Martin Parr
Moving on from my last post, it made sense to now explore the work of Martin Parr. To those who know the work or more recent work of martin parr, one of the first things that might spring to mind is bright saturated colour! Well intact, what I've found interesting about researching martin parr is that he actually started off in black and white and used black and white photography for many years; black and white images which look very similar in style to that of Tony ray jones. In martin parr's black and white early work we can see big influences from the photographer Tony Ray Jones.
"I did do some colour within the Home Sweet Home project in the early 70’s, but it wasn’t until 1982 when I moved back from Ireland that I took to colour in a serious way. This was sparked off by seeing the colour work emerge from the US from photographers such as Joel Meyerowitz, William Eggleston and Stephen Shore. I had also encountered the post cards of John Hinde when I worked at Butlin’s in the early 70’s and the bright saturated colour of these had a big impact on me."
http://www.martinparr.com/faqs/when-and-why-did-you-change-from-black-and-white-to-colour/
"At first glance, his photographs seem exaggerated or even grotesque. The motifs he chooses are strange, the colours are garish and the perspectives are unusual. Parr’s term for the overwhelming power of published images is “propaganda”. He counters this propaganda with his own chosen weapons: criticism, seduction and humour. As a result, his photographs are original and entertaining, accessible and understandable. But at the same time they show us in a penetrating way how we live, how we present ourselves to others, and what we value."
http://www.martinparr.com/introduction/
The fact a lot of martin parrs work aims to work as propaganda, especially the seaside photography, really interests me. I think its amazing to be using photography for more than just producuing a nice picture to look at. I would love to try take on this idea myself, especially with this project being based in the north east, i think there is so much to say about the north east through photography, even as a way of fighting back at the bad publicity this part of the country might get.
http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&ERID=24KL5357TF
GB. England. New Brighton. From 'The Last Resort'. 1983-85.
What i find interesting about Parr's work is how he seems to be very interested in culture, and what we may typically associate with the culture. Where ever he takes photographs, or whoever he takes photographs of me manages to make the nationality of that place or person be very obvious. I think both these images are so typically british. Aswell as the image below, although we may not like to admit it, that woman pretty much sums up a typical english holiday maker. I also really like how the contrasty red and blue colours add to that obviousness of the nationality of the person. very british.
Much like what i have explained previously. this image too really manages to scream "America" when you look at it. i think the food looks disgusting but so typically what i would associate with american food. I think its great the image is so bold and raw, the close up way the image has been taken emphasises on the way the food is placed on the plate; slap bang in front of you.
These two images have a with sense of humour and irony about them, which i really like. Again both images to me shout "Britain." i would really like to capture photos myself for this project that would typically be what we all seem to associate with the north east?
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