Mary Ellen Mark

A documentary photographer who has contributed to magazines such as The New Yorker. Began shooting for magazines in the 60s, and gained worldwide recognition for her book Falkland Road: Prostitutes of Bombay in 1981. She has also published monographs such as Twins, Indian Circus, Streetwise, and Exposure. Her work is considered to demonstrate a high degree of humanism. As a lover of documentary photography, especially street photography, Mark’s images show an interesting view on the topic for myself. She has a unique style and is able to create a relaxed atmosphere for her subjects allowing for this greater connection to be made within the photographs. I get a sense of Diane Arbus because of the type of people that are being photographed, not as ‘out-there’ as some of the subjects in Arbus’s photographs, but Mark still seems to capture people that don’t always fit into the idea of normal or average. 

When speaking about ‘seeing’ this is what Mark has to say, “A ‘way of seeing’ is who you are, how you think and how you create images. It is something that is inside you. It’s how you look at the world.” Isn’t that quote lovely? It may sound corny, but as an artist I think what she said is inspirational. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in how to shape ourselves based on what society dictates. When looking for your style, you don’t have to look further than yourself. 

“I don’t expect to change the world with my photographs, I just want to make pictures that have substance.” Artists, lets aim for that, shall we?