Yesterday we looked at the sometimes secret signalling we do with our hands through the way we hold objects, tap tables, etc. Today we’re focusing on a different kind of tell: what your hands passively give away about you.
Hands are identifiers not only through our fingerprints - they can tell stories about how we live and have lived our lives.
For example, they can hint at:
the kind of work do you do, or have you done;
your social status;
what do you like to do in your spare time;
how important grooming is to you;
how long you have lived, and the kind of life you have led so far.
Many photographers have focused on hands to tell stories about their owners. Yesterday we looked at Irvin Penn’s clever hand portrait of Miles Davis.
Today, take a moment to check out Tim Booth’s work. This UK Photographer has created an entire project and book with portraits of people who ‘work with their hands’. Hand portraits, that is. And this doesn’t just include musicians, labourers, sportspeople: he’s also done a moving hand portrait of a female airline pilot. You can view a short video on this impressive project here.
Tim Booth - Portrait of the photographer’s grandmother, Molly Booth
Today, become a ‘hand-reader’.
Look at your own hands. What do they say about you? What about the hands of those dearest and nearest to you?
Then, start Sherlocking other people’s hands. What can you guess about someone’s life from looking at them?
If you can, ask to take a picture of their hands, and see whether they can corroborate your story - or whether you were completely off.
Share your hand portraits and stories Twitter or Instagram, using the hashtag #kramerseye.