Annie Leibovitz

I keep forgetting to update this research blog! I have mainly been surfing the net looking at different photography websites and artist websites. Im finding it difficult to find a whole heap of artists/images though because I don't know any names of decent photographic artists and a google search of "photograph narrative" or "photography" doesn't tend to yield great results.

We watched a documentary in class about Annie Leibovitz, who of course is the best of the best! It was an excellent documentary chronicling Leibovitz's photographic career from the very beginning to the present. I was already familiar with her most recent work, that of celebrities and the work for Vanity Fair / Rolling Stone. But i was most interested to hear about her work early work for Rolling Stone when she was just starting out. Something she said of this early work really stuck with me when talking about this photograph:

http://soulfudge.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/introduction/

It is a photograph of Richard Nixon leaving the White House when most other people/journalists had left and the men in the picture were just left to roll up the red carpet. Of the shot Leibovitz said " Its what happens between the main moments that is really interesting". I agree with her totally, that sometimes something that is not the centre of attention can be more interesting and make a better and more involved photograph.

Richard Avedon

http://www.richardavedon.com

For our second assignment I am looking at in in terms of a photographic collection rather than a photographic narrative. A group of photos that do not literally tell a story but that are all connected by a theme or topic or story, that all work together to tell a bigger story or idea.

These photographs by Richard Avedon are from a collection called "In the American West". They are portraits of people from all over the American West. Each photo tells its own story about the person in the photo but together they show a bigger picture of the lives lead b the people of the west and how different or similar they might be to upper class American lives.

12/5/11

I found these very creepy photos on a tumblr blog recently. The black and white makes them even more creepy. It would be really cool to do a photo like one of these, im especially drawn to the mouth on the hand. I really like the mysterious and dark photographs, i think i may have to rethink my photograph choice......

http://horrorking.tumblr.com

Chase Jarvis

I enjoy the vivid colours in Chase Jarvis's work. The first photo the colour of the sand and the brilliant blue of the sky complement each other really well. In the second photo in the intensity of the orange sand makes it look as though it is fire rearing up behind the bike. I included the last photo because I like the way it has been taken from the audience, it is very inclusive but also feels as if we are spying upon the two musicians, it is interesting.

All Images : http://www.chasejarvis.com/

Jill Greenberg

I love how shiny Jill Greenberg's photos are! The crying children make great photos, their screwed up faces and glistening eyes make for such interesting and detailed photographs. Her use of plain background is great, it contrasts with the exciting features in the faces of the subjects.
I also enjoy the element of humour in some of the photos, the intense glare on the glasses could be horrible but it works here and is amusing. Also the cheeky sparkle in the big smile fits perfectly.

All Images : http://www.manipulator.com/

Dave Hill

Dave Hill's commercial photographs have a fantastic quality about them, they look very storybook like. There is a narrative to some of them that enhances the quality of the photograph. There is attention to detail in each photo that make them look better than lifelike! The photos look clean and smooth and really capture the attention of the viewer.

I also really enjoy his personal photography. The composition of these photos are great. He has made use of a "leading lines" type technique to draw in the viewer. The lines leading off into the horizon draw in you eye. And the use of shadows and light in the last photo are beautiful.

All Images : http://www.davehillphoto.com/

Samantha Everton

all: http://lightjourneys.net.au/

I stumbled upon a delightful little blog called "Light Journeys - Women Working in Australian Photography". Every month/week (?) they have a different featured artist and highlight a collection of their work. 

This collection is called "Vintage Dolls" and is from artist Samantha Everton. She states that the collection 'explores history race and culture through magic realism'. The photographs definitely have a magic quality about them. The colours and textures used throughout are beautiful and give a magical yet dark feel to the photos. Although the photos are colourful there is a use of light and shadow that creates a underlying sinister feeling. 

The way the photographs are elaborately staged give a sense of theatrical composition that makes me want to know more about the thoughts of the children.