Picturing Hybrids - Hybrid Creatures in Staged Photography

Abstract

Hybrid creatures are among the favourite topics in (amateur) model photography, the most popular are humans with antlers or horns, with a fishtail, and with wings. After looking at typical associations with these creatures, the focus is on embodiment: modelling takes place in a “hybrid” situation that feels like gaining and losing control, that mixes personal expression and acting. By staging themselves as hybrid creatures, models often express a feeling of otherness, make a statement about social inequality, deal with their sexual identity, and can even find redemption through overcoming the body.

Keywords: Photography, Staging, Embodiment, Corporeality, Identity, Hybridity, Gender

DOI: 10.7176/JPCR/49-04

Publication date:June 30th 2020