Removed by Eric Pickersgill
North Carolina photographer Eric Pickersgill has created a fascinating series where he removes the mobile phones from everyday life, exposing how ingrained these devices have become in our social interactions.
While the work is posed, I believe it resonates deeply with the concept of the decisive moment. Pickersgill captures how our society would appear—how it does appear—when the mobile phone is removed from the picture. It raises the question: would we adopt these poses if we didn’t have smartphones? The concept is striking, showing how mobile phones have infiltrated our lives to the point where they dictate how we engage with the world around us.
The use of black-and-white imagery enhances the focus on shapes and forms, stripping away the distractions of color. But it’s the idea behind the work that truly captivates me. It aligns with the theme I’m exploring in my own assignment: how mobile phones shape our interactions, even to the point of replacing genuine communication.
In my own work, I’ve tried to capture the way relationships can feel close yet still be marked by a lack of communication, showing how mobile phones are present in every aspect of social interaction—even when we’re driving.
This project has inspired me to think more creatively about my own concepts and how to explore similar themes in a new light.
Bibliography
Tweedy, J. (2015) Photographer photoshops mobile phones OUT of images. Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3270660/Communication-problems-Photographer-removes-mobile-phones-images-couples-families-expose-just-addicted-technology-become.html (Accessed: 14 October 2015).
