Photographer Research - Michael Kenna

Michael Kenna

As I came across Michael Kenna, I looked at his photography work and really liked his technique. Kenna is well known for his black-and-white landscapes. Firstly, I became attracted to his work because even though the majority of them are black-and-white, they are so interesting and extraordinary. Once I began to research more of his work, I realised that a lot of his work displayed the formal elements of depth, tone and line, which made his work perfect for an influence for my photography work. I also like that Kenna has taken so many landscape photos, but every image is different and unique, so he hasn't ever taken photographs that are the same. Kenna has influenced my photography by showing me how to emphasise the tone in lots of different places, e.g. one of his images is of tall trees in a forest, and due to the way he has edited it, the trees look almost black against a clear white sky; which intensifies the tone.

I chose to feature this image in this post because it displays the formal elements of line, through the train tracks. Also, I like that the foreground of the image is much clearer and darker than the background, as the background is quite misty, therefore making the photograph mysterious. This also plays on the concept of tone, as the image shows both dark and light. 

I then went on to choose this image. I particularly liked this image because of it's tone, it's not bright but it's not dark either. It's in between the two and therefore makes us lean in closer to get a better look at the photo, and this draws our attention. I also like that this photo could represent both line and depth because the tree's look like lines, but then we are able to see that they get narrower as they are further away. Another reason why I like this image so much is that it gives you a sense of actually being there, under the trees, looking up at them. 

I chose this image because it interested me, but also confused me a little. I wanted to use this image because it clearly reflects line. I found this image with the title "Twenty one fence posts" which practically sums up the entire photo. However, I found this image appealing because of the simplicity of it. It makes the ordinary seem extraordinary. I also like that the background of the image is almost, all white and then the fence posts against this are black. This makes us focus on the fence posts as it is almost like seeing black lines on a blank canvas. This photo also features tone because of the contrast between the dark fence posts and light background.

Finally, I chose this photograph because of how evident the depth of the bridge is. We can clearly see that the bridge becomes narrower the further away it gets. This makes us question where the bridge leads too. Also, I like that the bridge has been centered, so it is the first thing we look at, but then, as we look around it we don't really see anything apart from the sky and the ground, which brings us back to the bridge. This photo could also represent line because of the wooden planks which make up the bridge. 

Michael Kenna's work has inspired me to take photographs of landscapes, and ordinary aspects of everyday life, so that I can represent the formal elements within them. I also want to work with simplicity, so that I can make a straightforward image look mysterious and extraordinary. I'd like to include this technique for taking photographs from Kenna, in my own work. In order to portray this sense of mystery, Kenna uses depth. In these images, it looks as though the object is leading somewhere, and I'd like to use this style to create the same effect. Kenna also uses lines in his photographs, which are so simple yet so effective. I would like to use this style in my own work. For instance: 

In this image, I have used the same style as Kenna, and therefore used an ordinary object (a brick wall), and made it look extraordinary. I have done this by showing the depth of the wall by putting my camera at a perplexing angle. Kenna also does this, and I was influenced by his work to do the same within my own work.

This is one of my 'Line' photographs. Like Kenna, i have used something simplistic, and made it look completely different to what it actually is by focusing on the lines it shows. This photo was also influenced by Kenna by showing the depth of the lines, as they get narrower towards the background of the image.

In summary, I like Michael Kenna's work because the subject of his images is always ordinary, yet the angle and style in which he takes his photographs makes the subject look extraordinary. His work explores depth so intensely, and i'd like to be able to take photographs like the ones i have included in this post of his.

Photographer Research - Bill Brandt

Bill Brandt

When I first began to look at Bill Brandt's work, I immediately liked his photography, but particularly his landscapes and project of "Mirror". Brandt is known for his landscape, portrait and nude photography. Obviously, his photography work appealed to me due to the fact that some of his work relates to the formal elements such as, depth and reflection. Brandt uses depth in his landscape photography by showing a particular place, road, building etc., in a certain perspective which appears as an optical illusion because we can see that the road (for example) gets narrower in width the further away from the camera it is. However, it stays the same width throughout it's length, we just see it this way because of the angle that the photograph has been taken, allowing us to see the depth of the image. Also, in his work of mirrors, which he has mostly used people to model for, we can see reflection. We can either see the reflection of their face, a body part and the scenery around them. I like Brandt's work because the photos he has taken display ordinary aspects and objects, but because of his technique and angles, he has made the images look extraordinary, thus making the ordinary object (for example) just as interesting.

When looking at Brandt's work again, the photo above definitely stood out. I like this photo a lot, particularly because it is in black and white as it looks old-fashioned, but still modern, because of the young girl. I also like the fact that this image could have various meanings and interpretations from each individual that looks at it, spurring many rhetorical questions for them. This photograph relates to the formal elements as obviously, it is showing the reflected image in a mirror. Brandt took this at an angle, in which he was able to include the embodiment of the girl, as well as her reflection, but didn't capture his own reflection in the mirror, so the photograph is solely concentrated on the girl, who is obviously the subject matter. I also like that we can see the scene around her.

This is another photo which appealed to me, because of it's perspective. Personally, I like photos that show depth due to a perplexed angle because it makes the photo so much more interesting. Also, this photo looks mysterious, especially since it is in black and white, so it is very dark. It raises a lot of questions about where the path leads too, and why Brandt included the house in the photo as well. I think this image also represents tone, as we can see really dark places, like the house and the walls, as well as really light places, like the sky and pathway.

This photo clearly represents both depth and reflection because we are able to see the houses get smaller the further away they are, as well as the inverted, reflected image of the houses in the water. This reflection is slightly distorted because the water has made the image blurred. I like this photo a lot because it looks like two images in one. There is also a repeated pattern occurring with the houses, as they are all identical. I also like the fact that our attention is solely attracted to the houses and the reflection, because there isn't anything else to look at, its the same in the foreground as it is in the background, there are no other distractions. This means we look at the houses first, and then continue to look at them in more detail, as if we are being drawn to the photo.

In this image we can see a man, who looks like a policeman, standing at the end of an alleyway. However, this photo has been taken at a distance, so we can see the depth of the wall that the policeman is standing against. Due to this, it looks as though the alleyway gets narrower, and so the policeman looks smaller as well. As this photo is extremely dark toned, and in black and white, it is quite mysterious and secretive, when looking at the image this way, we could interpret that the policeman is trying to keep hidden from being seen in the street. One reason why I like this image is that it holds so many questions and interpretations. This photo relates to the formal elements as it represents depth and tone.

Bill Brandt's work has influenced me because i'd now like to include black-and-white images in my own work, to develop a sense of mystery within my photographs, as this will make people question what the image is about, thus producing many interpretations of the photo from each individual. I also want to include portraits of people in my photography, and could do this with the concept of representing reflection as well, like Brandt has done in some of his work. Brandt's work includes a lot of photographs which show depth and texture. I like a lot of his images and some of which have inspired my own photography work, for instance: 

This is one of the images that I shot during 'Texture', Brandt's work inspired me to focus on intense textures and make sure they stand out. If i were to edit this image into black and white, it would make the veins of the leaves stand out even more, which is what Brandt does for the texture within his photographs. 

In this photo I have used the reflection of a mirror to shoot a portrait of myself, this was influenced by Brandt's portraits. In these photographs, he uses a mirror next to a model, to show their face, and so the portrait is actually the reflection of the mirror, just as i have done in my own image. 

In summary, I like the mysterious feeling within Bill Brandt's images because of the dark toned black-and-white effect. I also like how he uses his surroundings to explore depth, as well as uses people to model reflection. Brandt's work definitely leaves his viewers with questions of what his photography is about and what it reveals. 

Image Bank - Reflection

Internet Images

From the images above, we are able to see the reflection of the trees, in the windows of a building. This image looks eerie and mysterious because the trees' branches look like hands reaching out. The reflection doubles the intensity of the unsettling feeling. Also, we can just about see the reflection of the clouds in the sky, in between the tree branches. 

This photograph definitely displays reflection. This is because we can see the reflection of two people, in a wet puddle. We are able to see their reflection because the water is shiny, and therefore reflects their image. However, we are only able to see the peoples' legs and shoes as the photo cuts half their actual body off the image, but we are still able to see their full body in the reflection. 

I like the photo above a lot because of how colourful it is. In this photo we can see a fairground with lots of bright and colourful rides. We are also able to see the reflection of the fairground in the lake that it is next too, and this makes the photo even more vibrant in colour because it's like two images in one. The reflection is blurred because there is too many colours to reflect, and because the water must be distorting it. 

In this photo we are able to see the reflection of the photographer and their camera, in somebody else's eye. The reflection in this image is far more discrete than in the other photos that i have also included, and this is because the photo is in black-and-white which makes the eye darker, making it difficult to see the reflection. But also, the lens of the camera is circling where the pupil of the eye should be, and therefore blends in with the photograph, so it's less noticeable. In the other photographs the reflection is obvious and attracts all the attention, but i think this technique makes the photo much more interesting.

This image displays a more regular reflection, as it shows the reflection of lights on a wet path (assuming that the light is coming from lampposts in a street as the light source isn't shown). This photo attracts our attention because of the colours from each light, and of course from how bright they are. I chose this image because it solely focuses on reflection as there isn't anything else shown in the photo.

Lastly, I chose this image because I like how the photo is split into two different photographs, one reality and one reflection. At first we see the reality, an actual image of a girl leaning against a wall, but as the wall is shiny, we are able to see her mirrored reflection, as well as the reflection of the floor, lights and ceiling, showing two of everything. 

Definition Post - Reflection

Definition of "Reflection" - an image seen in a mirror or shiny surface.

Adjectives to describe and/ore relate to the word "Reflection" - Surface, Opposite, Replicate, Copy, Mirror, Window, Light, Colour, Shine, Clear, Metal, Object, Likeness, Echo, Distorted, Inverted, Blurred.

I found the next four images on the internet to represent the idea of reflection. In the first image we can see the photographer in the reflection of the glasses, as well as everything else that is reflected. This image is in black and white. The next photo I selected is a bit more unusual because it is of the back of a car, but we are able to see a distorted reflection of the buildings behind it. This photo is in colour so we are able to define each aspect of the image more clearly. The third photograph is more of a 'typical' reflection as it shows a girl leaning her head against a window, so we are able to see the reflection of her face in the window. All her features are inverted because the window reflects a mirrored image. The last photo shows us a reflection of a car side-view mirror. We are able to see the side of the car as well as everything behind it. All these images represent the same thing, reflection.

My own definition of Reflection - the inverted or replicated image of an object, person or place displayed on either a shiny surface or mirror.

Research Log

Bill Brandt

http://billbrandtarchive.photoshelter.com

This photographer focuses on people and landscape photography, amongst other subjects. Brandt's work shows depth, reflection and form. I like his work and think that he will be a good inspiration for my project.

Ansel Adams

http://www.anseladams.com

Ansel Adams focuses on nature and close-up photography, and works mostly with black-and-white images. His work represents the formal elements of pattern, depth, shape and texture.  I like Adams work because it makes ordinary objects and aspects of life, seem extraordinary. This photographer would be a great source of inspiration for this topic.

Henri Cartier-Bresson

http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&ERID=24KL53ZMYN

Henri Cartier-Bresson focuses on street and people photography. He captures movement, form and depth within his photographs. Cartier-Bresson also works in black and white. I like his work because he shows people naturally within his images. I also like the idea of taking an image of a moving object, where it is blurred so we can see that it is moving. This work will be beneficial to my project, particularly if i shoot photographs of movement.

Vivian Maier

http://www.vivianmaier.com

Vivian Maier uses street photography as a focal point, which shows people in their natural setting, but she has also worked with the concept of colour. She has also created photos for form and reflection. I like this work because the colour which she has emphasised still appears as the subject, even though there is colour throughout the entire image. This work would help develop my ideas on the topic of colour.

Eadweard Muybridge

http://www.eadweardmuybridge.co.uk

Eadweard Muybridge uses a series of multiple photographs within his work, to portray movement. He takes images over a certain amount of time, each with a difference from the last, to show that an object has hanged or moved. He does by using both animals and people. I like this work because it doesn't use just one single photograph, but a series of them. I also like the idea of change and movement over time. Muybridge's work would influence my work of movement. 

John Baldessari

http://www.baldessari.org

John Baldessari's work definitely represents colour. Baldessari uses bold and bright colours to block out parts of his images, making them strange, but interesting. He will usually use either a black-and-white image or a plain black background, to emphasis the colours even further. I like this style of work because it is so questionable and unique, which could influence my work in the future.

Louise Dahl-Wolfe

http://www.staleywise.com/collection/dahl_wolfe/dahl_wolfe.html

Louise Dahl-Wolfe was an American based, famous fashion photographer in the 30s, 40s and 50s. However, in some of her images I am able to see form and reflection. I like Dahl-Wolfe's photography but I don't think the majority of her work will help with producing my photos for the formal elements.

Michael Kenna

http://www.michaelkenna.net/index2.php

Michael Kenna is best known for his black-and-white landscapes. However, I can see that his work displays both line and depth. I like his work of photography and would like to use it as an influence for my own photography in the future. 

Richard Misrach

http://fraenkelgallery.com/artists/richard-misrach

Richard Misrach is an American photographer and is known for introducing colour into fine 'art' photography. However, in these images I have selected, I can clearly identify texture. I like Misrach's work because they are so simple, yet interesting. I also think this style of photography will help me take better photos later on.

Nicholas Samaras

http://www.underwater-photography.gr/

Nicholas Samaras is a new photographer, who specializes in underwater photography. I thought his work would be interesting to look at because it's a completely different format and concept, which makes it so much more interesting. Also, I found that some of his work showed some of the formal elements like shape, reflection and colour, and I would may be like to try and use his techniques (although i'm not too sure if i'll be able to take photos underwater).

Garry Winogrand

http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2014/garry-winogrand

Garry Winogrand was a street photographer, and was known for the way he portrayed the US in the 20th century. I chose Winogrand because I saw various formal elements throughout his work, such as, form, movement and tone. Immediately I thought that his work would be an influence on my own work. 

Robert Frank

http://www.atgetphotography.com/The-Photographers/Robert-Frank.html

Robert Frank is well known for his importance in both photography and film. I liked his work because it looked modern, yet because the majority of his photographs were black and white, it looks old-fashioned too. I chose Frank in particular for his use of tone and movement in his photography. 

Zuzana D

http://www.redbubble.com/people/zuzana

Zuzana D has a wide range and variety throughout her photography, such as, portrait, street, flowers etc. I liked her work because of this. I chose Zuzana D because of her use of colour throughout her images, but also the movement that she has produced in some of her street photography, where she has used transparency to create the effect and illusion of movement. Due to this, I think Zuzana D would be a great example to base my work on. 

Rich Legg

http://richlegg.com/

Rich Legg is a commercial photographer. However, in this particular photograph of his, I can see the element of line; hence why I have included him. However, due to the majority of Legg's photographs being portraits etc, I don't think his work as a whole would influence my work, even though this photo does. 

William Eggleston

http://www.egglestontrust.com/

William Eggleston is an American photographer, and is known for his colour photography. As soon as I came across Eggleston, I wanted to use his work as an influence for my own, as they were all bright, vibrant and full of colour, which is exactly what he intended. 

Jay Maisel

http://www.jaymaisel.com/

Jay Maisel is also an American photographer, but is best known for capturing light and colour which is found in every day life. These are already two of the formal elements, however, I wanted to focus on his use of reflection throughout his images. Maisel would be an inspiration for all these elements included. 

Karl Hugo Schmolz

http://aphelis.net/karl-hugo-schmolz-architectural-photography/

Karl Hugo Schmolz is well known for his photography of architecture. When I first saw Schmolz's work, the complexity of his images is what appealed to me. They are all so busy and detailed, which I think makes them so interesting and enjoyable to look at. I like how he has captured buildings at an angle in which we are able to see them differently, to how we usually would, by showing us the shapes, lines and configurations of them. 

Duane Michals

http://www.dcmooregallery.com/artists/duane-michals#2

Duane Michals is another American photographer, he is known for adding text to his photographs to examine emotion and philosophy. I chose this photographer in particular because of the concept of the photograph above. When researching Michals I saw a few of these images, where he has used different angles and people. I liked that they are original and unusual, as each reflection shown in the mirror is either distorted, stretched, blurry etc., and I found the idea of making something look unusual on purpose, quite interesting. 

Sam Taylor-Wood

http://www.artnet.com/artists/sam-taylor-wood/

Sam Taylor-Wood is an English filmmaker, photographer and visual artist. I chose to use her work because it develops the concept of form, as in some of her photographs, she displays an object forming it's shadow -  which shows that it is a 3D object. This is evident in the photo included. I like Taylor-Wood's work because it is adventurous and extraordinary. 

Sarah Jones

http://www.sarahjonesphotography.co.uk/

Sarah Jones is a visual artist who works with photography. Her work often includes adolescent girls, which is apparent in the photos above.  Some of her work also displays fashion. I like Jones' work because I can see texture throughout the images, particularly in the ones above, from the girls' hair. Despite that Jones' is a portrait/fashion photographer, some of her photography could be valued into the inspiration of my own work.