nesrien-photography

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Latoya Ruby Frazier’s The Notion of Family showcased herself, her mother, and her grandmother. The photos give audiences a glimpse into the behaviors that each mother passed down to their daughters and how it helped them survive environmental racism.

This series showcases just how alike mothers and daughters are, and how they share behaviors. The shots look very natural, not staged. Their facial expressions also clearly convey emotions. The use of color gives the photos a bleak feeling that goes with the subject matter.

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The series was shot in a way that felt familiar and relatable. The story could have been told more clearly. I felt as though the religious aspect did not seem Appa

This photo essay called Mother and Daughter focuses on the way a mother’s influence can help shape your identity. The way that the two are dressed the same really made me pay attention to their similarities. Even if they don’t seem like it, daughters often have a large part of their mother’s style and personality within them. This project also focused on religious identity being interrelated with familial relationships. The subjects were real mother and daughter immigrants to Canada.

The series was shot in a way that felt familiar and relatable. The story could have been told more clearly. I felt as though the religious aspect did not seem apparent in the photos.

[nesrien-photography]

This exhibition on campus showcased the work of previous students. It was interesting to get a glimpse of their lives during quarantine. The photos also got me thinking about my own final project.

[nesrien-photography]

Latoya Ruby Frazier’s The Notion of Family showcased herself, her mother, and her grandmother. The photos give audiences a glimpse into the behaviors that each mother passed down to their daughters and how it helped them survive environmental racism.

This series showcases just how alike mothers and daughters are, and how they share behaviors. The shots look very natural, not staged. Their facial expressions also clearly convey emotions. The use of color gives the photos a bleak feeling that goes with the subject matter.

[nesrien-photography]

The series was shot in a way that felt familiar and relatable. The story could have been told more clearly. I felt as though the religious aspect did not seem Appa

This photo essay called Mother and Daughter focuses on the way a mother’s influence can help shape your identity. The way that the two are dressed the same really made me pay attention to their similarities. Even if they don’t seem like it, daughters often have a large part of their mother’s style and personality within them. This project also focused on religious identity being interrelated with familial relationships. The subjects were real mother and daughter immigrants to Canada.

The series was shot in a way that felt familiar and relatable. The story could have been told more clearly. I felt as though the religious aspect did not seem apparent in the photos.

[nesrien-photography]

A5 Test Shots

[nesrien-photography]

A5 Proposal

For my final project, I plan to focus on the relationship between mothers and daughters. This series of photos would follow moments in the life of a mother and her two daughters as they grow and learn. There are several rites of passage into adulthood that mark the transition from a girl to young woman. Learning from your elders and passing down traditions is very significant within most families. For example, little girls often watch as their mothers put on makeup every day. Later on, they start to learn how to apply it with the guidance of their mother until they can finally do it on their own. Other shots would include the mother passing down a recipe and the girl is later able to make it on her own. The daughter could also be borrowing a pair of her mother’s heels in one shot and then be picking out a pair from her own shoes in the later shot.

The exposition shot could start with the daughter coming home, likely from school with a backpack slung over her shoulder. She finds her mother waiting there. The ending would tie back around with her leaving out of that same door ready to go out into the world as an adult. However, is still there behind her watching her go.

The photos would be taken using my own mother and two sisters. It makes the most sense logistically to stick with my own family members for accessibility during this limited time frame.

[nesrien-photography]

Iconic Photographs

In a world where a photograph can be taken by virtually anyone at any time, the internet has become so oversaturated with content that most photographs are forgotten about as quickly as they were posted. It takes certain qualities for a photograph to be considered iconic.  

An icon is a symbol of something. It has a universally understood meaning. Thus, an iconic photograph is one that is important and known nearly universally. Iconic photos usually evoke strong emotions, have a lasting impact, or potentially cause social and political changes. Some iconic images that have done so include Nick Ut’s “The Terror of War” and “V-J Day in Times Square” by Alfred Eisenstaedt. Both photographs are extremely well-known and carry a meaning that audiences are familiar with. Iconic photographs also often capture a significant moment in history. They’re taken at times of war or famine in many cases. Otherwise, the subject of the photograph should be something that most audiences will very strongly emotionally relate to. In addition, iconic photographs are ones that have been reproduced and spread around countless times. The subject, composition, props, lighting, and message from the photographer are all key components in producing an iconic photograph.

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A4

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📸: Martin Parr 

British photographer Martin Parr is known for his diction photographs that capture a very British sense of life. He often uses garish colors and the photos make normal moments part of a social commentary. 

This picture is part of a 2019 photoshoot that Parr did for Gucci’s Cruise collection. 

The sun is being reflected by the woman’s glasses which shows that she was facing the light and sunbathing. 

The focal length is likely around 55 mm as it is quite close to her face and was shot from above her. 

Parr fitted the woman with heavy jewelry and brightly colored lipstick, but not many props were used. 

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CA 2

#2

Constructed photography differs from capturing a natural moment in the sense that photographers create the scene themselves and alter the photo subject and details exactly to their liking. In episode six of BBC’s documentary The Genius of Photography, the work of American photographer Gregory Crewdson is highlighted. His extremely elaborate sets are reminiscent of a movie shoot as he spends a considerable amount of time staging his photographs. His series shown captures life in suburbia and combines it with bad dreams.

As photography becomes more sought after and monetized, the market has pushed for more complex and detailed photographs. This prompts photographers to construct the perfect image in order to appeal to audiences.

Despite lacking the “truth” that comes with other types of photography, constructed photographs still accomplish major goals. Whether it is intentional or not, photographers are biased. Pictures always have message, whether it is photojournalism or street photography.  Constructing a photograph does not take away from the message. On the contrary, it makes it even easier for the photographer to portray what they choose to. In addition, an essential part of photography lies within the emotions that are drawn out. Constructed images still have the power to evoke strong emotions like nostalgia, loneliness, joy, etc. They make audiences feel something.  Furthermore, constructed photographs seem to have the same value monetarily as well. Works by Crewdson sell for tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

A fellow photographer who specializes in constructed photographs is Cindy Sherman. Sherman is known for transforming herself into different characters and being in the actual image with staged designs and props. Philip Lorca diCorcia, another American photographer combines real people with places they do not belong in a theatrical manner.

Staged photography may receive backlash as people question the authenticity of photos. It seems as though photographic work has largely been valued for capturing a moment exactly as it was. People want to see real life condensed into a single snapshot. Yet, in its essence, photography is an art form. Aside from photojournalism, photographs can be manipulated to enhance their appeal.

As it becomes easily accessible for almost anyone to take photograph’s, people have begun to value true expressions of art through photography. Works like those done by Gregory Crewdson sell for so much because they are works of art and deviate from being too literal. With photographs selling for millions of dollars, it is evident that photography, even when constructed, is extremely valuable.

Sources

https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/staged-photography

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2012/oct/19/photography-is-it-art

https://gagosian.com/artists/gregory-crewdson/

https://www.moma.org/artists/7027

https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/cindy-sherman-untitled-film-stills-1977-80/

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Constructed photographs by Philip-Lorca diCorcia

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Constructed photographs from Cindy Sherman’s Untitled Film Stills

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Assignment 3 Photo

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Assignment 3

Spencer Platt’s photograph, Visions of the Decade: Ceasefire in Beirut, is a photograph taken on August 15, 2006, that won the World Press Photo of the Year Award. The photograph depicts four ladies and one gentleman in a bright red convertible car, dressed in a fashionable manner. Their posture, facial expressions and overall disposition exude luxury and splendor. This group of people were actually driving through Haret Shreik, a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, destroyed by Israeli bombings during the war between them and Hezbollah- a Lebanese Islamist political party. What initially grabbed my attention is how indifferent and nonchalant the subjects of the photo looked in comparison to their surroundings. It gave off the impression that they were a group of friends who could have just been on their way out for dinner or doing any normal activity. The irony and satire of this is highlighted as this group of people is amidst chaos and destruction. The purpose of this is to display Platt’s message that, even during times of war and chaos, life still goes on. People must keep living their lives. Even when the sad and scary movements are overwhelming, there still are happy moments.

The composition of the picture highlights the contrast between the girls in the car in the foreground with the rubble and chaos displayed in the background by drawing the eyes in a linear manner from the front to the back. The juxtaposition of the foreground and background and the way the composition draws the viewer’s eyes perpetuate this narrative of the stark disparity between different classes and their experiences within different social-political contexts. This also displays the many different aspects of war and reveals the true essence of its multi-faceted nature.

The organic movement of the subjects in the photo, their natural, relaxed faces and demeanor and their random and casual placement also further this distinction between the ugliness and unpleasantness of war and the serenity of life. The expressions of those in the photo are also not typical of what you would expect for photography done in wartime. Platt’s use of space is also critical to the discussion of war and its overwhelming and omnipresent nature. The way it is surrounding the people and consuming life.

Red is a powerful color, and the red of this car really jumps out of the picture. The expensive car could symbolize that not all people in war torn Middle Eastern nations are poor and helpless. They seem to be normal. In addition, the color of the yellow object also stands out amongst the more earth toned rubble and demolished property. There is also a lot of depth to this photo as the scene seems to keep stretching on and on.

Overall, this photo truly captures the humanity of people. The youth who look wealthy and trendy are one of the last things that people would expect to see from a photojournalist like Spencer Platt during his time in Lebanon following Israeli bombings.

Sources

https://potd.pdnonline.com/2010/01/08/3137/

https://nppa.org/news/1766