HOW TO READ A PHOTOGRAPH
LEVEL 2 COCO KNIESE 1133
Genre- Deadpan
If This is Art: Considers how photographers have devised strategies, performances and happenings especially for the camera. This challenges the stereotype that photography is all about sitting and waiting for that perfect moment. Based in the performance art of the 60’s and 70’s. Seidou Keita Unititled 1959
i believe that the photographer Seidou Keita links that the photography genre; If This is Art as the patterns that are in her photographs are used as both backgrounds and clothing that is used on the mdels in the photos. i also think that each person in the photographs have been placed to show a certain emotion though the gestures and facial expressions. Genre- Deadpan
David Goldblatt
i think that these photographs link to the theme If This is Art as the photos are very organised and postioned in certain ways so that the composition of the photographs are the way that the photograper wants them to be- like a piece of art would be.
Phillip Lorca diCorcia Head #7 2000 This photographer links to the theme If This is Art as Phillip as purposly picked certain people to put under the spot light and photograph. Therefore the photographer has certain strategies when taking the photographs.
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Alfred Stieglitz Fountain 1917 these photographs by Alfred Stieglitz realte to the photography genre If This is Art as the way that the hands have been positioned in the photographs have a signifigant meaning to the emotion and general look of the photograph. this relates to the photograph of the urinal links to the genre If This is Art as the photograph is of something that is nothing specail and is something that can be taken by almost anyone and so it links to the facts that photography is not about waiting for that specail moment.
Sophie Calle The Chromatic Diet 1998
The photographs that Sophie calle as taken are very specific and colour co-ordinated and so this links to the genre If This is Art as it shows that way Calle has selected certain colours and same shapes for the camera. this effect works well as it almost creates as repeat pattern as the objects in the photographs are nearly all the same but just the colours are diiferent. Genre- Deadpan
Joseph Beuys I like America and America likes me 1974
These photographs link to the theme If This is Art as the way that the wolf is teh dominate in the photograph suggests that humans are weaker which is not always the case in a ‘real-life‘ situation. this links to the genre as it is an art piece and not something that is seen everyday.
Gillian Wearing Signs that say what you want them to say and not signs that say what someone else wants you to say 1992 These photographs by Gillian Wearing link to the genre If This is Art as what is writtin on the signs in the pictures do not match what the person looks like. This therefore shows juxtaposion as the two objects (the person and the sign) in the photos, do not match together. The photographs also makes the viewer become very sterotypical as we would not sterotypically realte the pharses/words with the people in the photos. Genre- Deadpan
Bettina von Zwehl Made Up Love song
These photographs by Bettina Von Zwehl link to the the photographs have been postioned and posed in a particu so the photographer has set the compostion and staging think that tehse photographs explore the idea of the p sterotypical perfect moment. this is because the photo photographer had to simply take a few shoots to be abl graph.
David Spero
These photograph concepts of the Spero has delibr happenings withi his photographs. everyday room be unique and inter er as it is some before. Due to t that are in the photographer Dav put them in the for the camera, create certain e the photographs.
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eme If This is Art as the people in the ular way that the photographer wants and g in the photos. On the other hand, i also photographer not having to wait for the ographs are plain and simple therefore the le to get want they wanted from the photo-
hs by David Spero show genre If This is art as ratly devised abstract in the rooms that are in . This makes the normal ecome somethimng more resting to the veiwething that is not seen the abstract stuctures rooms, it means the the vid Spero, has purposly rooms in a certain way therefore being able to effects when seeining .
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Once Apon a Time:
Story telling in art photography. Tableau photography where the story has been distilled into one single image (based on 17th and 18th century painting)
Jeff Wall A Sudden Gust of Wind 1993
Jeff Wall Insomnia 1994 These photographs by Jeff Wall show the genre of Once Apon a Time as the viewer is able to create a visual story in there heads of what may have happened before and after the photograph was taken.
Jeff Wall Milk 1984 I think the photograph A Sudden Gust of Wind particually explores this genre as being the viewer you are able to see the movement within the photographs and see the expressions that the people have when recating to the gust of wind that is happening in the photograph.
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Sam Taylor Wood Soliloquy I 1998
I think that these photographs link to the genre Once Apon a Time as when looking at the photographs in detail, as the viwer you are able to see a small stip of photographs at the bottomof the larger photos. this almost creatses a story board to the large photo and alomost explains to us (the viewers) how the model has ended up the way they are in the larger photographs. Francis Kearney Five People thinking the same thing 1998 these photographs by francis kearney link to the genre Once Apon a Time becuase when looking at the photographs, I can tell that the photographs are like a freeze frame. this is becuase I am able to tell that the people in the photographs are busy doing something therefore it create me as the viewer to carry on thinking about what they will be doing next. Genre- Deadpan
Deadpan:
Distinct lack of visual drama. Usually large scale pieces of work with little central focus or obvious subject matter
Andreas Gursky Prada I 1996
These photographs by Andreas Gursky, link to the genre Deadpan as the things that we are seeing in the photographs are things the we see/ happen in everyday life and so a usually things that we would never take a second look at, but the way that Gursky has captured and composed the everyday things make them seem alot more interesting and different in the photograph. this is because the colours and rows apon rows of repeated patterent make the photographs alot more ordered and structured.
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Bridget Smith Southwark Sea cadets, Walworth 2007
These photographs, link to the genre Deadpan as these photographs are of rooms that are in our everyday lives and so they are nothing that is out of the ordinary or new to use therefore becoming something that we will not pay that much attention to but due to the photographer taking photos of these things it makes us look at them in more detail to find the meaning behind the phtoographs.
Lewis Baltz Fairfax 1973
this photographer Lewis Baltz relates to the genre Deadpan as the photographs that he takes, are things that we see everyday in an outrdoor urban environment and then by changing the photographs to black and white make them seem even more ‘uninteresting’. but due to the compositon and dramatic angles that are shown in the photo it makes it alot more alouring to the viewers. Genre- Deadpan
Matthias Hoch Leipzig #47
These photographs link to the genre Deadpan as when first looking at the photographs they are things that we see everyday but due to the way that the photograph as been captured, it makes it seem like something else and something a little bit more extordinary. these four photos that i have picked, are able to show emotion, light, colours and composition addining to the effect of the photo.
These photographs show what we as the vieewers would normally see in a night time environment but do to the lights and relections that are shown, creates the photographs to become more interesting. also these photographs, have no apparent menaing or central focus point therefore relating them to the genre Deadpan. Genre- Deadpan
Dan Holdsworth Untitled (A Machine for Living) 1999
Richard Misrach Salton Sea
these for photographs, have a meaning of showing the damage of a flood but when looking at the photographs and not knowing the history behind them, they look like ordinary photographs of a sea/lake environment therefore becoming slightly less interesting to us. But, due to the tranquillity of the photographs, it makes us feel calm when looking at the photos, therefore making us portray and emotion to the photos. Thomas Ruff Portrait (A Volkmann) 1998
these photographs are of four different people that are strangers and ramdom figures to us (the veiwers). this makes us almost uninterested and would almost flick past the photographs as there is no physical of emotion draw to teh photos. But because these photos are of strangers, it makes us wonder why the photographer has taken pictures of these people and therefore results in us questioning the photographers work. Genre- Deadpan
Joel Sternfeld
Joel Sternfeld’s work relates to the genre Deadpan as these are photographs of normal people and landscapes that are not much different to what we would see for ourselves in the outdoor environment. But, due to the way that the normal people have objects around them and expression that cause us to wonder what they are doing, and also the landscapes, show a combination of natural and man-made therefore showing the viwers the contrast that is created by combining the two opposites together in the photographs.
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Something & nothing: Photographing objects and subjects that wouldn’t ordinarily warrant a second look e.g. street litter, abandoned rooms or dirty laundry. Peter Fischli and David Weiss Quiet afternoon 1984-85
indivisually these objects are things that we use everyday and take for granted but the way that the photographer has combinded some of these onjects together, makes use look at them in a different perspective and look into more detail at the shaping of these objects and makes us think how are they combined? And how are they able to stay up-right and still be connected? Genre- Deadpan
Richard Wentworth
These objects are things that we see everyday and never stop to think about them or look at them in great detail. But bu placing these objects in forgien places to where they should be, makes use look at them and question to why they are in the places they are... Is the photographer trying to make us look at these objects in a different way to what we already do?
Nigel Shafran Sewing Kit 2002 these photographs, link to the genre something and nothing as the photographs are of everyday housleold items and so they are typically quite plain and boring to us. this links to something and nothing as it doesnt make us to look at the photograph again. Genre- Deadpan
Jean-Marc Bustamante Something is missing 1997
these photographs link to something & nothing as they are just of senery but the way that the fence has been used in the foreground of some of the photos make them look interesting and aethically pleasing. Wim Wenders Wall in Paris, Texas 2001
The genre something and nothing is showed through these photographs as again they are of everyday things but the way that the photographs have been composed and taken make them more interesting to us. This is because of the textures and colours that are shown make the photo more alluring.
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Peter Fraser Materials 2002
these photographs show the genre something and nothing as they are typical objects but, by the way that some of the photos have been combined with other objects, it turns them into different shapes. Also the way that colours presented make them stand out as there is minimal colour but it is shown in darker conditions therefore making them stand out more.
Wolfgang Tillmans Suit 1997 these photographs relates to something and nothing as the clothes, windows and natures that is shown in the photos are normal to us. The jumpsuit becomes more interesting to us as it almost seems as if it is standing alone which is not physically possible, therefore it makes me as the viewer think that the jumpsuit is increadibly stiff. Also the way that the vertical lines are broken in the photos of the windows make us focus on those sections where it is broken. this draws us into the photos therefore creating us to take a second look at the picture. Genre- Deadpan
Human Existance:
Emotional and personal relationships. A diary of human interaction, a focus of unexpected moments in everyday life. Richard Billingham Untitled 1994 these photographs show human existance as Billingham as been able to capture the lives of this couple. it shows the interaction and everyday thing that thi couple will do and therefore showing us an insight into their peronal lives almost making it seem like we know these two people but yet they are still strangers to us.
Tina Barney Tim, Philip & Phil 1996
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these photograph show human existance as the photos are showing people/ family doing things that they would normally be doing in their lives and so it makes us feel apart of their lives as we are almost their with them when looking at the photographs. thsi si effective to us as it takes us away from where we are and makes us think about what it would be lke to be wherer they are. it plays with our senses.
Mitch Epstein Dad IV 2003
Colin Gray Untitled 2002
These photographs are almost documenting the day of the photographers dad. these photograph therefore relate to the genre human exictance as they are showing the unexpected moments that are occuring in his life. the photographs show this as they do not look staged or set up by the photographer and this can be seen through expressions shown by the dad.
these photographs link to the genre human existance as they are showing parts of this persons elderly life. these photographs, i believe, show more of an emtional contex compared to the others as you can see the sadenss from the photos and this makes us as the viewer feel sorry for the lady as we can see what she is going through. Genre- Deadpan
Breda Beban The Miracle of Death 2000
these photographs link to human figures in the photographs, it mans everyday life. The photogr make and develop over the years are ordinarly found in a house these things are used by humans
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n exictance as even though they do not show any human is showing things that are typically needed in a huraphs also show things that humans have been able to s. The photographs are taken of rooms and objects that and therefore connecting it to human exictance as s and are needed as basic neseities.
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Moments in History:
Documenting social and ecological disaster after the event. Using art photography to present the consequences of political and human upheaval. Willie Doherty God Has Not Failed Us
Anthony Haughey Minefield Bosnia 1999
these photographs link to the genre moments in history as the photograher has taken the photograph after a disaster and has then captioned the images to relate to the disaster. as the viewer it creates a very emotional and gives a shock value to the work. this is because it almost doesn’t seem right that the photographer has teaken images of the disater but then again it enables us to remember what has happened and connected with the photos.
these photographs link to the theme moments in history as photographer has taken images of the impact that human littering has caused on the environment. this sends us as the viewers a powerful message as it shows us what we are doing to the Genre- Deadpan world in which we live in and therefore telling us to stop as we can see what it is effecting.
Fazal Sheikh Halima Abdullai 2000
these photographs show us the poverty and socio-status of less developed counties. this links to the genre moments in history as it is showing us the economical distaster that is happening in some places in this world. i feel that the portrait photograph of the young boy in the top right hand cornre, best captures this as the emotion on his face relays to us exactly what he is feeling. Also by what he is wearing and the dirtiness of his face reminds us that he is leff fortunatate and probably can’t aford new clothes or has acess to clean water.
Allan Sekula Conclusion of search for the disabled and drifting sailboat ‘Happy Ending’ 1993 -2000 these photographs link to the theme moments in history as phtotgraphs could have two meanings. these could either be the adaptation to the way that we have developed in transporting good to and from contries, or it could be a reminder of the damage that these ships are doing tp the enviGenre- Deadpan ronment and sea-life.
Martin Parr Bristol, Unitied Kingdom 1998
these photographs link to the genre moments in history as they are represting the time when britain became iconic. this is shown through the photographs as these particual photos are showing the 80’s and 90’s therefore showing the typical tourist clothes and actions, the artifial looking colours and the typical british flag. A moment in hiostory is shown here as this is how Britain in sterotypically scene and so the time of when these where taken started the sterotypical British actions.
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Revived & Remade:
Photographs that explore and exploit our pre-existing knowledge of imagery. The remaking of famous photographs, adverts, scientific imagery etc. Using old photographic techniques and styles (copyright issues). Cindy Sherman Untitled #400 2000
these photographs link to the genre ‘revived and remade’ as the photographer has made self portraits of herfelf but as different people. this shows that she has remade her identity through altering her image to make herself look like something that she is not. Gillian Wearing Self portrait as my father Brian Wearing 2003
these photos relate to the topic ‘revived and remade’ by the photographer resembling her parental figures in her life. she has strengthened the idea of genetics by showing similarities throughout her family. Genre- Deadpan
Susan Derges River 23 November 1998
These images are of scans. these realte to the genre revived and remade. as i believe that the photograper Susan derges is trying to re-create the initail look of nature. they way that it has been re-created makes nature look more interesting due to the different colours used and more texture sthat are seen thought the scans. John Divola Installations Chairs 2002 these photographs link to the theme revivied as the photos have been changed to black and white which means that the orginal photo has been remade to make it black and white. The two photographs on the bottom row, i think link to the genre more than the ones above as the room was once plain but due to the graffiti it has made the room look more modern and changed its orginal apprearence. Genre- Deadpan
Vibeke Tandberg 1999
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the photogrpaher Vibeke Tandberg’s work related to the genre Revived and remade in photography as she has specailly eddited her photographs so that the heads of the models do not match the body. This is not seen when first looking apon the photographs but when researching her work it become evident that this is a clear pattern thought her work. I think that the two images of girls that have a cartoon looking head realte best to the genre as it is clearly evident to any viewer that the features and or hole head it clearly not related to the body of the figure. therefore the photographer has revived and remade the women to look different to their normal identities.
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http://silverandlightvancouver.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Ian_Ruhter-DTLA-Final_FPO.jpg
Size Ian Ruhter Title:Visits Vancouver
I believe that this photograph represtents the theme of size. This is because and uses mirrors to relect the what he wants use as the viewers to see. the u senery that is seen and the very small scale hole in where the photograph can cus and is the biggest element and most dominant aspect in the photo where as the fence do to the distance between them. this almost makes the photo slight The way that Rhuter has used a pinhole camera almost objectifies against what yet the photographer has been able to capture a large scenic view and so it i Genre- Deadpan
e the photographer ian Rhuter, uses a hand made pin hole camera in his van use of the pin hole camera, craetes a contrast between the large amount of n be taken. in the photograph the fence that is in the foregroung is in fos in the backgroung the buildings, which are not in focus are smaller than tly obcured as in real life these dimamics woyuld not be true. t the picture is. This is because the camera that is used is very small but is almost like combine two opposites together- big and small. Genre- Deadpan
http://www.quotecollection.com/author-images/diane-arbus-1.jpg
Shape and Framing Diane Arbus Title: Quotes at Quote With this photographs, the shaping of the frame has made the photograph become a squared photo and so some of the image has been slightly cut off and there is less negative space around the lady. the shaping within this photograph is very circular due to the circular face, rounded hair and the head scarf that is aroung the model. because there is leff negative space, it means that the models head is filling the frame and so she is the main focus subject in the photograph. The lady who is in the photograph is slightly off centre and in the square frame and so some og the side of her head piece has beeing cut out of the frame therefore cropping out some of the main focus of the photograph.
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https://juanjosereyes.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/cri_1493671.jpg
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Focus Lee-Friedlander Title: Reflections on the Street
main focus in this photograph is the lady who is walking past Lee-Friedlander le he is taking the photographs. this is because the lady is what is being reected ibn the window on the opposite side of the photograph and so she is what we are seeing double of and this is the main purpose of the photograph. the photograph what is in focus is the lady wlaking and also the side portait ilhoutte of a face that is almost looking at the lady who is walking. By these o things being in focu in the photograph,it makes these things the most important and most eye catching features as they are what wee seem to automatically look at when first glacing at the photograph. Genre- Deadpan
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Surface Aaron Siskind Title: Taller IV
This photograph shows a great example of how surface texture can be shown though a photo. This photograph in particular shows the surface as a texture very well as it is able to make the screen and or the photograph that the viewer is able to hold, make it seem as if the photo is not a flat two dimensional piece, but makes it seem like sections are coming out of the photograph making it very three dimensional. Also the photograph does not appear to be smooth or shiny like most photographs do. This photograph appears to be very course, cracked and uneven and this is what we, as the viewer would think when feeling the texture that has been captured.
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https://artblart.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/william-eggleston-untitled-c-1971 lights.jpg
Colour William Eggleston Title: Huntsville Alabama
This photograph by: William Eggleston elaborates the theme of colour in this photograph, as the colours are very bright and striking towards the viewer. The light blue colour and orange colours that are shown together in the photograph create a string contrast with one another, which results in the two colours brings each other out and making them more obvious to the viewer. This means, for me, that it is the fist thing that I notice about the photo, as I did not take in what the objects/scenery of this photo was. Genre- Deadpan
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http://laurencemillergallery.com/Images/Muybridge/Muybridge_Flip%20w%20Bird.
Time Eadweard Muybridge Title: Naked Truths Genre- Deadpan
This series of photographs, explores the idea of time as the movement that is happening in the photographs shows the timing of when the gymnast first comes into contact with the floor and then how he is able to complete the move that he is doing. This is effective to a viewer’s point of view as it allows us to see how the gymnast executes his moves and the dynamics of how he is able to do it. The photographs are almost like an analysis of the move so that the gymnast is able to see the way that he is able to move and then improve on his skills and further develop the way that he is able to execute them. Genre- Deadpan
Lewis Baltz Fairfax 1973 Deadpan
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Light Quality Light quality describes the source, amount, and direction of lighting in a photograph. Light can come from natural sources, like the sun. It can be altered or created by humans, by using such things as flash bulbs or lamps. It can also be diffused by clouds or by humans putting a veil of cloth over a lamp. The direction of light is also important when looking at photographs: it can come from above, behind, or from one side. Bright, dim, cloudy, directional, diffused, and flash are some terms used to describe lighting. Questions to Consider Determine the source of light (sun, lamp, flash?). What is it? From which direction does the light come? Does the light come from above the subject? Below it? From the side? What kind of light do you think this is? Is the light harsh with strong shadows, or is it diffused with soft, light shadows?
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Fairfax 1973
Light Quality: With this photograph, the light source is natural and coming from the sun. I know this because the photograph has been taken in an outdoor environment and so there was no need for any artificial lighting from lamps or bulbs. The direction that the sun is coming from is not easily seen, but I know that the sun is not coming from behind the photographer as there would be some indication of a shadow on the wall or floor that is behind the photographer. I also think that the sun was fairly bright at the time the photograph was taken as the white colours, in the photo, are very bright which tells me that the sun was hitting the wall to be able to makes the original colours brighter and cause shadows around the ledge above the white section on the wall. Texture Texture is how the surface of an object appears to feel or actually feels to the touch. Texture can be described as rough, smooth, soft, etc. Texture is shown in photographs by the way the light falls on an object and through value changes. The paper on which the photograph is made also determines texture. Questions to Consider What objects in the photograph show textures? Describe those textures. Is the texture of objects something that you noticed right away or do you notice it after looking for a while? Why? Texture: In the photograph Fairfax by Lewis Baltz, I think that the most significant textures are show by the wall, which is directly in-front Genre- Deadpan
of us when Looking at the photograph. The reason why I think this is because the small uneven rectangle, which is on the wall, looks very smooth and had a polished look to it. Then the wall which is around the smooth rectangle, looks damaged, scratched and uneven. These two textures create a contrast between themselves as they are the complete opposites. Due to this I believe that it makes the two opposing textures stand out more as it is more obvious to the viewer when they are placed next to each other. After looking at the photograph for a longer period of time and in more detail, as the viewer, I am able to pick up other textures that are around the wall, these things include the grass/weeds that appear to be growing from the edge of the side walk. These create more texture within the photograph as it makes it look featherd and aged. Focus Focus is the sharpness or clarity of subjects in the photographic image. Soft focus is created when a photographer manipulates the camera to achieve blurry, gentle edges. Photographers use the aperture (lens opening) and limitations of the lens to create sharp detail, soft edges, or both; this is called selective focus. Questions to Consider What is in sharp focus? Has the photographer kept everything in sharp focus? Has the photographer kept only a few things in focus? Explain Has the photographer made this image in soft focus? What mood or feeling has the photographer created by using soft or sharp focus? Focus: in the photograph the part that is in sharp focus in the middle section of the photo (the smooth white part on the textured wall). this means that whenn looking at the photograph this is the main part that us as the viwers tend to automatically look at in more detail. By creating the image in sharp focus, it means that Baltz has altered the aperture to make sure that soft focus is not achieved. in the photohraph, the photographer Lewis Baltz, has kept everything in focus, thus creating the photograph to have no apparent main objective or subject to it. due to everything being in sharp focus, it means that the photographer has not taken the photograph after manipulating the camera to create soft focus or sharp and soft focus at the same time (selective focus). by the photograph being in sharp focusi think that the mood that is created is one of stillness and clamness. this is because there are no busy actions taking place and there is also no blurry/un-focused areas in the photographs that may distract the viewers attention away from the actual image. Angle of View Angle of view is the position from where the photographer took the Genre- Deadpan
picture. A photographer can point the camera from below, above, or straight at an object. In other artistic media, this is often called point of view. When looking for subjects, especially in nature, a photographer often shifts the angle of view to make interesting images. Angle of view can also express emotion or mood. It can give the viewer a sense of being small if looking up, or a sense of being big if looking down. Questions to Consider What is the angle of view for this image? Is the camera angle in the photograph at eye level, lower than eye level (ground level) or above eye level (birds eye view)? Is the viewer looking straight on or from one side or another? How does the photographer’s angle of view make you feel about the subject? Angle of view: The photograph Fairfaz by Lewis Baltz, has been photographed looking straight at the object thereore Baltz has simply taken the photograph with the camera at no particular angle. due to the photograph being taken straight on it means that the photograph has been taken at eye-level. this is effective as it makes me as the viewer feel as this is more realistic ands it it like i am standing infront of the wall and not just looking at a photograph of it. when looking at the photograph, i, as the viewer, am looking at the photograph from a straight on angle as this is the same angle that the photograph has been taken. this means that Baltz wants the viewer to see the photograph from this angle as his intentions were to take it on a straight angle. the photographers angle of view makes me feel ffairly relaxed about this photograph. this is because there is no complicated angle of view that the photograph needs to seen at and the photograph as not taken the photograph at an angle therefore not obscuring the photograph in any way therefore making no hidden meanings behind the photograph. Framing/Composition Framing is how a photographer carefully presents a subject. Unlike painters, who usually begin with a blank canvas, photographers begin with everything in front of them. Once a subject is found, a photographer decides what to include in the picture frame. The photographer then composes the image to draw a viewer’s attention to the subject in a way that best expresses the artist’s idea of it. Questions to Consider What do you think the photographer chose to include or exclude from this scene in order to draw your attention to the center of interest? In what ways did the photographer use framing in this image? What in the photograph helps frame the center of interest? Framing/Composition: in this photograph, i think that baltz has chosen to make the detailing on the wall and small roof above it the main focus of his photograph and so he has made sure that the roof/sheltered area is directly in the middle of the photograph. Due to this part being in the centre of the page, its makes it the most interesting aspect of the photograph and this is what catches viewers attentions and draws them into the photograph. Baltz has used framing when taking this photograph as i think that he has purposly excluded the surrounding senery from this photograph so that there was one main focus to the photograph. I can tell that Baltz as zoomed in when taking the photograph as Genre- Deadpan
there is a significant amount or the floor, that is in the foreground, missing from the photograph. i also think that baltz’s has focused in on the main part of the wall and so other things that my have been above or on either side of this part of the wall have also been cropped out of the frame so that there is nothing distracting about the photograph. Due to the framing of the photograph and taking out any other objects/senery from the photograph, it helps to create a main focus, which is placed in the centre of the photograph. Colour Artists use color to achieve many effects. Color gives viewers a sense of mood, place, and time of year. Color can also move your eye around a composition and create a sense of space on a flat surface. Some artists achieve very saturated (strong, intense) color in their images, while others intentionally use subdued or muted colors in their subject matter. Questions to Consider Are colour photographs more real looking than black and white photographs? Why or why? What can a photographer achieve with colour that she or he cannot with black and white pictures? How would this scene be different if it were in black and white or in colour? How do you think the photographer has captured wither saturated or muted colour? Colour: i think that the black and white colouring on this photograph, creates it to become as realistic as a colour photograph would be as the lose of colour should not take away the realness of a photograph but it adds an effect that is is more aged, delicate and is a quite photo intead of somethig that is full of colour and is a louder photograph. When a photograph is in colour, the photographer will be able to attract the viewers attention slightly more quickly comparred to a photograph that is black and white. This is because when a photograph is in colour, it makes that photograph more modern and current therefore making it more suited to our day and age, but when aphotograph is in black and white, it reminds us of when colour did not exist in photographs and so makes us tgink that the photograph is very old and almost presious. If this photograph was in colour, i dont think that it would make a hudge differemnce to the look of the photograph or the way that it is seen by the viewer. This is because if the photograph were to be changed to a coloured photograph, the wall would still remain white with black tiles and then the flooring in the foreground of the photo would still be a dark grey. the only difference is that they may be come green colouring from the bits of grass that is growing from the pavement. this results in the photograph still remaining in a monochrome colour scheme when the colour is added to the photograph. i think that Baltz has created a photograph with zero saturation so that the photograph can appear washed out and muted. teh muted colours that are used in this photograph are blacks, whites and greys-monochrome colour scheme. this creates the photograph to become soft and understated to the viewer, therefore we appreicated more of what the photograph is and not the colours that can distract us from the main focus.
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1973 Timeline
Fairfax 1973 Lewis Baltz, born September 12, 1945 from Newport Beach, California
the film Papillon directed by Franklin J. Schaffner in 1973 also relates to the photograph by Baltzs. this is becuase the film is set in very remote places and so this creates a link due to the fact that the photograph is very still and almost has no sign of civilisation in it.
The Exorcist (film) directed by William Friedkin 1973. i believe the Baltz work shows a clear link to the film the Exorcist as the hars black and whites effect that Baltz’s uses in his work relate to the colours that are associated with horror films. also the plainness of the photograph suggestes somthing haunting and creepy therefore relating back to horror films.
On February 11th 1973 the fi prisoners of war were let go that this links in a very di work as the images shown fro and filled with alot of chao the complete opposite and is still life therfore taking w
the film Papermoon directed by Peter Bogdanovich in 1973, also relates to the photograph by Lewis Baltzs as the film was shot in black and white and is about the great depression. i believe that this liknks to the photograph firstly because the photo is black and whgite which is like the film but secondly the great depression is about povety and wide spread unemployment and so i think the the photograph shows this as there is nothing in the photo that shows a wealth or socio-status.
The US dollar in 1973 in devalued by !0%. I think that this can relate to the photographs as the photo is almost showing a less fortunate place due to the simplicity of the wall and so this all relates to money and status. Genre- Deadpan
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May 14 – Skylab, the United States first space station, is launched. i think that this relates to Baltz’s work as his Photographs show alot of empty space and they are photographs of things that don’t inculde people and are of things that we don’t necassarily see unless we are made to look at it.
irst lot of American o from Vietnam. i think ifferent way to Baltzs om this day are very busy os but, Baltz has done s showing clamness and way from a war scene.
on april the 3rd 1973 the first ever mobile phoen was invented. I think that this can relate to the photograph as the photograph of the wall is almost a contrast compared to the mobile phone. this is because the mobile phone in 1973 was very technical and advanced but the photograph of the wall is the opposite as it is very simple and easy to see what it is and what it does.
in 1973 in toronto canada, the building of the CN tower began. I think that this is relatable to the photograph by Baltz as this is to do with ariechture and buildings which is what his photograph is taken of. i also think that his photograph is showing the difference in buildings as his is one of a simple and secluded wall where as the CN tower is something every big and modern therefore rrequiring more technical developments and is something that can easily be seen my thousands of people. Sears Tower in Chicago was finished adn became 1454 feet tall therefore making it the world’s largest building at the time when it was constructed. i think that is has a relationship with Baltz’s work as in the photograph Fairfax, eh has taken a photograph of a wall of a building and therefore there is a link between the tallest building being finished and baltz’s photograph os a wall that is connected to a building and urban environment. Genre- Deadpan
Glossary of wor Dea
BRIGHTNESS-in the photograph, the white sections show the brightness
within the photograph. this is because the white section of the wall is the mopst refective part due to the texture. this means that it is bouncing the most light back to the lens when the photo was taken. BURNING IN- when the photograph was developed, i believe that certain areas where more exposed than other parts and so, when developing, the more exposed areas became darker. these areas in the photograph are the shadowed areas, thev concrete in the foreground and the black tiles on the wall. BURNING OUT-i believe that the very white rectange on the wall is burned out. this is because it looks over exposed due to the fact there is almost nothing on the wall - no texture or shadowing.
SHADOWS- the shadows that are shown in thes photograph as a key fac-
tor. this is because they are what make the photo more three dimensional, othwerwise it would be very hard to tell that the photograph was of a wall with a small roof that is coming out of the wall SPLIT TONE- this photograph is in a monochrome colour scheme but there are more than two tones that are used. this is effective as it creates the shadows and empasises the textures areas within the photograph. FRAMINING- when the photograph was taken, i think that the photographer Lewis Baltz, was very sective on what he wanted to include andf what he wanted exclude in the photograph. this is because he has made sure that the small roof the is coming out of the wall is directly in the middle at the top of the photo, which therefore makes the very white and over exposed section to become off-centre in the photograph. this is something different as normally youGenrewouldDeadpan expected this to be in the dead centre of the photograph as it is the more interesting part.
rds ad AESTHETIC pan- Lewis Baltz Fairfax 1973 - this photograph demonstates asethetic properties as the photo is very simplistic but this can be pleasing to the viewer as the photograph does not have to be brightly coloured or taken of something that immediatly catches the viweres attention. this photograph is aesthetically pleasing due to the horizontal and verticle lines which create visual paths for the viewer. BANAL- the photograph also shows banal. this is because, if this was seen in real life, it would not usually attracted a passer by as there is nothing out of the ordinarly about the wall. the monochrom colour scheme of the photograph aslo creates it to become slighly more simple.
CANDID PHOTOGRAPH- i think that this photograph was one that Lewis
Baltz took rather spontaneously as the photograph is very un-posed which nothing that has been added by the photographer. The look of the photograph almost makes me think that he had been walking around the streets and has just decided to take a photo of this wall due to the smooth rectangle panel contrasting with textured wall. PRIMITIVE- this photograph shows primitive as the photograph is very effortless and un-complicated and also shows innocence to me as the viewer. this is because there is nothing about the wall that sudgests that there is something wrong and there is also no vandilisation on the wall and so it becomes something that is clean and unharmful to us as the viewers. Genre- Deadpan
Comparing tw Dea
Andreas Gursky
Lewis Baltz
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wo photographs adpan SIMILARITIES • they are both photos of walls • urban environments (literal) • both show alot of square shapes (literal and technical) • both have vertical & horizontal lines (technical) • they both show elements of texture (technical) • they are both taken at an eyelevel angle (technical and literal) • they are both wide angle photos (technical) • no people in both photos (symbolic) • they both have the sky (literal) • the buildings dominate the photograph (technical) • composition only shows sections of the buildings (technical and symbolic) • emphasise the shape of a rectangle (technical and literal) • there are shapes inside of shapes (technical) • there are trees in both photos (literal and culteral) • the colour schemes are quite subdued (technical) • buildings dominate three quarters of the photograph (technical) • landscape orientation (technical) • they are both flat plain images (liertal and technical) • both aRE outdoors (literal) • both are still life images (symbolic and literal) • both don’t show human emotions (symbolic)
DIFFERENCES • one is colour and one is black and white (technical) • one is a close up and one is taken from a distance (technical) • one photo shows an inhabital building and the other shows where people live (symbolic and literal) • one photograph is alot busier than the other (literal and techical) • one photograph is more aged and the other is more modern (technical and culteral) • more is alot more detailed (technical) • one photograph shows more natural elements (literal) • the photograph by Gursky is lighter (technical) • one building is more landscape and the other building is more portrait (literal and technical) • Baltz’s photograph is more of a work environment and Gursky’s is a more home environment (symbolic and literal) • Baltz’s photograph is alot more simple and plain (technical and symbolic) • Gursky’s photo shows more of the building compared to the Baltz’s (literal and technical) • Gursky’s photo shows more of a rectangle and Baltz’s shows more of a square. (Literal adn technical)
Genre- Deadpan
CATEGORY 1: LITERAL DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES - OBJECTS, ENVIRONMENTS The literal similarities in the two photographs are to do with what is seen in the photograph and where the photographs are set. In the photographs by Gursky and baltz, the literal similarities are: the urban environments, they show square shapes, both taken at eye-level, they both show parts of the sky, emphasise a recatange, both have trees in the photo, they are both plain flat images, they are outdoor photos, and they are both still life. These similarities link the two photographs together as these are the first things that i am able to see in both the photographs therefore showing that the photographs are alike in many different ways. The literal differences are still to do with the objects and the environment in the photographs but they are things that a opposite toeach other in the two photographs. These differences are: Gursky’s photo shows somewhere where people live where as Baltz’s shows more of a derelicted building, gursky’s photograph shows more of a natural look, Gursky’s photo is landscape building where as Baltz’s is a portrait one, Gursky’s is a home environment but Baltz’s is more of a working one, gursky’s photo shows more of the building, and lastly Gursky’s photo shows a bigger rectangle shape but Baltz shows more of a square shape. These difference are what personlise the two different photogrpahs and makes them more specific to the photographer the differences are able to stand out compared to similarities as they are what is unique to the photographs. CATEGORY 2: TECHNICAL DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES - BLACK AND WHITE, COLOUR, LARGE FORMAT, DIGITAL, INFRARED, TELEPHOTO, MACRO When looking at the two photographs by Gursky and Baltz, the technical similarities that I saw were: both photos show a lot of square shapes, both show vertical and horizontal lines, both have textured elements, both re wide angle, the buildings dominate three quarters of the photos, only part of the buildings are seen, both emphasize a rectangle shape, the colour schemes are quite subdued, both are landscape orientation, and both are flat plain images. I think that these are technical similarities between the photographs as both of the photographers have clearly thought about the camera angle, colour palette used, and what has and hasn’t been included in the photograph. These are similarities as both the photographers; Gursky and Baltz have used the same ideas when taking their photos. The technical differences that I saw between the tow photographs by Gursky and Baltz were: one is coloured and one is black and white, Gursky’s photo is busier that Baltz’s, Baltz’s photo looks more aged, Gursky’s photo is a lot more detailed, Gursky’s photo is also lighter in brightness, Gurskeys’ building is more landscape where as Baltz’s is more portrait, Baltz’s photograph is more simple and plain, Gursky’s photo shows more of the building, and lastly Gursky’s overall shape is rectangle where as Baltz show a square shape overall. I think that the technical difference between the photographs, are key factors in the overall end look of the photographs as these are what makes the photograph unique to the photographers. This is important as otherwise the photographs would be too similar and would then become slightly boring to the viewer as it is what they are seen before therefore nothing new will stand out to the viewer. Genre- Deadpan
CATEGORY 3: SYMBOLIC DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES - EMOTIONS, HUMAN ISSUES OF WISDOM, SORROW, PAIN, HAPPINESS THE SYMBOLIC SIMILARITIES THAT I SAW BETWEEN THE PHOTOGRAPHS BY GURSKY AND BALTZ WERE: THERE ARE NO PEOPLE IN EITHER OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS, THE COMPOSITION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS, ONLY SHOW PARTS OF THE BUILDINGS, BOTH ARE STILL LIFE PHOTOS, AND DUE TO THERE BEING NO PEOPLE IN THE PHOTOGRAPHS THERE ARE NO HUMAN EMOTIONS SHOWN. BY HAVING A SYMBOLIC CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO DIFFERENT PHOTOGRAPHS, IT MEANS THAT THE PHOTOGRAPHS BOTH HAVE FEATURES THAT ARE ABLE TO MAKE CERTAIN STATEMENTS AND SYMBOLIC LOOKS TO THE PHOTOS. THIS IS EFFECTIVE AND ALMOST IMPORTANT IN THESE TWO PHOTOGRAPHS AS THE THEME DEADPAN IMPLIES THAT THE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE EXPRESSIONLESS AND BLANK BUT DUE TO THE SYMBOLIC SIMILARITIES, IT MAKES THE PHOTOGRAPH HAVE FEATURES THAT STAND OUT AND MAKE THE VIEWER WANT TO LOOK AT THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND NOT BE ‘BORED’ BY THEM. THE SYMBOLIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE WORK BY GURSKY AND BALTZ ARE: BALTZ’S PHOTO SHOWS AND INHABITABLE BUILDING WHERE AS GURSKY SHOWS ONE THAT IS FULL OF LIFE, BALTZ’S PHOTO IS MORE OF AN INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT BUT GURSKY’S IS A HOME ENVIRONMENT, AND BALTZ’S PHOTO IS A LOT MORE SIMPLE AND PLAIN COMPARED TO GURSKY’S. THESE SYMBOLIC DIFFERENCES SHOW THE WAY THAT TWO PHOTOGRAPHS THAT ARE BOTH OF BUILDINGS CAN PORTRAY DIFFERENT MEANINGS AND EMOTIONS SHOWN THROUGH THE SYMBOLIC AND STEREOTYPICAL MEANINGS IN THE PHOTOGRAPHS.
CATEGORY 4: CULTURAL DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES. - COSTUMES, INTERACTIONS WITH OTHERS, AGE, KNOWLEDGE WITHIN THE TOW PHOTOGRAPHS, THERE ARE NOT THAT MANY CULTURAL SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES AS THE CULTURAL SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES USUALLY INCLUDE THE INTERACTION AND LOOK OF PEOPLE WITH IN THE TWO PHOTOGRAPH BUT DUE TO BOTH PHOTOS NOT HAVING ANY HUMAN INTERACTIONS IT MEANS THAT CULTURE IS NOT NECESSARILY SHOWN. HOWEVER THE ONLY SIMILARITY THAT IS SHOWN IS: THERE ARE TREES IN BOTH PHOTOGRAPHS. THIS IS A CULTURAL SIMILARITY AS IT IS SHOWING THAT IN THE URBAN AND CITY TYPE ENVIRONMENT NATURE CAN STILL BE SEEN. THE CULTURAL DIFFERENCE THAT IS SHOW BETWEEN GURSKY’S AND BALTZ’S PHOTOGRAPHS IS: THAT BALTZ’S BUILDING IN HIS PHOTOGRAPH LOOKS A LOT MORE AGED AND ABANDONED WHERE AS IN GURSKY’S PHOTOGRAPH, THE BUILDING APPEARS TO BE A LOT MORE MODERN DUE TO THE HUMAN INTERFERENCE WITHIN THE BUILDING. THIS CULTURAL DIFFERENCE IS QUITE SIGNIFICANT BETWEEN THE TWO PHOTOGRAPHS AND IN MY OPINION IT SEEMS TO SEPARATE AND INDIVIDUALIZE THE TWO PHOTOGRAPHS. THIS IS BECAUSE IT ALMOST SHOWS THE DIFFERENCE TO A MORE WEALTHY AREA COMPARED TO ONE THAT MAYBE SUFFERS FROM POVERTY. Genre- Deadpan
Plan of Action: Due to my chosen genre being Deadpan for my photography work, I could explore ideas that will enhance my chosen theme and make it something interesting to the viewer. This could mean that I explore the idea of taking photographs if things that we see in our everyday lives and don’t seem like things that would typically be photographed, for example photographs of house hold items, structures/buildings and walls like the work of Lewis Baltz. Due to taking a photograph of something like this it automatically becomes something quite expressionless and unemotional to the viewer but it can become something interesting to them due to colours, textures and the unclear meaning to the photo. When taking the photographs related to the theme Deadpan, I will need to consider some techniques, as this is what will make the photographs more interesting to the viewers. Some techniques that I could include are: camera angles, lighting, focus, depth of field, and colours that are in the photo or is it black and white? I will also be using Camera Raw and Photoshop to manipulate the photographs. When doing photo shoots, I will need to make sure that I am able to further develop my ideas of photographs relating to the theme Deadpan. Some ways that I could develop the photographs is by taking a part of a photograph that I like and then doing photo shoots that show this. For example if I were to take a photograph of a wall and I really like that shadowing or texture shown through the photograph, I would then move forward in my work by doing photo shoot still based on Deadpan but show more interesting textures and shadows. Another way that I could develop my work is to maybe consider taking photographs or the same photo at different times of the day like, night and daytime. This is because the viewer would be able to see a difference and contrast between the photographs therefore creating more interest in the photographs. When thinking of ways to develop my photographs, I could also think of taking the expressionless and unemotional context of the photographs and show this through the use of people. This would then show how the two completely different things, a landscape and people, could share the same expression. When doing photo shoots, I can apply several different camera techniques to the shoot. Some of these techniques could be: the landscape setting- so that I am able to get most of what I am photographing in focus due to the smaller aperture and larger depth of field, I could also use the night mode setting if I were to consider taking photographs at night- this would mean that the flash would be used and therefore the foreground and subject of the photo will be a lot brighter and stand out within the photograph. I could also consider using portrait mode if I were to take any photos of people- this will then result in the figure becoming the thing the is in focus in the photograph and the background becoming more of a blur therefore resulting in the figure becoming the most important aspect of the photo. When Starting up my photo shoots, I will need to make sure that I consider the lighting that is used – is it artificial lighting due to doing the photo shoot inside or is there natural lighting due to being outGenre- Deadpan
side? I will also need to consider the direction of which the lighting is coming from, as this will affect the shadowing’s in the photograph. I will also need to think about what the background is to the photo shoot. Will the background be plain due to it being in an indoor studio with an already made background, or due to the photo shoot being outside, is the background busier and more colourful or on the other hand there may not be a background due to their only being one subject matter‌ To be able to carry out the photo shoots, I will need to think about what props, people and the environment that may be used in the shoot. When doing photo shoots based on the theme Deadpan I will most likely be using minimal and very basic props in the photos. This is because I do not want any props to become that main subject matter in the photograph, I would like it to all blend in to one thing so that it is able to become something that the viewer is used to seeing. If I do decide to use people in some of my photo shoots, they will either not be aware of the photo being taken due to it being in a public setting, or they will be giving an expression and emotion that links with the theme. The environment that I will be mostly shooting with will be an urban setting, as I want to be able to take photograph of building walls and urban settings. I may also photograph some people in a more studio setting so that I have control over the background, lighting and what is in the photo. Impact will be added to my photographs as I believe that taking photograph of simple things can often be more effective to the viewer as when seeing an everyday setting or object in a photograph, it makes them look at it in more detail and so they are able to see things that they may not see when they see it in the streets or in their own home environment. I think that impact will also be added through the digital and manual editing and manipulations. This is because I will be able to make the colours and look of the photograph different so that it can become slightly more eye-catching to the viewer. I think that my theme can be used in a diverse and different ways through the development in my photo shoots. This is because I think that a lot of different ideas will be able to be generated though each individual photo shoots, as I will be able to pick out several different aspects of the photographs that have worked well and further develop these parts. I can also take the main idea behind Deadpan, which is emotionless and un-expressional, and convey this through human emotion and interactions. This will then show how I can do several photo shoots that will be different. With the theme Deadpan, I think that I will mostly be working on a literal and technical interpretation as this will mean that I am focusing more on what is in the photographs and how it is edited rather than the feelings and culture that can be shown in the photo. I want to work on a literal and technical interpretation as I think that by doing this I will be able to capture the theme Deadpan in the photograph the best this way. Genre- Deadpan
Harvard Referencing http://www.loeildelaphotographie.com/2014/05/28/exhibition/24988/le-ballewis-baltz-common-objects - this is from the image Fairfax by Lewis Baltz and is the mian photograph/photographer that i have researched, http://c4gallery.com/artist/database/andreas-gursky/andreas-gursky.html - this link is from the the photograph Paris Montranasse by ANDREAS GURSKEY WHEN I WAS COMPARING HIS WORK TO LEWIS BALTZ. http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/photographs/lewis-baltz-houston-texas-1973-5355172-details.aspx - THIS IMAGE IS BY LEWIS BALTZ HOUSTEN TEXAS 1973 AND IT WAS USED WHEN I WAS COMPARING IT TO THE WORK OF ANDREAS GURSKY. http://theredlist.com/wiki-2-16-601-785-view-architecture-materials-profile-baltz.html - THIS PHOTOGRAPH IS BY LEWIS BALTZ AND I USED IT WHEN INTRODUCING MY RESEARCH SECTION ON BALTZ. http://www.americansuburbx.com/2013/11/interview-interview-lewis-baltz-2009.html- THIS PHOTOGRAPH IS BY LEWIS BALTZ AND I USED IT WHEN INTRODUCING MY RESEARCH SECTION ON BALTZ. http://bigpictureeducation.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_large/ public/V0048684.jpg?itok=HlZeK8uJ - This is a photograph by Eadweard Muybridge and i used this photograph when writing about the time aspect in a photograph. http://www.americansuburbx.com/2012/10/william-eggleston-egglestons-world-1999.html - this photograph is by William Eggleston and i used his photograph when writing about the use of colour in a photograph. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/312296555380392107/- this photograph is by Aaron Siskind and i used it when writing about texture in photography. https://juanjosereyes.wordpress.com/2012/09/13/lee-friedlander-reflexions-of-the-street/ - This photograph by Lee-Friedlander and it was used when writing about focus within a photograph. http://www.americansuburbx.com/2012/07/diane-arbus-notes-from-margin-of. html - This photograph by Diane Arbus, was used when i was writing about the framing used in her work. http://www.kcet.org/arts/artbound/counties/los-angeles/ian-ruhter-photography-american-dream.html - This photo by Ian Ruhter was used when i was explaining about the size concept in his photograph.
Genre- Deadpan