Diane Arbus


Diane Arbus

Photographer born 1923 died 1971

Arbus started her career studying under the photographers Berenice Abbott and Lisette Model. Something that Arbus did was to approach subjects that nobody else was really photographing at the time. She took photos of people that society regarded  as "freaks" as well as people who were generally ignored. She made them look dignified and more moral. She explains that not only did they excite her but they made her feel like she should stand up for them and represent them in better light. The people she was taking pictures of, had so much to deal with, and a lot difficulties in life making them interesting subjects to photograph.


Her pictures look like she had just asked them to go and stand by the wall, but the more I look, the more I notice. Such as how their white tights match the black floor and their black dresses match the white wall, giving a positive/negative contrast.




 Me



This picture gives me a feeling of pride. I see the way she has portrayed the mans strength and conviction in his way of life.





This picture is quite surreal as it makes me think not of the subject but the photographer. It seems to me that they have over stayed their welcome and are not able to make an exit. The woman is still trying to pose, the man is covering his eyes hoping it will all end soon and the child has completely forgotten the photographer exists. It is the best picture of the set.

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