How Photographic Depictions of Children have Changed

How Photographic Depictions of Children have ChangedJade LeslieWith reference to the work of Higonnet and Holland, show how photographic depictions of children have changed over the last speed of light. What are the strengths of photography as a medium for capturing the center of childishness?IntroPhotographic casts provide us with a snapshot of the past and present, they birth past moments static for us to view even though they no longer exist. They provide us with visions of places and people we may never meet and fantasies, they are powerful for their seeming reality. Photography offers both reality and illusion. Photographs brings visual delight ab step up the dream of puerility and its persistent nightmare (Holland, 1992 8). According to Higonnet (1998 7) pictures of children are. the most sacred and the most controversial images of our time. While they protect the ideal of childhood artlessness images lot also potential damage this ideal. Imagery is a vital part of socia l meaning they continuously provide viewers to new versions on subjects such(prenominal) as childhood (Holland, 2004).In this essay I will look at how imagery of children have changed in the last century, focusing on the debates of how honour and sexuality and the changes and simImage 1 Millais Cherry Ripe (1879) Julia Margaret Cameron Image 2 I wait (1872)http//media.kunst-fuer-all(a)e.de/img/36/g/36_67418_sir-john-everett-millais_cherry-ripe,-1879.jpghttp//thevictorianist.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/julia-margaret-cameron.html on the whole visual images of childhood innocence was invented and refined by paintings and illustrations from the 18th century to the early 20th century (Higonnet, 1998 78). They were then transferred into photography. Paintings and illustrations of children allow us to really see perfect innocence, except photographs does this more(prenominal) convincingly (Higonnet, 1998 86). The notion of the romantic childhood spread into popular painting such as Image 1 by Sir Everett Millais which has since been reprinted and used in advertisements of soap, during the time of production this was associated with cleanliness and goodness (Holland, 2004). I included this image as I feel it is important to see how elements of earlier paintings are used in contemporary images of children. In Cherry Ripe the new-made girl is dressed in typical romantic childrens clothing which has been related to innocence (Higonnet, 1998 51). All romantic children wear costumes and have connections with nature just like we see in Cherry Ripe where the painting is set outdoors surrounding by nature and fruit. Julia Margaret Cameron I wait displays angelic innocence depicted in early photography. Childhood innocence was viewed as sacred, pure and children are dressed in costumes of angels or cherubs to visualise this notion.Anne Geddes Image 3Image 4Image 5http//villagewitchblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/68079-anne-geddes-baby-wallpapers-prints-desktop-wallpaper. jpghttp//www.angusrobertson.com.au/calendar/betsy-cameron-angels/13600025/We see a continuation of these themes in photographs by Anne Geddes. Her images represent a modern memorise of todays idea of childhood innocence (image 3, 4 and 5). These images are what we commonly see on calendars and greeting cards. In these images the children are dressed in costumes, wearing angel wings, dressed in white and have connections with nature. They represent childhood as being pure, vulnerable, close to nature and precious to be nurtured and loved. notwithstanding as we see in images 1 and 2 they represent the idyllic childhood and unspoiled innocence. According to Higonnet (1998 78) Geddes make childrens bodies unavailing and belong to an unserviceable world. Digital photography and new technology has allowed this and images now have no limitations. The children in Geddes images have a magical feel the children seem unreal without making them enticing or available. Higonnet (1998 78) sta tes that successful commercial images like this make the children seem there and yet not there. Geddes photographs draw on childhood innocence just as earlier depictions of childhood by Julia Margaret Cameron (image 2) and paintings by Millaiss Cherry Ripe (1879 image 1) as they have similar themes in representing children as sacred in white clothing or dressed as angels and having connections with nature.Many of todays commercial photographs of children have the same characteristics of those from the 19th century where children are dressed up or are angels, cherubs, fairies and miniature adults They remain similar with their romantic precedents, centred on making childrens bodies look innocent (Higonnet, 1998 76). They all conform to visual expectations of childhood. They show us what we want childhood to be (Higonnet, 1998 86), if images go against this idealised romantic notion of children being fragile, innocence and pure it causes temper to viewers convention of childhood and causes controversy. The early 19th century photographs of cherub and angelic children continues to carry a powerful visual reference as the ethyl ether of childhood (Holland, 2004 9).During the late 1980s Sally Mann began to challenge the earlier ideas of the romantic childhood. Mann used her own children to represent her version of childhood. She captured their most vulnerable and natural moments, many an(prenominal) of these photos contained them in the nude or semi-nude. Manns pictures displayed childhood in a natural form not the idealised versions from early images.Image 6 dulcorate Cigarette Sally Mann (1989)Image 7 Jessie at five Sally Mann (1987)http//www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/art-or-abuse-a-lament-for-lost-innocence-2078397.htmlhttp//lamblegs.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/sally-manns-immediate-family/Image 6 and 7 captures how the children innocently play using unproblematic props such as jewellery and candy backsides. On first glance this appe ars to be innocent however, they can also be a brat to the children in the form of potential sexuality.In image 6 Manns daughter balances a candy cigarette in her hand and resembles how an adult would hold it. Her facial expression, posture and the way her hair is parted on the side makes her look older than her years. The background of the photo is dark making Jessie stand out drawing you to focus directly at her. This picture has caused controversy due to the children mimicking adults and smoking. Children do mimic adults in their play. She is not smoking a real cigarette she is pretending. I feel this image displays how children are losing their innocence why also being innocent young girls enjoy trying out adult roles in their play scenarios (Holland, 2004) and are influenced by what they see in their day-by-day lives. This image reflect the reality of how society affects children, they are copying actions what they see through media and their daily lives and are applying it t o their play.In image 7 Jessie at five the central girl snakes outwards highlighting her naked torso, her pose has a sexual tone, she lures at the viewer, her shoulders are placed in an inviting way to show off her bare chest as if she is inviting you to go to her. She wears a pearl necklace, is made up with lip rouge this makes her look like she is in her teens, or modelling for a fashion magazine. This conveys conflicting messages of childhood innocence and adult sexuality (Higonnet, 1998 195), if you were unable to see her pre-pubescent trunk people could be easily confused to thinking she was older. Due to the posture and lack of clothing of Jessie, it suggests it could be sexually intended rather than children simply compete dress up. Jessie contrasts the two other girls pictured dressed in traditional clothing of childhood innocence. I feel that Manns work displays more virtual(prenominal) images of childhood than earlier images, children are not always angels and pure as suggest in the 19th century. Children enjoy experimenting playing adult roles and these images capture children doing exactly this.Manns work remains a subject of controversy due to the nude and provocative images of her children which aroused great critical debate as it challenged the romanticised essence of childhood (Scally, 2012). It has also been suggested that Mann is sexualising her own children putting them at risk of sexual exploitation. According to Zurbriggen et al (2003) Manns images make young children vulnerable. Savage (2011 109) entreats that Manns images has the faculty to unnerve, to represent without apology, and to suggest the sensuality on childhood play and, perhaps inadvertently shatter the myth of innocence. Supporter of Manns work argue that any sexual thoughts that arise from these images are a result of less-than-innocent readings (Savage, 2011 107). Mann has defended herself, stating that her work is natural through the eyes of a mother, since she has seen her children in every state happy, sad, playful, sick, bloodied, dotty and even naked. (Independent, 2010). According to Higonnet (1998 203) Manns pictures upset cherished conventions of idyllic childhood. These images do not conform to the idealistic view of childhood they create discomfort as the go against social norms and unsettle traditional representations of childhood (Miller, 2005). In my opinion these two images. Something about child abuse.During the 1980s childhood was under attack and was being pushed into adulthood by the mass media (Elkind, 1981 Postman, 1982). Many academics note that this was a time when childhood as we once knew it was lost. Postman (1983) argues that television and the use of children in publicize of clothing and adult products has influenced the disappearance of childhood as there has been a tendency to advertise children wearing clothing which resemble adult fashion, this is seen in image ? and ? Reference in hendrick chapter 2.Young girls have been increasing targeted by advertisements and it has been suggested it encouraged young girls to grow up too quickly and become sexually promiscuous (Linn, 2004 Schol, 2004). Boulton (2007) states that advertisements depict the child model as a nascent adult Images ? and ? display the current culture of childhood depictions which have become increasing more sexualised. Popular images of little girls as alluring and seductive at once innocent and highly erotic are contained in the most respectable and daily of locations, broadsheets, womens magazines and television adverts.http//innewyorkparistomorrow.blogspot.co.uk/2011_01_01_archive.htmlhttp//live.drjays.com/index.php/2011/01/06/has-french-vogue-taken-child-models-too-far/Images ? is from a French edition of Vogue magazine. The young model is photographed high heels, lots of jewellery and heavy makeup. She is placed upon leopard skin. She is dressed in adults clothes her pose is confident and serious she is not smiling. Ac cording to Boulton (2007) this is a sign of dominance, when children mimic this powerful look they convey a sense of adult-like self- cognizance often associated with precocious sexuality. The most worrying part of this image in the title Cadeaux which is the French word for gifts, suggesting the model is a gift. Images like this with suggestive nomenclature have dangerous potential to exploit childhood by introducing adult sexuality into childhood innocence (Walkerdine, 1996 326). What is seen as a fantasy for a young girl playing dress up can easily been transformed into a different fantasy for predatory adult men (Holland, 2004 188). Children are progressively subjected to social and economic forces that exploit them through the dynamics of sexualisation, commodification and commercialisation (Giroux, 2000 44). Their innocence can often mask the sexualisation. The image of childhood innocence is now in jeopardy not just because it is being violated but because it was seriously flawed all along. The ideal of the child as object of adoration has saturnine too easily into the concept of the child as object and then into the marketing of the child as commodity (Direct quote, Hig, pg 194). purity feeds into enticing images of childlike purity as it simultaneously sexualises and markets such images (g, 60).ConclusionThe image of childhood which was created in the 18th century has changed and has been replaced with new ideas and ways to picture childhood (Higonnet, 1998). Photographs have the expertness to provide visual realism to aThe notion of the disappearing child and the myth of childhood innocence often mirror and support each other. deep down the myth of innocence children are often portrayed as inhabiting a world that is untainted, magical and utterly protected from the harshness of adult life (Giroux, 2000 39). Innocence in this instance makes children invisible except as projections of adult fantasies (40).BibHolland, P (1992) What is a Child? Pop ular Images of Childhood, London Virago PressMiller, Andrea. portraiture of Family Values Transgressions and Controversy in the Work of Sally Mann.Scally, P. (2012). In Context. Ethics and Visual Representation http//fir.ferris.edu8080/xmlui/bitstream/handle/2323/2498/Phil_Scally_Ethics_2012.pdf?sequence=1 (accessed 15/04/14)Art or abuse? A lament for lost innocencehttp//www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/art-or-abuse-a-lament-for-lost-innocence-2078397.html Tuesday 14 September 2010