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