Oscar Rejlander

 Hey Teach, 

None of these guys really appeal to my specific style, not that I don’t like their work but none I can really use to inspire me directly, So I picked the one I found the coolest.

That would be Mr Rejlander, his art just seemed interesting and the image of the many people slapped into one almost last supper like or renaissance painting was incredibly cool, I was drawn in! My first foray into his work will be looking at his images before any biography and going my personal perceptions and thoughts on his works in relation to me.

My immediate thought or impression with the wide array of his images is that he almost shows a childlike wonder or imagination, his images may not all be happy, but it’s very playful stuff, artsy and silly and simple but always with technicality and effort. I really feel drawn into the image of him posing with himself, something about that feels real to me. I read it as this, The pose of his photographer self, or a certain self, maybe even his true self points toward either a facade or maybe a professional or public version of himself, the image he tries to keep up or maybe the one he has to as a man in his times. He feels like he can’t truly show himself and has to defer (he looks almost demure) to the man, the ramrod straight back and the weapon. The artist looks at the lens, almost in a mocking of this version of himself or simply not enjoying having to give in to it whilst the soldier looks almost with disdain.

I feel some sort of sense of connection with this photo, because even nowadays I do feel as though even with our continued push for acceptance, men are still treated worse if they don’t show a sense of nonchalance, dominance, push, or interest in aggression and strength. Not to say that I don’t, I very much do enjoy being in control of my emotions, and pushing myself to improve, I love strength training and being active, but I also feel emotional too, I feel weak sometimes pushed to my brink, and putting on a facade too I almost mock. Something fake and disdaining that makes me look upon my full self with hatred, somewhere lost between the two and confused if i’m even anymore one of them or some observer of a battle between two wills.

Anyways. Enough of me yapping on, I’ll look more into him because I’m interested and let you know what I think.

He seems an interesting man, to shove an entire life into a few sentences is impossible, but I think that from what I can read he truly loves photography. And that’s all one can ask of life, something to devote yourself too. 

We’ll teach, Almost our final blog. I hope you’ve enjoyed my time as a student. I know I may not always be the best or the most committed, but I promise that I too truly love photography. If I were to be honest with you, I hold myself back from being too devoted, because I’m somewhat scared of what I would have to sacrifice if I truly put my all in. I like having prospects in a future with stability and I’m scared to take the risk in my academics, my social circles, and my own path. I will always pursue my art however, through photography, psychology, spoken and written word, and my life’s path. Thank you so much for allowing me to experiment, to fuck up, to try things. I would never be as happy and confident that the things I do are worthy of pride if not for the art teachers here. You’ve stoked the fire I’ve hid since childhood that I can create, and that it’s a beautiful and unique thing.