Photography Is as Much About Ideas as It Is About Creating Visual Images
PHOTOGRAPHY IS AS MUCH ABOUT IDEAS
AS IT IS ABOUT CREATING VISUAL IMAGES
Introduction:
Analysis:
To photograph is to paint with light so, by its very essence the pursuit of photography is the chase of the image. An image should be visually capable of communicating a narrative, the message conveyed depends more on the viewer than the photographer, factors that come into play are based on the viewers own experiences, be they political or personal.
Take for instance Karen Knorr’s work “Gentleman” Made between 1981 and 1983 in English gentlemen’s clubs in Saint James’ in central London. Models were used to represent the men who normally frequent these establishments and she included text from newspapers to drive home the sense of the world owing them. Of the work Knorr said “I wanted to make work that used humour to explore attitudes prevalent amongst the English establishment in the 1980’s. Despite being Prime Minister and head of the Conservative party, Margaret Thatcher as a woman was not allowed full membership at the Conservative Gentlemen’s club ‘The Carlton '.” While her idea was appealing to someone with a political leaning toward the left, the initial viewing of the images could provoke a feeling of anger toward the people in the images, the stuffy interiors, the spit shined shoes the paintings hanging a further indication of upper-class. Ones prejudices are invoked “do they fully appreciate these works of art or, are they just another accumulation to be sold on later, a further sign of their separation from my social standing” By having these feelings is one not like the men depicted in these very visual and carefully constructed images, is one not exhibiting a certain type of conservatism that nobody ever speaks about “the liberal conservative” as long as it suits my sensibilities then it’s fine. Knorr developed an idea and produced a body of work that is thought provoking, humorous and ironic. It forces us to question our own issues around
AS IT IS ABOUT CREATING VISUAL IMAGES
Introduction:
Analysis:
To photograph is to paint with light so, by its very essence the pursuit of photography is the chase of the image. An image should be visually capable of communicating a narrative, the message conveyed depends more on the viewer than the photographer, factors that come into play are based on the viewers own experiences, be they political or personal.
Take for instance Karen Knorr’s work “Gentleman” Made between 1981 and 1983 in English gentlemen’s clubs in Saint James’ in central London. Models were used to represent the men who normally frequent these establishments and she included text from newspapers to drive home the sense of the world owing them. Of the work Knorr said “I wanted to make work that used humour to explore attitudes prevalent amongst the English establishment in the 1980’s. Despite being Prime Minister and head of the Conservative party, Margaret Thatcher as a woman was not allowed full membership at the Conservative Gentlemen’s club ‘The Carlton '.” While her idea was appealing to someone with a political leaning toward the left, the initial viewing of the images could provoke a feeling of anger toward the people in the images, the stuffy interiors, the spit shined shoes the paintings hanging a further indication of upper-class. Ones prejudices are invoked “do they fully appreciate these works of art or, are they just another accumulation to be sold on later, a further sign of their separation from my social standing” By having these feelings is one not like the men depicted in these very visual and carefully constructed images, is one not exhibiting a certain type of conservatism that nobody ever speaks about “the liberal conservative” as long as it suits my sensibilities then it’s fine. Knorr developed an idea and produced a body of work that is thought provoking, humorous and ironic. It forces us to question our own issues around
Bibliography: * Knorr Karen, 2009, Gentlemen, 17-02-2012, Http://www.karenknorr.com/photography/archives/gentlemen.html * Ewing William A, Herschdorfer N, 2006, Face, Thames & Hudson, London England. * Ferrato Donna, Lisa & Garth, 20-12-2012, http://www.abuseaware.com/gallery_lisa_and_garth.php * Goldin Nan, 1986, The Ballad of Sexual Dependency, Aperture foundation, New York. * Sontag Susan, 1977, on photography, Penguin books, Harmondsworth, England. * Billigham Richard, 2000, Ray’s a laugh, Scalo, Germany. * Haughey Anthony, 1996, Ray’s a laugh, 20-03-2012, Http://www.source.ie/issues/issues0120/issue10/is10revraylau.html Index: