Solitude : a photographic project exploring the relationship between the feeling of loneliness and the notion of living alone in relation to ageing

Abstract

This study questions whether there is a relationship between being alone and feeling alone. This is done by observing the researcher's great grandmother and documenting her using the medium of photography. This study aims to convey the feeling of solitude through the image and to get a reaction from the viewers. This was a long-term study, conducted over a span of six months, through constant observation and research, certain elements were noticed which gave the researcher a clearer indication of solitude. To understand this subject better practice-based research and a focus group were used. These methods enabled the researcher to understand further both ends of the project, the focus group was utilised to better understand how other people perceive the work. These methods were studied from other great photographers within the genre of documentary photography, such as Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange and Nancy Borrowick. These photographs inspired the researcher to look deeper into the situation and study the surroundings as well. Through constant observation of the interaction between the subject and the space.