In My View:
We started off by looking at a few images that had been picked by artist as their favourite images. These artist then used different descriptive techniques to describe their images in interesting ways. This was an exhibition that was exhibited at the photographers gallery and there were many different pictures and descriptions which I found interesting. Here are some of the images we looked at from the gallery:
We then were given the task of selecting any photograph we wanted and writing a descriptive piece about it. After this we were then given a photograph someone else had selected and had to write about this too. The image I choose was Hannah Starkey's image as I believed it evoked many emotions that I could not only write technically about but personally about. I believe I took inspirations from all of the artist and used different techniques from each of their writing to create my own personal piece's. For example, in my writing about Steve Curry's photograph I used a quote in the beginning as I believe this created a good effect on the reader and this is what Daniel Blight did in his piece of writing.
Image 1:
Image 1:
Hannah Starkey, untitled, 2006
Isolated. A pregnant woman treads water with nothing but her unborn baby for company. The water appears still, lifeless, cold yet the woman is so full of life. Reflections of the water make me question my sanity. How is this Rorschach blot of a reflection meant to be perceived? Her bumps and curves may be indicating a rough road ahead however, the shape of her hands creates a roof which could be suggesting a happy family home.
On the other hand...
Content. A pregnant woman wakes and goes for a swim in her heated pool. The pool appears warm yet it isn’t as warm and safe as the amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby. The pool inside her is the reason the baby is alive; is a life lesson on how to breathe. The water is calm hardly ricocheting as the women stands absorbing the beauty of what she has earned. What a delightful, welcoming family home this baby will grow up in.
Image 2:
On the other hand...
Content. A pregnant woman wakes and goes for a swim in her heated pool. The pool appears warm yet it isn’t as warm and safe as the amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby. The pool inside her is the reason the baby is alive; is a life lesson on how to breathe. The water is calm hardly ricocheting as the women stands absorbing the beauty of what she has earned. What a delightful, welcoming family home this baby will grow up in.
Image 2:
Steve McCurry, ‘Mother and child at the car window, Bombay’ 1993
“To suffer is one thing; another thing is living with the photographed images of suffering, which does not necessarily strengthen conscience and the ability to be compassionate. It can also corrupt them. Once one has seen such images, one has started down the road of seeing more - and more. Images transfix. Images anesthetize.” ― Susan Sontag, On Photography
Desperate, hopeless, miserable. A woman with sorrow in her eyes taps on the window of a showered car. The windows are misty and full of condensation due to the downpour. The curtain of water drops hide the place behind her but it’s clear from her expression she wants help. Her child's eyes are big and display a sense of innocence yet through them you see fear. Fearful yet so much hope. Soaked, both mother and child await saviour. Through it all the woman stands fiercely in red demonstrating she still has fight left in her and she isn't about to give up yet. The red is deep and feels like it has more meaning than just being a sari. Maybe it represents the love she has for her child or blood lost from other family members. Regardless it makes the woman seem powerful even if she is in a situation with no power.However, the red helps to emphasise the travel porn that had just been taken. Against her will. The struggles of the women not considered or aided to. She is just another symbol of poverty; we don't help just watch.