Martin Parr

Martin Parr was born in May 1952 in Surrey, England, and is well known for his documentary photography, photojournalism and photo book collections. "Parr wanted to become a documentary photographer from the age of fourteen. He cites his grandfather, George Parr, an amateur photographer and fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, as an early influence." Martin Parr once said: "The fundamental thing I'm exploring constantly is the difference between the mythology of the place and the reality of it. Remember I make serious photographs disguised as entertainment. That's part of my mantra. I make the pictures acceptable in order to find the audience but deep down there is actually a lot going on that's not sharply written in your face. If you want to read it you can read it."


Mood Board for Parr's boring postcards

Image Analysis for Martin Parr

This image is just a simple image of a collection of houses. The main subject in the image is the house on the left because it is the largest of the lot. At the bottom of the image, the photographer has superimposed two labels saying 'Mulberry Close, North Thoresby' and 'NT 10' to transposing it into a postcard. I admire the irony that the photographer uses in this postcard because he has recognised that postcards, in general, create a facade and claim to depict what a place is like, overall, though the 'ideal' aspects (landscapes or famous monuments etc.) specific to that place. However, the photographer has flipped the basis of the postcard and is, ironically, promoting this place by the more shabby, boring and run down areas. In terms of the technicality of the image, the appearance is very grainy. Whether that be because that photographer used an old camera or by using a high ISO, I think it works as it gives the postcard a warm, inviting feel, despite the boring subjects.

My Response
Initial Shots

Post Production - Photoshop

Bibliography
Initial research taken from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Parr#Postcards