"[Photography was] a little bit cold, a little bit harsh but its scrutiny revealed the truth; the difference between what people wanted others to see and what they really did see, the flaws"
Diane Arbus' photography was revolutionary of it's time, not that it was realised as this until after she has committed suicide. She effected the way in which photography was viewed. The majority of Arbus' photography was of people and the trust between herself and the subject and how much they were willing to show. The subject were scrutinised in society as being so individual it made them freaks. And this is existent in Arbus' photographs. She photographs them in a way that encapsulates you and asks for you to read further into their story and discover their truth.
What I find most interesting about Arbus' work is the simplicity in the images. More often than not, it's just a photograph. No set, no direction. It's all candid. Nothing like Dr. Hugh Diamond, Cindy Sherman or Ian Breakwells work. It's like she has just taken a photograph for photographs sake, no meaning in it what so ever than her interest in the unique. If this is true it provides a whole, more interesting concept on her photography and makes you think more about the subjects. They're more than just a subject.
I think this is what I need to consider next when taking photographs. I'm not longer sure whether I want to use text alongside my images because it might make what i'm trying to get across too obvious. I think I want the consumer to think more about the person in the subject, particularly what was my reason for pressing the shutter at that moment. In that way I think it will be more effective if the shots are more candid.
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