For the first photoshoot I am planning to get a group of friends to drive to a location where we can take photographs in a outdoor setting with good lighting. I will use the school camera to insure I get good quality images rather than using my phone. I am planning to go at a time where the sun is setting but the lighting is still good for images. I also will try and get images in the dark as well after the sun has set.
Teenage Stereotypes
This photoshoot was based in Gorey at around 4-6pm where I took images in a carpark, park and on grass fields. I got a few images which included a group of individual but most images tended to focus on one person as the model. My images also aimed to be inspired by a few of Justine Kurland’s photographs by making the photo based in trees, grass areas and open spaces. The lighting in the images work really well to create a warm and happy feeling to the images. the use of the sunset creates a soft tone and makes the lighting of the images a lot better.
This image above is also one of my favourite images as it brings a sense of happiness to the image and I also really like how the lighting turned out. I think this link really well too teenage stereotypes as it explores the theme of friendships and you are able to see the enjoyment being shown by the face expressions.
Literary sources: Go to this blog post here: Theory: Literary Sources and copy relevant key texts relating to the subject of your essay and list in alphabetical order in your bibliography. In addition, find your own key texts in relation to artists selected for in-depth analysis in your essay and list these too. These texts could be interviews with the artist, or reviews/ critique’s written by others. See useful online sites/ sources here .
Research and identify 3-5 literary sources from a variety of media such as books, journal/magazines, internet, Youtube/video that relates to your personal study and artists references .
Begin to read essay, texts and interviews with your chosen artists as well as commentary from critics, historians and others.
It’s important that you show evidence of reading and draw upon different pints of view – not only your own.
Take notes when you’re reading…key words, concepts, passages, page number to be used for in-text referencing etc.
Essay Question
Think of a hypothesis and list possible essay questions
Below is a list of possible essay questions that may help you to formulate your own.
Some examples of Personal Study essays from previous students:
Essay Plan Make a plan that lists what you are going to write about in each paragraph – essay structure
Essay question:
Opening quote
To what extent does Cindy Sherman explore stereotypes of women and Justine Kurland explore stereotypes of girlhood?
‘To collect photographs is to collect the world’ (Sontag 1977:3)
Introduction (250-500 words): What is your area study? Which artists will you be analysing and why? How will you be responding to their work and essay question?
Pg 1 (500 words): Historical/ theoretical context within art, photography and visual culture relevant to your area of study. Make links to art movements/ isms and some of the methods employed by critics and historian.
Pg 2 (500 words): Analyse first artist/photographer in relation to your essay question. Present and evaluate your own images and responses.
Pg 3 (500 words): Analyse second artist/photographer in relation to your essay question. Present and evaluate your own images and responses.
Conclusion (250-500 words): Draw parallels, explore differences/ similarities between artists/photographers and that of your own work that you have produced
Bibliography: List all relevant sources used
Sontag, S. (1977) ‘In Plato’s Cave’ In On Photography. London: Penguin Books
Essay writing: Here is a link to another blog post which will provide you with guideline about how to structure each paragraph in your essay.
To what extent does Cindy Sherman explore stereotypes of women and Justine Kurland explore stereotypes of girlhood?
To explore stereotypes means to focus on something that is aset 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 am going to be looking at the area of female and teenage stereotypes. The artists I want to explore are Cindy Sherman and Justine Kurland. I have chosen Cindy Sherman as she focuses on female stereotypes within her work, her photography is important because of the way it depicts how women are viewed in society. I have also chosen Justine Kurland as her focus on photography is on girlhood. Her images are representations of both childhood adventures and current experiences. Both artists explore the issues with stereotypes and draw attention to it. Both photographers stage their photo shoots instead of them being documentary photographs. Cindy Sherman 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. Justine Kurland also sets up her images but not with herself, she 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. Both photographers’ images represent mirrors. Mirror images are usually called this when the photographer is trying to demonstrate or reflect something that they feel about themselves. John Szarkowski in his text, said a mirror is ‘reflecting a portrait of the artist who made it’ and ‘a mirror- a romantic expression of the photographer’s sensibility as it projects itself on the things and sights of the world (reference source used). These two artists are mirrors as Cindy Sherman is a women herself and is trying to reflect her feelings and opinions on it to the viewers, and Kurland mirrors her own childhood through the use of other girls a representation.
Pg 1: Historical/ theoretical
Both of he artists I am focussing on have images published between 1977-2002. Cindy Sherman’s Untitled Film Stills comprises of over seventy black and white photographs made between 1977 and 1980. By 1970, second-wave feminists had inspired women and men across the United States. Whether in politics, the media, academia or private households, the topic of feminism was everywhere.
(Male vs female gaze, representation of women in art, feminism, staging of photographs or tableaux takes it origin from Pictorialism. Examples of historical female photographers: Julia Margaret-Cameron, Claude Cahun
Read some of the key texts in bibliography below here and reference them in the paragraph here)
Pg 2: Cindy Sherman Cindy Sherman makes her photos come to life by using herself as the main aspect. She doesn’t merely represent stereotypes, she embodies them in different ways which then draws attention to the roles she plays which captivate the viewers. Sherman is known for creating fictional characters in her photographs, often using props, makeup and clothing to transform her appearance which is seen as an exploration of identity. Cindy Sherman uses elaborate makeup and costumes to create transformations in her appearances and characters. This allows her to explore issues of identity, subjectivity and gender, while challenging the conventions of visual representation. Cindy Sherman said,‘I never thought I was acting. When I became involved with close-ups I needed more information in the expression. I couldn’t depend on background or atmosphere. I wanted the story to come from the face. Somehow the acting just happened.’ (reference source used) Being a woman, she is able to share her ideas possibly from her own experience which could make the images more personal to her and important to her. Sherman satirizes the audience’s gaze on the female body and solidifies female aesthetic standards. Cindy Sherman’s work has had a major impact on contemporary photography. Many artists were influenced by her work, and her technique of deconstructing stereotypes and conventional representations is still an important reference for many artists today. (mentions a few artist who acknowledges her influence, Justine Kurland? or see link here https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-six-women-artists-furthering-cindy-shermans-pioneering-vision)
She focusses on stereotypes to the extent where it has an impact on the community where she considers social and political issues surrounding stereotypes and woman in general such as female representation in popular culture and the performative nature of identity. In the image below, It could be interpreted by the viewer that Sherman is impersonating a stereotypical house wife from the late 1950s or early 1960s. This can be clear by the objects she adds to the image to subtly create this thought. The use of the sauce pan and soap bottle suggest to the viewer that she could be pictured in a kitchen. As well as this, she is also wearing an apron. The construction of the picture hints at a number of possible narratives and is open to a range of analyses. One analysis a viewer could make is a negative event occurring. The black and white can cause an ominous feeling or sense of tension and the tone of the image makes it feels like a dark and scary moment for the woman. she can be seen to be looking over her shoulder and the viewer can interpret that to what they like but it was usually be a negative thing she may be looking at as her eyes look concentrated on something that could be making her scared. Sherman is also seen holding her stomach which could be a usual comfort for a woman so this could further suggest something to make her uncomfortable is going on and further shows how she depicts the theme of vulnerability in her photos.
Cindy Sherman – Untitled Film Stills #03, 1977
Pg 3: Justine Kurland Justine Kurland focusses on themes of freedom, rebellion, and the defiance of gender expectations. Kurland’s main project was called ‘Girl Pictures’. Kurland started this project in 1997 when she was a graduate student at Yale. Kurland decided to reverse certain stereotypical representations by rather than showing girls as passive or vulnerable, she represented them as strong, confident and free-spirited. The main environment of her images are usually in wild settings like rural or urban places which would be the opposite of a typical environment where girlhood would be imagined to be placed. She first photographed a fifteen year old girl called Alyssum who was the daughter of Kurland’s partner at the time. As well as this she also photographed groups of friends who were teenage girls and she staged the images where she depicted life on communes and life in the wilderness. In her project ‘Girl pictures’ its says ‘One in six of us will never figure it out. One in six of us will never leave here. One in six of us is bound to disappear. One in six of us, she’ll surprise you’. (reference source used) This quote important as its showing how every teenagers life is different and the decisions they make now will impact where they end up. She represents the stereotype of a teenager who is figuring things out at the same time as going through things. The lighting in the image below is natural and seems to be at either sunrise or sunset. The lighting sets a feeling of calmness to the viewer as it looks tranquil and relaxing. The warming tone also contributes to the idea of tranquility. In this image, Kurland is photographing her partners daughter, Alyssum. This image shows Alyssum in the center of the image holding onto a tree. The way she is holding onto he tree creates a sense of fear as she seems to be clinging onto it and not wanting to let go. Her being in the center of the image I think works really well to create a deeper meaning of the image. the water next to her seems to be travelling one way on the left of the image whereas the direction of the headlights of the cars suggest the road travel the opposite way. as well as that, there’s a pathway on the grass which is also creating a direction. Alyssum’s body faces the road whereas she’s looking over her shoulder at the water which creates the idea that she doesn’t know what direction to go in or what path to take and seems to be lost. This links to stereotypes of young people as its showing the confusion of the mind and having the ability to make decisions for yourself but still not knowing which direction to go. Teenagers could relate to this image as they may also not know what to do or where to go as they enter the part of their life where their decisions have a major impact on their futures.
For this photoshoot, I want to take photos in a natural environment of the individual/individuals who are being photographed as this will further show stereotypes within teenagers as it shows where they are and what they do. I could also use the studio for these images as well.
I want to restage a photoshoot that I conducted in the femininity and masculinity project. This was a photoshoot which included my friend being the model and wearing her dance outfit and doing dance moves which I was able to capture on the camera. I want to redo this photoshoot again with her wearing a different dance outfit to show the difference in the photoshoots but also include some photos from the previous photoshoot as I really like those images. The location of these images will be in the studio. This is because I want to make use of the studio lighting and also explore using different colours on the lights as well. I also think these photos turned out well with a plain background instead of an environment such as a dance studio
I also want to take photos that represent other things that are stereotypical to a specific gender out of the studio and in the environment of that person. eg a male on a football pitch, females doing make up, males looking at cars/ in cars etc. And also show the opposite.
The editing process and the format of my photos:
apart from editing the quality of these images, I want to keep these photos fairly natural without any further editing such as AI so that I can show a good representation of teenage stereotypes. However, I may need to use AI if I am unable to show the stereotype with just the image on its own. Some of the images that I take in the studio I might edit further such as colour splash or layering to make the photo more interesting to the viewer.
Photoshoot 2– Exploring stereotypes over generations
This photoshoot will focus on older photographs from photobooks which will then be restaged. This explores generations and how thing have changed overtime. I will ask my Nan if I could look at photo albums of her and also of my mum.
The location of these photoshoots will generally only be in the studio as the restaging can’t be in the same place as the older photos as they will all be based in the UK.
I am not planning to use myself as the model in the restage photoshoot, instead I will use my friend. This still works as it still will represent my generation as she is the same age.
Things that ill focus on in the photographs:
Changes in women clothing
Changes in camera quality
Changes in how women pose for photos
Black and white vs colour
The editing process and the format of my photos:
The old photos will stay in their original form as the camera quality in the photos will reflect the generation that its from. I will keep some of my own photos in colour and some in black and white. I am also going to keep some of the photo album photos as a main image and possibly use AI to change it into my own.
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.
Cindy Sherman was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, in 1954. Sherman majored in painting and graduated from the state university of New York buffalo and very quickly rose to fame with her work in art. During her major, she began to explore the ideas which became a hallmark of her work: She dressed herself as different characters, cobbled together from thrift-store clothing. She was frustrated with the limitations that painting offered her and quickly realised the advantages of photography and noticed that this was something she preferred and had a talent for.
“I was meticulously copying other art, and then I realized I could just use a camera and put my time into an idea instead.”
Cindy Sherman’s photography is 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.
Sherman said, “I never thought I was acting. When I became involved with close-ups I needed more information in the expression. I couldn’t depend on background or atmosphere. I wanted the story to come from the face. Somehow the acting just happened.”
Many people have perceived Sherman’s photography to be uncomfortable creepy, or even terrifying since we see the depicted woman in a vulnerable position. a few of her photos show herself with her back to the camera which can also be an example of vulnerability as it could be seen as someone watching her and she doesn’t know.
What impact did she cause to photography or society?
Cindy Sherman’s photography is important because of the way it depicted how women are viewed in society. The exploration of identity, gender, and representation have inspired countless artists and photographers to up level and push boundaries when nit came to their own artwork.
In this photo, I could be interpreted by the viewer that Sherman is impersonating a stereotypical house wife from the late 1950s or early 1960s. This can be clear by the objects she adds to the image to subtly create this thought. the use of the pan and soap bottle suggest to the viewer that she could be pictured in a kitchen. as well as this, she is also wearing an apron.
The construction of the picture hints at a number of possible narratives and is open to a range of analyses. One analysis a viewer could make is a negative event occurring. The black and white can cause an ominous feeling or sense of tension and the tone of the image makes it feels like a dark and scary moment for the woman. she can be seen to be looking over her shoulder and the viewer can interpret that to what they like but it was usually be a negative thing she may be looking at as her eyes look concentrated on something that could be making her scared. Sherman is also seen holding her stomach which could be a usual comfort for a woman so this could further suggest something to make her uncomfortable is going on and further shows how she depicts the theme of vulnerability in her photos.
Kurland was born in Warsaw, New York. At 15, Kurland ran away to Manhattan and concentrated on becoming an artist. Her photos are representations of both childhood adventures and current experiences., She now spends much of her time on the road, scouting locations for photographs and recruiting models.
She is heavily influenced by her Yale instructors Gregory Crewdson and Philip-Lorca diCorcia, and 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.
Kurland’s main project was called ‘Girl Pictures’. Kurland started this project in 1997 when she was a graduate student at Yale. She first photographed a fifteen year old girl called Alyssum who was the daughter of Kurland’s partner at the time. The two bonded overtime and put their imaginations together to plot a narrative teenage runaway story. So many of the images in Girl Pictures were taken outside in locations that feel desolate or easy to overlook. They are often staged under bridges or beyond fences or on the sides of highways; places that feel synonymous with warnings
The lighting in this image is natural and seems to be at either sunrise or sunset. The lighting sets a feeling of calmness to the viewer as it looks tranquil and relaxing. The warming tone also contributes to the idea of tranquillity. In this image, Kurland is photographing Alyssum. This image shows Alyssum in the centre of the image holding onto a tree.
The way she is holding onto he tree creates a sense of fear as she seems to be clinging onto it and not wanting to let go. Her being in the centre of the image I think works really well to create a deeper meaning of the image. the water next to her seems to be travelling one way on the left of the image whereas the direction of the headlights of the cars suggest the road travel the opposite way. as well as that, there’s a pathway on the grass which is also creating a direction. Alyssum’s body faces the road whereas she’s looking over her shoulder at the water which creates the idea that she doesn’t know what direction to go in or what path to take and seems to be lost.
Notice or perceive (something) and register it as being significant.
How do you observe in photography?
It requires being present in the moment and fully engaged with the environment and the subjects within it. Observing in photography is key to capturing the perfect image.
Seek
Definition:
attempt to find (something).
How do you Seek in photography?
To seek in photography includes finding the perfect location, timing and subject to create the ideal image. Photographers will plan out their shoots and seek certain places and objects they want to obtain they don’t just go for everything and anything
Challenge
Definition:
a call to someone to participate in a competitive situation or fight to decide who is superior in terms of ability or strength.
a call to prove or justify something.
invite (someone) to engage in a contest.
dispute the truth or validity of
How do you Challenge in photography?
Photographers get their photographs noticed when they have produced a diverse piece of work that may have taken extra abilities to obtain. This could include getting dangerous shoots wand challenging themselves to do things that will make their photographs stand out from the rest and participate in a kind of competition to produce the most interesting pieces of work.
The first photoshoot that I did was on the topic of still life and nostalgia. Our summer task was on this topic so we brought in items that were nostalgic to us and were able to photograph them in different ways with different lighting. The items i decided on bringing were:
Baby Book
First pair of shoes
Photo (Grandad, Brother and myself)
Photo (My Brother and I)
I quite liked how this photoshoot for this topic turned out, the lighting was warm and brought across a nostalgic feeling which worked well. I think I did well with experimenting different things to include in the photoshoot by using different levels and objects such as the sheet.
Photos:
Portrait & Lighting
The next topic photoshoot was studio portraits where we focussed on the different types of lighting techniques such as Rembrandt, Butterfly and Chiaroscuro.
Rembrandt
Rembrandt lighting is a technique utilizing one light and one reflector or two separate lights. It can make images look dramatic but at the same time still natural. It’s usually characterized by a lit-up triangle underneath the subject’s eye
Butterfly
Butterfly lighting is a pattern in photography where the lighting sits above and pointing down on the subjects face. This creates a dramatic form of a shadow under the nose and chin which gives it a pattern on a butterfly. It is also given the name “paramount lighting” named for the Hollywood studio for how they lit up the actresses.
Chiaroscuro
Chiaroscuro lighting technique was used in films very commonly. It’s common that the lighting used is natural light coming for, certain places such as through a window or a gap where the sky is visible.
Femininity & Masculinity
This photoshoot was my favourite one to explore, shoot and edit. The artist I decided to focus on was Cindy Sherman who focussed on 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.
Mood Board of images
My photoshoot was focussed on female stereotypes and I picked the topic of dance which is stereotypically considered more of a female sport.
Romanticism
The characteristics of romanticism photos include a focus on individualism, an emphasis on nature, emotion over reason, freedom of form, an exploration of the Gothic and unknown, a return to the past, the awe and wonder, the idealization of women, the purity of childhood, and the search for subjective truth.
Many photos focus on tranquillity like a photo of a sunset or calm seas. As well as this, photos that focus on dramatic and dangerous conditions such as a stormy sky or rough seas are also very popular when it comes to romanticism.
I liked this photoshoot but I struggled to take as many as I did on other photoshoots so it wasn’t my favourite.
The artist I focussed on was Ansel Adams who was the most important American landscape photographer and environmentalist who created famous black and white photographs mostly based in the American West.
My inspired images:
Urban/industrial photoshoots
This photoshoot was done as a class during our lesson time. the location was harve de pas swimming pool and round to La Collette. I think these locations were good as it gave you different variations of building types and sceneries. For example, we reached the modern built apartments which contrasted to the older buildings that stood behind them.
I enjoyed these photoshoots and editing them. The main edit I did was making most/ all of the images black and white because in my opinion the black and white works better with the theme of industrial theme.
Anthropocene
Anthropocene simply describes the time where humans had a substantial impact on the earth. The effects of human activities on Earth can be seen for example in biodiversity loss and climate change. Many people would link this with the effects of climate change as the warming of our atmosphere, air and oceans caused by using fossil fuels which are created by humans.
I researched two artists who were Michael Marten and Yves Marchand & Romain Meffre. I did a small shoot focussed on Michael Marten’s images. Marten’s interest in photography went towards natural changings of the earth and how the push and pull of tides create very different landscapes even though they are in the same place. He usually took the photos at about 6 or 18 hours apart.
Mood board of Michael Marten
My response
I then did my own shoot where I focussed on litter and pollution. I enjoyed this shoot because it was simple but still effective
Observe, Seek & Challenge (St Malo)
This shoot was done on a class trip to St Malo where we were focussing on observing other people and getting photos. The main focus was people and making sure this didn’t involve any posing as we needed the photos to be natural and unexpected like Henri Cartier-Bresson’s photos. I decided on editing many of my photos into black and white however kept some in their original form as I didn’t want to do everything in black and white. My photos include both camera photos and also photos taken on my phone.
I really enjoyed this photoshoot because it focussed on people rather than still images of landscapes or objects. I think taking photos of people is much more interesting as you can interpret the image in different ways and observe other people and see what they do in their day to day life.
Harbour & Maritime Museum
The photoshoot of the harbour included many different areas which meant I was able to get a large range of images. This included the new harbour and the old harbour. personally I prefer the old harbour photos and I also put some of them in black and white to match the more older theme to the photo.
I think this was one of my least favourite shoots as it was something that didn’t interest me like observing others, focussing on people did.
The Calotype was an early photographic technique invented by William Henry Fox Talbot of Great Britain in the 1830s. Henry Fox Talbot experimented using paper and shoe boxes which he called “mousetraps” to create his image. He discovered a chemical (gallic acid) could be used to “develop” the image on the paper. The Daguerreotype, invented by Louis Daguerre and introduced worldwide in 1839. It was the first publicly available photographic process. In comparison to the calotype, Louis Daguerre used a mirrored metal plate instead of paper. Daguerre’s invention of the Daguerreotype eventually became less successful and Talbot’s Calotype became more popular. Both processes are long and tedious. Both invented in 1839 which meant there would be a competition between the two as they were invented in the same year. Both processes fix an image. I think that both the Calotype and the Daguerreotype can be considered as Mirrors and as Windows.
The image that I have chosen is a photo by Cindy Sherman. I decided that this image was a very obvious mirror for several reasons. A mirror image can be described as when the photographer is trying to demonstrate or reflect something that they feel about themselves or as John Szarkowski in his text, said a mirror is “reflecting a portrait of the artist who made it” and “a mirror- a romantic expression of the photographer’s sensibility as it projects itself on the things and sights of the world”. A photograph that is considered a mirror is a photo that reflects the self. It can reflect the subject both physically and emotionally. For example a portrait of an individual could be showing something personal like the way they are feeling in that moment or the way they wish to be perceived. Artists like Cindy Sherman uses her images to explore self-image. She uses photography as a mirror to show identity of females.
In this image, the main focus is the person in the image. Since the individual is Cindy herself, this is a strong indication that she is trying to reflect something she feels about herself by choosing herself to participate in being the model and not getting someone else to do it for her. This means the image is a type of selfie which further supports the idea of the image being a mirror. The image itself focusses on the feminine stereotypes since Sherman can be seen to be in the setting of a kitchen since the image shows things such as pans, shelving units and washing up items. This is stereotypical since it was normalised for woman to just be in the kitchens and she may be trying to show that idea. She can be seen to be looking over her shoulder and the viewer can interpret that to what they like but it was usually be a negative thing she may be looking at. Sherman is also seen holding her stomach which could be a usual comfort for a woman so this could further suggest something to make her uncomfortable is going on and further shows how she depicts the theme of vulnerability in her photos. The use of using herself in images further makes it a mirror image since she’s showing how an image reflects on how she feels and taking it to another level by actually using herself to show a stronger connection.
This is an image that I have chosen to represent Windows in photography. A photo is considered a window when the photo is attempting to offer a view into other worlds, experiences or cultures. They are photos of documentation rather than reflection which can tell us stories and expose us to environments we may have not experienced. Photographs that function as windows open up new perspectives and allow the viewer to see more. John Szarkowski explained his view of a photograph being a window by saying that a window is “through which one might better know the world?”. There are many reasons that make a photograph a window. For example they are able to transport the viewer back to that moment, evoking emotions, memories, or a sense of nostalgia. In this way, the photograph functions like a window into the past. As well as this it can be a window into other cultures which expose people to others lives and how they live differently. Windows can be interpretative and allow the viewer to decide for themselves the meaning of the photo.
in this particular photo, I think the reason that it is a window is because it is a window into another world. It is showing an insight into a world that the viewer may not have direct access to by exploring other cultures and a society different to our own. Through this photo, we can encounter new environments, people and experiences without physically being there. The image shows two boys who look happy when engaging in the photograph. However this juxtaposes their surroundings as it doesn’t look like they live in very good conditions. This image was taken on a photographers trip to India. I considered this a window image as the photographer is not from there so they aren’t ‘mirroring’ their own life but instead showing a representation of something else.
Overall, in contrast to Szarkowski’s opinions of deciding whether an image in either a mirror and a window, I believe that a photograph can also be both at the same time. It can reflect the viewer’s own inner world (a mirror) while simultaneously offering a view into something external, whether that’s a different place, culture, or moment in time (a window). The images I have chosen above have many differences and similarities. Cindy Sherman’s image is her playing a part to mirror struggles of female stereotypes. However the window image is an image of real life and not playing a part. Both images both aim to draw attention to factors in society.
What are the differences between photographs that are WINDOWS and MIRRORS?
Photographs that are considered MIRRORS:
Mirror photos are usually called this when the photographer is trying to demonstrate or reflect something that they feel about themselves. John Szarkowski in his text, said a mirror is “reflecting a portrait of the artist who made it” and “a mirror- a romantic expression of the photographer’s sensibility as it projects itself on the things and sights of the world”
Photographs that are considered WINDOWS:
Window photos are usually called this when the photographer takes images where they try to demonstrate their opinion and how they feel about the outside world. John Szarkowski said a window is “through which one might better know the world” and “through window which the exterior world is explored in all its presence and reality”
¡Example of MIRRORS
I chose this image as a Mirror image as it seems like a more personal image since it’s a photo of the photographers private home life. They have simply opened their fridge and taken a photo which makes it a reflection of something personal.
Example of WINDOW
This image was taken on a photographers trip to India. I considered this a window image as the photographer is not from there so they aren’t ‘mirroring’ their own life but instead showing a representation of something else. The image is very real and factual as it’s showing their environment and life through the image. The focus is on the two boys however the boys juxtapose their surroundings. The boys are seen to be quite happy and excited to be involved in the image but in comparison to that their background seems like an unhealthy environment to live in.
