Photographer, John Szarkowski, grouped photographers’ work into categories of those whose work reflects the subjectivity of the artist in comparison with those who look to portray the outside world. Szarkowski wrote, ‘The distance between them is to be measured not in terms of the relative force or originality of their work, but in terms of their conceptions of what a photograph is: is it a mirror, reflecting a portrait of the artist who made it, or a window, through which one might better know the world?’.

Photographs that could be seen as a ‘mirror’ would be photographs which are subjective, reflections, expressions, staged etc. Whereas, photos which are ‘windows’ would be more objective, documentary, real and truthful, they show the external world.

Windows:

This photo above, from Rafal Milach, would be seen as a ‘window’ image. This photograph could be a staged image or it could be a real moment between these people. Either way, the photograph is capturing a moment in time, which gives the viewer a look into their life.

Mirrors:

This photograph, by Cindy Sherman, is a ‘mirror’ photograph as it is a reflection of herself. She is the model in this image but also, the photo is a message reflecting her thoughts and opinions. This photograph portrays a woman in the kitchen which is where, stereotypically, woman should be.