"A useful starting point for how we consider intimate photography is structured is to think about how it borrows and redirects the language of domestic photography and family snap(shot)s for public display... Many of the photographs illustrated in this chapter have some off-kilter framing, blur, uneven flashlight, the coloration of the machine-printed snap- all are used. But in intimate photography, these technical shortcomings of domestic, non- art photographs are employed as the language through which provate experience is communicated to the viewer. The use of seemingly unskilled photography is an intentional device that signals the intimacy of the realtionship between the photographer and his or her subject."
Tina Barney (1945) was born to a wealthy American upper-class family. Her personal family relations are recorded in large images. Thus we become spectators to the lives of Barney's family and friends. However, colourful images transcend social issues as they contain a more psychological depth, an implicit story. "The insignificance of humanity and of life frightens me. And the sense of doubt, the question of the purpose of our existence, compels me to continuously seek the essence; the depth and value of life. I wish to know what other people feel, else life is too lonely."
Initially, the photgraphs seem to be snapshots, but in fact the situations are staged. Barney attaches great importance to time, consequently figure and place are remeniscent of nineteenth- century painting. However, some credit can be granted to coincidence in the images; at one point in time the action arose spontaneously. Furthermore, it seems as if some of the persons portrayed suddenly turn round or get up from their chair unexpectedly. Due to this coincidence the images look more real, even as if they were moments in real life. The images portray relationships within a family, nevertheless, at the same time the theatrical roleplay causes them to have a tense aspect.
When people say that there is a distance, a stiffness in my photographs, that the people look like they do not connect, my answer is, that this is the best that we can do. This inability to show physical affection is in our heritage.
— Tina Barney
Questions-
- How do you think Tina Barney's photographs match Cotton's idea of "seemingly unskilled photography?"
- How can you explain the way Barney's images seem to be both spontaneous and explicitly staged?
- Does the apparent wealth of the people depicted in Barney's photographs have an impact on how you read them?
12 comments:
Tina's photos do not portray the same intamacy of the others. Thats not to say that they arent intamate photography. she shows her family, in their home in different modes of their life. I enjoyed the composition of each very much, however it seems obvious that she composed her subjects. This is what makes them different. the others seem that they had their camera close at hand and clicked, while she might have said " Wait, dont move, let me get my camera" or "here hold this dog, stand a little more this way." The wealth is not an issue in this series. I still see a loving family, that gathers often. the family seems quite large, and in some of the photos all present. If she had photographed them individually doing different things, i would have read it as a family who revolve around the individuals themselves(selfishness), not together as they are portayed. And tho they are weathly, that is not overbearing in the pics, she does well not to beat you over the head with it. i see regular people whith a nice backdrop.
I find these images intriguing because of the way that they have been staged. The photos force the viewer to be engaged. The subject stares out at the viewer making the image seem very intense and almost uncomfortable. It is easier to look at an image that does not look back at you. It is more comfortable to view an image where the subject seems to not realize they are being viewed.
1. How do you think Tina Barney's photographs match Cotton's idea of "seemingly unskilled photography?"
Even if the photographs are made to look like home-taken photos, the way the subjects sometime stared back at the camera made the photographer seem like a total stranger. Almost like if he was completely intruding on their privacy. This did not make the family seem very intimate.
2. How can you explain the way Barney's images seem to be both spontaneous and explicitly staged?
The photographs were not the photos of a family having a happy time with each others company. It looks like the photographer said "here, hold this stand there and stay still."
3. Does the apparent wealth of the people depicted in Barney's photographs have an impact on how you read them?
I think society does play with our minds in that we think wealthy families are usually more serious, all business, and less intimate. While sometimes that may be true, it also may not be. But most of us cant help but think that way anyways.
"And the sense of doubt, the question of the purpose of our existence, compels me to continuously seek the essence; the depth and value of life. I wish to know what other people feel, else life is too lonely." This quote makes no sense to me in the context of Barney's photographic style. If she is seeking the essence of life, why would she stage her scenes? Wouldn't a more organic, natural approach be more effective? In addition, she limits her subjects to a certain set of people of upper class society. To "know what other people feel" requires organic study of diverse groups of people.
1. They match the idea of "seemingly unskilled photography" because it appears that the characters are interacting as they would if there were no camera operator involved. It doesn't take much skill to take a picture of something that is already happening. Also, it appears that these pictures were just shot straight and not shot creatively.
2. The pictures are staged because the photographer "sets the stage" and i'm sure outfits the characters. However, the actors/models are the ones interacting with each other in the particular way in which they are.
3. The implied wealth of those in the pictures does change the way you look at the image. I believe this is just because the photo has a differnt feeling than one shot of homeless people interacting under a bridge.
- How do you think Tina Barney's photographs match Cotton's idea of "seemingly unskilled photography?"
The photographs seem as though any person with a camera could have taken them, there is very little thought in terms of composition and depth of field showing in the images, yet enough understanding of these principles to create a meaningful scene.
- How can you explain the way Barney's images seem to be both spontaneous and explicitly staged?
The images have a sense of both spontaneious and staged look because in most of the images the subject is aware of the camera, yet still caught up in the current activity they are doing. This is probably why it has a 'seemingly unskilled' feel to the photographs, because of the situations that they were taken and the activities and locations of the subjects.
Intimacy is something that is personal to an individual. In a few of the pictures the subjects are looking at the camera and to me that makes it less intimate. I feel like they know what is going on and that even they I know that it is a picture it seems to set up to me. I do enjoy looking at the other pictures such as the one in the dining room because they allow you to make up a story about what is going on. To me that is intimate life.
~Brandi Ashlock
1. Like I posted on a previous blog, having wedding pictures that look natural look much better than if they were planned. The photos are very nice but it's planned out. It kinda loses credibility from me.
2. Nothing more to say than it's staged. They are not spontaneous at all. spontaneous is taking a picture with the person not knowing it. not telling the person to stand still.
3. like i said, it's all stage. who's to say that barney gave them money to buy close. i'll believe it when i see it
Does the apparent wealth of the people depicted in Barney's photographs have an impact on how you read them?
Of course it does. Personally, I believe art is meaningful only when it teaches something about the human condition. To show wealthy people standing and staring at a camera as they pose, surrounded by their material possesions, is something I cannot relate to. The artist does do a decent job of making the photos look natural and spontaneous, but in the end, it is only an example of a technical exercise to me. The method and technique are there, but it lacks soul and meaning.
The photos do not look like they were set up beforehand and as if the subjects were deciding their own actions and positions. It makes the pictures seem very spontaneous. But because many of the subjects are so well placed in the photos, they seem like they were staged.
Post a Comment