Written Statement

This photographic series will seek to explore the concept of interpretation in photographs with text that is superimposed on a photograph. What fascinates me in the field of photography is its inherent ability to comment on contemporary culture and cause people to reflect on how they feel about their own lives. I think that the integration of text in a cryptic photograph makes an image more powerful in that it grabs a viewer’s attention more, and can get the intended message across without it being lost in translation. I was inspired by Barbara Kruger’s work when I saw her photographs because it made me pause to read them, and then look at her photographs in a new light after getting what I could out of the text she added. Poignancy in an image is highly desirable to me both as a viewer and artist, therefore I chose to use the black and white with a passionate red coupled with text to aid articulation of ideas, just as Kruger does. Uniqueness in my images lies in the technique in usage of text. I solely use text rather than a box to highlight it because I feel that it interferes with the actual beauty of the image.

Final Photo Project - conceptual theme: interpretation

Inspiration: Barbara Kruger

"Anxiety" *I own the copyrights to this image*
After Barbara Kruger's style, I used black and white coupled with red. The text seemingly is disconnected with the picture, but like Kruger, I wanted people to try and interpret it. I produced this image thinking of anxiety, and how it feels like everyone is watching you and judging you, making the actual picture that of an obscured, almost shy face.

"I Used to Dance"
I used a lighter filter with this picture because I wanted it to feel more faded since the theme is missing something you once had. Dancing to some people is freedom and almost like flying, hence levitation, but people have to stop for various reasons, whether it be age or injuries. The small and worn ballet shoes represent aging past your prime.

In case you can't see it, the newspaper's headline says "Osama Dead." I photographed my boyfriend while he was playing around on his computer with a thirstbuster next to him to juxtapose consumer society with an emphasis on staying entertained to darker reality involving death and terrorism. A lot of people are completely disconnected with the news and larger world events, and some even celebrate death instead of being sobered by it.

This is my reflection on modern culture and our obsession with computers. Nearly every person in the newest generation is computer savvy, and once somebody is involved with a computer they become so engaged with it that it is like they are hypnotized. I used a bit of a blur around the edges to represent the lack of interest in the real world. I'm asking the question: is involvement with technology a good or bad thing? (in my opinion, hell no long live computers)

"I Love the Snow Because"
My friend captured this picture of a romantic moment between me and my boyfriend, and I converted it to black and white, adding an old grainy film filter. This was one defining moment in my life, and I want other people to reflect on their pasts good or bad and interpret their own lives in terms of what would be landmark moments if you looked back on your own life as if watching a film.

This is my cat yawning and laying on a little pillow, I adjusted the hue/saturation a bit to bring out the reds. This picture with text has more meaning to me than other people who don't know the story behind it, because this cat used to be a feral cat before I adopted him. He easily became domesticated, and now he can't stand sleeping on anything other than a bed or pillow. I think of this picture as a metaphor for the process of growing up and being civilized by society, because I think a lot of people lose their passion and "wildness" once they are adequately "tamed" enough to interact in society.