Cupid’s Pencil of Light: Julia Margaret Cameron and the Maternalization of Photography, Article Review Example

Carol Armstrong’s article entitled “Cupid’s Pencil of Light: Julia Margaret Cameron and the Maternalization of Photography” addresses the importance of Cameron’s photographic images and their ability to influence the thoughts and perceptions of observers. The article considers that Armstrong’s work is representative of a new challenge for female photographers, a renaissance of sorts that enabled women of this era to overcome Victorian ideals and to acquire interest in new and exciting ventures that were distinct from past requirements. Armstrong believes in a world of photography that Cameron created that is beyond what was acceptable during her era, one that enabled women to experience a greater level of support for that which was not familiar during that time. It is important to consider that Armstrong viewed Cameron’s ideas and perceptions in a very different light than many others, and this supports her own sense of self-discovery and enthusiasm for women’s ideals.

In many ways, Armstrong’s article is representative of a time and a set of circumstances that is complex and understated, one that captures Cameron’s photographic point of view and her inspiration for these works of art. With Armstrong’s perspective, it is believed that Cameron was perhaps ahead of her time, a woman on a mission to preserve the female creative mind, and to take the steps that were necessary to ensure that women were provided with the resources to spark intense creativity and growth at all times. Armstrong’s perspective is particularly relevant because it provides an opportunity to explore a new side of women as photographers, and to also introduce the concepts of feminism in an entirely new light. This is a unique phenomenon to consider, a series of roles and expectations that were not clearly evident on the surface, but that brought the viewer a new perspective on these works and why they were created in specific ways. It is important to consider this when evaluating Armstrong’s piece, because she makes every possible effort to determine the ways in which women could explore their own ideas and concepts in a freer manner, a belief that was difficult for many women to grasp during Cameron’s time. However, she transcended the ideals and expectations of women to capture a much greater understanding of the female mind, and how women were strong enough to overcome the problems that they faced in an era that was not at all kind to them. Armstrong sought to develop an analysis of Cameron’s work that captured these ideals to the fullest, and that sought to understand the manner in which women were silenced by the mere fact that they were women. In this context, Cameron sought to overcome these problems by viewing women in a different light, one that supported their own desires and needs that were not necessarily accepted by society. Therefore, Cameron served as a positive reinforcement and an innovator in many ways, and created opportunities for women to take the steps that were necessary to support these objectives in a more open and honest manner. Armstrong viewed the potential of Cameron’s works as an opportunity for growth, and therefore, sought to put a new spin on her work as a means of shedding new light upon her creativity and strength. Therefore, Armstrong’s article might be viewed as an opportunity to pay tribute to Cameron, her vision, her desire to be a feminist, and a source of inspiration for an era of women that, quite frankly, did not possess much hope for a brighter future.