As you closely read the two photographs above -- Sally Mann's "Candy Cigarette"(top) and Diane Arbus's "Identical Twins" -- think about the narratives these photographs suggest. How do the two worlds differ? What stories do they evoke in your mind as a viewer of these static images?
.jpg)
34 comments:
Sally Mann’s “Candy Ciggerette” is a black and white image that depicts a young girl with unbrushed hair in a white dress with frills on the edges. She is staring at the viewer with one arm crossed and the other holding a cigarette. Next to her, on the right, is another young girl whose back is to the viewer, so they only see her curly ponytail, her dress with scalloped edges and her hands on her hips. This girl is staring at the boy behind them who is climbing a ladder in the middle of the road. This photo evokes the idea that this is a group of kids who are rule breakers. The cigarette and ladder in the road when a car could be coming at any minute show that they are willing to test boundaries because of the little supervision their parents provide. The white frilly dress of the girl in the middle seems to contrast her young innocent with the world is currently living in.
Mann’s image largely contrasts Diane Arbus’s “Identical Twins” image. Arbus’s black and white image shows two young twins who are dressed in identical dark dresses with white collars. The have matching headbands and tights as well. The background of this image is very plain, a white wall with brick ground that has splatters of paint on it. The appearance of the girls makes me think that they come from a very traditional family who takes pride in keeping up their appearances. This is seen by the fact that both girls have brushed hair with matching haircuts. Their dresses go down to their knees and their dresses are not tight as to not call attention the womanly features they will grow into. The long dresses also look like something that the girls could potentially be wearing to church. The family going to church would go along with the previously observed characteristic that they seem to be very traditional.
What worlds do these children live in? What was going on before the photos were taken?
Looking at the two photographs, I see two completely different messages being portrayed here. Both are in black and white, rather than color, which darkens the mood. There’s a serious, stoic atmosphere going on in both photos. In the first, it’s a bit shocking to see a young girl holding a cigarette, not that we can even tell if it’s lit or not. Not only the cigarette, but also her stance she poses in and her facial expression makes her look much more mature than her age. At my first initial glance, the photo portrays a girl who may try to act older than she is and maybe her parents give her too much leisure. It portrays the message of growing up too fast. The second of the two photos are of identical twins, but what I first notice is how different their facial expressions are. So, they really aren’t completely identical in this particular photo. Their attire, hair, and stance are exactly the same; yet one has a soft smile and the other has a frown expression. To me this photo evokes that there’s much to a person than just how they appear at first glance.
The first image, "Candy Cigarette," shows a girl standing in the middle of the road holding a cigarette with a dejected expression on her face. In the background, we see another girl with her back turned and another boy walking by on stilts or a ladder. The photo is taken in black-and-white, which suggests a serious mood for the picture. The overall message I can deduce from this picture is that the girl in the front feels ashamed that she has smoked a cigarette, perhaps from a dare, and as a result, no one else pays attention to her or feels friendly to her.
The second picture, "Identical Twins", as its title suggests, shows two girls wearing matching outfits standing on a brick road behind a blank wall. The picture is also in black-and-white, but when taking a closer glance, you can see the twins don't look exactly identical. For example, the hairstyles are slightly different, probably because of wind, and the girls' facial expressions are different too. The girl on the right is smiling, but the girl on the left has a neutral expression. Their dresses both come down to their knees, and the way they are dressed could imply that this is a formal portrait or they are going somewhere like a church or fancy restaurant. The different facial expressions could also mean that the girls feel differently about wherever they are going, but the overall message here is that even identical twins can have some differences between them.
In the top photo, Sally Mann's "Candy Cigarette", you see a black and white photo of three young children. One young girl facing towards the front with a more serious look on her face, holding a cigarette between her fingers. Another young girl is facing towards the back, and appears to be staring off into the distance. The last is what appears to be a boy on a ladder, and it is blurred and in the distance who is also facing with his back to the camera. In my opinion, the photo depicts and suggests the theme of no rules. Maybe that being rule breakers, no rules to follow, or maybe they have parents who are not very strict on them, or possibly even parents who are too strict on them so when they are away from them they chose to break the rules. In the bottom photo, Diane Arbus's "Identical Twins", the photo depicts two identical twins in a black and white photo. They are dressed identically in conservative dresses and headbands. They are standing side by side, the one on the left is not smiling and the one on the right has a soft smile. The background is a plain wall and brick floors. I think that this photo depicts the theme of even though people can look and appear the same, everyone is different and that is shown in this photo.
When looking at Sally Mann's "Candy Cigarette," the first thing that comes to mind is rebellion. In 1929 Edward Bernays was tasked with promoting cigarettes to women. Torches of Freedom, as they were called, were given to women as an act of rebellion. It was deemed inappropriate by society for women to smoke, so Bernays by empowering women to smoke, he was successful in his even larger task, making women rebel. Much like Bernays' campaign, it is jarring in this case for a young girl to be smoking. Her stoic stare into the picture makes her appear older than she is. Her hair is down and unkempt. There is another young girl beside her and a blurry figure in the back is seen climbing on a ladder, but the focus is on her. To explain her to someone incapable of viewing the image, it would seem as though the photograph depicts a girl whose childhood has been taken away.
Diane Arbus's "Identical Twins," depicts two twin sisters standing beside each other wearing matching outfits. They have bows in their hair which have been grown to the same length. Their hands are to their sides, and they are closely pressed together. The sisters match in almost every way, except for their smiles. The photograph seems planned as if this was for a special occasion. One might assume they have loving parents who have dedicated time and money to photograph their children. This image seems to suggest unity or love.
Unlike the twins, the girl holding the "Candy Cigarette" seems disconnected to her environment. The twins are close together and matching, while the rugged-looking girl is more focused on the camera than her surroundings. She has her back turned while the girl beside her is locked into the ladder. Her photograph seems candid in comparison with the planned photograph of the twins. The photographs seem two paint images of two different worlds, chaos vs. order, rich vs. poor, and love vs. neglect.
Sally Mann's subjects are her children. Diane Arbus's subjects are strangers to her. Does knowing that affect your crafting of the narrative around each static image?
Sally Mann’s “Candy Cigarette” photo features a young girl holding a cigarette in her left hand. The girl is looking straight into the camera while wearing a drawn, serious expression, her hair is tousled, her shoulders are hunched, and she has an arm wrapped around herself. The arm is symbolic as it almost seems as if she’s trying to hold herself up. Another girl is standing off to the side, facing away from the camera and staring off into the distance at what looks to be a boy standing on a ladder or pair of stilts. All three characters appear to be on a road in open land, maybe a farm or country area. This photo is coherent enough for me to understand that the young girl holding the cigarette is the protagonist of the story. Although the young girl is smoking, which is generally a negative behavior for a protagonist, I find myself aligning with her because, from the photograph, I can understand that she isn’t smoking for no good reason. The tension in this photograph is centered around the cigarette and, as a reader, I found myself invested in figuring out why the young girl is smoking. Was it difficult family life? Maybe it’s her responsibility to take care of the other two children in the photograph? This could be a play on a worn-out mother, exhausted from taking care of her children. Because this is a static image, it’s harder to make out a clear sequence of events and therefore a resolution. If this photograph were to continue to play out in real life, I would assume that the young girl would continue to smoke the cigarette and the other two characters may continue to head in the direction of the road away from the camera. The protagonist would go on about her life with the fleeting relief the cigarette brought her and I assume that the next day, a scene similar to this would play out once again where she seeks relief from whatever the reason is for her stress.
Diane Arbus’s photo shows two young girls standing side by side, dressed in the exact same conservative clothing. Both girls are also wearing similar expressions, although the smile is more pronounced on the girl to the right. The slight difference in expression is significant because it shows that, although the two girls are identical in appearance, they each have their own unique personalities. In this photograph, it’s difficult to make out one clear protagonist as both girls are featured equally. The only source of tension I can make out comes from the slight difference in expression. Perhaps this is a play on alignment where there is one twin who was more reluctant than the other to take this photograph. This could lead to a deeper meaning where there is a “good” and “rebellious” twin character. This photo is coherent in that I am able to assume a sequence of events. Because the girls are of schoolgirl age, I get the impression that this may be a photo of the two before they head off for a day at school.
The two photographs are similar in that they are both black and white. This implies a flashback or historical scenario. However, the photographs are very different in the stories they tell. Sally Mann’s “Candy Cigarette” photo tells a deeper story with a protagonist and tension due to the cigarette. Diane Arbus’s “Identical Twins” photograph is more static than the first because there is minimal noise and the two girls are clearly featured as the focal point. Because of this there is less tension and less for me, as the reader, to read into.
- Arunmani Phravorachith
One of the first elements I noticed in Sally Mann’s “Candy Cigarette” is the striking disparity between the young girl’s stark white dress and the darker background that surrounds her. White is typically associated with purity and innocence, traits that seem at odds with the rest of her appearance. The girl seems unkempt, with messy hair and posture that suggests she is tired, and perhaps fed up with her surroundings. Her facial expression evokes an attitude that is simultaneously serious and careless, as if she has already lived through an entire lifetime and is ready to retire from her youthful days. The contrast between her stoic appearance and the cigarette against the pure white dress seem to imply that the girl may have been forced to lose her innocence too young and was in a situation where she had no choice but to grow up quickly. Conversely, she could also be trying to purposely distinguish herself from her youth by maintaining an appearance that she believes makes her look older. The children behind the primary girl seem to function as background characters for her, establishing the narrative around her appearance. The boy on stilts and the girl with her hands on her hips, watching him from the middle of the road, seem to paint a picture of childhood recklessness and fun. It could be that the primary girl has had to care take the other two children, perhaps her siblings, which has forced her out of her youth and into the stresses of adulthood. Alternatively, she could simply be wanting to separate herself from being associated with such stereotypical children’s activities and foolishness, causing her to emulate her idea of adulthood.
While the first photograph may have focused on hints of rebellion and the transition from childhood to adult life, Diane Arbus’s “Identical Twins” illustrates many of the exact opposite themes. Not only is the photograph in black and white, but it appears that the twins’ dresses are also in similarly contrasting shades that present a clear cut appearance. While the girl in the first photograph had a more loose-fitting, fanciful dress, the twins seem to be dressed for practicality. It appears as though they are dressed accordingly for the time period and likely had a specific set of rules for their appearance they had to adhere to as young girls. There is no way for either for them to express their own individuality and it could be argued that they are portrayed as products of their time, dressed solely how society expects them to without any regards for their personal tastes. There is the possibility that the twins come from a wealthy family who have certain standards to uphold, leading to their regimented appearances. It is clear that neither of them are trying to rebel against such rules and seem to be content with following the status quo, judging by their facial expressions. Overall, the twins seem to portray themes of following certain societal expectations, whereas the first photograph illustrates freedom of expression and experimentation.
-Anna Bennett
Take note of the titles of each image -- "Candy Cigarette" and "Identical Twins." Do the titles offer anything for the crafting of a narrative for each?
In the first image we see a young girl in a white dress. The photo is in black and white. She has long blond hair that is kind of messy and she is looking directly into the camera with a mean smug on her face. Next to her is another young girl who seems to be staring at a boy behind her standing on a ladder. The background is a little blurred. "Candy Cigarette" seems to suggest a narrative of a young girl rebelling and acting out. She looks very young and is probably acting out because she feels that she is older than what she really is. Maybe she wants to be taken more seriously or maybe she is just experiencing teen angst. The title "Candy Cigarette" had a weird meaning. I remember there are candy cigarettes that I ate when I was younger. I used to think it was funny to pretend to smoke them and they even gave out a little puff of sugar that looked like smoke. I think the title is ironic because when you are young you eat candy and you normally don't smoke cigarettes. I think the title gives this photo a more dark side.
In the second image we see two girls who look identical and I we re to assume that they are probably twins. The photo is black and white. It looks like this photo was taken a long time ago. They are both in white dresses with a white bow in their dark hair. They are standing up straight against a wall and are looking directly into the camera. They are not hugging each other and do not look loving at all. The title "Identical Twins" reinforces what we thought when looking at the picture. This picture gives of a story of two being losing their sense of individuality. From this picture, we know nothing about the two young girls individually. The photo portrays them as the same person. They dress the same and look the same. They could have different personalities, but this photo doesn't show us that.
The two worlds seem to differ because one shows a rebellious young with a personality and the other photo shows two people with know identity or personality. One shows emotion and the other shows two people that look the same with no emotion.
The above comment is from Jillian Symon^^^^
Sally Mann’s “Candy Cigarette” shows a young girl holding a cigarette, and by the name of the piece, we can infer that it is a fake candy cigarette. The girl has a harsh look on her face and is posed like an adult. She is faced in the opposite direction as the other two kids like she is rebelling against being a kid. The girl’s hair is loose and so is her dress to show that she is an outcast and not wanting to play like the other kids. This photo shows the story of a girl who is rebelling against being a kid and wants to grow up.
Diane Arbus’s “Identical Twins” shows two identical twin girls who are also dressed the same. The girls have nice dresses on and they look like maybe they are going to church. The girls in this photo look more childlike and they are showing no signs of trying to grow up, unlike the girl in the first photo. This photo evokes a story of tension between the two girls. The girls don't get any individuality, and they look the same and are being dressed the same too.
The two worlds are quite different. The world of the girl in “Candy Cigarette” shows a rebellious girl who wants to grow up and is showing her individuality from the other kids. The world of the girls in the “Identical Twins” photo shows two girls who have tension between them because they are identical twins and have no individuality.
- Jessica Chandler
For lack of a better term, a freak-show comes to mind when viewing these images. In the first image, while the focus is of the young, serious girl, there is a stilt walker behind her- so, the audience could view this as a sort of circus setting. Each image depicts serious children, which evokes a sort of "creeped-out" mood within the viewer, which most likely parallels that within the children themselves. For example, the first photo of the young girl smoking is a dramatic image, but personally I feel as though the girl is acting as an imposter, or is impersonating who she feels she has to be; a mature young woman with no child like sense of wonder, but rather a well thought out persona being shown to the world. On the other hand, the second image shows twin girls that don't seem to have any personality of their own or any individuality.
Each photograph seems to dehumanize the young girls, which is a broad portrayal of women as a whole being viewed by society. Meaning, in the first image of the girl with messy hair, smoking, it could be interpreted as a representation of the classic working girl, with loose morals and a desire to reach the unknown. The second image depicts two, well dressed, put together girls, paralleling the image of women who are often looked at as intimidating or snooty. The images juxtopose one another, but they also compliment as they show the real world. Seeing this images at a deeper level, possibly contrasting wealth in the twins and poverty in the smoking girl at the circus, can also display real world women. Women are commonly viewed as objects rather than humans with souls, and these two images show that view entirely- each of the girls have fairly similar expressions on their faces and are not portrayed as children usually are. Rather than being happy, playing, or smiling, they are all serious and almost looking at the camera with no real expression at all.
*** copied original post due to anonymity***
In Sally Mann's "Candy Cigarette," the narrative that the photograph suggests paints the picture of a young teen/child rebelling against her surroundings. There are two other children in the background - one playing on stilts while the other is watching him. Both children on either side are dressed in proper attire and the younger girl has her hair in a ponytail. The main subject of the photograph has her hair down in a mess and presents with an unsatisfied grimace while holding the cigarette. She is wearing proper attire as well, but seems far less happy in it.
In Diane Arbus's "Identical Twins," the two school-aged girls are wearing attire that looks used or almost hand-made. Both girls look relatively happy, or content at the very least. They are simply standing there, without any toys or noticeable emotion like the previous picture suggests. The girls' hair is neatly tied back and is cut short, usually because of the style and lack of maintenance needed. Their hair is also tied back with a loose band rather than a proper headband, potentially showing that they cannot obtain one due to money issues.
After decoding both of these pictures, I am able to determine the difference between the two, not only aesthetically, but emotionally as well. The first picture shows clearly the discontent with a lifestyle in which things are given to one at length. The child seems spoiled, however seems resentful of her upbringing at the same time. With the bottom picture, the young girls seem content with their lifestyles and are embracing it even though they are not given the wealthy lifestyle that the family in "Candy Cigarette" has been given. Besides the discussion of wealth, you can also look at the role of age in regards to discontent with one's upbringing. Both of the side individuals in the first photo seem roughly the same age as the twins in the second photograph. None of the individuals seem to have any discontent whatsoever, except for the main female in white in the first photo, who is clearly older than the rest. This could potentially show the effects that age has to do with rebellion, something that the girl in white is clearly portraying.
*** copied original post due to anonymity***
In Sally Mann's "Candy Cigarette," the narrative that the photograph suggests paints the picture of a young teen/child rebelling against her surroundings. There are two other children in the background - one playing on stilts while the other is watching him. Both children on either side are dressed in proper attire and the younger girl has her hair in a ponytail. The main subject of the photograph has her hair down in a mess and presents with an unsatisfied grimace while holding the cigarette. She is wearing proper attire as well, but seems far less happy in it.
In Diane Arbus's "Identical Twins," the two school-aged girls are wearing attire that looks used or almost hand-made. Both girls look relatively happy, or content at the very least. They are simply standing there, without any toys or noticeable emotion like the previous picture suggests. The girls' hair is neatly tied back and is cut short, usually because of the style and lack of maintenance needed. Their hair is also tied back with a loose band rather than a proper headband, potentially showing that they cannot obtain one due to money issues.
After decoding both of these pictures, I am able to determine the difference between the two, not only aesthetically, but emotionally as well. The first picture shows clearly the discontent with a lifestyle in which things are given to one at length. The child seems spoiled, however seems resentful of her upbringing at the same time. With the bottom picture, the young girls seem content with their lifestyles and are embracing it even though they are not given the wealthy lifestyle that the family in "Candy Cigarette" has been given. Besides the discussion of wealth, you can also look at the role of age in regards to discontent with one's upbringing. Both of the side individuals in the first photo seem roughly the same age as the twins in the second photograph. None of the individuals seem to have any discontent whatsoever, except for the main female in white in the first photo, who is clearly older than the rest. This could potentially show the effects that age has to do with rebellion, something that the girl in white is clearly portraying.
In sally Mann's photography, "Candy Cigarette", it is a photo of three children in black and white. The maint point of focus is a little girl with a candy cigarette faced towards the camera. In the background there is al ittle boy on stilts and another little girl with her hands on her hips watching him. The setting is almost like these kids are playing around, doing what young kids do, almost like a circus setting. The little girl facing the camera is very adult like almost like she is rebelling or trying to grow up faster than the children or her siblings behind her. The little girl also has a very serious face almost like she is annoyed or mad with the other children because they are doing "foolish" activities. She has her hair lose and flowy, with a spaghetti strap blouse which is very mature for a girl her age.The kids in this photograph are the photographers kids so maybe this photo is a symbol for each of her child's personality. Based on these characteristics, you can tell that the photographer was trying to capture a young girl itching to grow up and rebel.
In Diane Arubus's photpgraph, " Identical Twins", shows two identical twin girls that are dressed the same. Both of the girls have their hold back and they look very young. The photo is in black and white and almost gives you an eerie feeling because it looks like it was taken a long time ago based on the fashion of the twins. The dresses look like they are from long time ago, but you can tell they are for a nice occasion. One of the little girls is smiling, but the other is more serious. You can tell that both of the girls look exactly the same, so maybe the one frowning does not like the dress or wants more individuality.
I think that the worlds are different between these two photographs, but also have some similarities. I think overall the photos both have a hidden meaning about youth, and growing up in children. For example, in the first photo the young girl smoking the fake cigarette looks like she is stuck with the young children, almost babysitting them, and she wants to grow up already. In the second photo, the young girls do not show any signs of wanting to grow up, but the girl frowning looks like she may want more diffeeriation from her sister, or in life in general.
In the first photo, Sally Mann's "Candy Cigarette," shows a young girl holding what appears to be a cigarette. The background is blurred which means the young girl holding the cigarette is the focus of the picture and the message it is creating. Even if the cigarette she is holding is in fact candy, upon first glance you cannot tell. The story I see when looking at this photo is that the young girl appears unhappy or perhaps is mirroring the behavior of a parent or parental figure. The two other children in the photo appear to be playing. One is on stilts in the background, and the other is watching while the girl holding the cigarette is facing away from them. This narrative suggests that this young girl has grown up more quickly than the other two kids. Maybe she has been treated differently, leading to her rebelling by 'smoking'. The first photo lacks childlike behavior from the main girl while her surroundings depict a hectic, playful environment.
In the second photo, Diane Arbus's "Identical Twins," the two children in this photo represent everything but identical. While the two young girls are wearing the same clothes and look alike, they represent very different things. For example, the young girl on the left looks uneasy and very submissive while the girl on the right looks happy and that she enjoys taking the photo. I think this narrative portrays the different emotions someone can have. While these two girls are considered identical, they are two different people with different personalities and emotions. Perhaps one twin is treated differently from the other resulting in their different expressions. We will never know what happened before taking this picture, which I think is important for the narrative because whoever sees this photo can create a narrative of their own.
What I’ve notice about the photographs is that they share similar imagery of being black and white and two girls being captured in each shot. The atmospheres within the photographs feel heavy and pungent because of their themes. But their narratives are different in terms of what messages they convey with using these girls.
Sally Mann's Candy Cigarette focuses on the girl in the middle while most of the background is out of focus, making the girl the subject of the photo. She looks straight into the camera sternly and her posture exhibits stubbornness as she crosses her arm and holds the cigarette. What this reads to me is, “I’m going through something, I deserve this cigarette” like an adult would.
Diane Arbus's Identical Twins have the two girls stand together and they look like they come from a matched set. Aside from looking identical they are dressed the same and their postures show they are well behaved and exude a sense of uniformity. It’s like they are human dolls.
The first photograph shows “rebellion” and the second photograph shows “good girl(s),” enveloping societal norms and expectations during the time periods they were taken.
Sally Mann's "Candy Cigarette" depicts a young girl, probably in her early teens, standing in the middle of the road. Even though she is wearing a white, frilly dress her hair is untamed, and she is holding a cigarette. However, whether or not the cigarette is lit or even real is unclear. She is staring directly into the camera lens, and she has one arm crossed on her chest. Her facial expression can give off the impression that she is not phased by an adult presence, and that she always feels a sense of maturity. Facial expression and stance, I would assume that she is feeling rebellious towards adult figures and starting to set into her teenage ways. Beside her stands a smaller girl with a curly ponytail and wearing a frilly dress as well. She is not facing the camera; rather, she is looking in the background of the young boy standing on the ladder. This image as a whole gives off the message that these children are rebellious and do not care about the rules. They play as they please and do not have much authority.
In contrast, Diane Arbus's "Identical Twins" photo depicts two clean, well-kept twins standing side-by-side. They are both wearing the same black dress with a white collar, stockings, and headbands. They both seem to have small smiles, and their gaze towards the camera is more friendly. This photo gives off the impression that these two girls come from a more authoritative, organized home. They also look like they could be going to Sunday School which could hint at the fact that these girls would not be caught playing in the street and holding a cigarette. They are prim and proper girls who follow the rules precisely.
As I look at these two images, both present much different narratives. In the first image, Sally Mann's "Candy Cigarette", a young girl is in the forefront of the image holding what seems to be a cigarette. Her hair is a little unkempt and she sports a white frilly dress and an expression that is blank or careless. In the background, the two other children seem to be in their own world; one in which the main girl doesn't want to be apart of. There is a boy on stilts and another little girl with her hands on her hips watching him. On interpretation, the young girl in the center seems tired of the childhood that she was given and longs to grow up and stop being considered innocent. She may have to look after the other children in the picture and is tired of doing so or she may have had to grow up sooner than expected and is independent despite how young she is. However, the title of the picture gives an opposing narrative. The title, "Candy Cigarette" makes it hard to believe that the girl is holding and smoking an actual cigarette, rather one that is made of candy that we are all so familiar with. The young girl may just be acting smug because of this piece of candy in her hand, as young children do when eating these types of candy.
The second photograph, "Identical Twins" by Diane Arbus presents two young girls (twins) that are standing side by side. They are dressed in the same black dress with white cuffs, white hairbands and tights. They stand in front of a very blank white wall and their hands are by their sides. The only difference in the two girls is their facial expressions. The girl on the left has a very neutral expression while the girl on the right is giving a very slight smile without teeth. The girls are identical twins obviously, which makes one think about the implications of being one. These girls are not acting like siblings as they aren't touching one another. Have they lost their sense of identity? These girls may have very different personalities but that isn't shown in the picture. Were they put in the outfit that they are wearing or did they choose to be identical? They seem to be rule-followers rather than rule-breakers which is a stark difference from the first photo.
Overall, the two photos offer very different narratives. The first photo depicting rebellious youth and innocence that is lost. The second photo depicting more so innocence being trapped and personalities being lost; even though there are two identities in one photo.
- Emma Valenti
Sally Mann's photograph titled, "Candy Cigarette" gives off a strong narrative by her use of background images, body language and more. This is a very popular image that I have seen before in some of my film photography classes. What you see in this image is three children on a path. There are two subjects in the background, both facing away from the camera, one little girl is standing closer to the main subject on the right of her, with her hands on her hips staring at the other subject in the background who is standing on a ladder further down the path, on the left side of the main subject. The main subject is just slightly off center and is the only subject in focus. She is making eye-contact with the camera lens, one hand is holding a cigarette while the other is crossed. Her body language is slouched and she is making a very serious face. All of this together gives off a narrative that seems to be mimicking social or family roles some might face. The landscape and the clothing the subjects are wearing seem to be rural. The path they are on might represent life and each of the subjects are on a different part of that path, doing different things. The two subjects in the background seem to be on a normal path of life while the main subject in the front might be rejecting the normal way of going down the path. I think Mann wanted to capture the innocence of being a child while also mixing it with the idea that nor everyone grows up the same, some may be forced to grow up faster than others.
Diane Arbus's photograph titled, "Identical Twins" is another image that gives off some strong narrative. The first thing that came to mind when I saw this photo was the twins that appear in the movie, The Shining, after doing research I found that this photo was taken in 1967, 13 years before the movie was made. The image contains two identical twin girls, both wearing the same thing and posing the same. The only difference I was see was the slight expression that are on their faces, the girl on the right seems to have more of a smile than the girl on the left. The girl on the left seems uninterested or annoyed. The girl on the right seems to be more happy with a slight grin. This narrative of this image might be seen as good and bad in the world, or right or wrong. The one of the right looks more innocent than the one on the left.
The worlds that both these photographs create are different, but also similar in a lot of ways. They both involve children, and are both taken in black and white, probably on film. While I believe that the images are each telling their own individual story, they might cross at some points when dealing with a right way and a wrong way. The main subject in Mann's "Candy Cigarette" rejecting the path is similar to the subject on the left in Arbus's "Identical Twins". The images both have to deal with children and the events they might face, or be facing, in life. These static images both create tension and rejection for their narrative in my mind.
Sally Mann’s “Candy Cigarette” :
Beginning with the title, in this instance, it does change the narrative. We wouldn’t expect a child to be holding a real cigarette, but without the title, it would be left to our interpretation. Also, providing the context of the subject being Sally’s children can also effect the narrative in the sense of the “casual feel” to the image; rather than the subjects being dolled up and posed, they appear to be in a natural interactive state as two of the children are not even facing the camera and both of the girls have frizzy tangled hair vs styled. The background appears to be a dirt path with trees on both sides - you could imply they are near their house in the country side. At first look you see the tangled long haired girl wearing a frilled dress with a candy cigaret in one hand and her other arm is across her chest. Her expression is solemn as she stares directly into the photographer’s view. She is relatively centered in the photograph and the most clear (focused) object. She appears to be older than the girl next to her - she is most likely the older sister of the two. The (now identified as) younger sister has darker curly hair in a pony tail, wearing a less frilled-liked outfit but similar in style. She stands with her hands on her hips. Her face cannot be seen but her head is in the direction of a boy on stilts (the brother). The girls’ sleeveless outfits in addition to the boy’s shorts and short sleeve imply the weather is warm, possibly summer. The girls stand closely together with the brother in distance. Given the solemn look of the older sister, the hands in fist and on the hip stance of the younger sister, and their proximity - they are not amused by the boy and maybe find his activity to be foolish. The younger girl may not actually believe this, but she is taking her older sister’s side. Another take could be that since we cannot see the younger sister’s face, maybe she is standing that way because she is against the older sister and would rather follow after and join her brother.
Diane Arbrus’s “Identical Twins” :
As for this title’s effect, I do not believe it plays as much of a role in the narrative - it is very clear to the viewer that the girls are twins. The context of these two girls being strangers to the photographer does raise the question of “why is she photographing strangers?” Their world seems more formal or traditional given their poses and attire compared to Mann’s photograph. The background consists of a blank wall and bricked path - outside of a building, in a city or town. The two girls stand side by side, hands down by their side and composed with proper posture (again, high contrast from Mann’s main subject being slouched with one arm crossed). Their hair is fixed - curled at the end and held in place with a headband. Their dresses are dark, long sleeves, cuffs and collars, and has a corduroy texture. Their outfits indicate it is a cooler season, fall or winter, and implies they are in a formal setting. One girl smiles while the other presses her lips together. Their expressions could reveal a personality contrast between the two or one simply does not enjoy taking photos while the other is more willing. Both of their stares are blank, no indication of warmth or friendliness to the stranger taking their photo. I am not sure I can answer my original question of “why” is she photographing strangers. Is it normal to dress this way for a trip into town and they crossed paths, could it be church on a Sunday morning, could it be school? I feel this photograph is more vague and allows for more interpretations compared to Mann’s photo.
Amber Boyd
As I look at these pictures, I notice a lot of similarities as well as differences. I think its very different when it comes to the time period and how they were raised. The pictures are in black and white and they show young children in both of them. In Sally Mann's "Candy Cigarette", it looks as if the kids get to do what they want and are very independent. They don't seem to have that much discipline. If you look closely, you can see a little boy in the back climbing a latter and he doesn't have any shoes on. It seems like the girl with the cigarette has taken more of the dominant roll. She seems as if she doesn't really care about much and she is tough because of the fake cigarette in her hand.
In the picture "Identical Twins," The girls look like they were dressed up and their family is more strict. The way they are smiling also says a lot about their behavior. This picture gives me the idea that they may be in some type of boarding school or something that keeps them in line.
The thing that started to form a narrative between the two pictures is light and shadows. Specifically for "Candy Cigarette", the girl is implied to be the center of the photo and therefore the center of the narrative as she is not only highlighted but her white dress stands out amongst the background. White is a clear color of purity; however, I think in this situation it is a play on the irony of it to be an antithetical meaning that although she is wearing the white dress symbolizing how maybe at heart she has a naive perspective of the world she has experienced much to be experienced in areas. I think white could also be a play on white trash: poor working class white people without class which is alluded to by her demeanor and her smoking. I think her demeanor suggests she has been hardened by her experiences which has resulted in a loss of innocence however, she still looks scared and vulnerable. The title reinforces such a theory as "candy cigarette" alludes to the action of chain smoking. It also ties in her question of experience and age as it defines her as a child with the notion of candy; however, it juxtaposes with a cigarette implying her loss of innocence. The fact that the other children are not pictured facing the camera leads to the conclusion that the other children are unimportant in society's view and have been forgotten and have accepted this fact. On the other hand, the girl looking at the camera relies on herself alone but still believes some sort of merit in people.
Contrasting, the "Identical Twins" photo portrays a very classic strict upbringing with a modest lifestyle. With wearing the same clothes and being identical it would be different to tell them apart concluding they have an issue with individuality that also stems from upbringing and lack of expression through appearance. Their clothes have an assumption of religious identification possibility one where self expression is frowned upon. As a viewer, this picture seems to be taken a couple decades ago judging by the color and clothing. These two girls have had all their decisions made for them and have no sense of individuality or self. The name of the picture even further removes a sense of individuality as they do not mention single names only the generalness of the joint pair.
Looking at the two photographs, I see two different messages being portrayed. Both are in black and white, rather than color, which darkens the mood; and there’s a mature portrayal within both. “Candy Cigarette,” gives viewers a shock when seeing a young girl hold a cigarette. Here, I think about “The Fault in Our Stars,” metaphoric cigarette the main character portrays. Looking further into the first photo, we see that her stance and facial expressions show a much more mature person than the youth that’s shown in her figure. Girls are often said to be acting older than they are, but isn’t that due to their mature nature? I believe this photo not only aims to promote women, and young girls, smoking cigarettes (it was the primary audience cigarettes were pointed to), but also that girls grow up too fast and that their innocence is lost a lot faster than boys.
While the first photo depicts this loss of innocence at a quicker rate, the second photo by Diane Arbus lets the viewer have a moment in time with the innocence that the twins portray. Both of the subjects, a set of twins, are dressed perfectly in the same conservative clothing and hairstyle, an iconic image of “child-like.” This photo is just a glimpse of a female child’s full life and I believe that both of the twins will lose their innocence well before their parents wish for them to.
As you closely read the two photographs above -- Sally Mann's "Candy Cigarette"(top) and Diane Arbus's "Identical Twins" -- think about the narratives these photographs suggest. How do the two worlds differ? What stories do they evoke in your mind as a viewer of these static images?
In the "candy cigarettes" photo you you can see three children in what looks to be a rural setting. The child in the back is on a latter and the little girl is paying close attention to what the child is doing. The girl holding the cigarette looks to like she is the oldest and the most mature. She looks rough around the edges and withered as if she had been through some things. These kids seem to be on their own for the most part as if their parents told them to be back before dinner and to get out the house and go play.
In the "identical twins" photo it seems like the life of these little girls is very different than the "candy cigarettes" photo. The two girls are uncomfortably smiling wearing these dresses and there hair is all made up. It seems like their parents forced them to put on their nicest clothes for picture day. These kids have a very strict home life and it seems like every move they make is monitored.
Sally Mann’s “Candy Cigarette”
In the “Candy Cigarette” black and white image, stands a young girl wearing a dainty white sundress in the middle of a dirt road with trees in the background. The girl looks like her hair was windblown or hadn’t been brushed and she has one arm crossed, while in her other hand, she is holding a cigarette. She is looking directly at the audience or camera with a scowl on her face. Also in the photo, stands another young girl wearing a darker colored dress with her hair tied up in a ponytail. Viewers can not see the face of this second young girl because her back is turned to the camera. This girl has her hands on her hip and appears to be observing a young boy in the back of the image climbing a ladder farther down the dirt road. I think that the white dress symbolizes innocence, which contradicts the action of smoking the cigarette. I think that our society sees it as more acceptable for men to smoke and it is a “double whammie” showing an extremely young female smoking a cigarette. The cigarette and the ladder in the middle of the street paint the picture of rebellion and make it look like these children are not watched enough in their homes, or their parents don’t care enough about them to check up on what they are doing. A car could come down that dirt road at any time and these children do not seem to care whatsoever and instead react with these rebellious actions. The tone that this picture gives is serious, and although they are hanging out in the street, it does not look like they are really playing or having a good time. There are a coherence and sequence within the photo that depicts the message of these children’s innocence being taken away. The message that is taken from the picture shadows some tension in my opinion because no one looks to be taking care of these children.
Diane Arbrus’s “Identical Twins”
In the “Identical Twins” black and white image definitely has a different tone to it. There are two young girls that appear to be identical twins wearing matching outfits. Both of them have on matching tights, headbands, and even the same short haircut. The picture appears to be taken on the side of a rustic white building with the brick street on the side of it. The outfits that these girls are wearing are dark dresses with collars and cuffs that look like they may be from a past time, they look outdated. One of the twins looks like she is faking a smile and the other one has a straight face. Both of their eyes look sad and tired as they look directly into the camera. Although neither of the girls look that happy, someone had to go out and purchase matching outfits for the girls and planned to take their picture, which shows that they have someone that cares about them, unlike the first photo of the three children in the street. The image has a direct coherence, but I do not see a specific sequence or message that it is trying to convey, unlike the first image. Even though one of the girls appears to be smiling, I feel that there may be some tension between these twins, or they just simply did not want to smile for the camera in the moment.
The photography Sally Mann's "Candy Cigarette" was taken in black and white. The subject appearance gives off a feeling of being taken in the 70’s or 80’s. This image seem to be taken countryside of the United States. In the photograph there is two girls and a boy. The main subject is girl who is holding the candy cigarette. She seems to be mimicking a posture that of an adult. Her posture and the way that she is holding the candy cigarette suggest that this is something she is familiar with.
Diane Arbus's "Identical Twins" photograph is also black and white. The subjects in this photograph are two identical twins similarly dressed but wearing different facial expressions. This photograph unlike Mann's "Candy Cigarette" looks to be taken at an older time.
The feeling that I get from the two photographs show children who had different upbringing and backgrounds. The photograph “Candy Cigarette” children gives off a vibe of freedom. While Arbus’s gives vibe of innocence and conformity. The girls look like they grew up in the church.
The photograph, "Candy Cigarette," shows a young girl in a dress that exposes her shoulders and arms with her hair down and holding a candy cigarette. She stares into the camera with a cold look on her face. This picture makes me feel as though this girl comes from a privileged background, and, because of this, wants to break from her current lifestyle and live on the wild side.
In the photograph "Identical Twins," it shows two young girls, dressed mono-chromatically in Amish style dresses. Their hair is done up the same way and their dresses are very modest. Both the girls are standing stoically and have a blank look on their faces.
The two photographs are broadly similar, but carry different messages. The girl with the candy cigarette sends a message that she wants to rebel from her upbringing. The photograph of the two twin sisters sends a message of societal conformity, the antithesis of the first photo.
There are major differences and similarities between both pictures. Both exude a kind of darkness and sadness in them. Both photos are black and white and the main focus are girls. In the one photo of the girl with a candy cigarette there is a vibe of needing a break. For example, when adults smoke cigarettes to take a break, this young girl looks as if she is saying she deserves a cigarette break. In the second photo, there are two girls standing side by side in matching outfits. This photo is also eerie as the girls don't look happy, as if they were made to look like dolls. In matching their outfits they look as if their individuality are stripped.
Shamira McCray
Sally Mann’s “Candy Cigarette” shows three children outdoors. One appears to be walking on stilts down a dirt road. Only the back of the child, possibly a boy, is shown. A young girl in the photo is looking towards the child on the stilts. Her back is also turned to the camera, and her hands are on her hips.
But it is the third child who stands out in the black and white photo. She is the most dominant one in the frame and gazes at the camera with one arm crossed over her chest. The other arm is extended outward while she holds a cigarette. She has a sassy stance; a slight attitude seems to be coming across her face.
It’s almost as if the girl with the cigarette is superior to the other children. She’s put away her childish ways, has no interest in playing outside on stilts, and has instead resorted to smoking cigarettes. Or, she is at least pretending to smoke a cigarette. Maybe she’s rebellious. Smoking isn’t normally associated with children, and traditionally, it wasn’t acceptable for women.
The cigarette-holding child is also wearing a white dress. White is typically not a color that most children play in because it can easily become stained and dirty. So, it could be implied that the girl had no interest in playing outside from the start. Maybe she thinks she is too grown-up for that. Or maybe she wants to get her white dress dirty. It's unclear.
The girl who is less dominant in the frame appears to be interested in what’s going on in front of her and is maybe waiting for her turn on the stilts.
The second photo, “Identical Twins” by Diane Arbus is much different from the first one. It is black and white like “Candy Cigarette” but the photo depicts two girls who are dressed more traditionally.
They are both wearing dark dresses with white collars. They have bangs and short hair pulled back with white headbands. They also appear to be wearing white tights. They are dressed almost identical, which is sometimes common among twins. But if you look close enough, it is clear that their tights have different patterns on them.
The girls in this image seem to be posing for the photo, unlike in the other image. They are both looking straight at the camera with slight smiles on their faces. One is smiling a little more than the other. The setting is outside, too, but maybe outside of a building. It doesn’t appear that they are wandering around like the children in the other photo. Both girls seem innocent.
“Identical Twins” depicts a more traditional narrative, altogether. It simply appears that two sweet girls are posing for a photo, possibly after church. But in “Candy Cigarette,” the children seem more rebellious. One is playing with stilts, which could be very dangerous. One seems to be impatiently waiting for her turn. And the third has no interest in the other two children and has resorted to smoking cigarettes.
Spencer Flores said...
As you closely read the two photographs above -- Sally Mann's "Candy Cigarette"(top) and Diane Arbus's "Identical Twins" -- think about the narratives these photographs suggest. How do the two worlds differ? What stories do they evoke in your mind as a viewer of these static images?
In the "candy cigarettes" photo you you can see three children in what looks to be a rural setting. The child in the back is on a latter and the little girl is paying close attention to what the child is doing. The girl holding the cigarette looks to like she is the oldest and the most mature. She looks rough around the edges and withered as if she had been through some things. These kids seem to be on their own for the most part as if their parents told them to be back before dinner and to get out the house and go play.
In the "identical twins" photo it seems like the life of these little girls is very different than the "candy cigarettes" photo. The two girls are uncomfortably smiling wearing these dresses and there hair is all made up. It seems like their parents forced them to put on their nicest clothes for picture day. These kids have a very strict home life and it seems like every move they make is monitored.
Post a Comment