Nan Goldin is best known for the huge success of the 'Ballad of Sexual Dependency' - a photographic account of her friends, lovers and real life while living in New York, presented in a slide show fashion, and accompanied by music.

 

Her work is extremely emotive and it seems as though every photograph of hers is desperately trying to connect with everyone who views it; as opposed to, say, self assured images by photographers who are indifferent to what the viewer may feel.

 

 

“I used to think I couldn't lose anyone if I photographed them enough. I used photography to stave off loss. But with the recent deaths of many of my friends I realized the limits of what can be preserved."

There are often very dark undertones to her shots, even when, at first it may seem like quite a 'happy' photo, on second viewing you notice things within the frame that make you question the emotions of the person who took. She achieves this through her choice of framing, angle and timing; however I believe that this is a sub-conscious effort.

 

They say that the eyes are the window to the soul, but I think rather than having people make eye contact with her, she'd rather show you what she sees with her photographs.

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