Response to Week 4 Discussion Board

A. Sieglitz

Sieglitz goal was to make photography a form of art. Photographers used this style of photography to shape the picture to create a sense of mood and atmosphere. Low tones, soft lighting are greatly emphasized. Great attention is paid to these elements; often characterized and compared to a painters brush strokes.  Simplicity and serenity are the main focus of theses grounded everyday shots.  Sieglitz did not stay true to his movement. At one point in his career he steered clear from his pictorial approach and Stieglitz turned to emphasizing on modern art and photographs that looked like the work of a camera rather than a paintbrush.

The style of naturalism photography is classified as modern art would include subjects mainly of nature and/or people. The photos are taken are that of an average every day scene, but  the time required to capture a photo needs a lot less patience and paintbrush style is eliminated.

Whites’ impact on photography is that he was extremely gifted at evoking emotion from his pictures. He had the perfect balance of structure, quality and emotion from a photo. His spirituality and passion for creation led to find life and light in the things we dismiss daily. 

Man Rays’ photos are very sharp and focused. He used women as his main focus. Often at times, he would create a sensual or erotic tone to the photo by centering the shot closely on delicate parts of the female anatomy. The photographs were beautifully manufactured and showed great creativity.  His photographs are different from Sieglitz as they do not share the same characteristics. Stieglitz’s’ subjects are undefined and are usually of everyday scenery, where the elements can add to the photo being taken.  Whereas, Rays’ subjects are always seen, defined and usually indoors with no natural external elements to add to the shot. 

M.Ray

Moholy-Nagy photographs are composed with light and movement. However abstract they are, they move they eye in a structured way so they don’t get lost in the picture. This industrial feel and technological approach to photography is present in most of his shots. 

All photographers are artists. To strip the title “artist” from a photographer would be shameful.  We have seen here that a simple photo can be manipulated, as emotionally moving and as avant-garde as the next art movement.    

Assignment #1

Calotype photo, taken by William Henry Fox Talbot

Photography plays a significant role in the development of the technological and social world that we live in. Historically, the medium of photography, and photographers themselves, were seen as entirely different entities than the ones we know today. In the beginning, mathematicians, archeologists, scientists and forward-thinking innovators were the “eyes behind the lens”. Initially developed for goals of scientific progress having a photograph taken soon became a badge of social status among aristocrats. The portrait photo replaced the canvas as a prized possession among the lavish, upper class citizens who often relished in the life of a “cast-like system”. It wasn’t until much later that photography became widely available to the public, broke through the social boundaries set by the social elite and allowed it to progress further into the world of art and culture.

Photo: Omar Vega

As technology develops and evolves so does the practice and form of photography. Today, image based media is a growing industry that captures minds with the use digital imagery, print and film. The affordability and ease of use has made it possible for almost all people to own or have access to a digital camera as well as the ability to shoot, edit and print images themselves. The socio-cultural differences between the past and present really signify the growing need for expression and less attention is paid on the social structure outlined by income and class. Today’s subject is nontraditional compared to its historical roots. Anything may be a subject for photo, leaving creativity and composition as a main component of each picture. The art form has grown so large that many specialized areas have been developed to further classify what photography means. There is still a divide between professional and amateur photographers but it is one that is become increasingly narrow. The focus of today’s professional photographer is not only about the connection and expression (as it is with amateur photographers), but about telling a story. These storytellers, have the ability to shape and influence minds. They architect exactly what they want their audience to see-capture and create it. These artistic minds are driving forces behind cultural influences and political movements. The simplest and most beautiful concept of photography is that it documents our everyday world and makes what is ordinary appear extra ordinary. 

Kitsilano Beach, BC (Photo: Jennifer Mohammed)

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photography
Lemany and Rouille, Technical Coexistence. A History Of Photography (pg 36-44).

Introduction

Hi. My name is Jen and I am a third semester culinary managment student. I am passionate about music, travel and of course food. I enjoy trying new restaurants, going to farmer's markets, farms and wineries. Along the way I always try and take as many photos as possible. The same goes for my travels which have extended across a few continents. I hope to eventually be able to combine my love of food and travel into a career abroad. Photography is a way for us to be able to share our experiences and learn about one another. I look forward to getting to know you and seeing all your amazing blogs.

Jen