Thursday, February 3, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Blog Prompt 10
"All photographs are there to remind us of what we forget. In this-as in other ways-they are the opposite of paintings. Paintings record what the painter remembers. Because each one of us forgets different things, a photo more than a painting may change its meaning according to who is looking at it." - John Berger
This is one of my favorite quotes so far. I have different reactions each time I read it. In a factual sense, I agree with Berger. What you forget and remember is linked to the emotions you associate with whatever is going on in the photograph, or whatever was going on the day that the photograph was taken (if you were in it). In a memory you generally focus on your relation to the events, but looking back on a photo allows you to remember things like the bad haircut your aunt had just got, etc. Paintings are emotional artworks, they let you in on the painter, his viewpoint, or just give you a sense of appreciation for a technique used. All elements are reflective of the painter, where photos (especially of events) are not all reflections of the photographer. Photos reflect the people that are in them to a higher extent.
This is one of my favorite quotes so far. I have different reactions each time I read it. In a factual sense, I agree with Berger. What you forget and remember is linked to the emotions you associate with whatever is going on in the photograph, or whatever was going on the day that the photograph was taken (if you were in it). In a memory you generally focus on your relation to the events, but looking back on a photo allows you to remember things like the bad haircut your aunt had just got, etc. Paintings are emotional artworks, they let you in on the painter, his viewpoint, or just give you a sense of appreciation for a technique used. All elements are reflective of the painter, where photos (especially of events) are not all reflections of the photographer. Photos reflect the people that are in them to a higher extent.
Blog Prompt 9
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." - Ansel Adams
Only Ansel Adams could say this and it have so much meaning. He was a man devoted to getting the picture that he wanted. I only can agree with this photograph in a 50-50 kind of way. Sometimes the greatest photos are the unplanned ones, the ones that you only took to use up the last few photos on your roll of film. If you know what you want and are working with a setup then I think this quote is one to work by and use for motivation. If we could all just get landscapes like Ansel.
Only Ansel Adams could say this and it have so much meaning. He was a man devoted to getting the picture that he wanted. I only can agree with this photograph in a 50-50 kind of way. Sometimes the greatest photos are the unplanned ones, the ones that you only took to use up the last few photos on your roll of film. If you know what you want and are working with a setup then I think this quote is one to work by and use for motivation. If we could all just get landscapes like Ansel.
Blog Prompt 8
"My portraits are more about me than they are about the people I photograph."- Richard Avedon
After reading this quote I thought " Wow, it is amazing how much we all must do this." This relates to the photographers intent for even taking a photograph. It affects the angle you take a photo, how you set it up, what you focus in on. You can use photos to create a world that you want or remember something that you were attracted to, even a time, a moment. When taking photos for yourself, you are going to focus in on these things that attract you to even want to take a photo in the first place. If you are taking a photo of someone who thinks that their eyes are their best feature and wants you to capture them, but you really like how their hand is resting on the table, you are going to take a photo of their hand resting on the table. If you have to give them a photo, you will take a photo of their eyes just to have to give. This was one great thing about film in comparison to digital cameras. You could take the photos you wanted without having to show people what you took a photo of the instant after you snapped it.
After reading this quote I thought " Wow, it is amazing how much we all must do this." This relates to the photographers intent for even taking a photograph. It affects the angle you take a photo, how you set it up, what you focus in on. You can use photos to create a world that you want or remember something that you were attracted to, even a time, a moment. When taking photos for yourself, you are going to focus in on these things that attract you to even want to take a photo in the first place. If you are taking a photo of someone who thinks that their eyes are their best feature and wants you to capture them, but you really like how their hand is resting on the table, you are going to take a photo of their hand resting on the table. If you have to give them a photo, you will take a photo of their eyes just to have to give. This was one great thing about film in comparison to digital cameras. You could take the photos you wanted without having to show people what you took a photo of the instant after you snapped it.
Assignment 1: Written Statement Part 2
Interpretations: For the typewriter images people seemed to catch on to the idea of looking back in time. They seemed to like the editing I did on the second image to make the photo have an even more antique feel, but seemed to talk about the first photo more. I didn't show the close up images of the keys too much, but seemed to get a more positive reaction from those photos. They told more of a story. My third photo, of the basement walls/framed photo seemed to create more mixed reactions. The photo was talked about in a more pure structural sense in comparison to focusing on the idea/scene created. The lines created were given a lot of attention along with the frame as a focal point.
Evaluation: I was the first to present so I think I caught the easy end of the critiquing. Based off of everyones critiques, I feel that in all my photos I need to work on creating a sense of purpose and focus better. I shouldn't just keep a photo just because its format is working-people seem to really focus in on the attachment and meanings they can place with a photograph. I will probably work more with enhancing the lighting effects. I think my images are working in their setup and capturing the life behind simple subjects. I felt that my photos made parts of my everyday life more beautiful.
Extension: If I was to work with these photos for another project or a larger project I would probably work more with lighting, adding special effects on the computer to enhance the drama, and add other subjects/props. I feel like the basement angles and typewriter both could be used to create a weird scene with the addition of an oddly placed person or out of place addition to the photo. Other people/objects would also add to the depth of some of the photos which could create interesting comparisons.
Evaluation: I was the first to present so I think I caught the easy end of the critiquing. Based off of everyones critiques, I feel that in all my photos I need to work on creating a sense of purpose and focus better. I shouldn't just keep a photo just because its format is working-people seem to really focus in on the attachment and meanings they can place with a photograph. I will probably work more with enhancing the lighting effects. I think my images are working in their setup and capturing the life behind simple subjects. I felt that my photos made parts of my everyday life more beautiful.
Extension: If I was to work with these photos for another project or a larger project I would probably work more with lighting, adding special effects on the computer to enhance the drama, and add other subjects/props. I feel like the basement angles and typewriter both could be used to create a weird scene with the addition of an oddly placed person or out of place addition to the photo. Other people/objects would also add to the depth of some of the photos which could create interesting comparisons.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Re-creation Information
In my re-creation I wanted to emphasize the masculinity and strength of the male form as Sarony's image does so well. I find that a man's shoulders and back always seem to be a measure of strength, which is why I chose to focus in on this area. In this photo I also had a spotlight coming in from the right side, but after cropping it is not as evident the difference in lighting between the right and left sides of the body.
Original: Photographer Information
Napoleon Sarony
born: 1821 Quebec, Canada
-Moved to New York around 1836
Photo for re-creation: Eugene Sandow with a Leopard Skin (posing as the Farnese Hercules)
Year of creation: 1893
Napoleon Saroney was a lithographer who became involved in photography. During the later half of the 19th century theater was taking off on Broadway and in America which created an industry. Photographers for the actors and actresses became a hit profession since it was a way to get your face out in the public and advertise for shows that were upcoming. Photographers would pay the actors to be photographed and then, having the rights to the photos, would sell the photos for profit. Sarony realized that he could get in on this, and in 1866 opened up a studio on Broadway. For the next 30 years he photographed almost every New York actor, which led to him becoming America's best-known portrait photographer. He made use of lively backgrounds and had the actors pose dramatically.
Just another image for a Broadway actor, this photo seems to re-create the ideal man of Greek and Roman sculpture along with a sense of royalty given by the leopard skin. There is lighting coming in from the right hand side of the photo, but it is subtle, only prominent in the shadows on the left side of the body. The photo is full, giving you Sandow's entire body from what appears to be only a few feet away. With Sandow's name at the bottom, along with additional writing this to me is the equivalent to a comp card today.
I like how well Sarony did of keeping this photo simple as his subject is supposed to be Hercules and it could have easily become lavish and cheesy. I do not like the look on Sandow's face or that he is looking down. He looks contemplative and submissive and not strong and manly like the rest of the photo is emphasizing. This could have had something to do with the role he was playing, but I am not sure and from just looking at the photo this is what stands out as feeling wrong to me.
born: 1821 Quebec, Canada
-Moved to New York around 1836
Photo for re-creation: Eugene Sandow with a Leopard Skin (posing as the Farnese Hercules)
Year of creation: 1893
Napoleon Saroney was a lithographer who became involved in photography. During the later half of the 19th century theater was taking off on Broadway and in America which created an industry. Photographers for the actors and actresses became a hit profession since it was a way to get your face out in the public and advertise for shows that were upcoming. Photographers would pay the actors to be photographed and then, having the rights to the photos, would sell the photos for profit. Sarony realized that he could get in on this, and in 1866 opened up a studio on Broadway. For the next 30 years he photographed almost every New York actor, which led to him becoming America's best-known portrait photographer. He made use of lively backgrounds and had the actors pose dramatically.
Just another image for a Broadway actor, this photo seems to re-create the ideal man of Greek and Roman sculpture along with a sense of royalty given by the leopard skin. There is lighting coming in from the right hand side of the photo, but it is subtle, only prominent in the shadows on the left side of the body. The photo is full, giving you Sandow's entire body from what appears to be only a few feet away. With Sandow's name at the bottom, along with additional writing this to me is the equivalent to a comp card today.
I like how well Sarony did of keeping this photo simple as his subject is supposed to be Hercules and it could have easily become lavish and cheesy. I do not like the look on Sandow's face or that he is looking down. He looks contemplative and submissive and not strong and manly like the rest of the photo is emphasizing. This could have had something to do with the role he was playing, but I am not sure and from just looking at the photo this is what stands out as feeling wrong to me.
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