Postmodernism

Postmodernism is a movement, or transformation from modernism. Modernism is thought to be the 'project of rejecting tradition in favour of going "where no man has gone before"'[Keep et al (2000)]. In terms of art, photography replaced painting as an art form and became the 'postmodern art form par excellence' [Willette, J, (2012)]. At the time, photography seemed like a great idea. It was something new, and exciting for all. However, when looking at postmodernism photography today, it seems as if almost everything has been done. The world overflows with images, making it almost impossible to ever be creating a new image. Images nowadays are often takes and remakes of past images, taken maybe in a different angle or setting; lacking originality.
Cindy Sherman created a lot of work through post modernism. Setting up her trademark shots, it would seem as if she were recreating previous stills from films. People would relate them to films they had seen and compare the two. However, Shermans work was completely original, showing the difficulty in originality within post modernism.
In the 1970s, a Rephotographic Survey was carried out, in order to test the rephotographing of photography. A Rephotographic Survey usually consists of photographers, revisiting places in which images have been taken before in order to compare the two images. Despite carrying this out however, this one failed as it was discovered that the original photographer had manipulated the image slightly through cropping his images and angling his camera slightly. Photography in terms of postmodernism shows just how hard it is to be original today. As humans, almost any image we see is automatically recognized in relation to another, previous image.

References Keep et al (2000), Defining Post Modernism. Available at: http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/elab/hfl0242.html [Accessed 13 May 2014]
Willette, J, (2012), Postmodernism in Photography. Available at: http://www.arthistoryunstuffed.com/postmodernism-in-photography/ [Accessed, 13 May 2014]
Davis, S, (2010), Rephotographic Survey Projects. Available at: http://www.onlinenevada.org/articles/rephotographic-survey-projects [Accessed, 13 May 2014]

Innovation

Before writing these blogs, I hadn't noticed a specific genre of photography I am particularly interested in, I have always been one to appreciate many. However, when looking back at my past blogs, I have noticed a reoccurring theme of detail. I am intrigued and amazed by almost all macro images and detailed subjects. To many, David Baileys portrait of Man Ray would defer them from staring...yet to me, it is captivating for such detail to be shown within a single image. It is this absorption which intrigued me to every image of Tim Flachs'...or could it be the story behind the image? Despite seeing images as they are with such high detail, I do become attached to an image with a meaning. Much like that of the child and the vulture... at first glance, it seems almost natural for a child to be in a third world country, and be surrounded by a type of bird we don't necessarily get in this country as a lot happens abroad which is not normally photographed. However, the story that this vulture was watching the young child for hours, depicting whether to eat her or not is the most alluring part and makes us appreciate the image even more. Yet again, recently, I have been researching a lot of macro photography work, such as that of Amalia Veralli's flowers and have not found one i do not admire. I am happy that writing these blogs has allowed me to recognise this innovation and I intend to experiment with Macro Photography a lot more. 

References

Veralli, A, (2014), Photo Galleries. Available at: http://www.amaliaphotography.com/-/amaliaphotography/galleryindex.asp [Accessed 12th May]

William Eggleston

William Eggleston, (2009), Untitled

William Eggleston, (2003) Untitled (St. Simons Island, Georgia) 1978

Being a fan of Alex Pragers work, it probably comes as no surprise that I also have a love for William Egglestons’ work. An idol in the colour film photography world, Eggleston has been a photographer since the 1960s. His work is easily recognizable as it is consistent. He photographs a lot deserted areas, old cars and petrol stations; yet, as dull as they sound, they always seem to end up sparking an interest through the use of colour. He seems to be a very laid back man, unsure of what exactly to shoot until it is in front of his very eyes, nothing is pre planned. I recently attended the Tate Modern to see his permanent exhibition of which featured some of his most iconic images. I compare his work a lot to that of Alex Pragers’ as both experiment a lot with colour. Pragers work is a much more thought about, planned version of Egglestons. Egglestons work is set within the 60s as they were at the time, whereas Pragers is a very believable, yet fictional set up of the 60s. However; it seems to me that Eggleston has been very fortunate in life. Opportunities have always arisen for him, he always seems to have been in the right place, at the right time. For many, this may then introduce the argument that he is not as talented a photographer as many others, that may be he has just been lucky in life. After all, it does seem rare that photographs of deserted petrol stations and everyday life can make somebody so famous. However, despite what could be said, William Eggleston is a photographer in his own right and remains a legacy in the world of photography.

References

William Eggleston, (2003) Untitled (St. Simons Island, Georgia) 1978, Available at: http://erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/william-eggleston-untitled-n-d-women-with-hair-660x449.jpg [Accessed 25 March 2014]

William Eggleston, (2009), Untitled, Available at: http://thessw.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/william-eggleston.html [Accessed, 25 March 2014]

Baker and Mavlian, (2014), William  Eggleston, Available at: http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/display/william-eggleston [Accessed 25 March 2014]

Muriel, J, (2013), William Eggleston Photographer, Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O2Oz6lQ7bs [Accessed, 29 March 2014]

Tim Flach

Pig Face.Tim Flach. 2012

Springer and Pheasants. Tim Flach. 2012

This week, my university was fortunate enough to organize a talk from one of the most inspiring photographers; Tim Flach. Before the talk, I wasn't fully aware of who he was or what he done; however, it wasn't long into his talk that I became captivated by his images.

Specializing in animals, Flachs' shots show every single detail of a range of various animals; one of the biggest being elephants; and the smallest being such things as head lice.

When explaining his collections, Tim Flach described the concept behind each of his images. Instead of just taking images for the sake of taking them, it seems that he is always trying to prove something, which is where my interest increased.

The very first image he displayed onscreen was a close up. It was difficult to tell exactly what the image was of and we were asked as an audience to give our interpretations of it. However, no one could discover that the supposed elephants eyes and trunk we all could see were in-fact the back of a pigs ears as seen in the images above. This was described by Flach that we saw such things as we as humans are trained to pick out the eyes of an image. Each time we see an image we look around for something to relate to such as eyes of an animal. He reiterated this point later on in his talk when he showed us an image based around composition. The image, when first seen by anyone, shows a dog jumping alongside two pheasants. However, when searching around further, another pheasant can be found in the bottom right hand corner.

Despite not knowing of him before the talk, Tim Flach has inspired me a lot in the work he does and I'm very grateful that I got the chance to meet him!

References.

Flach, T (2012), Pig, Available at: http://blog.photoshelter.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/mt-old/flach_pig.jpg [Accessed 23 April 14]

Flach, T (2012), Springer and Pheasants, Available at: http://www.profoto.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Springer-and-Pheasants-e1318330284532.jpg [Accessed 23 April 14]
Flach, T, Talk on The Life Of a Photographer, University of East London, [20 April 14]

Identity

DKNY. Mark Vanderloo, 1990s

Lucky Brand, David Gandy, 2012

Identity is known as 'a persons sense of self' [The Free Dictionary, 2014]. Some believe that it's a mixture of people's personality and who or what they are viewed as. Regardless, identity can change over time as a person grows older, meets new people and has new experiences.

In terms of photography and advertisement, large campaigns can be one way of influencing societies 'identity'. For example, if you were to compare a men's denim advert from the 90s to nowadays campaigns, you will notice that men have become a lot more provocative to appeal to larger numbers of women. These adverts then change the way in which women see men and the way in which men perceive themselves and adapt to their surrounding culture; ultimately, adjusting their identity. 

The same can be said for women in the media. Within an older campaign, women are seen to be reliant on others, and very self contained. However, nowadays, sensuality and pleasure is exaggerated through the media to express women as independent and in control. 

The same can be said about race. In comparison to previous fashion campaigns, today's are a lot more racially diverse and are still improving. 

I believe identity is anything you believe it to be in a person, however, it can't be forgotten, that peoples identity can change...and living in today's society that's not too hard! 

References

DKNY, (1990s), Mark Vanderloo. Available at: http://www.mimifroufrou.com/scentedsalamander/mens_colognes/index14.html [Accessed, 10 April 2014]

Lucky Brand, (2012), David Gandy. Available at: http://www.denimhunt.com/denimhunt/campaigns/page/4/ [Accessed, 10 April 2014]
The Free Dictionary, (2014), http://www.thefreedictionary.com/identity, [9 April 2014]
StyleCaster, (2014), A Timeline of Sexy Defined Through the Ages, Available at: http://www.stylecaster.com/timeline-sexy-defined-through-ages/ [Accessed: 10 April 2014]

Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman, Untitled No.92, [1982]

Cindy Sherman, Untitled Film Still No.21 [1978]

Cindy Sherman is a world renowned self portrait photographer. Using wigs, make up and a lot of different costumes, she transforms herself from character to character, experimenting with photography and film. Despite continuously producing more and more work, Cindy Sherman is actually a very private person. Within the short documentary 'Guest of Cindy Sherman', Paul H-O finds himself pushing and pushing to access an opportunity to speak to the artist, and even then, she seems very timid and modest.

What sets Cindy Sherman aside from other photographers is her ability to not only be the photographer.. but to be the make up artist, wardrobe stylist, director, hair stylist and the model of each shoot. She doesn't ever seem to have a direct plan, but experiments as she shoots; which seems to be a great success which not many people can say they can do. This is why Cindy Sherman is one of my biggest inspirations. Despite all her previous work, she continues to surprise today, showing she has endless talent in the photography, film and art industries; as see within her 'Sex Pictures' sequence. Although controversial, this sequence was one of Shermans most powerful and that determination is what has got her to the place she is today.

Referencing

Cindy Sherman, (1980), Untitled no.92, Available at: http://www.saatchigallery.com/aipe/cindy_sherman.htm [Accessed 9 April 2014]

Cindy Sherman, (1978), Untitled Film Still no.21, Available at: http://www.saatchigallery.com/aipe/cindy_sherman.htm [Accessed 9 April 2014]

Alex Prager

Alex Prager, A Bird Flys By (2008)

Alex Prager, Birds, (2008)

Alex Prager is one of my favourite Photographers. She has not only created 4 different series of work, but has also wrote, directed and produced 3 short films. She has also worked on a series of films, known as ‘A Touch of Evil’. This series consists of ‘13 of the best actors of 2011 as villains’ [Pink, D (2011)] in short 30-60 second clips of surrealistic scenes. This gave Prager the chance to be creative and break out of her normal, iconic style of photography.

'A Bird Flies By' and 'Birds' are just two of her many images. I picked these two to include within this post as they show her continuous trademark theme. Prager has a consistency of a 50's esque theme, including bright colours, wigs and extravagant make up. She uses props such as cars and planes to create staged events in order to intrigue the viewers. He work is much like that of William Eggleston; an idle of hers. Prager seems to have followed in Egglestons footsteps, gaining inspiration; however, seems to add a lot more post-production. Things such as colour enhancing, skin retouching and even adding or removing objects from images are all things Prager has not denied doing. However, despite this, it would still be difficult to tell Prager and Egglestons images apart from one another. Prager has an energy in the studio to be admired by all, she seems to go into a shoot, knowing exactly what the outcome will look like even before any retouching.

References
Prager, A, (2014), Alex Prager, Available at: http://www.alexprager.com/#!/photography/Face-In-The-Crowd [Accessed: 26 March 2014]
FourthandMain1, (2012), Alex Prager for Fourth and Main, Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocgrjdVcb4M [Accessed: 26 March 2014]

Pink, D, (2011) A Fistful of Culture, Available at: http://afistfulofculture.com/2011/12/08/ny-times-video-gallery-touch-of-evil-features-the-best-actors-of-2011-as-villains/ [Accessed: 28 March 2014]

Prager, A, (2008), A Bird Flys By, Available at: http://www.alexprager.com/#!/photography/The-Big-Valley [Accessed 25 March 2014]

Prager, A, (2008), Birds, Available at: http://www.alexprager.com/#!/photography/The-Big-Valley [Accessed 25 March 2014]

Prager, A, (2014), Touch of Evil, Available at: http://www.alexprager.com/#!/films/Touch-of-Evil [Accessed 25 March 2014]
The Sly Slick and Wicked, (2009), 'William Eggleston' Blogspot, 22 November. Available at: http://thessw.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/william-eggleston.html [Accessed 25 March 2014]

Stardust

David Bailey, Man Ray (1968)

It has been a few weeks since a friend and I visited the National Portrait Gallery to see David Baileys exhibition 'Stardust'. However, at that time, we discovered the entrance fee wasn't one we were willing to pay. Luckily for me, my dad visited this weekend and so, after a subtle hint, he bought us tickets to have a look around.

The exhibition itself was packed with people; children, families, couples, a whole range of ages, all coming together to have a look around. All of Baileys best images were set over 11 different rooms with a whole range of work from Fashion and Beauty images to Aboriginals and Skulls. 

Despite having so many images to choose from, I came out of the exhibition an hour and a half later with one favourite which stuck in my mind. This was a portrait of the artist Man Ray; a close up taken in 1968, displayed so large every single detail could be dissected. What caught my attention most was the presence of each individual eyebrow hair and pore in the skin. This image shone a lot brighter than most of the others, causing me to turn back several times to have another look.

The overall exhibition has such a range of work which can be viewed and enjoyed by everyone; whether you're a fan or Bailey or not. I would defiantly go there again and highly recommend it to everyone! 

References

David Bailey, (1968), Man Ray, Available at: http://www.port-magazine.com/feature/top-five-david-baileys-stardust/#&panel1-2 [Accessed 7 April 2014]

Bailey, D, (2024), Stardust, The National Portrait Gallery, [5 April 2014]

Impact Photography

Richard Drew, The Falling Man, (2001)

Eddie Adams, Saigon Execution, (1968)

Henry Singer, 9/11: The Falling Man, (2012)

Kevin Carter, The Vulture and The Child, (1993)

Photographs are taken for many different reasons. Many of them being every day 'snaps' as I like to call them which we often take on our phones, send them to friends of virally share them on social networking sites. Many photographs are taken as memories...a day out, a funny moment or an occasion. However, what has really caught my eye this week are photographs which have an impact on ourselves and society.

Kevin Carter is the creator of one of these images, called 'The Vulture and The Child'. This image was taken in Sudan in 1993 whilst he was away with an aim of photographing the starving child making her way to a feeding centre. It was at that moment that a vulture landed close by. This image was published in the New York Times; creating an uproar of criticism and debate as to whether Carter should have saved the young girl or not. Despite winning a prize for this image in 1994, he could not celebrate due to the impact the image had on the world and guilt he was made to feel.

Similarly, reporting on the attack of the New York twin towers was Richard Drew, who captured the much spoke about image, 'The Falling Man'. Despite stating that the image made him feel like he had been 'punched in the stomach' and comparing it to the feeling he got when seeing Eddie Adams' famous shot of an execution in Vietnam (9/11:The Falling Man (documentary)); Michael Hirsch (Business editor for The Morning Call) still agreed for the image to be published to the country. However, after much uproar, it was concluded that this image would never be published again for the sake of the subject's family and that it was not the right image to represent the attack.

I find these images incredibly inspiring as they not only create an interest but as previously mentioned, they have an impact on everyone.

References.

Richard Drew, (2001), The Falling Man, Available at: http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ0903-SEP_FALLINGMAN [Accessed, 20 March 2014]

Eddie Adams, (1968), Saigon Execution, Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1161074/EPHRAIM-HARDCASTLE-Pictures-lie--Saigon-execution-photographer-disturbed-use-image.html [Accessed, 23 March 2014]

Henry Singer, (2001), 9/11: The Falling Man, Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3gbxJ4xUDE [Accessed, 21 March 2014]

Kevin Carter, (1993), The Vulture and The Child, Available at: http://iconicphotos.wordpress.com/2009/08/12/vulture-stalking-a-child/ [Accessed, 20 March 2014]

Semiotics

This week included a first for me. The first time i have heard of Semiotics; the study of signs. Ferdinand de Saussure stated that ‘[it is] possible to conceive of a science which studies the role of signs as part of social life’ [Saussure 1983, 15-16] and so, did that by founding Semiotics and Linguistics. Signs can be basic, such as road signs or star signs; ones that everyone sees regularly and have become accustomed to knowing. However, what I have found more interesting are those signs within photographs and paintings. Within an image or painting, or even a film, a rose for example is classed as a signifier; a physical form. However, the significance of this rose would be love which we unconsciously recognise. To describe the relationship between the signifier and the significance, the words connotation and denotation can be used. Denotation is the literal meaning of the word, and connotation is the association which the word creates, again seen in the situation with the rose and the emotion. This theory was explained by semiotician and philosopher Roland Barthes. However, he expressed how the connotation of a subject can be perceived differently by various cultures in many of his books, but mostly in Mythologies [Barthes, R (2009). Mythologies. New York: Vintage Classics.]

I intend to continue reading a few of his books and developing my knowledge in Semiotics.

Behind the Mask

Annie Leibovitz, Demi Moore (1991)

Andy Gotts, Thandie Newton (2006) 

In a recent visit to London's Somerset House, I, as a photography student, was pleased to come across a portrait exhibition from photographer, Andy Gotts, within the sequence Behind the Mask. 

This exhibition contained black and white images of over one hundred actors and actresses of whom have been previously nominated or have won a BAFTA since 1954. It seems strange that out of so many black and white portraits, that not one of them was similar. Within each and every image, Gotts managed to capture the essence and personality of each individual, showing his commitment and consideration when shooting. This reminded me a lot of the work of Annie Leibovitz. During the early stages of her work for magazines such as Vogue and Vanity Fair, time and consideration were vital factors to the success of her work. 

One of my favourite images of Gotts' was that of Thandie Newton. Soft lighting and light pink flowers were used within this image to portray an innocent, feminine feel, showing how small touches can make such a difference on an image and express a personality so vividly.

Andys Gotts' work was spread over six rooms throughout Somerset House and is highly recommendable to those interested in Photography or not. 

References

Annie Leibovitz, (1991), Demi Moore, Available at: http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2012/09/annie-leibovitz-photography-exhibition-wexner_slideshow_item1_2 [Accessed 12 February 2014]

Andy Gotts, (2006), Thandie Newton, Available at: http://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1358306/thandie-newton.jpg [Accessed 12 February 2014]

First Blog!

Hello! To all those who blog themselves or just have an interest in blogs, I am a complete beginner myself! I’m a 19-year-old student at the University of East London, studying BA Photography. As part of my first year, I have been set the task to create a 200 word blog a week for 12 weeks.

I don’t have any previous experience with blogs and so have found it difficult to begin, however, I’m hoping it will get easier week-by-week.

Each week I will attend an exhibition, read a book or research a photographer or artist in order to create a blog and will be recommending any I feel are of importance. Throughout this 12 week experience, I will be sharing my interests and experiences with you from the works of photographers and artists, to the various collections within exhibitions and galleries I have attended.

I will aim to keep the blogs light hearted and interesting so keep reading!