Street Photography - Facial Expressions
As previously mentioned, last year I presented a lecture on street photography called "Themes in Street Photography".
One of the themes I discussed was called "Facial Expressions".
Dejection? Envy? Devotion? Helplessness?
In his book _"The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals", Charles Darwin wrote that "facial expressions of emotion are universal, not learned differently in each culture." It was groundbreaking work for 1897, and there have been arguments both in favour and against this idea ever since.
Sulkiness? Reflection? Despair? Anger? Surpirse?
He discusses the following emotions: Suffering and Weeping, Low Spirits, Anxiety, Grief, Dejection, Despair, Envy, High Spirits, Joy, Love, Tender Feelings, Surprise, Devotion, Reflection, Meditation, Ill-temper, Sulkiness, Determination, Hatred, Anger, Disdain, Contempt, Disgust, Guilt, Pride, Helplessness, Patience, Affirmation and Negation.
I am not going to discuss all these emotions, but if you have the time you may read his book in electronic format on the darwin-online.org.uk website.
The reason I am listing all these emotions is that, if one starts looking for photographs to show emotions, it seems like he did have a point that specific facial expressions are universal across cultures.
Sometimes, when walking the streets in search of great photos, it helps to keep emotions and the reactions to emotions in the back of your mind, as this will make you more alert of little intrigues playing off in daily life that may evoke a great emotion to capture.
(This was also posted today on my Weku blog.)
