Looking at three photos in depth- Photo 3: Teenage relationships

Teenage relationships:

My first reaction to this work was that I liked how the natural landscape, soft light and calmness between the couple all complimented one another and produced this sense of ‘young love’. This photo was the perfect example of the teenage essence and passion that flared and inspired Tamara Lichtenstein’s work. I think what initially made me feel the serenity of this photo was the fresh, natural light that captures the woodland around them and the paleness of their skin. I think, yet again, what I liked about this photo (and not just this one in particular) is that Lichtenstein’s work is relatable to teenagers and her work can be easily connected too. A lot of it concentrates on capturing the photo in the moment, the essence and the feeling. That’s why her work is inspired by her friends I feel she waits for the photo to make itself for her to capture and reveal it’s own form. Furthermore, much of her work captures the feelings and emotions we all endure: the strength of a friendship for example or the pure undoubted thought of being in love so young. The colours being soft and the photo capturing warm streams of sunlight brought a predominant sense of peace and stillness which was the apt tone to express and portray the feeling shared. What I liked even more so though was the contrasts of woodland with the exposure of skin. Together to me they seemed to work hand in hand, both natural and not polluted with harsh colours of tops and jumpers.

Looking at three photos in depth- Photo 2: The allure of smoking

The allure of smoking:

Another aspect of the work I am looking at is the allure and sexiness of smoking which is portrayed and favoured by a range of photographers. First of all, I found a lot of these photos originated from photographers who purposefully captured very vintage style photos with teenagers who poured out this aura of youth and bliss. They revealed smoking in a way which appears attractive and sexy but ignores the harm and damage it truly does. Instead, it seems part of this ‘false, ideal utopia’ that all the models are living in. This photo below by Solveig Selj did just that. Selj herself is inspired by a simplistic variety of ‘evocative music’, ‘playful designers’ and a ‘feminine photographic style’. Although I didn’t choose a lot of her photos, there were a couple which entwined with the selection of pictures I seemed to constantly be picking out. The one below was the perfect depiction of smoking that I wanted to photograph; the kind of smoking which seemed so sexy and cool it weaved a sticky web of deception in which we all got stuck in. By choosing an attractive model slouching back in high fashion clothes, varying from furs, laces, leathers, dolly dresses and peter pan collars painted with an expression of broody yet charming sexiness which oozes ease and hides in a frame of silver smoke, any teenage girl truly couldn’t say that doesn’t look ‘cool’ and cool is what any teenager wants to be. Therefore we become the flies tangled in the web of deceit seeing only this beautiful image of smoking but not seeing the truth which wisps away from pursed lips. That in itself is exactly what I want to draw up in my photos: the allure, the addiction and the truth.

Looking at photos in depth -Photo 1: Friendship

Friendship:

As teenagers grow up their friendships expand. Usually their friends at childhood revolve around the neighbourhood or friends from primary. But teenagers are more selective about the friendships they make. They make friends depending on interests, status, values and personality. As children, emotional needs and support come from their parents, however as a teenager unfolds they look towards peers for support. Teenage friendships are more complicated. Friendships mix into different genders, features on choosing friends become more complicated and hormones bring upon arguments, differences and the saying of being ‘two-faced’ or ‘backstabbing’. We need to work harder on our friendships, however when we do, the friendship and feeling we have for our friends is ten times more intense and we’re often inseparable from one another in high school, whereas in the transition from primary to high school, we often drift apart. That’s what I think is portrayed in this photo below by Tamara Lichtenstein. Between the image of comfort, relaxation and teenage spirit it portrays how unbreakable our friendships can be. Tamara said her inspiration came from the beauty of her friends and the splendour of femininity, teenage essence and youth. Much of her work explores a summer haze and daydream sound tracked by summer tunes and acoustic chords; though a lot of her photos seem to stand aloof to reality. What drew me into this photo initially was the beach. The question of why did Lichtenstein choose to shoot it on the beach is not an optional one as she takes a lot of her photos in the ‘moment’ which is what I do. I prefer for the photo to reveal itself to me though sometimes I have such vivid ideas I have to try them. By capturing it in the moment when the photo appears in front of you, I believe you catch the true sense of feeling and the instant itself. By using this theme of youth and this technique of capturing the ‘moment’, I think Tamara Lichtenstein’s work is easily relatable and reminds us all of a moment and time we’ve all had with our friends. That’s what I believe makes her a popular artist. Then, there’s the warmth of the sunset contrasted on sandy beaches which gives the photo comfort and portrays a sense of security that comes hand in hand with a close friendship.