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Observing Life Through the Viewfinder - an essay by Daisy Westbury

When observing life most people do not consider their point of view to be compositional or artistic, a skill that seems to come naturally to most photographers. An esteemed artist, photographer and female icon Annie Leibovitz has stated many times that her camera is her way of staying attached to reality and that the images her audience sees are her own exact point of view on life. Leibovitz is a very strong role model for myself and many others as her observations on life and her beliefs are very close to mine. One of these beliefs being that her camera aids her in being more present when her mind starts to drift inside of itself: “If I didn't have my camera to remind me constantly, I am here to do this, I would eventually have slipped away, I think.” (Leibowitz, n.d.). It is common for artists to have troubled minds and tend to express this through their art in an emotional way, however photographers have to focus more on their surroundings to cope with everyday life and their emotional state. Staying behind a lens can be therapeutic for most who understand a camera's mechanics as it brings a mindful practice of being completely aware of their surroundings and being able to bring themselves into the present. “It's not like you are hiding but you forget [because] you are looking so much” (Leibovitz, n.a.). As your vision is more focused through the viewfinder your mind follows it, taking you into your own framed world within the real world. “I think that the genes for being an artist and being mentally ill aren't just related, they are the same gene,” (Hilborn, 2015). There has always been a lot of belief over statements such as this but the artists in question will almost always state that this is true, or perhaps people of an artistic background have a better understanding of the mind. Most fine art is made by dwelling on an issue or an emotion and concentrating solely on expressing that. Photography is about moving on and looking at the change in the world and in ourselves, even when using traditional photography methods to capture this change. By having to constantly develop ideas and concepts, artists become much more aware of themselves and their environment as their work they produce forces them to filter information they see and to adapt accordingly, a method frequently used for overcoming depression and anxiety in cognitive behavioural therapy. The way an artist thinks and creates are not scientifically related, nevertheless there is a definite correlation between the two. Not only are art and being neurodivergent linked but there is also a link between a female's level of empathy and their talent to be able to connect to their subjects, whether it be another human or an inanimate object. Leibovitz once said that “there [are] some advantages to being a woman photographer. [I think] women have more empathy with the subject” (Leibovitz, n.d.). In the patriarchal society that we currently live in it can be difficult to become an achieving woman in the workplace - including the more diverse are of all arts - but Annie Leibovitz and many other strong females have proved that they are more than good enough to be in higher positions. An example of a woman who was denied her right to follow their true dream and instead fit into the female ideal, is Vivian Maier, an American street photographer who worked for about 40 years as a nanny between approximately the years of 1940 to 1980, eras where women were becoming more recognised as equals. With no doubt that she enjoyed her job as a nanny, it is apparent that her passion was photography as she spent a lot of her spare time on the streets of Chicago's North Shore, using her Rolleiflex to capture the people and the mundane events that were around her. There is a connection between Leibovitz and Maier not only in their determination but also in their point of views. As I have stated before on being present, both women focus on everything in their surrounding area and observe to the fullest to to be able to create the best image possible. Perhaps this is seen more in Leibovitz's early work where she described herself not as a journalist but that she uses journalism (Leibovitz, n.d.) which I feel is not only also true to Maier and many other photographers but also to myself as I do not strive to be a journalist but my images are of a journalistic style in regards to my life. To conclude it is very important that female artists are represented in the same way that male artists are as it gives younger generations of girls powerful role models to look up to and will aid in shaping a more gender equal art space and supports the ideal of being able to follow your dreams no matter who you are or where you have come from. This also applies to mental health expression as it breaks down the stigmas over negative aspects that come with being neurodivergent. There are many advantages and certain skills that come with being female and/or neurodivergent and these should always be spotlighted to create more acceptance over these areas and overall aids a more open society..

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Five Star Jafar - Ramsgate - 2016

A commercial shoot for a local vintage clothes store highlighting the 80s and 90s feel of the shop. I really enjoyed doing this and working with the shop owners and even found that the lighting for the store gave the perfect vintage style to the images.

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Five Star Jafar - Ramsgate - 2016

The portraits captured in the commercial shoot for a local store.

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The Soldier - Canterbury - 2016

To link in to the commercial shoot for Five Star Jafar I borrowed a few of their toys and actions figures to make them feel more human and alive. Adults love their childhood toys and as they grow their toys become older with them. Taking on their humans personalities in a strange inanimate way.

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Patterns in the Lights - London - 2017

Chandeliers come in many interesting shapes and come from many interesting places, unlike this one which was in a Jamie Oliver restaurant in an airport.

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The Thinest House - Amsterdam - 2017

Amsterdam is full of many wonders, the most famous being their wonky, pack together houses that seem to lean out of their slots and are built together in the most unreasonable way

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Patterns in Buddhism - Amsterdam - 2017

When visiting a Buddhist temple you must be respectful but also be in awe of the beautiful natural forms that are placed all around you.

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Street “Art” - Amsterdam - 2017

Yet another example of the term "gay" being used in a derogatory way. Its heart breaking but also filled with irony

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The Not-so-secret Door - Amsterdam - 2017

A door that I had almost missed on our walks but the yellow just managed to catch my eye. The writing around the letter box states "no commercials".

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The Lady In Red - Amsterdam - 2016

In a crowd full of dull greys and black seas of clothing always try to stand out.

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Quex Park - 2016

Sometimes patterns in nature demand to be noticed

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The Personalities of the Protest - London - 2016

I have always thought that your choice of accessories show parts of your personality, the most insightful being badges and patches. For the decorations on this backpack we can tell that this person has visited places around America and is also a Hufflepuff.

The way that nurses are treated in England is not respectful and thus leads these women or men to stand up and protest. Not that that tends to change much in our society

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Religion Comes in Many Colours - London - 2016

Taking photos on the top deck of a bus allows you to spy into the few seconds of the life of a stranger. Of course these two women caught my eye, look at how brilliantly colourful their hijabs are!

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Hidden in Religion - Canterbury - 2015

Many people see the hijab as an oppressive choice towards the woman wearing it however it is their choice, their choice to respect their religion and their modesty and to be who ever they want to be.

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Post It to the Strangers - London - 2015

"I believe in you" - "I don't" - "maybe a little" - "or not at all" Small conversations toddled between strangers who will never see the reply to their words or get to see the face of the person that doesn't believe in them.

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Colourful Canopy - Smugglers Festival, Deal - 2016

In a little village in Deal there is an annual festival called Smugglers, it holds places to a huge array of music from across the world and some of the most accepting strangers you will ever meet.

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Crave, The Needle and The Can - Newington - 2016

Crave tags everywhere in Ramsgate, drugs are everywhere in Thanet, and so is all the trash. Humans are so destructive