Fashion Exposed

Friday, 5 November 2010

Hello JFK

This set of images illustrates when Kennedy learnt that Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba was assassinated in 1961.
These few shots show how few words can change peace into hysteria. The use of a motionless setting draws attention to the subject and the close up of the face draws me in to try and listen in on the conversation.

Thursday, 4 November 2010

The Unseen Photographer

This photography reveals the world unaware and people caught with their guard down. The idea began with technology that allowed images to be taken secretly, from the nineteenth century cameras are hidden in walking sticks, shoes and inside jackets, to the present day when you can stand in one direction and a device can take a picture in another.

As the camera is hidden, the images are more natural of people in every day occurrences rather then explicit acts. The focus is created by a close up view of someone walking, its almost like they are in the way however this is not the case as they are the focus of this picture.

Harry Callahan
Atlanta 1984
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art © Estate of Harry Callahan

Men's shoes with camera hidden in heel
© National Museum of American History Photographic History, gift of The New York News

Witnessing Violence

These photographs show the human drive to witness and document violent events. The focus is brought to the faces as they show true emotion brought in the moment adding intensity to the photograph.

Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
Their First Murder October 9, 1941
© Weegee / International Center of Photography / Getty Images

You know something tragic has happened by the slightly disturbed face of the woman in the car, as the picture is blurred i am unsure of what is happening and requires more attention and a closer look.

Abraham Zapruder
Assassination of John F Kennedy, November 22 1963
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art ©1967 (Renewed 1995) The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. All Rights Reserved

Celebrity and the Public Gaze

Photographic studios allowed celebrities to have portraits taken capturing the ideal image that will allow them to become recognisable. However, this period of controlled self-publicity was short-lived as portable cameras allowed for pictures to be taken during private moments, and faster shutter speeds opened up opportunities for capturing subjects off-guard.

This image has no feeling to it as Marilyn poses for the picture, if this was to happen in real life there would be a shocked and embarrassed face. for my photo shoot I will be looking to capture realistic photos that show emotion from the situation and also of the presence of the camera.

Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
Marilyn Monroe c1950s
© Weegee / International Center of Photography / Getty Images

Surveillance

Shizuka Yokomizo
Stranger No. 1 1998
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art © The artist

Shizuka Yokomizo
Stranger No. 2 1999
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art © The artist

Yokomizo makes pictures of people looking out of their windows into the night. The subjects receive a letter from the photographer inviting them to appear at the window at a particular time. The people who do not accept the invitation can close their curtains or blinds. Through this idea Yokoimzo investigates the idea of voyeuristic photographs with the subjects consent or permission.

These pictures create fear as there is a thought of who is watching me? The darkness of the surrounding areas, like night, creates a feeling of a stalker.

Jonathan OlleyBritish Army firing range, Magilligan Point, Lough Foyle, Co. Londonderry 1998
© Jonathan Olley

Jonathan OlleyGolf Five Zero watchtower (known to the British Army as 'Borucki Sanger')
Crossmaglen Security Force Base, South Armagh 1999
© Jonathan Olley

From the twenty-first century cameras have been put on street corners, in shops and on public buildings, silently recording our every move. While web based tools such as Google Earth make sure that there is no escape.

More recently, photographers have taken surveillance technology as their subject, turning the camera back on itself. Jonathan Olley has photographed the invasive watchtowers built by the British Army in Northern Ireland.

These images create fear in a different way to those above, as these focus on the camera and thoughts of what it has witnessed comes to mind. It is interesting to look back at surveillance capturing the camera and its settings, making you think about the type of people that would be in that area and their actions. This could create a whole new view for the photo shoot.

The Dating Surveillance Project

Laurie Long’s The Dating Survelliance Project is a collection of videos and stills gathered by the artist on a series of dates. Wearing a hidden video camera and microphone she recorded each date. Although Long’s subjects may have been aware that they were being filmed, they did not know where the camera was concealed. This helps to make it appear less self-conscious and shifts the focus away from the camera. Usually having a hand cross a photograph disturbs the image, however in this occasion it makes it more interesting and emphasises the secret of the situation.

Voyeurism and Desire

Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
Lovers at the Movies (detail), c1940

Weegee (Arthur Fellig)
Lovers at the Movies (detail) c1940

These photographs look openly at intimate acts made without the knowledge or permission of the subjects. Weegee’s use of a dark background with subjects in bright light reveals his unique use of flash, key to the striking effect of his photographs. There is just enough light to see the spectators in the background and how some of them are drawn to intimacy.
The pictures place me in a position where I feel I shouldn't be looking, this thought appears to be mimicked by a man sitting a row behind the couple as he shelters his face with one hand.