PHO710: Mirrors and Windows
The ‘window’ and ‘mirror’ analogy is a very helpful place to begin my MA. Having listened to the introduction and completed some reading, I feel like I am able to take a step back and view my own practice with objectivity. I have always felt that my photographic roots are firmly planted in the ‘documentary’ genre.
At first, I adopted a ‘fly on the wall’ approach (a good metaphor for my earlier days!) I was adamant that I wanted my work to be a ‘pure’ reflection on reality as possible. Now, I see that this is only one half, the window. At this stage I was naïve about my own relationship with my camera and unable to see how the ‘mirror’ analogy came into play.
As I have progressed, over the last year or two I can now see how my ‘documentary’ work is as much about me as it is my subject, it feels more like a collaboration now.
This photo shows me photographing Dan in a mirror. I worked with Dan over a period of 12 months as part of a larger documentary project. I was based in a centre for the homeless. This photo represents the space, the subject and including myself in the shot serves as a reminder that, whether I can be seen or not, I am always present in the photographs I make.
As I reflect on the process of making a portrait it feels rather like a conversation, an exchange between myself (through the camera) and my subject/subjects. Just like a conversation, it’s a two way exchange. Sometimes a conversation goes well and both parties feel that they can express themselves, and be listened to. Other times, its one sided…I try not to ‘dominate’ the shoot, I want to give them space to be themselves. The conversation can be a brief encounter, or it take place over a number of days, months or years, rather like a documentary project. To me, it’s always important that it’s a two way exchange.
My motivation for photography lies in my enthusiasm for understanding the world around me. Community is very important to me, it’s essential for my survival and I like to understand where my place as an individual is in this. I want to understand people and I like to use the camera as my mirror.