Nan Goldin

‘Self portrait in hotel Baurau Lac , Zurich , 1998’ Nan Goldin

'Girl in the mirror' Emma Flewers

Nan Goldin

Nan Goldin is one of my favourite photographers. Her work is personal and holds emotion I find something new in every one of her photographs each time I look. The photograph featured ‘Self portrait in hotel Baurau Lac , Zurich , 1998’ is one that had inspired a recent self portrait project , it’s so simplistic yet effective. Goldin is very much herself and doesn’t sugar coat anything. In the photograph she is staring directly into the mirror. What I love about Goldin’s work is that none of it is staged, although she has chosen to take that photograph Goldin would have taken on the spur of the moment. The light source is the ‘stage type lights’ surrounding the mirror, the type found in a stars dressing room. I love how despite the stage lights Goldin wears black and has a blank expression unlike the Marilyn Monroe figure the audience expects from the lights. When I look at Goldin a part of me thinks she wants the glitz and glam lifestyle almost as if she took the photograph as a sign of her dreams. On the other hand I see this as a rebellion to stereotype. I love how Goldin gets me to question her work. I love the cropping in ‘Self portrait in hotel Baurau Lac, Zurich, 1998’ Goldin doesn’t show the full size of the mirror. I like how in all of her self portraits she hides her camera I think this gives the composition more mystery. My self portrait was inspired by Goldin’s use of the mirror. I also like how the lights have given a warm feel to the photograph it makes the colours unique and interesting. Unlike Goldin’s my portrait was staged I dressed my face in heavy makeup. A feature of Goldin’s work I did use was the use of natural light by using no artificial light. My photograph was taken with a digital camera unlike Goldin who uses film. I think Goldin’s work has a timeless mature look in comparison to my photograph which an audience would decode as modern. My posture is very relaxed and could be described as similar to Goldin’s as I have a blank expression. I like the use of shaping in my photograph for example the curve of the mirror in comparison to the straight panel of the door frame. I also like the blur of the television screen. I am standing slightly to the side I did this so that the detail from the room could be shown. I feel Goldin’s has much more emotion and personality. I feel as if I could learn from this as my photograph looks a little rushed and staged. Ultimately Goldin never fails stunning.