MO'S: Martin Parr: between the funny and tragic

Martin Parr is one of that photographers that started already from where he wanted to go.

This because what he does is what he is: a critical viewer that can see from an outsider point of view. This ability is always use in his work, and that's mainly why his photos are so recognizable and famous.
Parr is a documentary photographer who always kept a critical eye at the different aspects of modern life. SIce the '70 he studied painstakingly provincial mentality and lifestyle. When from b&w he moved to colour in 1984 his work gained more potential and peculiarity. The use of colour he does his typical of no many documentary photographers and it fits perfectly Parr's aim: this plastic and amateur touch produces glossy photographs that seem to be the natural expression on that reality on photographic paper. When you see them you think that's right, that's how it should be. Probably, in his work, the idea behind the photo is more appreciated that the actual photo, which out of the context could be a simple photo of a weekend out of town. The social and anthropological study behind them is the object the viewer have to focus on, not just the photo, which is just a media as a piece of paper or a found object could be.
In his photos paradoxical situations are shown, especially in the kitsch and provincial behavior of the suburbs of England.
When the viewer looks at Martin Parr's photos he feels uncomfortable, unsure whether to cry or laugh in front of the sadness of our society costumes.