Documentary Photography
Deirdre O'Callaghan
O'Callaghan photographed Arlington house for four years. Arlington house, based in Camden Town is a home for many Irish individuals who suffer old age and illness. Throughout her project O'Callaghan photographed Arlington house at a constant rate capturing different types of individuals and their surroundings as well as photographing different items and objects that represent different meanings to the individuals in the house!
This image shows a older man in Arlington house and is part of O'Callaghan's four year photography project. This image shows a man lighting up a cigarette. A noticeable feature of this image is the light of the flame that is reflected off of his face. This allows the audience to see examine parts of the face such as the eyes, hair and the nose which al play different roles. For example the hair signifies the mans age. Its grey tone tells the audience of the mans old age whereas the eyes signify the feelings of the individual. In this image the eyes seem to represent the person as sad or tied were as the wrinkled face of the person makes them appear ancient, delicate and old! The man also appears slightly hunched with his shoulders raised and his old looking black jacket. This, alongside the mans old worn looking skin suggests different possibilities of his life as a worker and as a photographer is very interesting to explore by the use of images.
Juxtaposition - Flower connotation as life, beautiful, colourful - In this case due to its surroundings the flowers seem the opposite - deathly atmosphere - dark dull - flowers dying - as if been abandoned - light top of image creates dark gloomy shadow therefore juxtaposition with plant - flower heads appear bright however the leaves shaded and appear black
injuries brace for arm around neck cut stitches head appears concentrating but also slightly happy grin