Lisa Barnard

Lisa Barnard is a documentary photographer who's main interests are politics and the military. Her photography work is mainly focused on aesthetics and symbolism. During her lecture she showed us a variety of work that she has been doing throughout her years as a working photographer.

Below is the first piece of work that Lisa Barnard showed us. It is a project that she completed over a course of three weeks, capturing a group of mothers who's children were serving in the US military. The project which was named 'The Blue Star Mom's' showcases both portraits and still life images to exhibit this organisation but also portray the harsh reality of those effected by US military. The image below is very powerful because of the techniques used, for example, the subject of the image is standing slightly to the left of the frame and not in the foreground; this could be to show loneliness. There is what I believe an empty space on the right hand side of this photograph which should have been filled by the subjects son/daughter. The manner in which the subject is standing implies venerability, she almost looks lost with her hands together in front of her. Overall, I think this image is powerful in the way it evokes feelings of sadness for the viewers.  

The image below is also from the photo series 'The Blue Star Mom's'. The image depicts a care package which is made my the organisation from donations from local business's. I believe this still life can tell a story and show the audience a different side of the US military to what people are used too. The items in the package humanise soldiers and almost show they are not the 'killing machines' that they are usually portrayed in the media. I think that the titles of the items in the package are very important and give a sense of irony to what is reality to the soldiers on the front line. For example, a game called 'Seek and Find' which is a metaphor for the duties that a soldier has to do. Another example is the 'cross stitch kit' which could be a metaphor for the injuries that are sustained during war and the act of recovery. Overall, I also think this image has such connotations which give is a powerful message, whilst on the other hand show a soldier in a more humanised way.

The photograph below is part of a project Lisa Barnard was commissioned to do at the old conservative headquarters on 32 Smiths Square. This image was found in one of the old conference rooms whilst the building was being emptied. As you can see this photograph of Margaret Thatcher has taken some cosmetic damage which some viewers would say was highly ironic is you compare her political reign to the ways in which she ran the country. Thinking about the negatives people have to say about Thatcher, this small image could be seen as a metaphor for both her time as prime minister and after her death. It looks as if the image is on fire and slightly burnt which could suggest a sense of evil and devilishness. Overall, I think that this piece of work as well as some other images in this series have a great sense of irony, which I believe makes a memorable photograph.

In conclusion, Lisa Barnard taught me a lot in her lecture when it comes to the context behind a photograph. She made me realise it was just as important and the technical side of photography, I have come to realise that it is very important to tell a story within your photography work and how the use of irony in photography can be very powerful.