Assignment 208: Martin Parr: Research into Portrait Photography

Martin Parr: May 1962: Epsom

Martin Parr is a photographer renowned for his projects that a critical look at aspects of modern life. His style is very intimate and relied on the use of close up photography.  Whilst the style of photography may be similar to Tom Wood in that he is looking to depict normal life his images differ in they are often highly saturated in colour, and contain an element of irony of humour within them.

In all of the images that I have chosen from Martin's work there is no eye contact with the camera and the angle of the images capture elements of people that they would might otherwise hope was not was focused on for the world to see. 

There are two elements to this photograph that are at odds with the sense of occasion that the clothing suggest.  You can imagine that this may be a wedding, or a garden party.  Martin has chosen to capture  the unhappy (slightly out of focus) attendee in the background coupled with the unflattering view of the ill fitting dress with a stain on it.  

The last two images surround the social occasion of eating - these images work as the only focus of the people within both images is on the activity they are engaged in allowing the person viewing the image to do do without embarrassment.

Whilst Martin Parr and Tom Wood appear to be doing similar styles of work they evoke very different emotions - with Tom's you can feel a slight sense of discomfort at looking at the way in which people are carrying on with their lives, whereas Martin's have more of a sense of vibrancy and humour.

reference:

www.martinparr.com


www.bbc.co.uk/photography/genius/gallery/parr.shtml 


British Journal of Photography