In photography, “mirrors” and “windows” help us understand photographers’ different approaches. John Szarkowski, a notable photography critic, introduced these terms to categorise photographers based on their intentions and styles.
Mirrors
“Mirrors” represent photographers who focus on their inner world. Their photos reflect their personal feelings, thoughts, and perspectives. These images are often more about self-expression than about capturing reality.
Examples:
- Diane Arbus: Her portraits reveal her fascination with unusual and marginalised individuals.
- Nan Goldin: Her intimate photos document her life and those around her, blending social and narrative.
Windows
“Windows” describe photographers who aim to capture the world as it is. They strive for objectivity, providing a clear view of reality without bias.
Examples:
- Walker Evans: His work during the Great Depression documents American life with clarity and realism.
- Henri Cartier-Bresson: Known for capturing spontaneous moments, his photos reveal the essence of a scene or event.
Understanding the “mirrors” and “windows” concepts helps us appreciate the different purposes of photography. Some photographers use their art to explore and express themselves, while others aim to objectively document the world.
Blind Drawing
Purpose of the Task
The goal is to explore how Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window” deals with themes of looking at photography. By focusing on scenes outside and inside the protagonist’s apartment, we can see into different perspectives.
Inspiration from Anna Lucas
Inspired by Anna Lucas’s “Blind Movie Drawings,” our task involved creating a drawing while watching “Rear Window” without focusing on details. Lucas’s method captured the abstract nature of the movie.
Analysis of the Blind Drawing
- Red Lines (Window Views): Represent the scenes outside the apartment, showing the world Jeff observes.
- Blue Lines (Mirror Views): Depict the interior of Jeff’s apartment, reflecting his personal space and emotions.
Conclusion
This task let us see “Rear Window” creatively and reflectively, with its themes of observation and perspective. Inspired by Anna Lucas’s technique, the drawing captures both viewpoints of looking outward and inward, showing the film’s exploration of essentially two worlds.
My Mirror Window Spectrum
Annotating the Images:
Mirror Annotations:
Freezer Image: This image captures a personal look at daily life, reflecting the photographer’s or subject’s habits and choices. Which creates a view into their life which I think is reflective of a mirror.
Man Smoking: The private setting and personal moment suggest a deeper narrative. The lighting adds a subtle feel to the image which creates a sense of calm. In which is reflecting his presonal life.
Tree: The tree under dramatic lighting evokes a sense of personal reflection. As the tree reflects the artist herself
Arbus: The close, cluttered environment and the subject’s gaze creates a personal atmosphere. In which the Artist is trying to reflect her own mind through her photos.
Window Annotations:
Child in Park: This photograph captures a spontaneous moment, documenting the child’s uniqueness. However in the childs mind he is acting normal however to viewers outside he creates a sense of mystery. Viewing into his own life.
Elderly Couple with Cart: The image presents a real-life scene, observing the subjects without an apparent, looking into their daily lives.
Soldiers in War: A documentary style photograph capturing a raw moment in a conflict zone.
Gas Stations: A series documenting various gas stations, aiming to present the subject in an objective and systematic manner.
Planning Mindmap
These ideas in the mindmap can help guide my photography project by providing a structured approach to exploring windows and mirrors as a metaphor for observing other people’s and my life. By focusing on themes like observation, connection and uniqueness I can capture authentic moments that reveal the everyday experiences of others and mine. This will ensure my project is engaging, offering viewers a window and mirror into the diverse stories of mine and others.
Mirror Outcomes
The photographs I took of my school life showing subject classrooms, places like Ferens Hall, hallways, the photography room and dark room, and the library capture the spaces that define my daily routine and personal growth. Each place holds memories and emotions, representing different aspects of my academic journey and social life. The classrooms are where I challenge myself and grow, while places like Ferens Hall are where I relax and connect with friends and partake in school events. The photography room and dark room are especially meaningful as they are spaces where I can creatively express myself. These photographs capture the essence of my school experience and the personal significance I attach to each location.
In photography, mirror pictures often symbolize self-reflection and looking within one’s own life. Similarly, my photographs act as mirrors, reflecting my personal experience and perspective within the school environment. They offer a glimpse into how I see and interact with my surroundings, revealing my story and how these places shape my identity. By taking these photos, I can step back and look at my own journey, understanding how each part of my school life contributes to who I am. This process of reflection shows how connected our environments are to our personal experiences, illustrating how the places we spend time in shape our reality and sense of self.
Window Outcomes
The photographs I took of different people passing by the same window in a restaurant symbolise my attempt to see outside myself and explore the different lives around me. By capturing various individuals through the same window, I focused on the idea that while we all share common spaces, However our lives and experiences are different. Each photograph, although taken in the same spot, tells a unique story of the people passing by, whether they are rushing to work, taking a leisurely stroll, or simply going about their day. This series of images is a reminder of the different lives of people, emphasising the diversity many have.
In photography, window pictures are often used to look outside into others lives, providing a glimpse into their world outside of your own perspective. My photographs act as a metaphorical window, allowing me to step outside myself and observe the lives of others. This highlights the shared spaces we occupy and the different journeys we go through. By focusing my camera, I am reminded of the vast world beyond my own life, filled with many experiences. This project shows the importance of looking beyond ourselves to appreciate others experiences.
Evaluation
This photography project, has both the mirror and window themes, offers a unique view on exploration of self and outward observation. By capturing images of my school life and various individuals passing by a restaurant window in town, the project effectively examines the interconnectedness of personal experiences.
Mirror Theme: Reflecting My Subjectivity
The photographs of my school life featuring subject classrooms, places like Ferens Hall, the photography room, library etc… Serve as a reflection of my subjective experiences. These images capture my daily routine, personal growth, and the unique significance each location holds for me. By documenting these familiar spaces, I delve into the process of understanding how my environment shapes my identity. The mirror theme allows for self reflection, revealing how the spaces contribute to my sense of self and my journey. This part of the project successfully illustrates the concept of photography as a means of self-reflection.
Window Theme: Seeing Outside Myself
Furthermore, the photographs of different people passing by the same window in a restaurant symbolise an outward view of many unique lives. By capturing various individuals in the same location, I highlight the shared spaces we occupy and the unique stories of each passerby. This series of images serves as a metaphorical window, to glimpse into the lives of others. The window theme shows the importance of looking beyond our experiences to appreciate the richness and diversity of others. This aspect of the project effectively demonstrates how photography can be used to observe and connect with the world outside ourselves.
Conclusion
Together, the mirror and window themes create a balanced and insightful project. The mirror images offer a personal, introspective view, reflecting my own experiences and the significance of familiar spaces. Meanwhile, the window images provide an outward looking perspective, capturing the diversity of experiences in a shared environment. I think my project succeeds in its aim to use photography as a tool for both self-reflection and outward observation, creating a collage of two contrasting view points.