J.Ordonez Photography

Illegal Bodies

My first interaction with the camera was similar to that of many others. We tell our friends to pose, point, and shoot. Wait for the film to be spat out or drop the camera off at the local pharmacy to be developed. Although, for me there has always been a feeling of accomplishment, and pride when my subjects are delighted with the out come of their shot.
Now don’t be misled, not everyone is happy with his or her photos. I hear things like “Oh no, my nose looks huge in that one, or “oh my god, my ass looks like a blimp in that shot… TAKE IT OUT!!!
I believe that many of us have these kinds of responses due to the skewed images we receive from the media as to how we should walk, talk, move and to sum it all up LOOK perfectly, at all times. It brings me great joy and satisfaction to know that my images and projects are some how able to soften that harsh judgment that we cast upon ourselves every time we see our own, beautifully imperfect reflection.
My project on the female body image raises the question, what exactly is a “perfect body”? And at what cost does someone does someone attain it? This project consist of several photographs of women between the ages of 18 – 30yrs, who have struggled or have become very self- conscience about their weight due to the lack of average or plus size women in the media. One of the women participating in this project explained that during one of her visits with her physician, she was told she should lose 50 pounds; she weighted 155, which would have made her under weight according to the nation’s Body Mass Index Chart.
There is a problem when we are much more comfortable with anorexia then obesity. Once again to according to our BMI chart both of these eating disorders are illnesses. However it seems that in society we have become more excepting of one, and stare in disgust at the other. People with “anorexia” are cuddled in comparison to the treatment of “overweight” persons. We are glared at and constantly made fun of. Even in Hollywood, when a star is diagnosed with anorexia, they are urgently rushed off to rehabilitation center to receive help. While a star that is, or has become overweight is made the bunt of every “you’re so fat” joke.
I also had one women to participate who had battled with anorexia most her young adult life and still had not realize that she was, what the BMI chart considers, healthy, until I pointed it out to her during the photo shoot. She still believed she was over weight when she was no-where near it. Weighing in at 130lbs and at the height of 5’6. This proves that beauty is physiological. This project is still under way, as more people participate I reshape and evaluate my artist statement. Bare with me, as I plan to complete this project by 2010.