Week 1, Photography

Sketch Book Work
10-14th Sept 2012

14/09/12 : Simon Norfolk

Simon Norfolk

I think this image has been created by using a long exposure time. This has created the effect of fog flowing through the wood pieces. In reality, it is water that is flowing inbetween, with white foam and bubbles being produced from the disruption. The resulting effect is quite creepy and ghostly, as it looks like the mist is moving through the landscape, hiding land and making it treacherous to pass through. The monotone grey of the sky and 'mist' combined make it very lonely and, combined with the decaying wood, you can imagine that a great disaster happened here, and because of that, no one wants to live there anymore.

14/09/12 : Richard Avedon

Richard Avedon
This image stands out to me because of the saddened expression on her face. In many images like this, with well known people or models, the models are seen to just have a smile plastered on, the show of emotion makes this image different and therefore interesting. Because the eyes aren't focused on the camera, you can see that this is a very personal emotion, and allows you to empathise with her more than if she were staring at you with this heartbroken expression. The feeling is also very contrasting with her outfit, which is very 'party-ey', and you expect to see her having fun and happy.

14/09/12 : Irving Penn

Irving Penn
I find myself drawn to this image becuse of the way that the directional light gives a high contrast. The eye is also quite creepy because of how the other side of the face is entirely shaded, making it look like he only has one eye. The darkness of the coat and brim of the hat focuses your eye on the white face. Because the eye is in the centre of the image and stands out against the pale skin, it also seems to follow you around the room, as though the man is alive and trapped within the photo.

Compact Camera Photographs

13/09/12 : William Klein

William Klein
I like this image because the most interesting part of it isn't the first thing that you see. First you read the signs and then look down to the products, only for your sight to cross an arm holding out a gun. There is no expression from the shooter or an obvious target for the bullet so the imagination can go wild, thinking up stories for this act of violence. The fact that such a thing can be photographed shows how common it is to own a gun (in this place and time anyway), as it is out in the open, with no concealment, and in broad daylight. 

13/09/12 : Dorethea Lang

Dorethea Lang
This image reminds me immediately of the first world war, when children were evacuated from major cities. Those children also wore name tags like those in this picture, stating who they were and where they were heading. The image is striking because of this, yet the children don't seem worried or scared and all seem to belong to the same family.The proud expression on the mans face is quite emotional, and drives any worries from the photo.

13/09/12 : Henri Cartier Bresson

Henri Cartier Bresson
I find this photograph rather funny, as these people have all come to the sea side, and are sunbathing, but are clothed head to toe. This is rather contradicting, even though it would have been the norm at the time, and it would have been frowned upon to show skin. The people in the foreground have no identity whatsoever, as they're wearing all black clothing and have their faces covered by an umbrella. All you can tell about them is that they seem to be of middle class and work in some kind of formal environment, as is the same with the majority of the people in the beach. The one anomaly in the scene is the lone child in the upper right corner, who seems to belong to no one in shot, but is at least part of what I would call the beach crowd; families and children having fun.

13/09/12 : Simon Roberts

Simon Roberts
This photograph is very monochromatic, with almost a complete whitewash background with just the three arctic vehicles in the snow.It makes it look very lonesome, and you get the feeling that there is nothing else in the entire world; just these three vehicles and the never ending whiteness. The image is also very inhuman and cold; although there are trucks, there are no people visible, or evidence of people ever having been there.

13/09/12 : Martin Parr

Martin Parr
This photo focuses on the ghastly nature of the shirt in the foreground which is also rather tight, almost taking the mick. It is also accompanied by a bright, floral bag, which clashes violently with the blue of the shirt. The whole image is entirely tourist orientated and mocking.

13/09/12 : William Eggleston

William Eggleston
The first thing you see with this photograph is the hair style, a classic of 70's america, as are the cigarettes.Then you focus on the contrast of the colours between the red brick wall and the turquoise blue of the diner seat. Overall the image has a nostalgic feel, emphasized by the darkening of the edges and the almost grainy look of the image.
You also get the feel that this woman and her companion are middle class, as the woman has perfect hair with jeweled pins, and a pearl necklace, yet she is unlikely to be higher than that, as she is, at the end of the day, sitting in a diner, rather than the fancy restaurant that someone of higher class would eat in.

10/09/12 : Corinne Day

Corinne Day; http://www.corinneday.co.uk/
This artist has a style more concentrated on portraits, and this one in particular catches my attention because of the eyes. The eyes are focused right in the center of the image and are outlined; this makes them look rather large and give that effect of following you around the room. The rest of the face is kept simple, with minimal make up, and no bright colours, to keep the focus on her eyes. The image is flooded with light, making it airy and the wisps of hair being flown across her face by wind give it the feeling of a window, as though that wind is still blowing just on the other side, and adds movement to the whole image.

10/09/12 : Imogen Cunningham

Imogen Cunningham
This photo in particular of Imogen's work strikes me as interesting because of the way that two images have been layered on top of one another. Each alone, would not be especially of note, but by layering them, it gives the lace an extra sense of depth while adding an air of mystery and texture to the portrait. The combined  effect is intriguing and I find that I can look at this for a long time, when I might have only glanced at the single images, as each image hides part of the other as your eyes are drawn between the two. The longer you look, the more detail you find in the lace, and the beauty and (I think) sadness in the expression on the face of the portrait.

10/09/12: Sandy Skoglund

Sandy Skoglund; http://www.sandyskoglund.com/
This particular artists work is very interesting because of how very 'normal' the scenes are, yet they are changed slightly, often by creating the scene in just 2 colours and revealing a few areas of human skin. This image especially is very interesting to look at, as almost every surface is covered by cheese puffs, giving it a slightly comical look, while being entirely fascinating. This shape of the cheese puffs give an excellent texture to the surfaces and make an intriguing pattern on large surfaces. What I also like about this piece is that all the poses are very natural. There's no one stood for the picture, but the action of a cocktail party is the photo.