I attached this link as I felt it was an interesting way to capture portraiture in documentary photography. It is a chilling account of domestic violence it became quite a controversial piece when TIME magazine first published. Many people questioned the ethics of the photographer having witness the violence but not intervening. I think it is a powerful piece that many people can relate too, it gives Domestic violence a voice and raises awareness of the issue at hand. The photographer plans to continue the documentary, documenting the long term effects of domestic violence (the young mother has left the violent relationship with her two young children). It makes you think of how portraiture can have so much power when used in this nature. It evokes different emotions when you view certain images from the series. As a photographer this example is really being in ones personal space. We have spoken about this in previous posts that the more time you spend with someone the more comfortable everyone becomes. I believe this is a true testament of this, where the subjects are so used to having the photographer around the images created have that rawness, realness in the moment feel to them. What are your thoughts?
Wow Bec! That is so heavy. Some of the images went so perfectly with the captions - when Maggie moved away with Shane it was the furthest she's ever been from her family. I was also questioning why the photographer didn't intervene, but once I had finished the series, I realise it was possibly the best and safest idea, as those horrific and chilling scenes are now documented. In one of the images, the caption was of Shane giving Maggie an ultimatum - to get beat in the kitchen or go to the basement where they could talk alone. I found this interesting, as he was acknowledging that there were other people around (be that housemates, or the photographer). I would have thought he would've turned on the photographer making them stop taking images, instead of preparing to go somewhere 'private'. A very interesting and thought provoking post Rebecca - a real eye opener.
Hey Kate I agree- its a tough one ethically where do you stand as a photographer. It is quite graphic but how often has something like this been recorded. What was also interesting is the children weren't protected in terms of their identity. I thought this was considered mandatory especially when it was published with TIME. I enjoy how photography has so many platforms in which it represents.
Thank you for sharing this. I really admire long term projects like this where the photographer has so much access to their subjects. I always wonder what the agreement between the people involved are in situations like this. It's fascinating to be able to get so close.
Regarding Kate's comment about why the photographer didn't intervene, I think just her presence being there may have subconsciously changed the situation. Shane could possibly have done much worse if there wasn't a bystander. But who knows.
I really like how Lewkowicz shows the possessiveness of Shane to Maggie, especially the photo of them watching TV with Kayden where Shane's legs are around Maggie's neck. In so many of the photos, you can see how body language doesn't lie.
It seems in some of the photos, the actions of the adults are not any more mature than the children.
Such a powerful series and haunting series. It's interesting yet horrifying to see a relationship go from seemingly normal to abusive all because of a small disagreement. I can't help but wonder if things would have been different if they were alone- surely Shane held back a bit because there were others.
Personally I'm not sure I would be capable of taking these images, whilst I respect and understand the reasons behind them it's not something I would be able to do.
I attached this link as I felt it was an interesting way to capture portraiture in documentary photography. It is a chilling account of domestic violence it became quite a controversial piece when TIME magazine first published. Many people questioned the ethics of the photographer having witness the violence but not intervening. I think it is a powerful piece that many people can relate too, it gives Domestic violence a voice and raises awareness of the issue at hand. The photographer plans to continue the documentary, documenting the long term effects of domestic violence (the young mother has left the violent relationship with her two young children). It makes you think of how portraiture can have so much power when used in this nature. It evokes different emotions when you view certain images from the series. As a photographer this example is really being in ones personal space. We have spoken about this in previous posts that the more time you spend with someone the more comfortable everyone becomes. I believe this is a true testament of this, where the subjects are so used to having the photographer around the images created have that rawness, realness in the moment feel to them. What are your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteWow Bec! That is so heavy. Some of the images went so perfectly with the captions - when Maggie moved away with Shane it was the furthest she's ever been from her family.
ReplyDeleteI was also questioning why the photographer didn't intervene, but once I had finished the series, I realise it was possibly the best and safest idea, as those horrific and chilling scenes are now documented.
In one of the images, the caption was of Shane giving Maggie an ultimatum - to get beat in the kitchen or go to the basement where they could talk alone. I found this interesting, as he was acknowledging that there were other people around (be that housemates, or the photographer). I would have thought he would've turned on the photographer making them stop taking images, instead of preparing to go somewhere 'private'.
A very interesting and thought provoking post Rebecca - a real eye opener.
Hey Kate I agree- its a tough one ethically where do you stand as a photographer. It is quite graphic but how often has something like this been recorded. What was also interesting is the children weren't protected in terms of their identity. I thought this was considered mandatory especially when it was published with TIME. I enjoy how photography has so many platforms in which it represents.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. I really admire long term projects like this where the photographer has so much access to their subjects.
ReplyDeleteI always wonder what the agreement between the people involved are in situations like this. It's fascinating to be able to get so close.
Regarding Kate's comment about why the photographer didn't intervene, I think just her presence being there may have subconsciously changed the situation. Shane could possibly have done much worse if there wasn't a bystander. But who knows.
I really like how Lewkowicz shows the possessiveness of Shane to Maggie, especially the photo of them watching TV with Kayden where Shane's legs are around Maggie's neck. In so many of the photos, you can see how body language doesn't lie.
It seems in some of the photos, the actions of the adults are not any more mature than the children.
Such a powerful series and haunting series. It's interesting yet horrifying to see a relationship go from seemingly normal to abusive all because of a small disagreement. I can't help but wonder if things would have been different if they were alone- surely Shane held back a bit because there were others.
ReplyDeletePersonally I'm not sure I would be capable of taking these images, whilst I respect and understand the reasons behind them it's not something I would be able to do.