Photographers Photographing Themselves

Notes from ‘Photographers Photographing Themselves,’ in the book Auto Focus : The Self-Portrait in Contemporary Photography by Susan Bright.

• When taking self portraiture, ‘the self’ is also ‘an other.’
• ‘Historically the self-portrait has been understood as a representation of emotions, an outward expression of inner feelings, penetrating self-analysis and self-contemplation that might bestow an immortality of sorts upon the artist. p.8.
• ‘Self portrait’ vs ‘picture of self’ - dictated by production quality? p.9.
• Photo booth- aids in detachment and passivity. p.9.
• Self portraiture often used to discuss wider social issues including cultural diversity, sexuality, racism, gender stereotypes etc.

• Use of mirrors is a recurring theme, can be ‘read as an attempt to see all sides of the self and a desire to capture something more personal than mere likeness.’ p.17.
• Self portraiture can be used to represent a ‘nation in transition.’ Esp in non-Western artists, the nations identity is changing and so is the individual’s.
• Diaristic photography= catharsis?

(1) Bright, S 2011, Auto Focus : The Self-Portrait in Contemporary Photography, 1st edn., Thames & Hudson, London.