Clare Strand

Clare Strand:

Gone A stray  series:

The photographs display people from the city, which Stand Removes from their urban surrounding and photographs against a traditional looking background in a studio environment.

The images are interesting to view as they feel awkward.

They generate a rather surreal feeling for me, a fish out of water, unusual kind of sighting. When looking at the images, i feel almost as though i am viewing an extraordinary event that doesn't occur frequently.

The subjects display a certain degree of discomfort in their body language, it's evident to see their attempt to pose naturally, yet due to the "awkwardness" of the situation they are placed in, the inevitable discomfort experienced is visible.

As mentioned previously in regards to Gary Winogrands images, i can't help but question the who what why where's of the subjects. This is enhanced in these images as Strand places her subjects in a formal and controlled environment.

As viewers we are urged to look closer at the people, and in doing so we notice smaller details, in particular the lady wearing trainers - where is she going? why is she wearing trainers with her executive business suit? 

Or for example, the image which displays s lady with mascara running down her face - has she been crying and if so why?

Was she crying when Strand approached her? Or was it set up to add effect the the portrait?

Tiny details to which we may never know the answer make these images exceptionally interesting representations of everyday people, the photographs challenge our initial perceptions of a person or situation.