The Photograph as Contemporary Art: Chapter 4 Response

   Virtually anything can become the subject of a great photograph, and the artists in Chapter 4, 'Something and Nothing', make a point to prove that. Through presenting seemingly mundane objects in a purposeful and unique way, contemporary photographers have been able to transform the objects and places we pay little attention to everyday into extraordinary subjects and conceptual art. Everything can be photographed, and most everything can be made interesting and engaging through shifts in scale, point of view, and composition.

   Wolfgang Tillmans is one such photographer who is able to create a relationship between the ordinary subject and the artist. Specifically, Tilmmans' Suit, 1997 is a photograph of clothing draping against a plain background. The abandoned clothing becomes very reminiscent of a sculpture which still holds the imprint of the person wearing it before. Although we may see articles of clothing not being worn like this everyday, the subject of this photograph is important because Tillmans has made it important. We can assume this piece of clothing is important because Tillmans captured it in the first place.

   This idea of mundane everyday objects being potential subjects can be hard to grasp as a new photographer. Often, we assume that we cannot get great shots unless we shoot interesting people or fantastical settings. However, I have found recently that photographing the unexciting parts of our everyday lives can be eye-opening and provide us with a different perspective of the world around us. Furthermore, my job as the artist is to transform these commonplace items into something fantastical and engaging in order to tell my story.