Inspired by the Masters Part 1 & 2
- Tanya
- Nov 29, 2010
- 3 min read
Week one (12/15) of my first semester of PH 100: FUNDAMENTALS OF PHOTOGRAPHY with Andrea Land
Part 1
This is part one of a two-part assignment. For this module's assignment, identify a master photographer whose work you like, write a one-page report (500 words, minimum), and choose 3-5 images that are good representations of your chosen artist's style.
I struggled with this assignment trying to decide on whom to write about. I researched William Eggleston because I think my style is like his. I looked into the work of Sally Mann, Edward Weston, Ann Lebowiz, and several others. But finally decided to go with my instincts, so hear we go.
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Ahead of his time is one statement that could describe Irving Penn. Simple and textured is what I would use. Simple in the respect that he kept his images clean and clear with a neat composition. Hew was probably best known for this work in fashion, but he was also an artist who worked in portraits and still life.
I first heard of Irving Penn some time ago but never really studied his work until taking this class when Irving was featured as the artist in on of our modules. I was struck immediately by the images there and have since done some research of his work.
Though he is most famous for his fashion and portrait photos I have chosen to work with his still-life. I chose to add some examples of his fashion and portrait photos. You can clearly see from these that they are as stated above simple, elegant with lots of texture. In the first image a model is posed and framed in a way that draws you in and makes you want to look more and when you do you notice the weave of the woman’s blouse. This weave moves to the truncation of her head and part of the hat, that in turn lead right back where I started. The negative space is used to push me back to the subject of the photo. The second example is of Simone de Beauvoir, an existentialist philosopher, is captured in a way that is both simple and powerful. The lighting of her face is one usually reserved for men with the strong shadows on side of her face. Her gaze seems to say that she is looking right through you.
In the image “Cholesterol’s Revenge,” shot for Vogue, I am sickened by the foods combined together in their raw state. But at the same time I am drawn to look more closely. The composition of the items leads your eye through the image so smoothly. The strong shadows make you stop and return to the main focus of the food.
The second image (lipsticks, assume also for Vogue) of what appears to be lipstick and rouge. They have a great shape with the lines of the objects pushing your eye to explore another and yet another of the shapes. With so much movement I like the almost monochromatic tones of the cosmetics. I think it adds a sense of calm.
The third image is from his collection of found objects “Underfoot I”. These images are a stark contrast to his usual work with beauty and fashion. One of my favorite images is what looks like chewing gum on asphalt. My first thought was ICK. Who would want to photograph that? But then I looked closer and started to see the beauty of the almost rhythmic lines. They seem to form a face. The contrast of the dark and light are stunning. Even though the gum is placed in the most static position your eye still moves through the image.
All of the images are so clear, simple and full of texture it is easy to finding the beauty within them. I am and forever will be a fan of Irving Penn’s work for these very reasons.
PART 2
This is Part 2 of the assignment, you turned in your research and report in preparation for shooting. For this module, you will actually emulate one (1) image by your chosen photographer.
Emulate is a euphemism for "copy." This is an exercise to better understand the subtle qualities in a photograph, and will be the only time you will ever want to copy anyone's work.
I think that I can agree this was tough. I started out with one image and when that didn't turn out I went to my backup plan. Well, you would think it would be easy but you try balancing two eggs on a steak without breaking them. Not easy at all (it's a good thing I like my eggs scrambled). I'm still not happy with the image as a whole but it is the best of several attempts.
