Task 1 Research

We are supposed to take pictures of an object that is significant to us. Definition of ‘significant’ : meaningful, symbolic.

I am a very sentimental person, so I have countless objects that are significant to me.

For instance, my first cross-shaped necklace ( If I remember correctly, my sister got it for me somewhere in Malaysia ) :

And this  hand stitched pouch my sister made and gave to me:

And this incredibly adorable plushie my friend gave to me:

And my first and last ever tie:

And this chair even:

And so on and so on.

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I decided to choose the tie, as currently, it is something I deem it to be the most significant besides the chair, and I think it will be interesting to see how I can interact with a tie.

As seeing that the tie reminds me of bittersweet memories, I decided to research on photographers who focus on taking pictures of the negative aspects of life.

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I really love the use of natural lighting in  this work.  It provides dramatic lighting ( low- key lighting in particular ) which emphasize the facial features as well the outline of Goldin’s figure. This makes the model seems very lonely as only parts of herself is been highlighted. The mirror acts as a symbol of self-reflection of the model in relation to her life, and the fact that she is looking at the mirror suggests that she is looking back at her current life and perhaps even at her past.

Sally Mann

Black eye 1991

 Damaged child

Sally Mann’s photographs of her children are, many times, of them hurting. The close up shots gives focus on their facial expressions and hence giving an emphasis on their hurt. The use of black and white gives a sense of gloominess, and also removes colour which may be deem too distracting. Only the face is not blurred out, hence directing viewers to solely look at the face of the child. Sally Mann’s photographs are really direct in the message she wanted to present, hence her works are really one of my favourites.

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