The mirror and window analogy is a concept that describes two different approaches to capturing and presenting images. This analogy, first introduced by photographer John Szarkowski, helps us understand the dual nature of photography as both an art form and a documentary medium.

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Vivian Maier's many self-portraits are excellent examples of mirror photography. Maier's self-portraits are literal reflections in mirrors and other reflective surfaces that provide insight into her identity. These images reflect her inner world, her presence in the spaces she inhabited, and her unique perspective on herself and her environment.

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When photographers use the camera as a window, they aim to capture reality. This approach is commonly associated with documentary and street photography. Dorothea Lange's photographs during the Great Depression, such as "Migrant Mother," provide a realistic depiction of the era's social and economic challenges.

The mirror and window analogy offers a helpful way to understand the dual nature of photography. It illustrates how the medium can be used for personal expression and for capturing reality. Whether a photograph acts as a mirror or a window depends on the photographer's intention and approach.

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As an image maker, do you identify with one more than the other?

I identify more with the window analogy. This approach to photography resonates with me because it aligns with my desire to capture and convey the world as it is, focusing on realism, authenticity, and storytelling. 

 

What other metaphors do you know of, or can you think of, that provide an insight into photography?

Besides the windows and mirrors analogy, other metaphors offer insight into photography. The photographer as a painter metaphor emphasizes the photographer as someone who plays with colour and light to create visual effects. John Maisel's images.

 

The photographer is a storyteller metaphor; the photographer is a storyteller who conveys stories through images, creating sequences of images that together tell a story.