Themes

Environmental portraiture

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:

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.

Here is Mandy Barkers work:

Who is Cindy Sherman and what did she do?

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.

Mood board:

Mind map:

Environmental Portraits

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.

How can photographs be both ‘mirrors’ and ‘windows’ of the world?

Introduction

The Daguerreotype and Calotype are two crucially early photographic processes, each with distinct features. The Daguerreotype, developed by Louis Daguerre in 1839, involves a polished silver-plated copper sheet treated with iodine, producing very detailed, images that are unique and cannot be replicated. This process requires longer exposure times, making it more complex and costly. In contrast, the Calotype, invented by William Henry Fox Talbot in the 1840s, uses paper coated with silver chloride to create a negative image, allowing multiple positive prints to be made from a single negative. Although Calotypes typically produce softer images with less detail, they offer a broader tonal range and require shorter exposure times, making the process simpler and more accessible to a wider audience.

John Szarkowski’s theory about photography as either a “mirror” or a “window” offers a compelling lens through which to view the Daguerreotype and Calotype. The Daguerreotype can be seen as a “mirror” of the world, capturing a highly detailed, reflective image that emphasizes the individual moment and the artist’s perspective. Its unique qualities and meticulous craftsmanship invite viewers to contemplate the nuances of reality as perceived by the photographer. In contrast, the Calotype functions more like a “window,” offering a broader view of the world through its ability to produce multiple prints from a single negative. This process reflects a more democratic approach to photography, allowing for the sharing of experiences and perspectives. The softer, less precise images of the Calotype can evoke a sense of interpretation and mood, suggesting a more subjective experience of the world beyond mere replication. Together, these processes exemplify Szarkowski’s idea of photography as both a reflection of the photographer’s vision and a means of connecting viewers to a wider reality, illustrating the complex relationship between art and perception in early photography.

‘An “autobiographical” response to a realist situation’. An “autobiographical” response suggests that the artist (be it a photographer, writer, or artist) draws upon their personal experiences, emotions, and perspectives. This approach often invites a deeper connection with the subject matter, as it is informed by lived experiences. The use of autobiography can serve to personalize and contextualize broader themes, allowing the creator to interlink their work with authenticity and emotional resonance. This suggests that the creator is not only reflecting on a realistic scenario but also incorporating their personal narrative into that reflection. This blend can enrich the work by providing a unique perspective on the realism being portrayed. For example, a photographer might document a social issue while including their own experiences or emotions related to that issue, thereby creating a layered narrative. This allows a multifaceted exploration of themes, as the artist’s personal story can illuminate the broader societal context, fostering empathy and understanding in the audience. It encourages viewers to see the interplay between individual lives and collective realities, making the work both specific and universally relatable. Ultimately, this approach underscores the idea that personal experiences can deeply inform and enhance the representation of real-life situations, bridging the gap between individual and collective narratives. I agree with the quote, as every picture taken, has a story behind it. Whether this is intended is completely up to the photographer or viewer. The power of imagination can romanticise and envision what the picture is telling them to imagine. The smallest factors can have the biggest effects.

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mirror

Hannah Starkey

In this image, there is a woman looking at herself in the reflection of the mirror. This represents Szarkowski’s theory on mirror photography. This could be personal to the photographer as it suggests the representation of Self-Discovery. It often symbolizes introspection and self-exploration, highlighting a journey of understanding oneself. Duality, the reflection can represent different facets of her identity (what she shows the world versus her inner thoughts and feelings). Beauty and Vulnerability, the act of gazing into a reflection can evoke themes of beauty, longing, and vulnerability. capturing a moment of solitude and contemplation. Time and Memory: It may suggest nostalgia, as the reflection can evoke past experiences, memories, or even dreams of the future. Feminine Perspective: The image can celebrate femininity, emphasizing the strength and complexity of women’s experiences.

window

Eugene Atget

In this image, two people are captured just living naturally. This isn’t exactly personal to the photographer as there is no connection or resemblance as to why he has taken this image (from what we know). Eugène Atget was a French photographer best known for his photographs of the architecture and streets of Paris. He took up photography in the late 1880s and supplied studies for painters, architects, and stage designers. Atget began shooting Paris in 1898 using a large format view camera to capture the city in detail. The photograph “Joueur d’orgue” is a work by Eugene Atget, taken sometime in 1898-99. It captures a street musician with an organ grinder, which appears to be housed on a wheeled cart. The musician is an older man with facial hair, wearing a hat and a long coat, standing behind the cart and turning the lever of the organ. There’s also a young boy cheerfully leaning on the cart, looking up at the organ player. Both are positioned against the backdrop of a building with closed shutters, giving a glimpse into the street life of the era in which the photo was taken. The image conveys a sense of livelihood and perhaps hints at the cultural atmosphere of the time.

Conclusion

These two images represent the theory of mirrors and windows.

Atget’s “Joueur d’orgue” effectively embodies Szarkowski’s dual concepts of ‘Mirrors’ and ‘Windows’ in that it is both a personal and artistic reflection on Atget’s vision of Paris and a documentary window into the life and social realities of the city at the time. The photograph invites the viewer to look both inward (toward Atget’s emotional and subjective perspective on the world) and outward (toward a tangible, historical moment in Parisian street life). This dual function makes Atget’s work a profound exploration of both personal reflection and social documentation, demonstrating the complexity and depth that photography can offer. Hannah Starkeys untitles image exemplify Szarkowski’s theory of ‘Mirrors’ and ‘Windows’ in their ability to reflect both the photographer’s internal world and broader social realities. Through her carefully staged compositions, Starkey provides a nuanced view of contemporary femininity, blending personal introspection with social commentary. Her photographs are not just about the external world—they are also a reflection of her own concerns and interests. They offer the viewer a dual experience: the chance to peer through a ‘window’ into the complexities of modern life while also reflecting on the ‘mirror’ of the photographer’s personal and emotional engagement with the themes of gender, identity, and social expectation.

Observe, Seek, Challenge:

“The human desire to seek and explore the unknown has driven artists to look for fresh Inspiration throughout the centuries, compelling them to find diverse subject matter and experiment with new materials.”

• Historical influences remain at the core of what we create now – Cave paintings such as within the caves of Ajanta and Chauvet, influenced Pablo Picasso, upon visiting cave paintings at Altamira he went on to say ‘In 15,000 years we have invented nothing’. The way we create reactions to art, through an artists “Accuracy of Observation” shows how we find satisfaction in what we have. with famous painters such as Rembrandt, he mirrors reality with his hyper-realistic paintings.

Rembrandt, Self portrait, 1628.

Cave paintings of Ajanta, Illustrated well over 15,000 years ago.

Looking at the contemporary artist, Banksy, he explores the question on the irony and expense of erasing Graffiti, whilst prehistoric examples are preserved. At what point is graffiti considered worthy of protecting? and should art both “professional” like Rembrandts realist artworks and contemporary pieces such as Banksy, be held in the same regard.

Banksy, Cave Painting Removal, May 2008.

• Soviet Avant Grande, propaganda posters influencing modern graphic design. Furthermore, shows how art depicts ideological ideas/movements. This shows how art can seek involvement, and engagement through encouragement for a cause, which in this case is political. This is still used today through various mediums such as promotional graphics for day-to-day necessity’s.

G.Pavlov – CCSP Proletarian Brigade, Lenningrad, 1976.

• Art connects the minds of its creator to its outcome. Jackson Pollock for example uses body movements to create his surrealist paintings. “The Search to unravel the working of the Human psyche and understand the very nature of consciousness has often inspired artists”.

Jackson Pollock, ‘Blue Poles’ , 1952.

Another artist, Laura Splan, collaborated with scientists to create lace sculptures of accurate depictions of microscopic virus’s. This to me, shows their deeper connection with the world we observe, seek and challenge.

Laura Splan, Doilies (SARS, HIV, Influenza, Herpes, Hepadna), 2004.

• Documentative photographers often venture to dangerous locations to capture rare and often unseen images. These dangerous locations often include places such as war zones, where the heat of battle has only now become truly documented through modern advancements such as the camera. Artists such as Robert Capa, are well known for their photographic involvement in major historical events, observing them through a lens.

Robert Capa, D-Day – Omaha Beach, 1944.

• Artists can be experimental with their work, choosing to challenge the conventional ideals of what art can be defined as. Like Banksy, The Artist and Photographer, Ai Weiwei is a strong example of this through his contemporary work, often with a simple action but underlined with deeper meanings.

Ai Weiwei, Study of Perspective, 1999.

print final zine layout:

computer zine final layout:

I really like the final outcome of my zine layout. The images are lade out nicely and each page shows different angles of the same place we went to. Decided to add some information about the marine since the whole photoshoot is about the harbour and the marine is one of the most important things of the harbour, also decided to write a bit about Brian Nibbs because he was the one showing us around the harbour and telling us more about it since he is one of the well known person that knows about the harbour.

Computer layout:

I decided I am going to talk about the Jersey marina since that’s the main important thing about the harbour.

Also decided to add a bit of information about Brian Nibbs since he is the CEO of Jersey harbour.

paper layout:

This is the type of set up I want to do for my zine. Still deciding which images to use but I think that will use most of them above just maybe in a different order that makes more sense and has a better understanding of the harbour.

Femininity and masculinity –

The topic, Femininity and Masculinity shows, not only the stereotypes of gender and self expression but also the beauty of expressing yourself. This topic really extenuates self love and ‘beauty in all’. Whether this is artist photographing the weird and unusual and still visualising the beauty in everything or the stereotypical beauty standards and displaying that. This movement is so powerful for not only the artist and their self expression but the viewers of the art and the impact that it may have on them. Gender is all about expressing yourself, and expression yourself in any way you may want to.

Examples of Femininity and Masculinity work –

These photos are examples of Cindy Sherman’s and Claud Cahun’s photography. Their work is very impactful when it comes to Femininity and Masculinity due to their blatant ignorance towards gender roles. Claud pushed boundaries with makeup and outfits, exposing himself and poses he may have taken, While Cindy in the beginning of her career photographed herself, and in the 70’s people thought that this exposure was daring. Cindy also made unusual edits of woman, with unusual makeup and unusual outfits, yet again breaking gender roles.

My examples of femininity and masculinity –

With these photographs, I wanted to push gender roles but also show the beauty of normality, stereotypical beauty. I wanted to push the boundaries to help give my photos variety but also help people feel more comfortable even if they don’t fit the stereotypical ‘normalities’.

Portrait photography –

Natural light portraiture, Portrait photography, or portraiture, is a type of photography aimed toward capturing the personality of a person or group of people by using effective lighting, backdrops, and poses. When the artist photographs themselves or other people in a formal or informal way.

Examples of portrait photography –

I wanted to dig deeper into Claud Cahun’s work of self portraiture for this analysation. He photographed the strange and unusual however all his photos consisted of him, him in strange outfits, makeup and anything unusual.

My examples of portrait photography –

In this photoshoot I wanted to stick to the simplicity of portrait photography thinking about lighting ( chiaroscuro, Rembrandt and butterfly. ) Playing around with colour schemes and posing to get a variety of photos.

Anthropocene photography –

Anthropocene photography is the idea of photographing issues within the environment, this could be global warming, deforestation, littering, pollution etc.. It is the act of photographing the issue ( listed above ) and bringing awareness to it to help the problem.

Examples of Anthropocene photographs –

These photos are by an artist called Edward Burtynsky. He focused most of his career on photographing Anthropocene, pinpointing pollution deforestation and the general wear and tear of the world.

My examples of Anthropocene photography –

Overall –

Overall, for my personal study, these three topics I feel like will be the most beneficial to me and my personal study. They may be the most included due to the great and thorough work that was presented at the end of each both these topics.