Blog Prompt #11

#11____Memory of a Place: 

The place I thought of photographing is the cottage we used to rent out on Platte Lake. The cottage is near Traverse City Michigan and is a great vacation spot during the summer. As a family we rented one cottage and my aunt, uncle, grandparents and cousins rented the cottages next door. The cottages were pretty old but styled in a way that made them feel quant.If I could go back and photograph the images would be full or people and sunshine. The lake was extremely blue and sandy. 


I went back recently to that same cottage and they had made a lot of improvements on it. The cottages were larger and repainted. At the time no one was staying at them so they seemed almost lonely. This is nothing like how I remember the old rickety cottages that housed my entire family. 

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#12____Memory of a Photograph: 


The photograph I remember most is of a picture of my family in Hawaii. My dad took it from the roof of the hotel and it contains my brother sister mother and I. We're tossing a frisbee to each other. We all look so happy in the blue water with the palm trees surrounding us. (I should really move to a sunnier climate ). Not a lot has changed since the photo was taken other then the fact we have grown up. The waves may not have knocked us completely over since we've all grown in height. But reflecting on the vacation I think we would have a round two of frisbee. 

#13____Human-Made Space: 

In my home town of Grand Ledge theres a place called 'the corey' which used to be a cement pit. The pit is now filled with water and ledges surround it. The man- made cement pit which has now been covered by nature has turned into a unique and beautiful place to go. This would be an interesting piece of land art to photograph since some of the man made cement still surfaces in some parts of the giant pond. 

#14____Unknown vs. Familiar Space:

I think of Diana's artist presentation when thinking about this question. Her artist photographed Chanel handbags and the differences in their worth here in America and in France, the fashion capital of the world. The photographer showed us through a stream of images how different items of fashion are presented uniquely in different countries. If I were to do a project to show differences in places I would try to find a common item found in both such as a Chanel bag or a food chain such as Mcdonalds and see the differences in how those common items and places are treated.

#15_ Collage 


If I were to create an in-camera collage I think I would unite the images of various friends I've had. Each one of my elementary to college friends have made an impact on the person I have become today. Using a slow shutter speed I would an image of many of my friends and make a collage like image. 

Recreation #2

 

Biography: This artist was unknown

Significance:This photo is significance to me due to its demonstration of innocence. It gives me a sense of peace. Ironically, the photo is titled 'dead child', so the artist may have had a different intention.

Composition: The child is centered in the photo creating a direct focal point. In my recreation I positioned my focal point differently. I wanted a more asymmetrical photo so I placed the subject higher in the frame.

Motivation: I wanted a similar feeling to my photo, peaceful and innocent. I used my younger sister, though she didn't appreciate modeling in her sleep, as a model in this photo. After taking this image at different angles I found that I liked the ones with the focal point off- center best.
My Recreation:  Again, I wanted to create a peaceful photo using a similar subject at a more unique angle.

In Class Activity

Contemporary Portrait Photographer

 

Bio

Larry Sultan was born in New York in 1946

Attended San Francisco Art Institute in 1973

Got his B.A. at University of California in 1968

He was known for his play on human stereotypes and personal opinions resounding through his photographs.

In this photo he uses the common mother and daughter having a calm disagreement.

His use of perspective and framing make this photo fun to look at

I think his goal was to create a dynamic photo of mother/grandmother and daughter. How they may not see eye to eye but are still together. Stuck together in love and their relationship.

I really like a lot of Larry Sultans work. many of his pieces are comical as well as entertaining to look at. He uses many celebrities in his work and it's interesting to see them in such unique settings. His ideals ring though his imagery and I enjoyed looking at his work

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 statement could be true for most amateur photographers. My mother takes pictures to capture her kids growing up. These pictures are rarely rehearsed and they look very natural. Though she has control of what images to capture she spends no time trying to create an image, she lets the pictures happen. This type of record of our youth is contradicts paintings, since the pictures are real and unbiased.  John Bergers statement works well with amateur artists however those trying to make a point or use photography in a way to convey something more would disagree.

Though John Berger makes a good argument, its important to remember that the photographer has ultimate control over what the viewer sees. The photographer chooses what to capture and at what point to capture it.  Many times photographers use imagery as a way to convey something more or deeper. The motive of the photographer must always be in question when observing photography

Blog Prompt #9

“You don't take a photograph, you make it.” ~Ansel Adams



Ansel Adams is referring to photography as a form of art. Though the subjects and objects in the photo already exist photography has the power to change how those objects appear. By using modification techniques and various angles an object can portray anything the photographer wants it to.

Blog Prompt #8

“My portraits are more about me than they are about the people I photograph.” ~Richard Avedon.

I like this statement because it captures the true motives of a photographer. The point for most photographers is to capture a certain moment or to prove a point, which doesnt always mean that the subject in the photo is flattered by the image. For most photographers those being photographed are props, merely used to demonstrate a deeper meaning.