Diane Arbus (Research)

Diane Arbus

Biography:
Diane Arbus was born in 1923, on March 14, in New York City. She learnt photography from her husband, actor ''Allan Arbus''. Together, they found success with fashion work, they both became a quite a successful team with photographs appearing in ''Vogue'' magazine. In late 1950s, she began to focus on her own photography and branched out on her to further her art, Diane studied with a photographer ''Llsette Model''. Her out of the ordinary, unusual images of the people she saw while living in New York created a unique and interesting 'portrayal' of the city. Several of her images found their way into the July 1960 issue of ''Esquire'' magazine. 

During the mid-1960s, Diane had become a great photographer, taking part in shows at the ''Museum of Modern Art'' in New York, among other places too. She was known for going t great 'lengths' to get the shots she wanted. She became friends with many photographers, which included ''Richard Avedon' and ''Walker Evans''. 

While continuing her work in the 1960s, Diane had to face some personal challenges.  By this I mean her marriage to ''Allen Arbus'' ended in 1969 and then later struggled with depression which led to Diane committing suicide in her apartment on July 26, 1977. 

Evaluation: (3 photos)

#1.

Do I like this this image?

I do like this image as I think it catches your eyes with the fact it's two identical twins stood right next to each other, wearing old-fashioned clothing and standing in a straightforward manner.  

How does it make me feel? 

This image makes me feel quite sad as it comes across disturbing as both twins have completely different facial expressions. One smiling and other looking quite sad. 

Does the image tell a story?

I think this image does tell a story and the story that I believe is told is that just because you're identical doesn't practically mean that you're the exact same. This images shows a lot as it shows one twin smiling and the other unhappy. It comes across like the twin on the left feels a bit isolated and tells a completely different story than to the one on the right. 

Was the photographer trying to get a message or particular feeling across to the viewer?

I think the photographer was trying to get a message across the viewers as this image shows we all have our own separate identity as we're not all the same and it's nothing to be afraid of. 

The composition of this image is using the 'triangles' technique and this technique compliments the picture well making the photo feel more stable. Triangles are a good way of combining different compositional techniques such as lines and paths and using them to create a more interesting part of a photograph.  

Leading lines?

This image doesn't use lines to direct the eyes of the viewer, neither does it have any strong diagonals. 

How is the light used?

The light is used with a combination of natural light and artificial light as this image was taken outside but it seems like the contract has been signified as there is a huge amount of it. It seems to come across that Arbus wanted to brighten up the light further up the image where you could make out both of twins facial expressions as that is what specifically tells the story.

How is the space used? 

The space on this image is used well as there isn't too much 'negative' with the white, plain walls. 

Is the composition being followed or broken?

I think the composition is being followed as everything in the images seems well and truly balanced. 

#2.

Do I like this this image?

I don't like this image and the reason why I don't is because I find it disturbing.

How does it make me feel? 

This image makes me feel disturbed. This is because a young boy is stood in a middle of park with a toy grenade in his hand with a deranged facial expression. 

Does the image tell a story?

I think this image does tell a story and I believe what is told is that he has no clue of the meaning 'grenade', 'destruction', and 'war' but apart from the unusual look and expression the boy is doing, he looks generally happy and keen. 

Was the photographer trying to get a message or particular feeling across to the viewer?

I think the photographer was trying to get a message across the to viewers as majority Arbus photographs are all usual, different and wants to show the audience a different kind of crowd. 

The composition of this image is 'the rule of thirds' technique. This technique is the most 'well' known principle of photographic composition is the ‘Rule of Thirds‘. The 'rule' is to break the image down into thirds, both horizontally and vertically.

Leading lines?

This image doesn't use lines to direct the eyes of the viewer, neither does it have any strong diagonals. 

How is the light used?

The lighting in this image is slightly overexposed. You can tell of how the boys shorts show, all dark and showing no detail but we can still see detail in his face and on his toy grenade. The background is also slightly over exposed to with the light shining behind him.

How is the space used? 

I think the space is used well, but there is quite a lot of space around him but I think it compliments the picture and the boy well with all unusual things that are going on. 

Is the composition being followed or broken?
The composition is being followed as everything has got an identical arrangement which is almost presented dead-center.  

#3.

Do I like this this image?

I do like this image as I think it's different and unusual but in a good way...

How does it make me feel? 

This image makes me feel 

Does the image tell a story?

I think the image does tell a story and I believe the story behind this image demonstrates on how the 'other half' live. This image says it all, it is as if it reaches out to you and just by looking at it, you know they don't have the best of times. Also, just by looking at difference between the 'giant' and the women in the photo everything just heightens and this purely because of his height. 

Was the photographer trying to get a message or particular feeling across to the viewer?

I think the photographer was trying to get a particular feeling across to the viewers as to be not as naive towards them even though Arbus titled them as the ''freaks''. It may come across that her images lack warmth and compassion but in my opinion, I feel that she had a great compassion for them, as it is clearly indicated in one of her quotes, ''Freaks was a thing I photographed a lot. It was one of the first things I photographed and it had a terrific kind of excitement for me. I just used to adore them. I still do adore some of them. I don’t quite mean they’re my best friends but they made me feel a mixture of shame and awe''. 

Leading lines?

This image doesn't use lines to direct the eyes of the viewer, neither does it have any strong diagonals. 

How is the light used?

The lighting in this image is very overexposed. You can just tell by this of how the image looks. Meaning by this is that you can't see a huge well of detail which surrounds them in the room. 

How is the space used? 

The space is used well as there isn't too much 'negative' around the man and his family.