Cosmin Bumbut

Not only does this individual has the most unique name in this series but he probably that the most unique perspective of photography. He was born in Romania and took up photography at a very early age, after many years of photographing all around the world he has come to realize that now he is just able to manipulate a rectangle and light inside of which. His work is composed of all aspects of photography ranging from social situations to random still life, but the work he is most recognized for is his photographs of people in other countries and their daily lives. These images place the viewer inside of a zone that maybe unfamiliar and gives a small glimpse into the lives of people they may never encounter. I enjoy his work because it shapes perspective of other peoples daily lives and make me challenge to appreciate what I take for granite in my daily life.

Jose Ramos

Probably the youngest photographer I have covered in this blog comes Jose Ramos. Ramos concentrates mainly on Landscape photography but mixes it up some times with other aspects of photography. His landscapes integrate post-manipulation but it adds to the texture of the picture. All of his images have a collective array of colors that adds a certain beauty to his images. Also he is noted for using a slow shutter speed to capture the movement of the landscape that most people would suggest is stationary and pay no mind to. Ramos tends to blend two images together of the same landscape t create a more dramatic effect in the landscape. I enjoy his work because it is simple in one aspect and in the same aspect it is highly refined.

Walker Evans

So not only is Walker Evans a famous NASCAR driver but he is also a famous photographer(two different Walker Evans'.) The notable photographer is most famous for his portraits/social landscapes of the south during the 1930's and 1940's(The Great Depression). His message that pulls through is the poor quality of life in the south at this time period. Also another message Evan's conveys at this time period is the racial segregation and how the "white" standard of living is higher than those of African-Americans. Evan's main goal as a photographer was to take pictures that were literal, and gave depth into the hardships of many Americans. Evans sets a great example for many great photographers who want to document a difficult scenario or time period.

Robert ParkeHarrison

Robert ParkeHarrison is another one of the aesthically challenging photographers whose images are usually dark and grim and outlandish but carry a heavy message once the viewer can look past the odd objects or strange man who happens to be in almost every image. For example, at first glance you see that man tightening some nut mixed in with some grass; but with a good interpretation ParkeHarrison is trying to portray the message that we must start to fix the earth. The same earth that day by day we are destroying with CFC's and abusing oil and other natural resources in order to make our lives a bit simpler. Most of Robert ParkeHarrison's images have somewhat of a natural feel and mainly stick to the message that we must do our part to help restore the earth.

George Tice

I knew when I first saw his collection that half of these places looked so familiar, but when I cam across this particular image it just stuck out so much. The under pass is such a vivid place that sticks out so much when traveling on the turnpike toward north jersey. George Tice is most famous for his black-and-white landscapes of new jersey and its cityscape. For a viewer that has never been to New Jersey, it could give the most accurate feeling of being in the state; seeing the random corner stores, traveling on the turnpike, or even walking down the street feeling the brisk November chill and seeing all the houses stacked so close together and having no front or back yard. Aesthetically his collection has a special place amongst all the other great photographers, by capturing most of his images on gray days with low light.

Ansel Adams

So when anyone mentions photography the first photographer that comes to any persons mind instantly is Ansel Adams. Most recognized for his big, beautiful landscapes and giving off the most natural feeling in his works. Adams also takes on a completely unique aesthetic when photographing his landscapes, giving them this almost surreal look as if a painter painted hie work. It is almost difficult to narrow down one specific photo to identify because all of his works are as beautiful as the next. For example in the photo above, it is simply amazing how Adams grasps the definition of the rocks in the fore-ground but also clearly shows the texture of the clouds in the background. Also the light that is appearing from the right, gives the mountains a more majestic look. All around Ansel Adams is one of the greatest photographers that has ever lived, and will be an inspiration to all photographers everywhere.

Dorothea Lange

Dorothea Lange portrays how hard it was to be a farmer in the south during the depression. I feel i can heavily relate to this image coming from a background of all farmers dating back to the 1890's. The image above accurately shows how hard most Americans had to work just as a means to get by. For example many people find it "hard" to get out of bed before 8 am, but it is impossible to be put into the shoes of others. These people had to be up at 5am and ready to get to work all day til about 8pm, and this was no easy task; as they were tending to fields and crops. Dorothea Lange perfectly shows how difficult many Americans had it during the depression and how hard it was to manage to get by. Most of the people in her images are wearing torn clothing or look malnourished which were the effects of the poor conditions of the era.

Jill Greenberg

Jill Greenberg is most noted for her fine art and her portrait photography. She utilizes her subject and pastes them against a sort-of bland back drop to create a certain mood to the picture. I find her work for magazines and commercials rather dull and boring, most of the pictures cute her off at the knees as far as artistic capabilities. As far as her as fine art, I feel like this is a total 180 from her commercial work. For example, her series "the glass ceiling" has a certain elegance and beauty to it. In the image above you see the underwater dancers body but you never see their heads, and the way that the red reflects off the surface almost gives off a red texture in the water that reminds me of blood. In the artists statement about the works, she says that its a direct reflection on how the masculine figure and the masculine image of what women should be sculpted to be.

Dave Hill

Dave Hill has gained a giant movement in manipulated imagery these days. Most people refer to the "Dave Hill Look" and what they are referring to is the texture of his images that feels almost cartoon-ish. He goes through an extremely complicated process to get most of his images this way which includes manipulating the models to reflect the action he portrays, as well as following shadows of each character and makes sure that each of which is in the proper place. What I like about Hill's work is the fact that for every manipulated image he does there is a 35mm black and white image to match and his straight photography has the same elegance that his manipulated imagery has.

Andrew Zuckerman

Andrew Zuckerman I found is the most simple artist and at the same moment is the most visually engaging. Zuckerman has covered numerous aspects of photography ranging from landscapes to portraits to even film making. He is most recognized for his book, "Birds"; that received several awards. His most notable works are like the image above, some sort of subject whether it be man or animal, posted up again a blank white background. I personally find his work fascinating because most of the subjects look almost Photoshopped in the poses they are in. Also in his series, wisdom, most of the people look surreal to the point where they almost look like wax figures.

Ryan Fudger

Ryan Fudger's work mainly consists of action shots of bicycle riders doing tricks. All of his images have a certain tint of creativity in how they are captured and are mainly used for magazine and advertisements. Aside from doing action/sports photography, Fudger has some really interesting shots from his travels all over the globe. He is an inspiration that really proves that you can eventually end up doing what you love for a living.

Tomiko Jones

Tomiko Jones creates a very somber undertone to most of her works. In most of the images there is an individual item that draws the focus of the viewer to her work and calls into question the ideas of depression, loneliness, or on the other side of the coin Independence, or Individuality. For example in the image above the picture concentrate on the singular moth and the viewer might focus on the idea of the moth dying. I personally enjoy her work because in most of the images there is this skewed idea of morbidity and death, which always makes me ponder on the subject.

Robert Doisneau

Robert Doisneau, covers all aspects of photography from the stand point of social landscape and portrait photography. Also all of his works have a certain beauty to them whether it be of the poor, or the rich, adults or children; his images all capture the attitude of the model and the raw emotion is conveyed through his images. Also his does not limit himself to just one feeling; but a collection of emotions ranging from happiness, to childhood, to frustration and disappointment. For example in the image above the seriousness is shown through the woman's attitude and attention to fine art. While the man is glazing over at the picture of the naked woman, which makes the photograph humorous. This also shows a typical married couple and the combination of two moods and how they feed off one another.

Mark Klett

From this collection, I felt that this image was the most significant of all the cacti Mark Klett took photographs of. The cactus looks to have a happy face and a small top hat which I find hilarious. The message Klett was aiming for with this image was a humorous one, with the face in the cacti and the arms of the cacti seem to be shimmying. On the other hand Klett could have possibly been aiming for another message along the lines of how the west was slowly being desecrated by pollution, and the cacti can be seen rotting or being eaten by insects. Either way the aesthic of the photo graph has a rustic, dusty feel. The viewer can almost place themselves in the desert, with the dry heat and the sweeping of dust in the air.

Max Yavno

Santa Monica Beach 1949, Max Yavno.

Max Yavno in known for his street scenes that embelish what it means to live int the city, on the other hand in the image above he shows a Californian beach-scape. The message that is shown through the picture is one of anger and frustration. What is worse than a crowded beach in the middle of summer with the summer sun beaming down on you and the end result is eventually sunburn? Even worse; What is worse than sitting in traffic all day long? the aesthetic of the cars and the beach is visually stimulating but the relation of the message ruins the image. Other works of Max Yavno challenge this idea, as to where they are beautiful and the message given off is one of happiness, or creativity.

Lewis Baltz

Lewis Baltz I find very inspirational in the sense that he is constantly looking for the balance between chaos and desolation cause by human beings. Most of his works portray a sort of eerie feel as they are littered with trash left behind by humans. This goes on to show how all human beings are slowly destroying the earth and if we keep up this downward spiral eventually the earth will come to an end. Yet, all of his images; even the on above, have an elegant look to them as if they were meant to be like that or some greater being position them that way. With the combination of dark and light the message that comes through is open for debate, but the fact that is un-debateble is Lewis Baltz is a remarkable photographer.

Bill Burke

Bill Burke is one of the most challenging photographers and shows a accurate portraiture of a scenario through his images. In the image above shows some sort of soldier proud of his weapon. This portrays a sort of nationalism; in which one is proud to go off and fight for their country. Also, the man is covered in tattoos, which either relates to the sense of nationalism and the pride in his heritage or his experience in fighting. There is a very serious look in his face which also makes his message very clear that although he is afraid of dying; he will protect what he loves. Bill Burke is one of the most open minded photographers; as he distorts the viewers idea of reality and makes the viewer consider life in other regions.

Frederick Sommer

Frederick Sommer is one of the most unusual artist in that he does not convey a direct message with his pictures but a more in-depth message. As one can see above Sommer's image of "The Anatomy of A Chicken" show the organs sprawled out against a canvas with the head detached and placed far away. The message that Sommer is trying to convey in this image is the amount of animal cruelty in the process that a chicken is killed. Also he shows the parts of the chicken that these alleged murderers do not use to feed to the masses. Sommer's work is considered to be morose and not very easy on the stomach but sometimes an artist must go to extremes to establish a certain point or message.

Rineke Dijkstra

Rineke Dijkstra, 'Villa Franca, Portugal, May 8', 1994

The reason I chose Rineke Dijkstra to start this blog is because currently, I am in between an assignment on portraits. Rineke Dijkstra sets the bar for portrait photography by placing this bold character on a very light landscape such as a beach, or a field. Her works are mainly composed of the deepest human emotion. For example in the picture above is a picture of a bull fighter in Portugal, the extreme significance of this image is the raw emotion that is radiating from him right after his fight. Rineke conveys a message of invulnerability and shows the viewer that no person is immortal. Another point to come across in this image is how tettered and ripped the bull fighters jacket is, also the blood on the right shoulder, which brings out the violence in the sport of bull fighting and how dangerous his job is. Overall, Rineke Dijkstra is one of the best portrait photographers and when it comes to comparing human emotion to facial expression her message comes across boldly.