William Eggleston

Dust Bells volume II

Untitled

Untitled Dust Bells volume II

William Eggleston

William Eggleston, whose work was inspired by the work of Robert Frank,. Much like Frank Eggleston did not photograph predictable things. Eggleston most commonly photographed signs, telegraph poles, parking meters and posters. The photographs I have chosen from Eggleston’s collection do include people this is because people interest me.
The first photograph from ‘Dust Bells II’ reminds me of Franks photograph ‘Butte , MT’ which features a family in a car. The car has two teens in eating some sort of fast food. This reminds me of when I first got my car all I wanted to do was drive all the time! The car looks new for the era, the couple could be on a date and the male could be showing off his new car. I love how the identities of the pair featured are not fully revealed this is done by the use of the above angle; this made me wonder what the pair were like. By using this angle Eggleston opens up the rest of the landscape surrounding them. This photograph has a feel good feel and reminds me of young love.
The second photograph ‘Untitled’ is clearly from the 60’s era, this is shown through the car and how the female is dressed. I love how casual this shot is, the female looks completely relaxed. The model looks young and as though she is enjoying life. I like the amount of blue in the composition gives the photo a calm feel. The circular shape of the wheel works nicely with the square shape of the car door. The door also creates a perspective point and keeps the eye on the female.
The final photograph from ‘Dust Bells II is truly beautiful. The composition is very visually interesting; this is shown through the similarities of colour throughout the composition. The female, who looks fairly young, wears an orange dress which blends into the brick work in a beautiful way. What makes the female stand out from the brickwork is the vertical lines on her dress and the shadow behind her. She appears to be under a street lamp this is shown through the dark area on the left hand corner and the shadow behind her. It almost looks as if the female has done this as an act to be invisible. This could be as she is not stick thin or popular; I think almost every girl has once felt the same. This photograph makes me wonder why she is standing alone in the middle of the night. I like the use of the landscape here I think it makes the photograph more meaningful and unique which works with the message decoded from the photograph. In conclusion Like Robert Frank William Eggleston looks for the things the world do not see or the moments that seem ordinary.

Robert Frank

Mary 1957
Political rally , Chicago

Butte , MT

Robert Frank

Robert frank, a spectacular film photographer, is best known for his series ‘The Americans’ in which I have shown above. In discourse we watched a short documentary film on him which was the only documentary he had done and his last. In the film Frank talks about his life in America and living with his wife June Leaf who made sculptures for a living. The couple have a beautiful bond and it was lovely to see how happy they made each other. As Frank talks about his work he describes how things used to be and explained how he would go out for hours and waits for the perfect frame. His passion for the subject is very clear.
In the first photograph ‘Mary 1957’ was very surprising to me when I first saw it. What strikes me about this photograph is how the shadow casts across ‘Mary’s’ face. The model is very attractive however with the shadow across her face it almost gives her another persona. What I love about Frank is his confidence and his unpredictable compositions. Any other photographer would have not taken this shot or taken it without the shadow. This shows his love for photography as he is more concerned with creating and interesting composition than photographing a pretty woman. The tones in this photograph contrast really well and the shadow helps to tone down the strong light on the face. I love how the waves are softly coming in it gives the image a tranquil feel. The flower in the woman’s hair also emphasises the calm feel as it can be linked to the ‘hippy fashion’. The shadow looks as if it is a person; this could well be Frank himself. This could also be a representation of being controlled as the shadow could represent a part of her that she doesn’t reveal or a person controlling her life.
‘Political rally, Chicago’ really made me laugh! I love Robert Franks way of making something serious comical. Again you would think Frank would be on a documentary shoot photographing crowds but instead he focuses on this man with a trombone in front of him, I think its hilarious. Frank really has an eye for capturing moments and sights everyone else walks past. The composition is perfect as the political event can be decoded from the flags in the top of the photograph. I love the grainy texture of the wall it really brings out the man with the trombone. As the viewer I am intrigued to know what this man is like.
The final photograph ‘Butte, MT’ is one of my favourites of Franks, the angle is perfect and I love how the shape of the car pushes the eye across the frame. The family make no eye contact with Frank which I think is magical. The family look lower class to middle class. They all look in the same direction which suggests they are looking at an ongoing event. Again Frank does not focus on this he focuses on the people and their expressions. The black and white works nicely here, in modern photography this in colour would be too much for the viewer to take in. since looking through Frank’s work I have developed a liking to him and they way he sees the world. I find him beautiful.

Tim Walker

Tim Walker

Tim walker, who I’m sure in a favourite of many people, is best known for his spectacular fashion fantasy work. Walker, whose work has been in magazines such as Vogue and ID magazine, produces stunning and unbelievable settings which give his work a surreal feel. What I love most about Walker is how he reminds me of my favourite fairytales and stories. For example one of his most recent shoots for Vogue Walker’s recreated the image of the ‘snow queen’, a film I remember from childhood. Other recreations include the ‘princess and the pea’, ‘swan lake’ and the ‘nutcracker’. Another feature of Walkers work I enjoy is the use of lighting in his photographs. Walker mainly uses natural daylight but he often combines this with artificial light to give a more mystical effect. Walker has photographed many celebrates and famous fashion figures. An example of this is Natalia Vodianova an iconic fashion figure. I will never lose interest in these photographs as I fall in love with them every time the settings are breathtaking and his imagination is beautiful, I would love to live in his imaginary worlds.
In the first photograph Walker makes use of the natural light pouring through the window. The light casts over the model which ordinarily would be cast as a problem but in this case it adds to the fantasy element of the photograph. The clothing also adds to the fantasy element the materials and colours can all be linked to fantasy. The rope around the models feet makes the viewer think about why it is there. There are also shells in the right hand corner which could suggest that this shoot had a sea life or mermaid theme this could also explain the rope as ropes are used to hold boats to the shore. I love the innocence of this photograph the model creates with her expression.
The second photograph is of model Lilly Cole. Tim Walker makes my imagination run wild I have so many thoughts and wild ideas when I look at his work. The location is perfect and the long spiral stairs are astonishing. This reminds me of Rupunsel when the princess gets locked in the tower. The colour of the dress can be linked to the film Cinderella. I love how Walker takes ‘bits and bobs’ from stories and fairytales and recreates them in his own way. Lilly Cole is famous for being a red head and standing out from the crowd. Walker recreates his own unique fairytale princess this is an exciting and different way of seeing things for the viewer as most princesses have blonde or brown hair. The composition is beautiful, how the dress is draped over the stair well, how the model is posed, how the light is coming through the window. It is clear to see Walkers passion for his work.
The third photograph has the ‘nutcracker elements’. I like how the model and other fantasy figures appear to be very small, compared to their surroundings, almost as if we are looking through a children’s play house. The model is wearing the soldier’s hat which could indicate that a young child has been playing around with his/her ‘dolls’. The models expression is very ‘doll’ like as she makes no connection with the camera and is in a very stiff posture. Again the lighting used is very interesting in terms of composition as it separates the pair. I also like the use of fashion here it is very quirky and unusual which can be linked to the style of the photography.

Nan Goldin

‘Self portrait in hotel Baurau Lac , Zurich , 1998’ Nan Goldin

'Girl in the mirror' Emma Flewers

Nan Goldin

Nan Goldin is one of my favourite photographers. Her work is personal and holds emotion I find something new in every one of her photographs each time I look. The photograph featured ‘Self portrait in hotel Baurau Lac , Zurich , 1998’ is one that had inspired a recent self portrait project , it’s so simplistic yet effective. Goldin is very much herself and doesn’t sugar coat anything. In the photograph she is staring directly into the mirror. What I love about Goldin’s work is that none of it is staged, although she has chosen to take that photograph Goldin would have taken on the spur of the moment. The light source is the ‘stage type lights’ surrounding the mirror, the type found in a stars dressing room. I love how despite the stage lights Goldin wears black and has a blank expression unlike the Marilyn Monroe figure the audience expects from the lights. When I look at Goldin a part of me thinks she wants the glitz and glam lifestyle almost as if she took the photograph as a sign of her dreams. On the other hand I see this as a rebellion to stereotype. I love how Goldin gets me to question her work. I love the cropping in ‘Self portrait in hotel Baurau Lac, Zurich, 1998’ Goldin doesn’t show the full size of the mirror. I like how in all of her self portraits she hides her camera I think this gives the composition more mystery. My self portrait was inspired by Goldin’s use of the mirror. I also like how the lights have given a warm feel to the photograph it makes the colours unique and interesting. Unlike Goldin’s my portrait was staged I dressed my face in heavy makeup. A feature of Goldin’s work I did use was the use of natural light by using no artificial light. My photograph was taken with a digital camera unlike Goldin who uses film. I think Goldin’s work has a timeless mature look in comparison to my photograph which an audience would decode as modern. My posture is very relaxed and could be described as similar to Goldin’s as I have a blank expression. I like the use of shaping in my photograph for example the curve of the mirror in comparison to the straight panel of the door frame. I also like the blur of the television screen. I am standing slightly to the side I did this so that the detail from the room could be shown. I feel Goldin’s has much more emotion and personality. I feel as if I could learn from this as my photograph looks a little rushed and staged. Ultimately Goldin never fails stunning.

Photographers Gallery

Photographers Gallery

06/03/2009

Today We went to the 'Photographers Gallery' to look at the potographers that have been put forward for the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2009. Amoung the candidates were Emily Jacir ,Taryn Simon ,Paul Graham and Tod Papageorge. For me the photographer that deserves the price and the work I fell in love with was Tod Papageorge with his series 'Passing Through Eden' .The photographs were taken in New York , central park from 1966-1991 and have a beautiful warmth about them. I love how Papageorge manages to take something simple ,like a park ,and capture these special moments in which passers by would normally not see. The time spent on the series shows Papageroge's deication and passion to his work. I cant say there is any of the series I dont like they all make me smile I can imagine that many people would smile as they remember similar moments thier selves. All of the photographs from ' Passing through Eden' in the 'Photographers Gallery' were listed as untitled which I think gives a mystery to his work and gives the viewer a chance to think of what they make of of it. The photograph shown above 'Untitled 1982' is from the series and is one of my favorites from the series. The compsoition is very interetsing and the angle of the photograph is not obvoius and keeps the viewers interest in the work.The 80's era can be decoded here from the iconic objects such as the radio. It seems amazing how Papageroge can be surrounded by thousands of people but captures intamate and stunning images. The photographs work very well in monochrome as it is not too much on the eye which makes the central focus the couple. To sum up Papageorge his work is simple but beautiful.

Links

www.photonet.org.uk/index.php?programme/prize

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tod_Papageorge

Why hello there ...

Hi I was just looking through my photos and I found this stunning photograph by Diane Arbus so I thought I would share it with you ! What do you think? Leave me some comments and we can dicuss the photograph.

Lady at a masked ball with two roses on her dress- Diane Arbus

Norman Parkinson

Wenda, Times Square, NYC, September 1949

'After Van Dougen Vogue'

Norman Parkinson
This is my first ever blog enrty , and also my first ever blog ! Here is a photograph from the very talented photographer Norman Parkinson. I fell in love with this photograph its so beautiful and has a very calm feel . This photograph was created by a double exposure which gives a mystery to the composition .I also love how the female featured , his wife , gives the photograph innocence. The colours of the setting are soft and subtle which is unusual of the carnival setting , which are normally more bright and vibrant. I love how in the hustle and bustle of all the lights the central focus remains on Parkinsons wife. I cant imagine what this photograph would look like in black and white I think it would loose so much the colours make the photograph and the dreamy feel would be lost. The double exposure is shown through the movement of the lights and Parkinsons wife , her arm.

Parkinson is best known for his work in the fashion industry working for magazines such as Vogue. I like this photograph because it’s so different from his other work and its personal to him as it’s his wife I think this would be his favourite also.
Here is a photograph from a Vogue issue ‘After Van Dougen Vogue’. I love Parkinson’s technical way of thinking. This photograph is beautiful and the model is not even in focus. The female is still a dominant part of the photograph because of her bold presence. Her lipstick and hat make her stand out from the background. She is wearing a very dominant outfit which gives her power. I like how Parkinson softens the feel of the photograph by focusing on the flower backdrop behind her. I think this softness her image and gives her a more subtle look. The ripped edges in the bottom of the frame suggest that she is not all perfect which I like. I can tell Parkinson thinks a lot about his composition and how he is putting his work across.

Links
www.tate.org.uk/.../streetandstudio/explore.shtm

http://www.normanparkinson.com/

http://www.staleywise.com/collection/parkinson/parkinson.html