Research: Diane Arbus. (WK 3)

Veteran with a flag, N.Y.C.,

1971
16 x 12.5 inches (image) [40.6 x 31.8 cm]
20 x 16 inches (sheet) [50.8 x 40.6 cm] 

A woman passing on the street, N.Y.C.,

1971

Photographer Diane Arbus specialised in photographing people. There are many photographs of the people in the photograph aware of the photo being taken, but there are also those that seem unaware as well. The second photograph is an example of this, the woman, seemingly just walking by. There is no motion blur in the photograph, suggesting a higher shutter speed, I can't imagine she asked the woman to pause in her steps to take the photograph. With the back ground out of focus the woman becomes the sole focus of the photograph, seemingly outlined by the blurriness of the scene around her.

In the first photograph, the figure looks as unaware as the second, looking away at something that's out of frame. It is possible that Arbus took the photo from somewhat of a distance, that or the Veteran was pretending not to notice. The shot looks far too neat for something that was spontaneous, the entire background having been blurred out while the figure stands central and seemingly set apart from what's going on behind him. He almost looks lost, as if he's thinking of another time and place.

Arbus has managed to capture not only the person, but give a hint at somewhat of a personality as well. Both figures look away from the camera, but the first looks as if he feels out of place and the second look almost in a hurry. The point of view of both photos is straight on, there's no sense of authority or as if the figure is beneath us, they're equal.