Picturing Ourselves: Image and Identity - Report Example

Topic:  Picturing Ourselves: Image and Identity Photography is evidence which shows that people and things exist in this universe. The pictures makes the three dimensional images in to two dimensional images. The photographic images are perceived through historical and cultural experience. When we look at an image, we consider the subject of the photograph as the person, even though we know that image cannot be the person. The body’s image which is picturised, projects both distance and familiarity no matter who is picturised. According to Rugg(1997,pg.43)“ when a human body is infinitely reproduced and disseminated in photographs , the body’s aura grows as more and more people see the photographic image”. Our photograph is a positive proof of our existence and helps us to form an identity of ourselves surrounded it. The body image is a strong representation of self and hence is bound with the conception of self. We take body image as identical with our self and most often forget the fact that the former represent that later and not the other way around. When one view their photograph, they are not imagining a senseless inert body but a body full of enthusiasm and substance. This can be called as a powerful effect of the pictures and how its effects the way we conceptualize ourselves. Viewing our image is a interaction with our self and we weave our identity in synchronize with it. We can built our self esteem or break down our confidence level based upon our self image. Photographs are mirror reflection of self and have the capacity to transport us beyond the frame. There is a strong connection between image and identity as it is related to resemblance and recognition of oneself. Human beings have no means to access to the self and photographs are a way to identify and recognize oneself. To create a relationship with self one need to pass through a process of self objectification and by continually gazing at self, a person identifies and understands oneself. Visualizing oneself is a treat to the eyes and takes human in to a world of imagination and interaction. Our photographs communicate with ourselves, as we can study our body language and expressions with the help of it. When a person confronts a camera, he is encountering with self and performs to produce an image. Photography has changed the way we picture ourselves as prior to its invention the only means to identify oneself was through mirrors. “In this case of self-encounter mediated by photography, the physical persistence of the photographic image challenges one’s own temporal self-interpretation and narrative contextualization”(Espinosa,2010). Images impact self in a prominent manner and allows to self interpret oneself deeply and profoundly. An interaction with our photograph gives us an opportunity to understand our self performance and enable to build up an identity creation. Even though photographs are unnatural, the feeling we get through the image is natural. When we view an image we also imagine the circumstances under which the picture was taken. With the help of images we can also display our national identity to other people and ourselves. “Identity is a symbolic construction, an image of ourselves, which we build in a process of interactions with others”(Bryceson,2007,pg. 188). The selected picture depicts Muslim women who belong to India and she through the picture reveals her religion. India is a secular state, and being Muslim women she shows the world that her religion is an important identity of the country and a proof that the country is secular. A photograph has the power to convey to people various aspects related to a place, region or personality. In the selected picture the attire of the women also shows that she is Muslim but a true Indian. National identity is a sense of belonging to a particular state or country and she being an Indian establishes that Islam is a deep part of India. National identity is not an innate characteristic but is a reflection of the culture of people and their daily life, custom and ritual. As per Goldstein(1981,pg.25)“Personal identity embodies the many characteristics that are uniquely our own, the elements of the self that distinguish each of us from all that might be considered the non – self”. Identity connects with the image of our physical state to shape the more evident indicators of the personal self concept. We tend to define ourselves by communicating with our photograph which reflects of our inner self. Our photographical image reveals to us our self value, attractiveness, sense of power and influences us to formulate an evaluation of ourselves. The women here represent India as a secular state as well as women of Islamic culture. When one perceives her through this image, people understands the value of her culture as a citizen of India. Our interaction with our image is social in nature and we formulate ideas and identity of ourselves surrounding it. Identity is a vulnerable issue and it can be distorted or destabilize by the self perception and understanding which one holds against oneself through images. The national identity which is conveyed through the image creates a sense of belonging in the mind of the person who is picturised as well as in the person viewing it. A person creates a self identity with the help of the mental picture he holds about himself in his mind. With the medium of images, a person is able to make judgment about self and make contact with himself. For the development of one’s personality, it is important for people to identify oneself with their own image .It also gives a person an idea about how other people see him and perceive ideas about his personality. A poor self image can create lot of complexities in the life of an individual by disrupting his way of living. People may be complimented for their beauty but if one cannot see that in their image then things can change for worst. Photographs are the only means to view oneself in totality and it gives us an impression and proof of our existence and national identity. The photogragh chosen is below Source - http://www.terragalleria.com/pictures-subjects/indian-people/ References Bryceson, D, 2007. .Identity and networks: fashioning gender and ethnicity across cultures. 1st ed. U.S.A: Berghahn Books. Espinosa.J. 2010. The Advent of Myself as Other: Photography, Memory and Identity Creation. [ONLINE] Available at: http://gnovisjournal.org/2010/04/27/advent-myself-other-photography-memory-and-identity-creation/. [Accessed 22 August 11]. Goldstein, H, 1981. Social learning and change: a cognitive approach to human services. 1st ed. South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press Rugg, L, 1997. Picturing ourselves: photography & autobiography. 1st ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press Read More