Before planning and undergoing a  shoot based on LGBTQ youth I wanted to educate myselfmore on how it was a form of activism and is the reason there are more rights today and  youth are more comfortable with their sexuality, in the hope I would be able to execute this through the right models and portraits. The stonewall riots was an important historical moment which documented activism and  the power of protesting. I learnt that the riots also helped black power and how it made a big difference to the lives people are able to live today. I also think the riots showed how politcally and socially wrong and judged people were to be gay. Researching this inspired me to want to do a shoot of a young queer couple or LGBTQ activists. Studying in Brighton I think a shoot couple be excuted in a gay bar to link to riots or intimate street portaits to depict how it is slightly more socially acceptable and overall create an empowering series. 

 

Gillian Wearing’s ‘Dancing In Peckham’ is a film where she filmed herself dancing in the middle of a shopping centre. To me this is a striking piece of film which has subtle links to social activism as it goes against something we are use to seeing in normal social behaviour and is proven by the people in the background reactions. What stands out to me the most is how Gillian is dancing to no sound and the actions of the passers by. I think their reactions are interesting and how no one asked why she was dancing or stopped to stare. It makes me wonder what they are thinking, who are they, where are they going. The compostion in the video is very busy and passers by are caught on camera and sometimes walking in front of the shot which also leads your eye to focus on different things such as how the passers by are dressed and their facial expressions. The piece tells me that Gillian is a very brave individual, as it must of been a very intimdating experience and it makes me question personal indentity. The video also makes me question society now and how passers by would react if they saw someone doing that today. Would passers begin to film, laugh, join in, stop her? 

 

Gillian Wearing’s ‘Signs’ series documents society and their thoughts. I like how she has photographed complete strangers and allowed them to share intimate, personal thoughts about their lives , which I feel create very natural,social and historical photographs. The images clearly depicts society and britan in the 90’s which also allowed people to express their opion on social, politics, class and the economy at the time. What stands out to me the most in the images are the subjects facial expressions,surroundings,body language and what they have written on the piece of paper. It interesting how in some cases the physical appearence of the indiviudals does not match what they have written and this shows how people can often be judged and there is a difference between the two. Photographing people in the street also creates extremley vulnerable images and you can see the awkwardness in her subjects when being asked to be photographed in public. 

 

Matt Lambert is a photographer whose work often focuses on queer youth and celebrates gender fluidity and sexuality. I particulary like his berlin youth series as the images are very natural and to me capture people who are comfortable in their own skin. A lot of his images are very close up portraits which create a very intimate and personal feel. Some of the images are shot in black and white which puts all the focus on the subjects and links to the soft mood. The off focus adds to the images feeling very raw and natural. It relates to the facial expresses and poses of his models as they are often shot in natural light, laughing or looking away from the camera as if they are not ready for their photograph to be taken. What interests me about these images are they are people all from the same city who consider themselves to be a part of the LGBTQ community but the images do not sterotype or force them into a category. Each person looks the same, captured in the same way which shows how we are all the same and should be treated and viewed the same regaress of our sexuality. The meaning behind the images to me to capture how  the modern world is becoming more accpeting and are about empowerment. 

 

Wolfgang Tillman has a similar style of photography to Nan Goldin. What I like about his work is that if often celebrates LGBTQ and it has a very inclusive feel to it. What stands out to me about his work is how he captures young people partying, dancing in real life moments. This makes his work extremely exciting to look at as often the people are not still but shot kissing, dancing and completely lost in the music. His work is very atmospheric and you can almost imagine the smell, feel and music. The sweaty, drunk, sexually heightened individuals he photographs clearly decpicts the rave culture era.  I think the meaning behind his work not only captures youth culture but how raves and clubs were also places where political,class, sexuality and race barriers were forgotten. 

  

Nan Goldin is a photographer who does not just capture youth but takes self portraits and images throughout her own life and those around her.  The Ballard Of Sexual Dependency is one of my favourite projects by her. The images to me document different stages in peoples lives, partying, intimate relationships and breakups. What stands out to me the most in these images are where the photographs have been taken and how the subjects in them are feeling. When looking at the faces of the people she is photographing you can often see feelings  which show  sadness and moments of being in love.The colours throughout the photographs often include dark yellows, reds, blacks and blues which add to the mood of images as they are often dark, low spirited or shot in the night at dingy clubs.  I like how a lot of them include her self as it makes them more personal and real. Futhermore the images being shot in homes,bars and clubs depict real life, people in natural states and how society was at the time. The photographs being shot in the 1980’s shows how sex, alochol and drugs were very promiment and she has captured how people can abuse them and use sex and partying as a way to escape from the struggles and problems in peoples lives. 

Rineke Dijkstra’s beach series beautifully capture youth and young adults on the cusp of adulthood. What I like about these images are how they perfectly depict coming of age and the transitioning period in youths lives. What stands out to me the most in these photographs are her subjects facial expressions, poses and the background behind them. The images show youth in an incredibly vulnerable, soft, innocent way. As you study the images more you start to question what social pressures they may be facing, what their names are and if they are related to the people they are being photographed next too. Furhtermore the images have a very nostalgic feel to them and bring back memories of being young, awkward and pure. 

  

Casper Kofi is another photographer  who’s work inspires me and I feel perfectly captures youth and young men in partciular. What I like most about his work is how he photographs his subjects and how the images make me feel. They are often shot in ways such a close up’s of peoples faces from different angles and shots of the male body.  They really capture peoples unique features, physiques and the facial expressions and body lanaguage of his subjects, clearly sets a mood and shows how they are feeling. This is also added to by some images being in black and white whcih I feel link to the meloncholy mood some of the pocess.To me his work strongly shows men who are transitiong from teenages to adults in a very light hearted, natural and fun way. I like how he sometimes captures subjects embracng one another or laughing as it makes his images appear very genuine, natural and challenges the modern masculinity sterotypes men are compared to in everyday life. 

  

I began researching and studying photographers work who I admire and feel realisitcally depicts modern youth and coming of age. Sophie Klock takes portraits of tokyo’s youth in her book ‘Eight Visits’. What stands out to me about her work is the faces of the people shes photographs and their surroundings. In this particular book a lot of the images are shot inside the subjects homes which I feel creates extremely personal and comfortable photographs which reveals peoples true indentity.  As you start to study the photographs more you begin to make connections with the persons in them through the way they dress and items in their home. The subjects are often shot in natural light and the colours are very soft. This creates warm photographs and shows how the subjects have a sense of beloning and comfort in their homes. It captures people in a enviroment where they fee to be who they are truly are.

The images suggest that Sophie is a photographer who wants to capture youth in a non sterotypical way. In the composition of the photorgaphers there are a lot of items which can reveal certrain infortmation about her subjects. For example plants, lighters,cigarrettes and headphones. They truly depict how being a home is safe place and makes you want to know more about the subjects. I think the meaning behind the work is about friendship, love and being at piece with ones self in a raw and natural state.