There's something I've been meaning to tell you...

I wrote this article ages ago and it never actually saw the light of day. The time has arrived!



 "When I say I want to photograph someone, what it really means is that I’d like to know them."- Annie Leibovitz
"It’s the magic that happens in your own head that allows you to take a great photo," says Claire Martin, a fourth year Journalism design student . "Photography is capturing the world as you see it."

The parts of the world that she aims to capture? "People, especially their faces. A photograph of a face can grab the viewer; can confront the viewer with the emotions of the subject. The beautiful moments of interaction between people can be captured and made timeless through photography."

People have always wanted to capture the moments of their lives, from the Impressionist’s rendering of the fleeting nature of colour and light to the social networks of today, in which people are largely represented through photographic images.

Claire explains her theory that "you can never really know someone completely", citing photography as a way to explore the many different sides to a person. Inspired by French Vogue magazine, stage productions and ‘weird couture’ ("anything edgy, or with a twist"), Claire’s favourite photographers include Kevin Carter and Eleanor Hardwick. She aims to take the kind of photos that will "rip your heart out" when you look at them.




Tarryn Liddell, a fourth year photo Journalism student, appreciates photography for the creativity it evokes. "There is no wrong or right way…some of the best photos can be taken when breaking the rules."

Photography is a relatively new technological medium, and Tarryn believes that it is one which will continue to grow.

"I’m mostly thinking about how I am constructing an image, and what that image is saying," says Tarryn, describing her head space when she is behind the camera.

To any aspiring photographers, Tarryn’s advice is "PRACTICE, PRACTICE and then more practice!" She mentions a hands-on approach, following blogs and learning from other photographers as some of the key ways to become an accomplished photographer.

Claire’s advice is not to try too hard. "If you do this you won’t get to the heart of the photo," she explains.

As Walker Evans says, "The eye traffics in feelings, not in thoughts."

Um...is this thing on?

Soooooooooo...in yet another attempt to be cool (heh heh) I have decided to start a BLOG! I chose to call it 'Paper Dolls' coz most of what I love to do, like writing and reading, involves paper (obvious I know), and the name in general has connotations of girly fashion and creativity. It also has a kind of vintage feel to it, which made me like it even more. I want to use this space to express my thoughts and opinions, rather than my usual method of releasing them as word vomit when conversing with a group of strangers. Early New Year's resolution, you might say. I suspect that there is a big collage in my head made up of images and poems and song lyrics and paintings and photographs and movies, and I just want to put all of it down on paper. So here goes.