Saturday, October 23, 2010

Martin Parr Photo Analysis




This is a shot from one of Martin Parr's 2007 projects where he goes on tour to capture the South American "beach culture". The shot shows a couple from the back view positioned close to the foreground admiring the view of the beach. The couple are embracing and unaware that they are being photographed. The man is a little out of shape but wearing a bright blue speedo bathing suit. He is quite hairy and looks wet. The women looks quite thin and in shape with a skimpy bikini. She is pointing at the beautiful background view of the mountains. The beach looks very crowed with a lot of people and umbrellas all over the place its is an overcast day and you really cannot see the water.

At first look it seems like a pretty average shot but as you keep looking you begin to see more and more. The interesting thing about this shot is how the mountain peek shape mimics the couples heads and the woman's arm going around the mans neck. It shows a typical stereotype of the over tanned, hairy, Latin man in a tight speedo, a little to heavy to really wear it but he does anyway because its the fashion and is accepted in south America more readily than in the states. The women at his side also is over tanned and in a skimpy bikini showing off her body. Parr's keen powers of observation has caught the typical Latin couple in a relaxed private moment enjoying their vacation. It shows a slice of life but almost feels like you the viewer are a peeping tom. The humor is in the man's hairiness which is almost gross.

This shot is typical of Parr's approach to his subjects. He picks the perfect moment when all things are in alignment to take the shot. He is the voyeur and in turn makes you the voyeur in a particular slice of life scenario but he adds a little bonus of humor, stereotyping and maybe even a little cynicism all wrapped up in bright, vivid colors. I think this compliments his other works and adds another line to the story he is weaving. In this case the story of South American "beach culture".

Monday, October 18, 2010

Monday, October 4, 2010

Writing Assignment #1

Limbo 5, 2004 © Bianca Brunner
1. What do you see? In this shot I see a women going into the ocean at night. She is wearing a thin dress.
2. What does that make you think about? This shot makes me think that maybe the women is trying to drown herself??? Who in their rigt mind would be taking a casual swim under these conditions.
3. How does that make you feel? This shot makes me feel worried for the woman, and afraid that she may do something to harm herself.

Tijuana, Mexico, 2003 © Martin Parr
1. What do you see? This shot is very bright and colorful and I see many little candies made out of sugar but in the shape of skull heads. They are tight packed together as if in a display. The odd thing is that there are bees all over them.
2. What does that make you think about? It makes me thing of death and kind of weird. Maybe if it is for Holloween its ok but the bees make me think I going to get sick if I were to eat one.
3. How does that make you feel? This shot makes me feel disgusted. The bees are all over the candy and someone many being eating one at some point.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Still Life Photo Assignment












Assignment #3-White Balence Options



Shot with Auto setting

Shot with Cloudy setting

Shot with Daylight setting

Shot with Flash setting

Shot with Florescent setting

Shot with Shade setting

Shot with Tungsten setting