Jim Goldberg- Best known for video installations, photography books, creating photo collages and including text within his images (which is written mostly by his subjects)
He published a book in 1985 called 'Rich and Poor' where he photographed people in their own homes and asked them to write a comment (handwritten) about their lives to co-opperate with the image. His book was seen as one of the greatest photobooks of the 20th century. Another book published by him was 'The Nursing Home Series' which were also combined with a picture and a written comment from the nursing home residents who were captured in the image. The portraits of the individuals and groups of people are all from different social classes, and were asked to write their impression of the image on the actual photograph. The pictures express power and happiness, myths and class and reveal a more individual and private portrayal of the character.
"To me life seems so messed up but littel by littel I am trying to over come that. Because it is hard being a woman and to accept me as I am," 1978.
"MY DREAM IS TO GO TO EUROPE"
"My name is Judy and I am 11 years old. I like the picture. My mom looks like she angry. I don't like the way I look because I look pregnat. My favorite thing is to play with boys," 1979
"This picture says that we are a very emotional & tight family, like the three Musketteers." ... "Poverty sucks but it brings us closer together," 1979.
"People are envious of my wealth. I can't help having been born with money. I try to ignore the hurt and hide it all away where I don't have to deal with it. I can't escape being a Zellerbach," 1983.
What are the images about?
In his documentary images he tries to capture the lifestyle of the subject. By using them as the main subject and then going on to asking them to write a handwritten note about their personal feelings. This creates the image and makes it have its own unique touch and story. All his pictures have a theme of distraught;abused;hurt;life goals - this reflects through both the picture and the text to create a more strong theme and all off his subjects are dealing with similar lifestyles and situations.
What the images look like
All the images are in black and white and have used natural lighting. All are portraits of people, and in are portrait instead of landscape. The colouring of the photos aren't extremely vivid, but its hard to capture a vivid image without a lot of contrast and without using bright colours.
How where the images made?
His images were created by a film camera and being developed. And also made by Jim Goldberg asking the subjects for their handwritten comments on the picture itself.
What format are the photographs displayed in?
A published book - "Rich And Poor"
Do the photos have a common theme?
rich and poor is the common theme. The photos give a more realistic image by using dead pan, instead of studio, so the subjects are being caught in their own environment which relates back to the theme 'rich and poor'. The theme is a focused investigation into one project.
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