Martin Parr

Parr was born in England, 1952. His grandfather inspired him in his teens to take up photography and studied it in university. He has created a worldwide reputation with his social documentation. His images create a sense of humour because he creates images that reflect a strange reality that we can relate to and in essence put ourselves in the image. Travelling all around the world to photograph has allowed him to experience all different cultures and see how cultures have mixed together to create familiar situations. In 1994; Parr became a full member of Magnum Photos.

 

This image was taken in Ramsgate, England 1996 and it is called New British. Parr has used very saturated colours which make it very garish. The brightness is overpowering however he has used this to make the structure of the image. All the areas of red creates a triangle which places the main subject (the doughnut) in the middle of the image. The blue of the coat takes up a large portion of the background and contrasts the red; enhancing the garishness and definition. I think that this image combines natural light and superficial light from the camera. The shadow along the blue coat in the upper left corner indicates that there is intense light shining down from behind an object and onto the model. However this would create a lot of shadows behind the arms and create a larger contrast across the red. This is why I believe that a frontal flash has been used and balanced the shadow and intensified the exposure on the foreground. This image feels very familiar because when families go out to leisure locations like the beach you often see children eating junk food and getting it all over themselves. Often Parents photograph this moment because it is funny and a memory that they want to capture. Parr on the other hand has only taken a picture of the food which leaves the image of the mess to our imagination to think about and come up with.

This image was taken in United Arab Emirates, Dubai at the DIFC Gulf Art Fair, 2007. It looks like this image was taken in a gallery because of how clean the white walls are and the information plates to either side on the artwork. The model is centrally positioned in the frame admiring the work. Based on the clothing I would guess that he was a fan of the artists or another similar to them. All the lighting that has been used is superficial. A gallery would have very good safe lighting for the artwork so that the audience can view the artwork properly. This would have been positioned from above; this is supported by the shadow under the right arm. However I can also see a shadow behind the models hair suggesting that Parr has used flash from the camera again. This would explain the lack of contrast from ripples in the shirt and why the models hair looks like it it shining. The fact that the models clothing matches the art work it makes me feel like this is trying to show the living embodiment of the work. As if it has come to life and walked out of the painting. This image reminds me of positions where I have been at events and very enthusiastic fan have dressed up and stand out. I am sure that this character would have stood out amongst the crowd.