Assignment Research: Mary Ellen Mark

After looking at Mary Ellen Mark's work it's clear that she has a very distinct style.  She always shoots on Tri-X film and almost all of her work is in black and white.  Her subject is people and the topics she has covered include homelessness, loneliness, prostitution and drug addiction.  Mark's photographs stand alone and tell a story to the viewer without any need for words or an explanation.

From the series Ward 81, Oregon State Hospital.

People often say that great photography provokes a reaction, some kind of emotion from the viewer and this series from Mark certainly does.  This picture is haunting and makes me feel complete despair almost to the point that I don't want to look at it anymore.  It tells a story of grief, anguish and loneliness and this is expressed by Mark's choice to leave the subjects personal photograph in the frame.  For me the picture on the side board represents the outside world and a normal life, something which the subject can only see in a photograph.  The photo has a slight vignette which adds to the haunting feel and the composition of the shot is remarkable.

Amanda and her Cousin Amy, Valdese North Carolina, 1990.

The image above is quite shocking because you don't often see someone so young smoking.  What I like most about this shot is that everything in it is childish, the paddling pool and the way nine year old Amanda is dressed.  However what she's doing is something that only adults are supposed to do.  She even stands like an adult as if she is mimicking someone she has seen smoking before.  The fact that she's standing so casually makes this image quite shocking.  I like the composition of the shot and how the paddling pool fills the bottom part of the frame.  The way Mark has captured Amanda blowing smoke so casually out of her mouth is perfect timing.

"Rat" and Mike with a Gun, Seattle, Washington, 1983.

This shot shows two homeless teenagers with a Colt .45 pistol.  I like the angle of the shot, how it leads your eye and shows where the boys have walked from.  There is a slight motion blur on the hand and gun which shows the movement of him concealing it in his jacket.  Although this shot isn't taken in the context of 'gangs,' I would like the composition of my work to be similar and have a raw feel to it, not look staged or pre planned.  I think that with this shot and the above shot of Amanda that the children look like miniature adults and that's what makes these pictures slightly worrying.