Contextualisation: Week 3: Cameron Bloom

Week 3

Contextualisation

Cameron Bloom

Who took these Photographs and Why?

An Australian Portrait Photographer named Cameron Bloom Took these images. He took them as personal images for his family but shared them on social media as a way of spreading the story that went along with them, as stated in my last blog about him. His wife was in a major accident that left her paralyzed and deeply depressed. A few months later they found a Magpie chick that had fallen out of it's nest and bought it home to be cared for and recover from it's injuries. The Magpie which they later named Penguin became a massive part of their family forming a strong bond with their son and helped heal his wife in ways no one else could. Cameron later started sharing these images on social media, not only to show people how connected Penguin is in his family, which is very clear in these images, BUT also to show people that no matter how fragile you feel accepting the love of others and loving them in return will always help you heal and make you whole again. This story has touched people all over the world and it's very easy to see why. 

This is an Image of Penguin and Cameron's Wife :)

What is there Ethnicity and does this influence the work?

Cameron is an Australian photographer that has traveled all over the world with his photography from Ethiopa to South America, and China BUT I don't think his ethnicity really had much of an influence on why he took these specific images. I think the fact he's Australian probably helped with the social media part cause unfortunately not every country has the luxury we have with internet and social media or even camera's BUT I don't think the reasoning behind his photographs or the photographs themselves didn't really have much to do with his ethnicity.

When and Where did they take these Images?

All these Images were taken over the past year and all were taken at Cameron's home with his family :)

What are their Political Belief's and are these Relevant to the work?

No idea and I don't think so.. I don't know how else to answer that question lol.

In what decade or century was this work taken? And does this influence the reading of this Work?

21st Century - 2015

I guess in a way one thing I have noticed looking through comments of these images is that a lot of people are quite attracted to the connection and meaning in these images and the fact that they look like really cute images as well and  I think that's something that's is in a way influenced by this day in age. I think they kinda showing the opposite of how the world is portrayed in our day in age, with all the wars, hate, unkindness, and sadness being portrayed all over the news etc. I think seeing images like this shows that there is caring, kindness, compassion and love out there and I think that's something that people from all century's including ours can get quite connected to and I feel it does change the reading of this work.

Were there events happening at the time that may have influenced this work?

I don't think there were specifically any events in the world that influenced Cameron to take these images, BUT I do think seeing how Penguin helped his family and the connection they have was a pretty big event that influenced Cameron to take these images and share them with the world in a way, to maybe help another family or person who may also be experiencing hardship.

How is this work Presented?

Cameron presents these images using black and white or coloured images. I don't think these images have ever been exhibited but he does share images of penguin and his family quite regularly via Instagram and has published a book about Penguin and his family called "Penguin Bloom - The odd little bird that saved a Family"

Where are you viewing this work and how does it affect your reading of it?

I first found out about these images through Facebook about a year ago and have since viewed them on Instagram. I love reading the titles that Cameron gives the images on Instagram, they're always really cute titles or happy ones and it really helps with the meaning and connection it gives the viewer  of the images and really does change the reading of them for me and other people as well.