Research
Gordon Parks
I chose this photographer and this particularly photo as its use of representation and aesthetic qualities is something I hope to grasp when I begin with my photography. I am not too sure what I want to photograph or what subject of interest I would choose, so this research should help narrow down my decision in many fields. Firstly, the photographer Gordon Parks started off within the fashion departed as a fashion photographer in the early 40s and slowly begun finding more interest in doing something more independent and self-directed. So he went out to Chicago with the aid of a local newspaper, he had a task of photographing the impoverished south side of Chicago. This began his main career in documentary photography and soon become an influential photographer at the age. This photo came from his "Harlem Gang War" Archive which explores closely on Red Jackson, leader of a gang named the Midtowners, which Gordon Parks had gained a friendship and bond with.
The photo on the left is the clear visual communication of what happened in the dark within Harlem. The gang wars although small, created a lot of noise. But what I like about this photo is it doesn't show you too much but you can get an idea of who these people are, where they are and what they are possibly doing. They live within a city and on the streets and without context you know they aren't wealthy and live on what the city provides. The photo uses contrast with the light tones creating a very aesthetically pleasing image but also has possible symbolism with it showing the darkness overcasting the streets acknowledging the cities imperfections. But by any means, the photographers documentary focuses on the people, their lives and not just the problems within the cities society. It shows that everyone is human and we can't shrug off these people as they are just another one of us.
Robert Franks
Robert Franks was a documentary photographer whom you could say was one of the most influential documentary photographers ever and apparently had changed the way documentary photography was perceived and shot. Robert Franks had just died a year ago in 2019. A decade ago from when he died, he revolutionised and reset the template for postwar Americans who plied their art with a camera on the streets. This photo presented is called "Tullip" and secretly although looks perfectly normal reflects someone's life.
The image itself holds a pretty strong focal point towards the tulip as it contrasts to his black jacket and is in the centre of the photo. Now if you really begin looking at the photo, you really see something that you otherwise wouldn't. The image describes an overarching development of the person holding the flower. That flower holds determination, lust and dreams. Say that this flower represents his younger passion, that he is then going to give to the lady up front. This shows a level of growth and vulnerability that most wouldn't attempt. But now focus your eye upon the person to his right. He is much older but they are both wearing the same jacket and have similar builds and heights, but with the age, he has shrunken by a margin, from all this I theorise that this is his older self or representation of him as an older person. But this time he is walking in the opposite direction, away from the girl and pulling out to what seems a wallet and isn't hidden behind his back, this just shows a contrast, the younger version of him is giving something to another whereas the older version is purchasing something for him, not another person. And whereas the younger version is looking upwards, hopeful and excited, his older self is looking down saddened and distant. That is what I believe at least and that is what I will think the image is meant to represent.
I was going to do some more research upon Mary Ellen but from this, I believe I have an idea of what I want to accomplish for my photo series. I want to talk about the advancement of people and their lives. What they do every day in contrast to younger and older.
Mind Map
I have chosen and decided to make my primary focus on the daily lives of different peoples ages to explore Time. We only live for so long and I wanted to cut humanity into Four Sections, Purity as when we are Young. Dreams when we are almost moving into unexplored territories. Growth is when we are understanding ourselves and the world around us as well as our responsibilities. Finally, Maturity, older age when our reality is now and we must make do with what we have. I think this will be doable and enjoyable to explore separate people and ages.