photojournalism
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Nov 24, 2024
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Exploring Gender Identity Through the Lens of Photography
Photography, as a medium of visual expression, has long been intertwined with societal
shifts and cultural revolutions. From its inception in the mid-19th century to the present day,
photography has played a crucial role in shaping and reflecting upon our understanding of gender
identity (Falk para 4).The exploration of gender identity through photography is historically
significant as it serves as a mirror reflecting the evolving perceptions, representations, and
societal constructions of gender throughout different periods of history. By examining the visual
narratives captured by photographers across various technological advancements and artistic
movements, we gain valuable insights into the complexities of gender identity and its
intersectionality with culture, politics, and technology.
Image 1:
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Photographer: Oscar Gustav Rejlander
Title: Two Ways of Life
Date: 1857, printed 1920s
Medium: Carbon print
Dimensions: Image: 40.6 x 76.2 cm (16 x 30 in.) Frame: 71.4 x 104.2 cm (28 1/8 x 41
in.)
Location: United Kingdom
Link: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/294822
Image 2:
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Photographer: Claude Cahun
Title: Self Portrait from the series I am in Training Don’t Kiss Me
Date: 1927
Medium: Silver gelatin print
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Dimensions: 117 x 89 mm. (11.7 x 8.9 cm.)
Location: France
Link: https://www.artandobject.com/news/gender-and-identity-claude-cahuns-work
Image 3
Photographer: Dorothea Lange
Title: "Migrant Mother"
Date: 1936
Medium: Gelatin Silver Print
Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 inches
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Location/Collection: Library of Congress
Link: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/50989
Image 4: Photographer: Arthur Rothstein
Title: Farmer and Sons Walking in the Face of a Dust Storm, Cimarron County,
Oklahoma
Date: 1936
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Dimensions: Location/Collection: Cimarron County, Oklahoma
Link: https://www.theartstory.org/movement/photojournalism/
Image 5:
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Photographer: Hector Rondón Lovera
Title: Aid from the Padre
Date: June 4, 1962
Medium: Film negative
Location: Spain
Link: https://www.theartstory.org/movement/photojournalism/
Visual Analysis
1.
"The Two Ways of Life" by Oscar Rejlander:
Oscar Rejlander's stunning composite image "The Two Ways of Life" contemplates
personal identity, social constraints, and morality. It shows Rejlander's technical skill and
creative vision; it was developed in 1857 but not duplicated until the 1920s. At first glance, the
piece appears to be divided into two universes, each representing a different lifestyle. People are
surrounded by vice and indulgence symbols like a bottle and a table with playing cards on the
left side of the artwork, suggesting gambling and alcohol usage. The right side shows responsible
people praying, spending time with family, and donating to charity.
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The central bearded sage or guide stands tall between the two groups, mediating visually
and metaphorically. His presence suggests the significance of wisdom and direction in life's
decisions, and his gesture toward the upright route reinforces the moral message. Rejlander had
to coordinate many photographic negatives and pay meticulous attention to detail to make this
composite picture. His superb synthesis of disparate pieces creates narrative continuity and
aesthetic beauty. "The Two Ways of Life" addresses broad philosophical and cultural themes of
the day. Social stratification, morality, and gender conventions defined Victorian society.
Rejlander uses metaphorical imagery to explore these topics, challenging gender, virtue, and vice
norms and personal identity.
2.
Self Portrait from the series I am in Training Don’t Kiss Me
"I am in Training Don't Kiss Me" is a series by Claude Cahun that features a powerful
self-portrait that questions traditional ideas of gender and identity. The creative use of
masquerade, theatricality, and ambiguity in Cahun's self-representation is showcased in this
portrait, which was created in 1927. From a technological standpoint, the picture is black and
white and probably took with cameras from the early 1900s. The lighting by Cahun is
noteworthy because it produces a striking contrast between light and shadow, which gives the
composition energy and depth.
Gender exploration and Cahun's own identity are at the heart of the photograph's subject
matter. The show's title, "I am in Training Don't Kiss Me," alludes to a rebellion against
conventional wisdom. Cahun's rejection of rigid gender norms is further driven home by the fact
that they portray themselves in multiple identities during the series. Multiple identities and the
fluidity of gender are themes explored in the image. Cahun encourages the spectator to accept the
complexity of human life and to question the stability of identity through his use of multiple
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masks and personas. The androgynous depiction in Cahun's work forces viewers to reevaluate
conventional gender roles. Cahun's use of props and costumes heightens the confidence and
defiance shown by his position and face. Deliberately setting the event gives the photograph
multiple meanings, allowing viewers to perceive it as a personal statement as well as a broader
reflection on gender politics.
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Works Cited
Falk, Lisa. “Expressing and Reading Identity through Photographs.” Journal of Folklore and Education
,
2014, jfepublications.org/article/expressing-and-reading-identity-through-photographs/. Accessed 9 Feb. 2024.
JACKSON, EFFIE. “Gender and Identity in Claude Cahun’s Work.” Art & Object
, 2023, www.artandobject.com/news/gender-and-identity-claude-cahuns-work.
Lange, Dorothea. “Migrant Mother, Nipomo, California.” The Museum of Modern Art
, MoMA, 2016, www.moma.org/collection/works/50989.
Rejlander, Oscar Gustav. “Two Ways of Life.” Metmuseum.org
, 2020, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/294822.
The Art Story. “Photojournalism Movement Overview.” The Art Story
, 2024, www.theartstory.org/movement/photojournalism/.
Vizcarra, Daniela. “The Importance of Identity, Representation in Photography.” ASU News
, 11 Feb. 2022, news.asu.edu/20220211-asu-faculty-shares-importance-identity-and-representation-
photography-0.
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