Rania Matar: A Girl and Her Room

by David J. Carol

Save Print Email Most Popular Bookmark and Share
Rania Matar

View the Photo Gallery

May 01, 2012 —

A good photographer can isolate and reduce all of the visual information in a scene down to just the essentials to make a great image. Documentary photographer Rania Matar is a master at doing just that. She has that rare ability to compose, balance and simplify complicated situations into refined and beautiful photographs both in her editorial work in the Middle East and her personal work here in the United States. In each case, she uses her innate talent to reveal something personal and human about her subjects.

Her new book, A Girl and Her Room (Umbrage Editions, May 2012), contains pictures of young women in their bedrooms. It’s a simple concept executed through sophisticated and perceptive imagery that commands you to think about the subject. I was fascinated by what these girls—who willingly opened their doors and their lives to an outsider—chose to put on their walls, what objects they surrounded themselves with, and how they chose to dress knowing they were going to be photographed. Some of the girls seem timid or fragile while others show confidence and power. These young adults are on the precipice of entering the “real world” as they get ready to leave the perceived safety of childhood behind; Matar captures each one’s true self honestly and powerfully.

Each month, David Carol highlights work from a photographer who shoots for love, passion and personal expression.

David J. Carol is the director of photography at CBS Outdoor. His photographs and award-winning photography books are in the collections of major museums and institutions throughout the United States. He is a portfolio reviewer for ASMP and Palm Springs Photo Festival, and judges photo contests for Rangefinder and PDN, among others publications. Contact him at david@davidcarol.com or visit his Web site, www.davidcarol.com. 

You Might Also Like



The Architect as Photographer

 Jim Cornfield reviews Nathalie Herschdorfer and Lada Umstätter's new book on Le Corbusier, Le Corbusier and the Power of Photography.

Read the Full Story »

Pushing Print

In the days of bridal parties pushing for DIY digitally-printed albums, photographers and printmakers explain why the printed fine art album matters, and how to make it a staple of wedding photography packages.

Read the Full Story »

Everything Old is New Again

Digital may be the reigning technology, but historical processes periodically experience a resurgence as photographers either revisit the unique looks of alternative techniques or discover them for the first time. We’ve put together an overview of some of the more common— and a couple of not-so-common—processes that might add a fine- art look to your wedding and portrait photography.

Read the Full Story »


- ADVERTISEMENT -

Digital Edition



Digital Edition

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Tout VTS

- ADVERTISEMENT -

- ADVERTISEMENT -

SECTIONS

TOOLS

BRANDS