Photography report - Diane Arbus


Diane Arbus 1923 - 71 was famous for her subjects of people who could be considered outsiders e.g. transvestites, strippers, carnival performers. However she was equally drawn to more "ordinary" subjects such as mothers, children, couples etc.
The top photo is titled "boy with the hand grenade". I like it as it shows a poor scrawny looking child holding a grenade but surrounded by a park and lovely dappled light on the ground. The contrast is vast.
The second photo is called "a young man with curlers at home on West 20th Street". The contrast I identify is the vivid darks and lights of the actual photo, however the pose is reminiscient of the stereotypical woman in curlers which contrasts with what I know of transvestites, people who make great efforts with their appearance.

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