Chiaroscuro is a high contrast lighting technique, creating contrast between the subject and a dark background. Chiaroscuro portraits first came about during the 15th century, then continued to develop during the 16th century. The dark subjects were lighted by a small source of light, that illuminated parts of the subject, which overall achieved the contrast between light and dark. To create this effect a single light is used to create the brighter effect on the subject, but also stands out from the contrasting dark background.
I found this lighting technique interesting as its creates this dramatic effect as you see sharp shadows and silhouettes of people, which are revealed
The New Topographics
Beginning in the 1970s, a group of photographers including Robert Adams, Lewis Baltz and Nickolas Nixon were associated with the 1975 exhibition New Topographic; this was Photographs of man- altered landscapes. The exhibition displayed their work, it showed how they focused on different kind of landscapes rather than those found naturally or at national parks. They showed landscape photography in a new way, focusing on urban landscape areas around America post-war, such as suburban areas like freeways, gas stations, or industrial parks. This was a new reflection to the suburban world around them, as they began to explore different and new ways of capturing landscapes.
Robert Adams:
Henri Cartier Bresson & The Decisive Moment
When shooting his photos, he captured people as they were relying on his eye to capture the perfect moment, while staying virtually unseen and in the background enabling him to capture the right candid photo . This became effective, as shooting from the background using a smaller lensed camera meant he was unnoticeable. Capturing the perfect composition of the decisive moment was very important. Henri Cartier Bresson viewed his work as a ‘sensual pleasure’ to see shapes and geometry, as these elements were arranged along with human subjects. When taking his photos, he looked for specific details other than the subject in the perfect moment, such as lines, triangles, squares, shadows, curves and shapes.
I feel like these images relate to the beauty within females in our society. They reflect confidence and power, showing women that we are strong and beautiful. Out of the 100 photos we took I managed to narrow it down to two images that are my favourite. This is because its pin pointing the beauty of this particular female.
These images are just the start of showing female and feminist poses to attract attention and
Martin Toft explores themes of suppression and silence with abstract representations of Jèrriais speakers using black and white portraits beside places of special interest in Jersey’s landscape.
I like the use of the archive photos and stylised title texts that are held on screen, it gives you time fully realise the questions and responses in the documentary. Perhaps I could photograph physical cards of text that I’ve made with links to Jèrriais culture. The editing is very minimal, but has reminded of the importance of colour and sound on a documentary. I’d like to experiment with colour and mood in my project.
In Mathinnyi by Kit Ashton, he records various generations and supporters of the language discussing thoughts on the revival of Jèrriais. He uses old footage of his father on a fishing boat in the introduction, and in-between the various locations has artistic shots of the island.
A key method that Jim Goldberg uses is street photography. He takes images that are mostly candid and images of street names and many different signs to signify different key concepts.
Style-
Jim Goldbergs photographic style is very warm toned, mainly black and white photos that give off a dark wintery feel.
Approach-
Jim Goldberg mainly uses documentary photography, to capture real-life events, people, and places in an honest and objective manner.
Subject Matter-
Urban/Architecture: Focuses on man-made structures like buildings, streets, or cityscapes. Social and Political Issues: This subject matter explores societal, cultural, or political topics, often with a goal of raising awareness or documenting significant moments in history.
Key Image
The reason I have chosen this image as my key image is because I love how the backdrop is so minimal. It’s such a simple image that connotates all the themes of my book. My main theme is youth culture, this skateboard heavily connotates a teenagers use. I like how the skateboard has clearly been used and battered around, explaining how teenagers have a certain anger within them that they need to unleash.
The technical analysis of this image would be how it is clearly taken using a light box, and a flash. This is to exemplify all the things the skateboard has been trough.
The main visual element of this is of course the skateboard in itself, I like how its visual elements will be very different from all my other images. My other images are going to include people and life which just makes this image even more special.
A contextual element of this would be how teenagers tend to skateboard, and how there was a massive debate over whether it was a hobby or a sport, but I think that it makes people realize that no one really cares either way, it’s not a sort of competition it’s clearly a form of anger release.
My conceptual element would yet again be how it is a form of anger release. This is a sort of therapy for struggling teens.
Tom Wood
Moodboard
Overview-
Method’s-
He mainly uses candid and unposed photography, his street photography is marked by the ability to capture raw, authentic expressions of people, often in public settings like streets, markets, or at social gatherings.
Style-
He uses street photography, a style that involves capturing spontaneous moments of everyday life in public spaces. His images document ordinary people in their natural environments, focusing on unguarded, candid expressions.
Approach-
Wood often captures environmental portraits, where the subject is shown in their natural surroundings, adding context and depth to the photograph. The environment plays a significant role in telling the subject’s story. Environmental portraits provide insight into the subject’s life or background, making the setting just as important as the person. Wood’s careful use of location reveals socio-economic backgrounds, emotional states, and the relationship between the person and their environment.
Subject Matter-
Everyday people and candid moments, Tom Wood’s photography is deeply rooted in the depiction of ordinary people- often captured in candid, unposed moment’s. His subjects range from strangers in the street to close acquaintances in social settings.
Key Image
The reason I have chosen this image as my key image is because I think that it is so conceptual, it unlocks so much through a simple landscape image. It connotates the theme of my book because I want y book to be very minimal, I want to leave a lot for people to consider and connotated themselves, creating a very subjective vibe.
My technical analysis of this image is that its taken using daylight, creating a nice blend between the colouring., The bright blue sky blends in with the shine on the buildings.
My visual analysis of this image is a good use of third’s. By having a main object in the foreground, background and the middle it creates a nice blend between the objects. It doesn’t specifically pull you in and focus on one, allowing for wider viewing.
My contextual analysis is that it creates a deeper meaning of the working population, like working teens or teens in school and how they’re generally disregarded, people always say children are so expensive but what about teens, is that when we are just meant to fend for ourselves?
My conceptual analysis of this image is the notion of working people and public spaces. I want to focus on public shared places, because a place that could be so special to us may also be the core memories’ of others, and that’s what we don’t realise. We all think that we have individual experiences, when in reality we all live on the same earth, with the same shared places, so really how much of you can be individual?
Danny Evans
Danny Evans is a Jersey photographer. I am really inspired by his skateboarding project. The reason that this inspired me so much was because it had so much local meaning to people, allowing to portray a cultural reference.
Extras-
Some extras I have taken inspiration from include red bulls Instagram page, red bull have many side quests apart from selling their famous drinks and one of them is how tapped in they are with skate culture. They also produced an article about ‘skate photographers you must follow’ and I have taken a lot of inspiration from this article.
‘No matter what era you grow up in, the awkwardness of being a teenager never really changes. You’re an adult and a child in the same body, trying to make sense of who you are and your place in the world. For all the drama and self-righteousness that involves, most of us are keen to escape the cringe as soon as possible, leaving few witnesses.’ Spanning two years, the images in ‘Martha‘ capture teenage life in rural Devon, along the UK’s south coast. There are hangovers and haircuts, topless swimming and tears over the telephone. But there are also developmental shifts on either side of the camera, often reflected in Martha’s gaze. Some feel raw and innocent, some knowing and weary. And as much as they provide an intimate insight into a complex time in life, it says just as much about the relationship between step-mother and daughter.
Sian Davey is known for her deeply emotive and personal approach at photography. She explores themes of identity, family, societal norms and vulnerability. Davey takes a careful and reflective approach to observing her subjects, allowing moments to unfold naturally. she captures subtle gestures, expressions, and interactions. She also seeks to uncover the more complicated layers of her subjects lives, searching for moments that convey their inner emotions and experiences. Davey challanges societal stereotypes and conventions, especially regarding themes of disability, mental health and family dynamics.
Mood Board
Sian Davey’s Martha is a good shoot to study because it combines emotional depth, thoughtful composition, and a nuanced exploration of identity. This is what I wanted to focus on for my shoot, as I’m looking into teenage lifestyle, and see if the stereotypes fir the reality. Her shoot challenges stereotypes and encourages a deeper, more empathetic understanding of individuals who are often marginalized, making it a powerful example of how photography can tell stories that go beyond surface appearances and provoke thought about representation and human connection. Davey’s ‘Martha‘ photoshoot exemplifies the “Observe, Seek, and Challenge” approach in photography by deeply engaging with her subject, Martha, through intimate and reflective portraits that capture both vulnerability and strength. Davey observes Martha’s natural state and environment, seeking to understand her personal narrative beyond surface-level imagery. By challenging conventional beauty standards and representations of difference, Davey highlights Martha’s individuality and complexities, encouraging viewers to rethink societal norms and embrace diversity in its rawest form, showing more in to teenage life than the stereotypes. The photographs create a powerful, emotional connection, challenging viewers to engage with the subject in a more empathetic and refined way.
Image analysis
This image is called prom. The depth of field used in this image is eye catching as although it focuses on the girls doing their makeup in the background, the girl at the front is blurred, creating a sort of pictorialism feel to the image. I also feel like this image resonates with my friends because we love getting ready together and helping each other get ready. This image also gives me inspiration for my own photoshoots because although this activity is just a day to day activity, it is very intimate and requires the trust of others to alter your appearance and enhance your beauty. I also like this image as its showing exactly what i want to shoot.
Quotes and comments from Sian Davey
“She was separating from us, becoming her own person. But what I hadn’t seen was that she was worried I was losing interest in her. Her question felt like a request to be seen.”
“She allowed me into parties and gatherings in the park, she let me come along to lazy afternoon swims in the river. I’d meet them all in the early hours of the morning, spilling out of a club or a takeaway place in Plymouth or Torquay…”
I knew I had to gain their trust and I did it by taking extremely small, incremental steps,”
To observe in photography means to engage deeply with the world around you, noticing details, understanding the context of a scene, and making thoughtful decisions about how to capture that moment visually. It involves both an acute sense of visual perception and an intuitive connection to the subject, allowing the photographer to create images that are more than just technical reproductions, but meaningful, expressive interpretations of the world.
Seek
To seek in photography is the active, intentional process of searching for compelling subjects, moments, compositions, or emotions to capture. It involves exploring, discovering, and engaging with the world around you to find and frame the elements that align with your artistic or documentary goals. Seeking is about pursuing what inspires you—whether that’s the perfect light, an emotional moment, a story, or a new creative challenge—and it’s a critical part of the photographic process that drives a photographer to actively engage with the world rather than simply document it.
Challenge
A “challenge” in photography refers to any factor—whether technical, creative, environmental, or personal—that makes capturing an image more difficult or requires the photographer to adapt, experiment, or overcome obstacles. Challenges in photography are inherent to the medium, and they often provide opportunities for photographers to grow, innovate, and refine their craft. A great photographer is often defined not just by their ability to take good photos, but by their resilience and skill in overcoming these various challenges.
Binary Opposites
Binary opposition is the system of language and/or thought by which two theoretical opposites are strictly defined and set off against one another. It is the contrast between two mutually exclusive terms, such as on and off, up and down, left and right.
According to French philosopher, Jacques Derrida, meaning is often defined in terms of binary oppositions, where “one of the two terms governs the other.”. An example would be the white/ black binary opposition in the United States, the African American is defined as a devalued other. An example of a binary opposition is the male-female dichotomy, where male is the dominant gender and women are subservient.
Claude Levi Strauss
Levi Strauss, a French anthropologist in the 1900s, proposed a theory of ‘binary opposites’ which entails that the majority of narratives in media forms such as books and film contain opposing main characters. These binary opposites help to thicken the plot and further the narrative; and introduce contrast. Claude Lévi-Strauss was interested in the structures that stories use to create meaning. He analysed traditional myths and legends in an attempt to uncover the essential ingredients, or universal laws, of story structure. Lévi-Strauss concluded that all stories need some level of conflict in order to produce meaning. He also came to the conclusion that the conflicts covered in stories tell audiences something about the kinds of ideas and beliefs society ought to adopt. Strauss called these conflicts ‘binary oppositions’. At their simplest, binary oppositions give us stories in which good battles evil, but there are countless other formulations of conflict found in media products: humanity versus technology, age versus youth, brawn versus intelligence. Importantly, Lévi-Strauss tells us that binary oppositions also construct ideological positioning. Ideology, in this sense, refers to how stories reflect the values and beliefs of society. The conflicts presented in Star Wars, for instance, tell us that the greed and exploitation of Darth Vader are bad, whilst Skywalker’s bravery and team working skills are positive traits.
