1. Definition
Dictionary Definition: Representation is the use of signs that stand for and take place of
something else. Linking this idea to humans, representation can be limitless, having the signs
arranged in some order to form semantic constructions and express relations.
Describing words (for both representation and human): normal, abnormal, ugly, beautiful,
distorted, skinny, fat, social, being, individual, person, imitate, sign, perform, copy, body
Annotated Photos
Here is a photo that has used the human body in a natural state to
portray the image of a skull. I like how this photo has really
looked at the pose and angle of the body, and how the lighting has
complimented this. The photo has been taken in black and white
– I always think photos in black and white contain more emotion
and this has been important here as there are multiple subjects in
the shot but only one is making eye contact with the camera
(helping to provide a focal point). I think the cropping of the
photo is really nice, making the image central with a sterile
background has allowed for the shape of the bodies to really
stand out. The lighting has been used in such a way to
compliment the angles and curves of the subjects; this makes it
nicer to look at.
This second photo really caught
my attention as it is something
very different to any piece of
photography I have seen before.
The human body here has been
used to represent a landscape of
some sort. All different parts of
the body have been used for this
and then placed together in the
final overall composition. I think
it’s interesting how the
photographer here saw the lines,
curves and angles of the body in such a different way to its natural state. This photo is very
visually interesting and makes me think about how I could possible take the human body and
turn it in to something else entirely. I like how all the colours in the shot are similar and work
harmoniously together, I think it makes the photo blend more evenly. There is a lot of subtle
shadowing and highlighting throughout the photo that allows the viewer to see the bodies
more clearly due to the lighting that has been used. I think the soft clouds in the background
compliments the photo without it being over powering.

2. This next photo that I found put me in mind of a statue. I love the
expression of the model and how calm and serene she looks. The
blood like effect looks like cracks against her skin. This adds a nice
contrast in colour and highlights the perfect skin/complexion against
the blood/cracks that marks it. The pose has really accentuated the
angles of her face and the lighting has helped to highlight the more
delicate features such as the eyelashes. There is a sudden contrast in
texture where the clothing is the photo, but all the colours used are
white – this makes it more subtle. I like the idea of this piece as to me
it does resemble a statue.
This final photo is really weird –
the hand has come up across the
face and gives the illusion that
you can see the subject’s skull on
their hand. I think this is a really
contemporary and visually
interesting photo to look at. I like
the blur that has been used in the
photo to make the hand stand out
against the face. Typically when
looking at a photo the eye is
drawn to the eyes of the subject, but the blur used here has softened that slightly and brought
the attention to the hand in the foreground of the image. I like the fine detailing that is visible,
as well as the composition of the photo itself. You can see the eye through the fingers and the
mouth is showing too, this way the photo doesn’t look too distorted or out of place. I also like
how the subject is slightly of center (this is something I like to do with my own work).
Real Examples
Own Definition: ‘Representation of Human Figure’ – representation is something subjective
that can be opinion based. Here is thing that is be represented in the form of another is the
human body; in terms of photography, as long as it’s justified I think this can have a personal
outlook and/or be open to interpretation.