Thursday, December 15, 2011

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.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

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.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

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.