Oxymoronical Photography

Feb 12, 2012

Being an English student at University I loved literary terms: Oxymoron, Juxtaposition, Onomatopoeia, Alliteration etc. They just roll of the tongue don’t they? I have been thinking a lot about things like Oxymorons and Juxtaposition with regards to photography as of late. It seems to be the new trend in photography to “surprise” the viewer with things in the picture being places they don’t belong. Children on railroad tracks or sitting in the street on the dotted line, couches in fields or in the case of my practice shoot of an extreme case in point: a cute child in front of a dumpster.

I have mixed feelings about this trend.

I do love the element of surprise

I love the contrast you can create in situations like this. The pop of a green couch in a wheat field, bright purple shoes on the dirty train tracks…. a plaid hat next to an old palette

But at the same time, do they have staying power? Sure it is the trend now, but will I really want a picture of Sawyer in front of a dumpster on our walls ten years from now? What do you think? Thankfully Sawyer is pretty much always game for anything, he would stand next to anything as long as it meant some bubble tape ha! Finn on the other hand said he would come and watch

but no pictures.

He couldn’t help himself though and had to sneak into a few.

So keep at it or back to the classics? You tell me:)

Cheers!

Kelly

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8 comments

CathGrace

To me it is less about surprise, and more about texture, I like the texture an interesting background can add to a picture, (much more then the traditional studio backdrop,) and I think that will have staying power. – What I think won’t stick around is that a lot of amateur photographers are really over-saturating and over exposing pictures, in photoshop I think that is what will probably date. (although I do think it’s pretty for blog pictures and stuff, I usually prefer the professional look of crisp pictures taken with the correct lighting right out of the camera for portraits on a wall.)

leisel

oh! i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the suprise of contrasting ideas in a picture! but i do understand your hesitance, as it is perhaps ‘trendy’? but these are absolutely darling of sawyer– i would keep them on my walls forever and ever! ;0)

happy sunday!

anon

I like the idea of surprise and texture juxtapositions in photography as in any other art, but the current trend doesn’t thrill me. I guess this is coming from having grown up in a poor neighborhood, but to me it’s like a rich person’s idea of ‘slumming it.’ I’ve seen too many houses with couches in overgrown yards for a couch in a field to seem interesting. And if the children of a neighborhood have only areas to play around that have dumpsters and pallets, using such items for a backdrop for a photo shoot for a kid that has plenty of safe clean places to play and wears clothing those kids could never have seems… odd… not really artistic. You seem to have some really good photography skills, and I’ve enjoyed looking at many of the lovely things you’ve posted on this site but imo this trend is not the way to go.

Kylie

I’ve seen some photographers do some really cool stuff with juxtaposition, but honestly I feel like it’s over-done and I’d prefer a more timeless feel. It’s good to have fun, but trends are trends for a reason. And I feel like sometimes it’s the photographers that can’t rely heavily enough on their own skill, so they rely too much on trendy locations or props to make their photos interesting. But your photos are gorgeous!

Michelle

The unexpected is what I love about your photos. The pop of color, the surprise little detail, the “I wish I had thought of that”, it’s what keeps me coming back for more :) Doing what you love…how timeless is that?!

In Black & White

I say keep at it, but throw a few more traditional shoots in there, just in case! I’m a city girl so I love the more urban, gritty backgrounds but you’re right – maybe it’s a trend that will exhaust itself in a few years.

ira lee henson

well you do make beautiful kids! and i agree with the contrast, totally!!! i kinda feel like there are only certain kinds of people who would appreciate this, those that are creative and open to new suggestions. i LOVE it however!!! and i would totally hang these up! its just like the glamor shots, denim, tons of tie dye, or the strange staged photos of the past. i think we should grab a trend and embrace it!!!

Shannon

Definitely “keep at it”. Trendy or not, beautiful is beautiful! And, you take some really amazing pictures.

For me, it’s always about the emotional draw. How does this picture make me feel? It’s the initial impact that’s going to stay with me 10 years from now, not whether or not “bright purple shoes on dirty train tracks” is “in” at the moment.

(smile)

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