Stranger With A Camera Questions

1. Hugh O' Connor's daughter seemed to find resolution by forgiveness. Although she was obviously heartbroken over the mishap, she admitted that she understood the potential threat that her husband had posed and forgave the murderer. I think I would be able to do this but it would probably take me years of grieving.

2. This comparison sounds to me like the photos were as much of an exploit of the Kentucky residents as the coal mining companies were. Both photographers and the coal companies were using those people to their advantage. In my opinion, I think the photographers had better intentions but it is possible that they had equally detrimental outcomes.

3. I think that he means that people fear cameras, especially when they have the potential to harm just as guns do. In order to not cause harm in the way of image, reputation or emotion I think it is best to consult with people before shooting. Unfortunately O' Connor did not consult with the right people and it ended with his demise.

Artist Statement

I entitled my project "Voyeur Dating Service".  To come up with the project at large, I combined my photography experience, a lecture from class and an internet animation all into one.  In class, we listened to a recording on British airwaves of readings from personal ads.  I found them very funny, as some were extremely desperate, and others seemed to be almost a parody in themselves.  Afterwards, the class had a discussion about the ads.  Most of the class seemed to find them humorous, as did I.  During the recordings, I started thinking back on an animation I had seen called "Video Dating Service" by Dave Firth who I admire a lot.  This video is a 2-minute short in which a TV salesman talks about his eerie life living in a cardboard box.  As odd and disturbing as it is, it had the same sort of British comedy touch to it. I decided this video would be the benchmark to my project, and I would show it at the beginning of the presentation.  

Then I had to choose what medium to do my project in.  I instantly decided on photography which is my major at Columbia College.  Then after reading the project guidelines, I started thinking about identity and applying it to voyeurism, which we also studied in class.  The work of Sophie Calle was very interesting to me.  Sophie followed people around to unknowingly be photographed and even traveled great distances for the pictures.  I wanted to do something along those lines, but a little less personal and up-close.  Since I live at a busy intersection, I figured it would be convenient for me to take candid shots like Calle did, from the privacy of my bedroom.  Although I couldn't get some of the people in focus due to poor lighting outside, I think most of the shots turned out pretty good.

The project had an identity theme with a twist of comedy-I matched up each voyeur picture with a short and almost nonsensical personal ad for a dating service.  My prejudices of others came out in the project-for example I photographed a man in a camouflage outfit, and had his personal say "Looking for someone with a sense of discipline".  So obviously I've used prejudice in my project, because identity is something often directed by prejudices.  

The idea of the project was to use physical appearance against people, and it was all too easy.  The project should hopefully have people question their own prejudices of strangers.   I didn't attempt to make physical profiling a bad or good thing in my project.  It was more of a collaboration of the subjects and ideas of individualism and voyeurism (that were discussed in class).

Iran

To be honest I can't grasp what a country is like unless I go there.  Every time I leave US territory I'm pleasantly surprised at how my previous stereotypes weren't true.  It seems that people in other countries go about their days just as we Americans do and yet there are subcultures in each of those societies that represent peace and equality.  The fact that Iran was getting music from Britain (Iron Maiden) and had adopted the punk fashion was interesting. The fact that there was a people's movement in a middle eastern country was not a new idea to me, but still seemed out of place.  Because of the current war in Iraq and Saddam Hussein's dictatorship, I had always matched that kind of "thug" government with the Middle East in general.  After Persepolis, I came to realize that Iran has a history of political uprising that I was unaware of.   The Shah being overthrown was a stunning display of majority rule, and 5 million people uniting for justice is fascinating.  And up until the US overtook Afghanistan and installed a democracy, I hadn't ever connected electing a President with the Middle East.

I can now see Iran as a Republic.  The fact that the Supreme Leader is above the president is understandable, although I wonder how many Iranians would prefer to elect him rather than having a group of experts choose.

Project Proposal

My project is going to be a study influenced by the "voyeur" artists we have studied in class.  I found the work of Sophie Calle very interesting.  The fact that she was bold enough to follow a stranger and photograph them was intriguing yet a little disturbing.  The approach of my project will be similar in nature, but I'm much more timid.  I will take advantage of living at a busy intersection by photographing various strangers from my window using a tripod.  I will then have a story that goes with each photo, exploring my take on the person.  It will be a sort of short biography of each stranger but also include where they're heading at the moment the photo was shot.  In the event that I photograph someone I know (a rare chance) I will not use that photo.   I plan to get the widest variety of shots I can from my window.  An even mix of individuals alone and interacting is what I will seek out.

I considered going out on foot to do this project, but I think it will be a lot easier to do from my house.  I decided to take pictures because I am a photography major.  Photography is something for me to excited about and it's a plus that I have all of the equipment needed.

The guiding question that my project will answer is "How can you learn of concoct information about a person you have never met?"  This project will be an exercise in my imagination.  It will also help me develop timing-something that a good photographer has to develop.  Getting the stranger at the right moment will be crucial in order to make my project interesting.

The message of this project will be one of prejudice and wonder-What conclusions can we draw from a person's image and how can our imaginations build from there up?  This project is the same concept as the Identity Study done in class.  It is a combination of that project which is writing about a stranger and Sophie Calle's project which is photographing them.  

I hope that people see my project and understand the point.  I hope that if people have prejudices about others based on appearance, it can help them get over it because of the vast unimaginable possibilities of humans.  We all naturally like to make assumptions, because it's an important part of the thought process and understanding.  But they can be used in a positive way, which I will attempt.  

One problem with the project is that it may not keep someone's attention, knowing that the stories are all made up.  It should be viewed as a work of fiction.

The photo I have attached was part of my inspiration for this project.  It was shot from a high-rise structure in China.  When I considered the voyeur option, I immediately thought of this picture.  It displays my photographic ambition, and will be a good example of what is to come with my project.

1.  What will happen to Marjane in Austria?  Will her life  change dramatically?

2.  How well do her parents cope with her leaving?  

3.  Are her parents safe to stay back or do they suffer the same fate as their neighbors down the street?

Identity

Identity is the ego's output.  I see the ego as the way we take information in, and analyze it.  Ego is also is influenced by how we see ourselves, which is in turn our identity.  We as humans are individuals, yet we identify and strive to fit into classes and groups.  Culture, religion, preference and behavior are all major influences on identity.  Identity can be a horrid thing when a person is overly concerned about it.  Identity can however be used in a positive way.  If an individual wants to make a positive identity for themselves they will do so by good deeds and character.  Identity is like putty-it can be molded and formed, and it can absorb things to grow larger.  We can copy others, but the end result is never a sufficient one.  Striving to be the same as another person only has negative consequences.  I remember seeing a poster once that read:

"Life isn't about finding yourself.  It's about creating yourself"  This statement repulses me.  I personally find it destructive and unhealthy to try to convey or create an identity for others to see.  Finding your own self and preference is key to happiness-the rest (identity) happens naturally.  I'm much more fond of Thoreau's quote about walking to "the beat of your own drum".

I see myself as a free spirit trapped by American life.  Although I can't think of many other cultures I've experienced where I fit in more, it's hard to tell when I've lived here most of my life.  I don't buy into many mainstream fads, but I do reflect some styles and ways of thinking of my generation.  I see myself in the past as extremely curious about music, ethnology, and brain chemistry.  I currently see myself not as overly curious, but definitely over thinking many things.  I see my future self in a more relaxed environment than Chicago.

How others see me is a bit up in the air.  It's very odd to think about, but empathy is an amazing thing.  Putting ourselves in other's place is a necessity for being a compassionate individual.  From what I gather, people see me as light-hearted, humorous and generous.  Those are good qualities-people also say I'm unfairly harsh on criticism, and a worrywart(this one I agree with).  We can build our identities from what others say, but the best way to do it is looking within your thoughts and actions.