In her essay "America, Seen Through Photographs, Darkly," Susan Sontag analyzes the photographs of Diane Arbus (examples of which can be seen here); Sontag describes Arbus's process as photographing "people in various degrees of unconscious or unaware relation to their pain, their ugliness" (36). Sontag ends her essay be making a larger point, that these photographs illustrate an American collective melancholy and depression.
For this blog entry, write a paragraph that answers this question:
In a world in which people are suffering, what good can come of artists like Diane Arbus or photojournalists like Joey O'Loughlin taking artistic photographs and having exhibitions of people at their least glamorous, their least "presentable" moments?
Being a minor in art, I would like to talk in an artist's perspective. I'm strongly certain that an artist does not find joy or happiness when the composition or subject in the composition exhibits sadness or at their least presentable moment. In fact, it's to capture vulnerability and present that we are only human. After all, no one likes to watch a person suffering, because that is cruel and inhumane for anyone to think like that. It shows a sense for others what's happening around them, when they see the images of the unfortunate. Those people who view them have a chance to make a difference, "pay it forward," and goodwill come to play.
ReplyDeleteArtists like Diane Arbus and photojournalist Joey O’Loughlin present photographs of people at their least presentable moments to give us a realist reality of humans living their everyday life. These photos aren’t meant to make us focus on the sympathy perspective, but focus on their journey. Within their journeys, these photographs are a piece to a whole. These photographs are a small piece to a bigger piece of their journey. Overall, these images present the passion, struggle, and acceptance of humanity.
ReplyDeleteArtists and photojournalists like Arbus and O'Loughlin bring the realities to our consciousness through their works. The society is jolted into action by the stark indignity portrayed in these pictures. It is difficult to believe that there are people in America today who are not sure of their next meal, or to imagine the atrocities that go on in war zones, but these photographs brings these issues to the fore by creating awareness; thereby starting the discussion needed for change.
ReplyDeletePhotographs have been said to help people be more confident with their insecurities. Artists like Diane Arbus and Joey O'Loughlin take photographs of individuals at times in which they are unaware or not paying any mind to their "ugliness." These photographs help bring light to the beauty in each of those individuals being photographed. Not everyone is able to look past the dark thought of people, or things, being ugly; so photos like the ones these artists take show the true reality that humanity is not one, but every human and every thing is able to have beauty in them.
ReplyDeleteArtists present pictures deeper than what they appear. There is no need for all the perfection, just simplicity and authenticity. Regardless of how unappealing it may be to others. They show us the reality of some of the less fortunate and their struggles. When viewers see these kinds of pictures, not only does it give them a sense of how other people live, but also how many people are less fortunate. Artists like Diane Arbus and photojournalist like Joey O'Loughlin use pathos strategies to attract the viewers.
ReplyDeleteAn artist like Diane Arbus and a photojournalist like Joey O'Loughlin present photographs where people are shown to be in not their best appearance, however this shows that not everything that is capture by a camera has to be picture perfect, there is always a deeper meaning to every photograph where people are seen to be unpresentable, sad or even struggling. However, this is reality of humans living their everyday lifes because nobody is perfect because with every flaw there is beauty behind a picture that shows the true reality of a human.
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ReplyDeleteA lot of people live in a bubble not realizing there is so much more going on in this world than what is seen in their own small town. Regardless of how painful it may be to see the suffering of others through photographs, it is beneficial to gain knowledge about what else is going on out there. Not everyone interprets photographs the same meaning a photograph can end up with many different interpretations by viewers. Some people may see this as a call for help and others as gained knowledge. Whatever the interpretation is perceived, artists like Diane Arbus and photojournalist like Joey O'Loughlin allow their viewers to take in and interpret the different meanings of their work.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people live in a bubble not realizing there is so much more going on in this world than what is seen in their own small town. Regardless of how painful it may be to see the suffering of others through photographs, it is beneficial to gain knowledge about what else is going on out there. Not everyone interprets photographs the same meaning a photograph can end up with many different interpretations by viewers. Some people may see this as a call for help and others as gained knowledge. Whatever the interpretation is perceived, artists like Diane Arbus and photojournalist like Joey O'Loughlin allow their viewers to take in and interpret the different meanings of their work.
ReplyDeleteWhen taking photos of people at their least glamorous moments, like Diane Arbus has done, it shows how people’s lives aren’t perfect and reveals how people are suffering. When people are going about their daily lives, they do not realize that others in the world are suffering. These pictures that capture the suffering of others is a way get the word out that people are suffering. They need help. Pictures of starving children in Africa got the attention of the people. They now have special charity organizations to send food and water to these staring children.
ReplyDeleteJoey O'Loughlin and Diane Arbus present us with photographs that show our down side or our weakest moments. It gives us some kind of appreciation for who we are or what we go through. Each photograph clearly reminds us that this is only one moment of our lives that we are at. There are other moments to live through that we have not yet reach. The good that is shown from these are the clarity that we are here now, so what is the next step? Today is one day and tomorrow is a new day. It reminds us that we no longer want to be in this point so we must strive to do better. We must appreciate these not so great positions we are in, so that we try harder to not be there anymore.
ReplyDeleteI have a different take on this topic than it seems many of my classmates do. The styles of Diane Arbus and Joey O'Loughlin are markedly different from each other. Arbus photographed people who can be thought of as being unattractive; "freaks" is what she often referred to them as. On the other hand, O'Loughlin is a journalistic photographer who captures the unfortunate side of life. Where O'Loughlin evokes a moral or ethical response to societal ills, Arbus evokes self-reflection and introspection regarding our own judgement of other people. Both artists raise the question of how we as a society deal with the less attractive side of life; however, one points the metaphorical lens outward while the other points it inward.
ReplyDeleteSusan Sontag wrote, “The photographer is a supertourist, an extension of the anthropologist” (42). When asking the question of what good comes from artistic photographs, which show people who are not deemed ‘beautiful’, one can simply refer back to this quote. A photograph can capture any moment including one that a viewer may not find aesthetically pleasing. These photographs represent a part of human life in that time period. It is a way for more people to learn about the variety of life outside of their own. These photographs do not encourage pity or secrets, instead they tell those that see them to take a frank look at what is going on around the world. Whether or not a photographer is a photojournalist catching acts important to our present history, or if they are artists who simply want to capture alternative lifestyles, they each invite others to see the world around them more completely.
ReplyDeleteArtists like Diane Arbus and photojournalist Joey O’ Loughlin presents photographs of people at their least presentable moments to show us how the world really is and to tell us that the world is not just about happiness and perfection. People also have sad moments, but people usually take pictures of their happy moments because those are the moments that they want to share and keep forever. The pictures of people on their least presentable moments shows us a reality and not what we want to see on a photograph.
ReplyDeleteDiane Arbus and Joey O' Loughlin present people at their least presentable moments and i believe it helps people ground themselves back to reality. I believe it brings a lot of good. Not only does it allow people to realize that everyone is suffering or that no one is perfect, but it also helps people feel more secure. Social media is a perfect example. Everyone posts pictures of themselves on Instagram or Facebook when looking their best. When others see those pictures, they begin to be more self conscious and develop lower self esteem because their lives aren't like those online. People don't see that although those pictures may be "perfect" they do not accurately represent the individual in the picture.
ReplyDeletePresenting pictures of people at their least favorable moment gives a sense of vulnerability and that holds its own beauty as well
Photos such as these would serve a purpose to remind us of how fortunate we are in our personal situations. There are many days when people come home from a job or school and think, "things can't get much worse today". These photos remind us that, though our problems are still important, there are always greater, or different challenges we could face. It should also serve as a reminder that there is always more to be done to help others. I am reminded many times in the hospital, and volunteering as a health screener in lower income areas, that there are so many people that need the helping hand of someone. Potentially, this could be someone with even a little additional information, in order for these people to make the changes they need to better themselves or their current situation.
ReplyDeletePhotos such as these would serve a purpose to remind us of how fortunate we are in our personal situations. There are many days when people come home from a job or school and think, "things can't get much worse today". These photos remind us that, though our problems are still important, there are always greater, or different challenges we could face. It should also serve as a reminder that there is always more to be done to help others. I am reminded many times in the hospital, and volunteering as a health screener in lower income areas, that there are so many people that need the helping hand of someone. Potentially, this could be someone with even a little additional information, in order for these people to make the changes they need to better themselves or their current situation.
ReplyDeleteWhen seeing the photos taken by both Diane Arbus and Joey O’Loughlin I have a sad and grounding feeling. Arubus did not only decide to take photos of people but to keep them black and white of with minimal color to almost give the idea that the people were bland and uninteresting. With O’Loughlin’s photos I was humbled and grateful for what I had the people in those photos were worn and it made me feel bad for them. I think the good that can come from seeing photos like these are that when looking at the people in the photos and imagining the daily struggles they go to it makes me grateful for the life I have. It also gives me the urge to help. Especially with O’Loughlin’s photos because they have a short description of the people and the situations they are in.
ReplyDeleteCapturing imperfections in photographic portraiture contains moments of dynamic life. Photographs that capture the idiosyncrasies of human life capture the ideal of a reality, not a dream. Diane Arbus captures these moments of non-actors and giving them a stage Her photographs display the variability and vulnerability of human experience. The good that comes out of Diane Arbus's photography is that the audience may be exposed to new identities and broaden their impressions on what is considered ideal.
ReplyDeleteThese artists bring reality to their photos. They make the viewers see something they could not imagine. These photographs help people see the beauty in all situations. There has always been a set of rules that determines whether an individual is ugly or if an individual is to be considered beautiful. Artists such as these ones use their artistic skills to show people beauty is seen in everything and everyone. Pictures aren't meant to just be looked at but are meant to be seen as if someone is looking at it in real life. All this shows is that nobody is near perfect and everyone is different from one another, and that is okay.
ReplyDeleteBoth Arbus and O'loughlin are artistic that capture the reality of individuals in the daily bases. They each had people be at their least presentable moments, but take a different direction to present their work. Arbus used black and white and O'Loughlin with color. Each of the artists had the same idea of capturing symbolic memories of people without the knowledge of knowing a picture was going to be taken of them. I believe media shows people at their worst and these artists have done great work making individuals feel important to take their picture not caring what they look like or if they are presentable or not.
ReplyDeleteSeeing personal photographs on social media sites is always about appearance, family photos are posed a certain way and selfies document us when we see ourselves as ideal (in that moment at least). These type of artistic endeavors seek to show everyone a version of the world we aren't used to seeing. Starvation isn't a common topic of conversation when scrolling through Instagram provides foodies with a dense library of visual stimulation, but when a picture of starving children posed gorgeously with an empty bowl appears in your feed while you sit waiting for your number to come up at the local In 'n Out, topics may begin to shift. The good that can be done with these photos is not with the individual however, it is with the collective. An individual sees this post of an overweight woman struggling to feel comfortable in her body while watching television and shares it on their feed for others to see, which causes acknowledgment to snowball and even leads a few individuals to seek out more photography of this caliber. A picture is worth 1,000 words and sharing it means hundreds more will have access to those words; not to mention the likeliness of someone deciding to take a stand against starvation or income disparity rises drastically with a single photograph being the inciting incident. Sometimes people want to care and simply do not know what to care about. It's artists like these that shine a light so that those people can discover the path that leads them to making a real difference in this world.
ReplyDeleteArbus wrote “ the camera is a kind of passport that annihilates moral boundaries and social inhibitions, freeing the photographer from any responsibility toward the people photographed” page 41. Something to consider about Arbus work was that most of her art work was taken during the 60’s. The 60’s was a time of revolutions for cultural, music and social change. In my opinion Arbus and other photo journalists are just trying to bring attention in order to bring some social change. Some of these photos show the ugliness and vulnerability of people in order to make the view the reality of life. We don't all have equal rights as much as we would all like to believe that we all have the same rights the sad reality is that some people are being discriminated for the way they look or they social statues.
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ReplyDeleteAfter reading Sontag's essay there is definitely a different light shed on the works of those like Diane Arbus or Joey O'Laughlin. Sontag alludes to feeling empathy for Americans or people in general through photography. The benefit of having artists catching people in their natural environment or their "worst" so to speak gives a sense of realism and the ability for the viewer to empathize with the people in the photos and really begin to feel the way these people feel. Often times in today's society we only see beauty and the good that is presented to us. To see people in a raw environment also allows for others to feel accepted and the ability to be their natural selves as well.
ReplyDeleteBoth Diane Arbus and Joey O’ Loughlin capture imperfections and deliver reality into their photos. These photos serve as a purpose for viewers to recognize and serve a lot of good to personal situations. They are to remind us of how fortunate we are and there are difficult challenges many other people face. These imperfections of the people photographed helps us gain knowledge of peoples struggles. It brings awareness to people and seeks for a call for help. Pictures that are taken to present people in their least favorable and imperfections moments gives a sense of reality and also displays the beauty of feeling empathy for these people.
ReplyDeleteArbus and O' Loughlin show real life through their exhibitions. We all have our struggles and differences, and these photographs allow transparency. These exhibitions give the ability to shed light on problems and differences within communities and inspire society to problem solve and potentially offer solutions. These photographs raise public awareness and bridge the gap between the needs of people and solutions to their problems.
ReplyDeleteSpecifically in reference to Arbus, she allowed a bridge to be made between people that were seen as "freaks" and people who were "normal." In doing this she allowed people to think about how we view people who are outside of the stereotypical "norm" and hopefully decrease judgement and stigma for those who are different.
Claudia Sotelo
ReplyDeleteThe photographs allow a sense of reality to be felt when they are seen. They let other people know that they are not the only ones suffering. We are so used to seeing photographs of people looking their best and posing, we hardly see pictures of people that are caught unaware. Seeing only the pictures that have been retouched or done in a photo shoot can leave people feeling even more self conscious when their own pictures do not resemble the ones they see everywhere. It lets people know that they are normal, that how they look and feel is normal. The photographs we see on magazines and other media take hours to prep for and are digitally enhanced to look that way. Having pictures of people in their least “presentable” moment can also be more powerful and meaningful to people. These photographs are a lot more intimate and allow people to see into other’s lives. It allows for a deeper connection to be made with audiences and the photographs.