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Photographs: Removed

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Re: Photographs: Removed

#31

Pretty goofy looking without a cellphone There's one where the phone was covering a lady's face (USA set). I wonder how they did that. Photoshop must be magic

In the "about" section it explains that he approaches people who are using their phones, and then asks them to remove the phones and pose as if they were using their phones.

He must have met a ton of people on this project, which is really cool.

Re: Photographs: Removed

#32

This is one of those things that seems deep but really isn't, maybe a step above Banksy. I don't mean to imply that there aren't issues with our relationship with technology, but these photos are an awfully ham-fisted criticism. I read this article back when it was published and it's stuck with me because it provides a more nuanced and thoughtful view of our relationship with technology. https://www.theatlantic.com/t…

My largest criticism of our oneness with phone is that, no matter how responsible you are with them, they removes you from being fully present.

For consumption of media--which most people use it for--it's like sitting down and opening a book or paging through a magazine. When you're with others, it immediately puts you into a private space that your mind is attempting to connect to, disconnecting from the present.

It's counter to mindfulness. Even when you open up your phone for just 10 seconds to check on something, you're distracting yourself from being present--regardless of how responsible you are with it.

That said, I don't have any problems with hanging out with friends or family and reading a book. I've done that my whole life, but it's not appropriate for times when you're trying to actively be there and have a connection with them.

There's little difference between having a friend pull our a book or their phone when trying to watch a movie together, but our phones are so intertwined with who we are, it's easy to not see it that way.

Re: Photographs: Removed

#33
post #17
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you honestly saying that this (neat) art piece, which is of carefully curated shots taken over months, is general proof that phones are some fundamentally different mode of isolation, compared to any other tool that humans have had?

I would actually be interested to hear you explain why, in terms of social isolation, phones are not a fundamentally different mode of isolation than any other human tool.

Social media are designed to be as addictive as possible. Smartphones have replaced a great number of tools and devices. At the end of the day it's up to the individuals to not spend a lot of time on their phones, but, I can see it's hard for most people. At least around me (including myself). Another thing I've noted is the exhaustion experienced after spending a long time on your smartphone.

Re: Photographs: Removed

#34
post #29

I wish they weren't black and white, but otherwise they are very interesting to look at. The black and white takes away a lot of the impact, it's too bad.

Why do you say it takes away the impact?

The black and white reads to me as a way to pull out the distractions, to focus only on the form.

Re: Photographs: Removed

#36
post #4
post #2

Aw jeez, this is really depressing

Would you think the same of an art project that removed, say, watches from people's wrists as they check the time? Or maybe hammers from the hands from people working in construction?

I think comparing the watch removal to the phone removal would really drive the point home - I don't think you see a lot of couples checking their watches at the same time.

I think I get the point your making - a phone is a tool, and useful, like watches and hammers. But watches, hammers, and even books aren't designed to make you addicted to them. Lots of things on phones are.

And lots of things on phones aren't... but the most addictive aspects are the most prevalent.

Re: Photographs: Removed

#38
By the title you’d assume these are candid shots of people in real life situations with the phones digitally removed.

The actual method the photographer used was to stage situations, and acquire models to act out scenarios for maximum effect.

I don’t know how the production of said images will effect the viewer - but I think it’s important to point out - as it does effect the content. This is staged art. This isn’t documentary.

Re: Photographs: Removed

#39
Looking at these photos makes me realize we have a major body posture problem. No wonder people are having pain in the neck and back a lot!

Also, the physicality of looking down all the time, hunched over, bent neck, is a literal embodiment of the word "downcast" -- and we wonder why depression is at an all time high. We literally practice being downcast all the time.

Looking at this and having these thoughts makes me realize that I need to adjust my phone habits.

Re: Photographs: Removed

#40
post #26
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would love to see this picture with the phones and cameras removed: https://artsmetaphor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Mona-Lis...

This is depressing. What's the point of taking another smartphone picture of the Mona Lisa. So they can go home and show or post on some "social" website another smartphone pic of the Mona Lisa? I guess I just don't get it.

That's exactly the point.

It's called humble-brag.

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