LO1 Analysis of Martin Parr's Work

Category

Martin Parr is a social reportage photographer, he specifies in photographing real life whether it is beautiful or gritty, general the photographs taken are taken to convey stereotypes. He has a vintage style to his work; the photographs looking slightly blurred because of the quality and the things being taken are abstract and convey the past. I also like how his photographs challenge the norm and his work could be viewed as controversial. Martin Parr offers an original theme of dystopia in his photography, while others tend to photograph things that capture the beauty of the surroundings, Martin Parr prefers to add a sort of dystopia feel to his work. The photograph with the litter is quintessential to the theme of dystopia, he likes to photograph anarchy and chaos. His photographs depict the idea that society is falling and anarchy will rule.

Meaning and Purpose

I think this photograph is to show the meaning of Britain’s beaches, to inform the audience about the state that it’s in and what that connotes about Britain. The old couple in the focus are almost in dismay about the chaos going on around them, the background being very energetic and chaotic; the woman pointing among the chaos has just become a part of it. Suggesting that in this picture you either observe the chaos or you are the chaos, the meaning of the picture could represent about Britain’s future and how society is developing. It could also reinforce the idea that the elderly having to watch the society develop in a negative manner and there’s nothing that they can do but watch and let it happen.

Analysis

The photographic techniques used in this picture are composition. Composition is a very heavy effect aspect in this photograph, where everything has been placed and the meaning it creates behind it. I would like to find out whether the photograph was taken realistically or the people and objects were manipulated, was the image manipulated to suit his personal ideas. Also colour and light

is also a main aspect in this photograph, the colour is used to highlight important features and to general highlight how out of place the litter is. I also like the use of the focal point, the whole image is interesting and chaotic enough, that I can say that the whole photograph is the focal point, there are no parts that are more interesting than others, they all contribute towards the final piece.

Analysis and Inspirations

I could use aspects from Martin Parr’s work to inspire my photographs commissioned by the Millennium Gallery; such as the genre being social reportage, the heavy use of composition and focal points. But also add my original ideas such as other genres and photographic techniques I want to work with. I feel that his work is inspired by Identity, as it depicts people’s everyday lives and sometimes their personal preference and opinion about how society is changing. Also I could use the use of facial expressions as well, I think it connotes a story and really gives a photograph meaning and sets the genre.