Martin Parr, a British documentary photographer, photojournalist and photo book collector, is best known for his photographic images that show a critical look at aspects of modern life. Parr's approach to documentary photography is intimate, anthropological and humorous. The use of macro lenses, ring flash, high-saturation colour film, and also digital photography, allow Parr to put his subjects "in the spotlight" within their own environment. As a result, this gives them space to expose their lives and values in ways that often involve unintended humour, captured by Parr’s unusual perspective. At first glance, his work seems exaggerated and sometimes bizarre, which consequently creates original and entertaining photographs. Parr has a way with the camera, pointing at ordinary subjects, but once developed the images show an almost ridiculous and tacky view of the subject. From this, a particular favourite image that Parr has created, is ‘Common Sense (dog with bow and sunglasses)’, the oversaturated colours of then sunglasses and bow, draw the viewer towards the tacky, humorous view of this poor dog dressed in human accessories. The title is truly meant for this image, ‘Common Sense’, what common sense? Who in the right mind would but these things on a dog?
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