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07/18/2005 06:51:55 AM · #1 |
Based on the comments I recieved on this photo, some of you were offended or disturbed by i t. I would like to explain what my intentions of the photo were.
I was trying to portray the conflict a mother has in dealing with her children. She has her body, which is changed by pregnancy and breast feeding children. She has her freedom, which is lost to a tremendous degree. Her time is not her own anymore. Her sexuality is harder to find. Still, she loves her children, and feels the sacrafice is worth it. However, she looks foward to the day when the children are older, and she will regain some of what is lost. In the meantime, she tries to steal a few moments in the sun to relax and tan and maybe feel sexy for a while. Along comes the child, demanding her attention, with total disregard for her privacy, body, sexuality, and peace. She, of course, gives up her moment in the sun, and lovingly attends to her child.
This is my wife, and 4 year old child. I didn't place the childs hands, they just ended up there. Of course a 4 year old has no overt thoughts of sexuality (yes, I've read Freud). Hands often end up in the wrong place with children. This played into the point of the photo, so I left it in the photo. I shot from a low point of view, to try to make the child more of an imposing, scary figure. The mischevous expression was a plus as well. The fence between mom and the wide open ocean was chosen as a metaphor for the conflict.
The photo was meant to be uncomfortable. I think most of the tension comes from the conflict between mom's sexuality, and the childs total disregard for it. If you were offended by it, that was not my intention and I apologise. |
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07/18/2005 07:13:50 AM · #2 |
I'm a mom of two and I can relate to this pic totally, I don't see it as offensive, I looked at it again since you mentioned it and now I wish his hands were in diffrent areas, I think That maybe one of the problems people have with it, but in general, I just see a kid like mine bugging his mom while she's trying to relax in the sun. Nice shot I think.
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07/18/2005 07:22:38 AM · #3 |
| Nice shot. I don't see the problem. |
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07/18/2005 07:35:42 AM · #4 |
Didn't see a problem with it either. My kids often grab/touch the wrong places. No sexual overtones, just grabbing where they can. I totally get the intruding child as hubby and I are often discussing this. BTW, hubby also complains that our youngest always hits him in his zone. That is just where his head lands. Hopefully when he is taller, this will not be an issue. So, for me, did get offended, thought it was funny and oh so true.
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07/18/2005 07:41:06 AM · #5 |
| No explanation needed. No problem with the image; a very fine and unusual photograph, but certainly not offensive to any but the relentlessly indignant. |
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07/18/2005 07:51:48 AM · #6 |
I didn't see a problem with this either. It's almost creepy that people read(projected)sexuality onto something that looked so innocent and playful to me.
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07/18/2005 08:05:53 AM · #7 |
Absolutely incredible photo. No apologies needed.
The juxtaposition between what most viewers saw (a very beautiful female body) and what the boy sees ("Mom!") is shown perfectly here. It's almost as if he's looking at me saying "What are you staring at everybody? It's just my Mom!" You're right, the placement of the hands makes this point even better. I feel sorry for those that couldn't understand it and projected their own sexuality on a little boy.
You are very insightful to have seen this photo and been able to share it with us (especially because you're so close to the subjects)...great work!
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07/18/2005 08:10:24 AM · #8 |
If someone is offended by that photo then they have issues. That stuff happens around kids -- like you said, they don't think sexually, that stuff just happens.
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07/18/2005 08:15:08 AM · #9 |
I didn't vote in this but saw this as an interesting picture. Also if someone missed understanding the 'family' bit in the picture they should have looked at the apt title.
good shot... 9 from me.
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07/18/2005 08:19:03 AM · #10 |
| Thank you all for your supportive comments. |
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07/18/2005 08:20:08 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by deapee:
If someone is offended by that photo then they have issues. That stuff happens around kids -- like you said, they don't think sexually, that stuff just happens. |
and most likely they don't have kids so never experienced this. If you want to know its whether it's true, try babysitting very young ones or heck, get a dog. Labs and huskys work well for putting their nose where they shouldn't be :)
I didn't vote but did see this image. I didn't connect with the entire metaphors of it but I also didn't stop and think about it, I think you did a good job.
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07/18/2005 10:08:25 AM · #12 |
Got an 8 from me. Totallyunderstood what you were after, and was amused/impressed. Good work.
R.
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07/18/2005 10:17:22 AM · #13 |
In addition to my comment below, I just wanted to add that your wife is very lucky to have someone that understands the dynamics and complexities of being a mother and a wife.
I hope that I'll be able to display the same sensitivities once Marnie and I begin having children. |
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