About: Diane Arbus
Diane Arbus was born in 1923 in New York City. She started becoming interested in the arts at an early age and took drawing and painting in high school. After she got married her husband introduced her to photography. From there she picked it up quite quickly. At first Diane did advertising and fashion photography. While in this industry some of her picture were featured in Vogue Magazine. As Diane became more confident and dependent she created her own style of photography. She began to shoot the outcasts of society such as: street people, transvestites, nudists, and carnival performers. Many saw her work at controversial because they inflicted bizarre and disturbing feelings to the viewers. It was said that she would go through great lengths to get the shot she wanted. Sadly, shortly after she and her husband separated she experienced terrible depression that led her to end her own life in 1971.
Identification
This picture depicts a sword swallower from a carnival. It is titled "Albino sword swallower at a carnival." In this picture Diane used framing to focus on the person. She also centered the person in the middle of the picture, using balance. The fact that the picture is in black and white also adds a lot of depth and suspense to the picture.
Titled, "Patriotic Young Man with a Flag" it is clear what the picture shows. Diane used framing and leading lines in this picture. This photograph nicely represents the concept of her taking picture of "outcasts" of society.
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Critique
I love Diane's approach to photograph the outcasts of society and show the beauty in them. Making all of her photographs black and white was a good idea because it adds a very raw feeling to the picture. However, I would have liked to see her zoom out a little on a few pictures to show more negative space in order to give the picture more personality.
Reflection
I photographed my best friend Jordana. Diane has a unique approach to photography in the way she chooses her subjects. She shows the beauty and uniqueness that each person possesses'. She has inspired me to see how things that are usually not considered "wanted" can be special in their own way and to display that through pictures.