I was planning to photo shoot of my friend at the local shooting range so I decided to look up photos on the internet of girls shooting guns to get ideas. I was quickly disappointed to see most of the images that came up had a sexual connotation to them. Most of the girls were in bikinis or cradling the gun like it was a phallic symbol.
So I typed in independent woman... empowered woman... strong woman... and most of the searches that came up were the same (all about sex... even when I put the safe search on).
Well... actually this is the only image that came up over and over.
So I was thinking maybe 365 can change this, Can we have a week of pictures of empowered women? I want to see photos of strong independent women. It could be shots of women in powerful positions, pictures of mothers that take on a lot, pictures of women fighting, with guns, taking on amazing task.... just anything that doesn't feature the body as a woman's greatest asset.
Great idea! I don't know if I can get something each day for a week, but I will definitely try to include something in my project...time to put my thinking cap on!
What is upsetting to me is to see a post on empowering women and then see comments like, "Yeah! Empowered women are so hot!"
Newsflash—empowered women don't give a crap about what you think of them, and endorsing women's advancement on the basis of how sexy it is is not very empowering.
This is a great project, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what subjects you choose to photograph - will be keeping an eye out for sure! Everyone has an idea/ opinion on this which is what makes it so interesting.
Here is my 2 pence worth (not worth more than that I assure you!)
Being called hot, wouldn't upset me, (nout wrong with that in todays meaning :O) but what does is all this talk of guns. Empowerment refers to increasing the spiritual, political, social, or economic strength of individuals and communities. It often involves the empowered developing confidence in their own capacities. A gun in my thoughts would be as "empowering" as a dead fish, giving the person something to hide behind and a backward step.
And I wanted to add that I don't get is that why is it that some people think empowerment or strenght equals firearms? Is that needed to show the world you are a strong, independent capable individual? I think it takes more strenght to protect the weak than to hunt them or shoot them but I guess that's just me :)
Is it just me, or is anybody else confused about why women in fighting positions or holding guns means female empowerment? I agree with the sentiment of this post, but please do not take pictures of women doing things that are typically masculine, as this does not mean women are empowered. We should celebrate typically feminine qualities, such as motherhood.
To me female empowerment means whatever makes a woman feel powerful. So if that's shooting a gun, or motherhood, or being ms. corporate, or a bringing your body to a healthy finely tuned state. It's up to each woman what makes her feel empowered as a such. I don't think ANY of you need to tell any other woman what she should celebrate. Everyone has different things that make them feel powerful. There's not one definition for everyone.
Kiwi, this is a very cool idea. I love that picture of Sarah! I'm not sure if I'll be participating in the theme as I don;t enjoy taking pictures of people, but I look forward to seeing what you and others come up with!
Kiwi, I totally agree with you on the roles thing. I don't understand why people think there is such a need for these trappings of roles. We all are who we are and should be accepted as such as long as intentions are good. There is nothing wrong with either sex showing qualities belonging to either side.
Hey Kiwi, I'm as liberal as they come so I agree, my point is more about women doing typically masculine things to typify their empowerment. I just think that's an ultra-simplistic way of looking at things and perhaps a traditional feminist viewpoint, whereas modern feminists have a different, more nuanced stance. For example, some revisionist feminists argue that getting ones own way from their sexuality is indeed empowerment.
I think you've taken one sentence from me out of context, but as I said I sympathise with your viewpoint.
I'm definitely going to keep this in mind when I shoot, it drive me bonkers that women are so over-sexualized, particularly in photography.
I agree that showing a straight dichotomy of what's "feminine" isn't the answer, there is a happy medium. An empowered woman is comfortable in her own skin and also willing to get her hands dirty at times too. There's a happy medium and taking such a black and white/obvious view on it is too limiting.
I'm in! Although I agree with vikdaddy 's point that women don't have to be doing something masculine to be empowered. Does holding a gun really make someone an empowered woman? I am empowered but pro-vegan and anti-violence, so don't expect to see any gun-toting photos on my project! For me, being empowered is living the life I want to live, and living by my own rules and morals. So in my life, the stereotype of a woman in a kitchen is empowering because it's where I cook my meals and fill myself and my friends and family with wonderful healthy and violence-free food, so for me, tofu is tougher than guns! I guess everyone has their own idea of what empowerement is. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes out of this project!
I'm not a feminist in any way shape or form, but I would say that I am an empowered woman. I do a lot, a whole lot. I don't think most women could handle standing in my shoes. I hope that don't sound bad...it isn't meant to be. I feel even more empowered posting some of my most recent photos. Things that took a lot of courage for me to share.
I'd take part but its the world cup in two weeks. I'll be busy furthering the masculine stereotype of drinking beer and watching football.
:o)
Actually I think it will be really interesting to see peoples photos on this. Seeing peoples different ideas - there's already shown lots of different views in this thread so the photos will be insightful.
For the record - i agree with jenn t's statement. Its about what empowers you - not what others say does. each to their own and all that.
Okay, I know I am coming late to the discussion but as I read it I didn't really see a consensus on the date this theme will start. Did I miss that? If so,could someone fill me in on the dates, please? Thanks so much!
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it's hot seeing a woman, "roughin" it sometimes, it's not always about bikini's and suntans!
Newsflash—empowered women don't give a crap about what you think of them, and endorsing women's advancement on the basis of how sexy it is is not very empowering.
Here is my 2 pence worth (not worth more than that I assure you!)
Being called hot, wouldn't upset me, (nout wrong with that in todays meaning :O) but what does is all this talk of guns. Empowerment refers to increasing the spiritual, political, social, or economic strength of individuals and communities. It often involves the empowered developing confidence in their own capacities. A gun in my thoughts would be as "empowering" as a dead fish, giving the person something to hide behind and a backward step.
Told you , no more than 2 pence!
http://365project.org/msk1p2/but-theres-more/2010-04-17
And I wanted to add that I don't get is that why is it that some people think empowerment or strenght equals firearms? Is that needed to show the world you are a strong, independent capable individual? I think it takes more strenght to protect the weak than to hunt them or shoot them but I guess that's just me :)
To me female empowerment means whatever makes a woman feel powerful. So if that's shooting a gun, or motherhood, or being ms. corporate, or a bringing your body to a healthy finely tuned state. It's up to each woman what makes her feel empowered as a such. I don't think ANY of you need to tell any other woman what she should celebrate. Everyone has different things that make them feel powerful. There's not one definition for everyone.
FTR, I think Sarah's pic is kickass.
can someone tell me what's wrong for a woman to show her masculine side? or a male showing his feminine side?
I'm kind of sick of the media telling us what roles we need to be in.
I think you've taken one sentence from me out of context, but as I said I sympathise with your viewpoint.
All the best
Vik
sooo... how about it!!! week of women empowered? it could be in two weeks from now so people can gather their ideas.
I agree that showing a straight dichotomy of what's "feminine" isn't the answer, there is a happy medium. An empowered woman is comfortable in her own skin and also willing to get her hands dirty at times too. There's a happy medium and taking such a black and white/obvious view on it is too limiting.
:o)
Actually I think it will be really interesting to see peoples photos on this. Seeing peoples different ideas - there's already shown lots of different views in this thread so the photos will be insightful.
For the record - i agree with jenn t's statement. Its about what empowers you - not what others say does. each to their own and all that.