Consider the work of both Callahan and Germain, then select a subject for a series of five portraits, varying the locations and backgrounds. The one consistent picture element must be the subject you have chosen, who must appear in all five images. Think carefully about where you choose to photograph them, either using a pose that offers a returned gaze to the camera, or simply captures them going about their daily business. The objective once again is to visually link the images together in some way.
The subject of this exercise is Jenny, a friend, my girlfriend and I made while traveling last year in Chile. Jenny is German and had not been to Ireland before. As we were going to take a few day to show her some of the countryside in our vicinity, I thought this the ideal opportunity to photograph her adventure in a documentary style. My approach and pre-visualisation of the final outcome was very much influenced by Julian Germain’s, For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness, 2005 and Kaylynn Deveney’s, The Day-to-Day Life of Albert Hastings. These two works are beautiful, vibrant and give an insight into both the subjects live and everyday existence. My efforts for the exercise weren’t quite as ambitious as Germain’s or Deveney’s. I merely wanted to give a snap shot or glimpse of my friends visit.
My first image shows Jenny photographing a pontoon on Lough Derg. The lake is particularly high after recent bad weather. The fact that she is a tourist or her motivation for taking the photograph is unclear.
The second photograph places Jenny, walking along a path. A top of a bottle sticks out of her pocket and she is wearing gloves.
This image features Jenny throwing stones into the field in an effort to scatter the seagulls.
The fourth photograph gives the first proper view of Jenny’s face. It also places her within a very dramatic landscape. It is a typical record of a tourist’s (Jenny’s) visit to the Cliffs of Moher, one Ireland’s top natural attractions. Her smile does demonstrate her happiness in the moment.
The final image presents Jenny relaxing with a coffee in a cafe, which is the reward for getting out and seeing the countryside. Her camera and phone are on the table beside her.
My series begin with cool tones and finishing with warmers tones. This is in a way symbolic or is a metaphor for the new experience Jenny had by visiting Ireland, and indeed our friendship as it developed. While my series doesn’t give any particular insight into who Jenny is or the life she leads. It does, however, stand as a record of her day, and is essentially a dairy entry. Overall, I’m happy with the series, and I enjoyed shadowing Jenny for the day and recording it. As I begin to consider ideas for the next assignment, I may try and develop some form of documentary or diary-like theme.
Reference
Deveney, K. (2018) Kaylynn Deveney [online], available: https://kaylynndeveney.com/portfolios/ [accessed 2 Feb 2018].
Deveney, K. (2007) The Day-to-Day Life of Albert Hastings, New York: Princeton Architectural Press.
Deveney, K. (2007) The Day-to-Day Life of Albert Hastings, New York, Princeton Architectural Press [online], available: http://www.photoeye.com/bookstore/citation.cfm?catalog=pp034 [accessed 2 Feb 2018].
Fabrica Gallery (2012) Julian Germain – artist talk. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScSKWsfr1ds [Accessed 2 Feb 2016].
Jay Finlayson (2015) Interview with Julian Germain. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIxDsd_aDmU [Accessed 2 Feb 2016].
Julian Germain ‘for every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness’ project (no date) Available at: http://www.juliangermain.com/projects/foreveryminute.php [Accessed 2 Feb 2016].
Identity Place Photos 