an ‘Ism’ is a a distinctive practice, system, or philosophy, typically a political ideology or an artistic movement.

Realism

Realism is a type of approach that captures the world as it is, without, manipulation or exaggeration. It represents things in a straightforward and honest way that is focusing on the truth and realness. This style shows the ordinary and everyday aspects of life and presents images that reflect the reality of human experiences, environments, and emotions.

Characteristics of Realism in Photography:

focus on capturing subjects in their natural state, without changing anything. This means photographing people, objects or environments as they appear in real life.

subjects from daily life: street photography, everyday work, highlighting moments and details that might go unnoticed.

Social and political commentary. Documenting and photographing real life, draws attention to societal issues, inequalities, or struggles that people face.

realism avoids setting up, retouching and editing, or any other methods that could romanticise the photo. It’s about showing life as it is.

Photographers Associated with Realism:

Henri Cartier-Bresson: Known for his “decisive moment,” Cartier-Bresson captured candid, unpoised moments that reflect real life and human nature, often with a focus on social context.

Conceptualism

Conceptualism is an approach that prioritises the idea or concept behind the photograph rather than the aesthetic qualities or technical aspects of the image itself. It’s about creating an image that communicates a certain message, thought or concept, often requiring the viewer to interpret a deeper meaning behind the visual of the image. This approach challenges the traditional idea that a photograph is simply a representation of reality, instead focusing on the intellectual or symbolic aspect of the image.

Characteristics of Conceptualism in Photography:

The idea or message is more important than the visual beauty or technical quality of the photo. The photographer may create images that challenge conventional beauty or have minimal editing within the image to convey the message.

Uses symbolism to convey complex ideas, abstract thoughts, or social commentary. These symbols are meant to provoke thought and interpretation beyond the image.

Many conceptual photographs are staged. The photographer often arranges the scene or props to communicate the message, and the final photograph is more of a planned idea than a real, non-setup image.

Often explores personal or intellectual themes, including identity, memory, language, or politics. It can reflect the artist’s inner world or address societal issues.

These photographs encourage viewers to engage and interpret the image themselves. They may have multiple meanings depending on the viewer’s perspective and context.

Examples of using these characteristics in themes would be; Identity, social & political issues, memory, time.

Photographers associated with conceptualism:

Cindy Sherman’s Untitled Film Stills: These are self-portraits where Sherman adopts various personas, examining the roles of women in cinema and the stereotypes associated with them. The photographs are not just of her but explore the concept of identity through the lens of media and cultural expectations.

Barbara Kruger’s Text-Based Photography: Kruger combines photography with bold, thought-provoking text to address issues like feminism, consumerism, and power. Her iconic style questions social norms and forces the viewer to engage with the conceptual layers behind the images.

Feminism

Feminism in photography is used to explore and challenge issues related to gender, women’s rights and the representation of women in society. Feminist photographers have used photography to question traditional narratives, challenge the objectification of women, and give visibility to female perspectives and experiences. Feminism in photography is also about exploring and deconstructing gender roles, power dynamics, and societal expectations.

Characteristics of Feminism in Photography:

The male gaze: The male gaze refers to the way women are often objectified and portrayed from a male perspective, making them passive subjects for male desire.

Feminist photographers often take control of their own images and bodies, using self-portraiture as a means of expressing their own experiences, identities, and emotions. This helps to stop traditional, often male-dominated, portrayals of women.

Investigates gender fluidity and identity. Photographers examine how societal norms influence the way we understand and perform gender, and often challenge binary conceptions of gender (e.g. male vs. female).

Critique how women have been traditionally confined to certain roles – e.g. motherhood, or beauty standards, and challenge these stereotypes.

Feminist photography has been a tool for social and political activism. Feminist photographers highlight gender-based inequalities, violence against women, and the intersectionality of race, class, and gender.

Challenge traditional beauty standards, promoting body positivity and acceptance of different women’s bodies, including those that don’t fit conventional standards of beauty.

Feminist Photographers:

Cindy Sherman: Known for her self-portraiture, Sherman uses photography to explore themes of identity, gender, and the roles women play in society. Her Untitled Film Stills series deconstructs the stereotypical roles of women in Hollywood films, questioning how these roles shape the way women are viewed.

Shadi Ghadirian: Her photographs, such as those in the Like Every Day and Qajar series, use visual metaphors and symbols to address gender roles, tradition, and modernity of Iranian culture.

Barbara Kruger: Known for combining text and image, her work critiques consumerism, media, and the objectification of women. Through her use of bold text and iconic images, she challenges societal norms and makes statements about power, gender, and identity.