Fictional and documentary photography
There have been many attempts by photographers to challenge the line between reality and fiction. Cindy Sherman is one of the photographers who create images that ignite the speculative relationship between reality and fiction. Through her photography, Cindy Sherman develops a new path where she fosters a visual discourse and opens up a discussion on the power of images and the message that the image communicates to the viewer. In many of her images, Sherman serves as her own model breeding documentary and fiction to create a new genre. To achieve this, Sherman takes up numerous roles such as a model, a photographer, make-up artist and hairdresser; and uses a variety of techniques such as prosthetics, makeup, …show more content…
Documentary photography is classified in the realm of truth, however, some photographers, such as Sherman, have successfully tested the boundary between fiction and reality so as to reach the public that is used to these narrative forms in the cinematic and literary worlds. The history of documentary photography is to address or depict what defines the representation of social reality. Fictional photography on their part is created to convey a narrative; they are an attempt to develop an imaginative concept of what is referred to as reality. This juxtaposition of real art with fictional art, as postulated by Stylianou serves to challenge the predominance of the “original” (Stylianou 182).
The genius of Cindy Sherman’s unique artistry lies in her ability to create images that reside within the identifiable territory of between reality and fiction as it provokes and debunks stereotypes on women. In Untitled 96, Untitled #93, Untitled #6, and Untitled Film Still #35 which have already been discussed, Sherman intuitively manipulates the photographs character (who is herself) to carefully stage scenarios that have the power to change people’s attitudes towards social and cultural “types”. In addition, they succeed in fostering fresh perspectives about the subject of social and cultural
There have been many attempts by photographers to challenge the line between reality and fiction. Cindy Sherman is one of the photographers who create images that ignite the speculative relationship between reality and fiction. Through her photography, Cindy Sherman develops a new path where she fosters a visual discourse and opens up a discussion on the power of images and the message that the image communicates to the viewer. In many of her images, Sherman serves as her own model breeding documentary and fiction to create a new genre. To achieve this, Sherman takes up numerous roles such as a model, a photographer, make-up artist and hairdresser; and uses a variety of techniques such as prosthetics, makeup, …show more content…
Documentary photography is classified in the realm of truth, however, some photographers, such as Sherman, have successfully tested the boundary between fiction and reality so as to reach the public that is used to these narrative forms in the cinematic and literary worlds. The history of documentary photography is to address or depict what defines the representation of social reality. Fictional photography on their part is created to convey a narrative; they are an attempt to develop an imaginative concept of what is referred to as reality. This juxtaposition of real art with fictional art, as postulated by Stylianou serves to challenge the predominance of the “original” (Stylianou 182).
The genius of Cindy Sherman’s unique artistry lies in her ability to create images that reside within the identifiable territory of between reality and fiction as it provokes and debunks stereotypes on women. In Untitled 96, Untitled #93, Untitled #6, and Untitled Film Still #35 which have already been discussed, Sherman intuitively manipulates the photographs character (who is herself) to carefully stage scenarios that have the power to change people’s attitudes towards social and cultural “types”. In addition, they succeed in fostering fresh perspectives about the subject of social and cultural