One Self Portrait
Playing with mirrors, always has been a way for exploring our self-identity. With or without a camera that is a form of diagnose. Our reflecting. Besides the idea of expressing our self-identity through a photograph of one’s reflection in the mirror, there is also this intrigue notion of isolate spaces. Must of our Self Portraits happens in a bathroom or a private space, like our rooms. So, there is this idea of a space of solitude to explore one’s self.
One of the photographers that played with this concept was Vivian Maier.
“In their rigor, dark wit, and visual intensity, Maier’s self-portraits are the most intriguing part of her work.” – Terry Castle
In Maier’s there is the motif of a mirror. Not only that, but the capturing of the self, leaves us wondering even more. A sense of loneliness, invisibility. Being there without being truly present. A mere display of a reflection. That doesn’t seem to reveal. A sense of staying impenetrable.
Self Portrait
The Familiar
The idea of photographing someone that is completely comfortable with the photographer gives a change to explore different ways of creating portraits. In this attempt of capturing someone that we truly know, a certain energy is felt and makes the shooting a very relaxing experience. The feel of authenticity and truth is present. The complicity between subject and photographer is close-fitting. It works within portraiture. You are allowed to infiltrate someone’s soul. To represent this idea of closeness and relaxation, the concept of doing a portrait in the water emerged. It was like being in the womb, photographing a close family member. A cocoon.
Two different photographs from different artists inspired this notion of tranquillity by being in the water.
Robert Mapplethorpe – Javier (1985)
Sally Mann – At Warm Springs (1991)
Portrait of Family Member
The Stranger
When working with the unfamiliar, was still important to maintain the felling of genuineness. Upon that thought it occurred that it would be good to photograph a child. It’s possible to preserve more of the comfort and the result could probably be less stiff. When photographing a child, you feel the honesty and frankness of the subject. They will not hide and they will be true. To immerse completely into the lives of others, a child will most likely give you their permission.
While looking through Vivian Maier’s body of work we can see some amazing portraits of children, maybe being a nanny helped that task to be materialized.
Even though she is mostly recognised for her incredible street photography, she has a wide collection of portraits. We can tell that the subject was aware of being photographed, the only thing that we are not sure is if a dialogue between them was involved. Still used them as an inspiration for the brief.
Portrait of a Stranger
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