Thoughts on photos

I'm quite pleased with my photos. I've managed to capture moments I hadn't ever thought about; following my nephew around really opened my eyes up into his little world. 

I think, in hindsight, it was quite ambitious of me to have sketched out exactly how I wanted my photos to turn out. There is no possible way I can force my nephew to pose in particular ways, particularly the "crying" idea I had (to literally capture my nephew crying), as firstly, he doesn't cry that often; and secondly, if he were to cry I would be the worst auntie ever to not console him, but instead smack a camera in his face! Although it would have been a good addition to the array of different ways that Arlo represents/expresses his child innocence, I don't think it's the end of the world. Besides, this is supposed to be a "work in progress" project, in that it can be explored further afterwards.

My thoughts generally turn to Arlo himself. The photos I've captured of him show him in so many different ways - his blunt fringe, his monobrow which he doesn't even know exists, his small, button nose, his super soft young skin, contrasted with his rough, dry, eczema around his mouth when he was ill, to his vulnerability in his massive coat, his silliness with his tongue out, and so much more. I think my photos represent child innocence, particularly Arlo's, in a subtle but interesting way - I haven't made it super obvious as to what the viewers need to be looking at, or should find - they will find it for themselves. Using Roland Barthes' terms, I give the audience a studium to look at (ie, they are faced with a young boy), but the way they view the images is up to them. Ultimately, the description, emotion or feeling they experience by viewing the photos is up to them. If they find a 'punctum' (something that "pierces" the viewer) within the image, it will be of their own subjective ideas. It may be the tuft in his mono brow that curls up, or his bright blue eyes, or the way his fringe sits perfectly adjacent to his eyebrows... anything. It's up to the viewer.

So, what I'm trying to say, is that my images came out slightly differently to what I had imagined and sketched. But this is not a bad thing. I am pleasantly surprised at the subtle nudges towards child innocence in my photographs. I like how the audience aren't forced to think something - they are given enough freedom to put their own thoughts and opinions on the photos.