Notes and Ideas so far

So far I have come up with two ideas, which I will eventually choose one of to focus on.

The first idea is based around photography and the involvement of the photographer who is taking the photo, looking at it and considering can a photo ever be completely natural, not set up.

Most photographers are going to be thinking about how the photo looks and is set up while taking the photo, they will be considering lighting, background and composition, adjusting the angle to get a better shot.

What makes a good photo? is planning a shot and adjusting the angle changing the reality of what's in front of you.

How far do you get involved, with photos from a natural environment, if they are a record of what's happening then the photographer should really be involved or interact with it, but is them just being there effecting the reality. If they are photographing wild animals hunting, but they notice the photographer and become scared and change plans, is this being involved.

With the photo by Kevin carter, where the vulture is watching a weak child what is right to do in this situation, the photograph shows the reality of what's there, is it right to not get involved before and after taking the photo.

The second Idea I have is looking at products being sold as a means of identity, 'must have essentials' which no one really needs. Are we buying into a cultural group, what makes you need the items, cultural acceptance, social groups, being able to relate to piers.

The idea of buying into a brand, if you own a certain item or brand you give yourself a label.

Products are creating ideas of things we don't need, adverts showing self improvements, being able to create the 'perfect you' the 'ideal', but how do we decide what perfect is, everyone will have their own opinions on what perfection is. 

possible questions:

Is there such a thing as the 'perfect you'?

are we buying products to fit into social groups?  

Are you buying the item or the image associated with it?

Research to do:

Books "The saturated self" -Kenneth J. Gergen 

Currently looking at:

Self and Society -Ann Branaman

To get started I looked at the e-Book and picked out some information that was interesting and related in a way to the ideas I was having about the way people want to be seen in society, and how what they wear puts across a certain message to other people, stereotypes.