"Sadness" By Julia Margaret Cameron

"Sadness." Julia Margaret Cameron. 1964. Carbon Print. 9 1/2" x 9 1/2".

The photograph "Sadness" is a study that Cameron did of actress Ellen Terry at the age of sixteen. This photo is a simple close up of a girl leaning against a wall. The photo is very soft especially around the Ellen, with focus a stop short of sharp on her. A feature of this photograph that adds a sense intimacy is that it is circular rather than rectangular or square. This brings the viewers focus directly on the girl. The only other parts of the photo that can draw the focus are the dark line in the background (which still directs attention to Ellen) and the pattern of the wall paper.

What really makes the meaning of the photo is Ellen holding her necklace and the tilt of the head against the wall. This represents sadness in the way that many women do this when they are sad. It is a common and recognized action by women. The emotion Cameron is trying to communicate is evident without the title of the piece.The slight underexposure of the photo creates a feeling of heaviness and a little darkness to the photo.

Photography at the time was about facts, a true representation of life. Julia sought to show the emotions of a person: to represent who a person was. This photograph of Ellen does just what Cameron intended. At the time of this photo Ellen was  married to painter George Frederick Watts. The two hadn't been together a year before they split up. Ellen recalled for her autobiography how difficult the relationship had been for her. "While [Ellen] Terry may have been striking a pose for Cameron, the picture's title and Terry's expression suggests that Cameron was probing Terry's conflicted and anxious soul." (Photogravue.com) Cameron excelled at her intention. Visually and technically, the photo is stunning. 

http://www.photogravure.com/blog/2007/10/julia-margaret-cameron-sadness/

http://masters-of-photography.com/C/cameron/cameron_articles2.html