DCADPhoto2 Blog

Ezra Pound- photographed by Richard Avedon:  I wanted to find a photo that blatently conveyed spirituality.  I believe the driving force in this photograph is the way Pound is showing us his soul.  But the hard part is as a pjotographer how do you get these poeple to forget they're in front of a camera while expressing themselves in such unique ways.  One way I guess is to have them close their eyes and perhaps Pound was instructed to project himself beyond the camera.  Or maybe he's just a wierdo.  Either way I wanted to use this as an example that wasn't as sad as the other 2- but it still fits with the theme of spirituality.

DCADPhoto2 Blog

Marilyn Monroe- photographed by Richard Avedon: Unlike the last photo this photograph strikes me becuase of the lack of eye contact.  Where is that that sexy look she always gives the camera?  It looks as though something else is weighing heavy on her conscience.  Or a wave of sadness just washed over her as Avedon hit the shutter.  Regardless- it is something.  We can debate or guess what is going through her head and causing her expression but the fact remains that it is not something tangeable or proovable.  Which only leaves one answer- this is a photograph of Monroe's spirit.

DCADPhoto2 Blog

R.B. Kitaj- photographed by Richard Avedon:  This portrait strikes me, instantly, becuase of the eye contact.  What stands out besides the eye contact is the texture of Kitaj's skin and the over-all expression.  I'm not very good with labeling poeple's emotions- what Kitaj's expression reveals to me is a sense of spiritual communication.  Perhaps his communicated guilt or shame but that is not the key to the photograph.  The key is the fact that Richard Avedon made himself and the camera invisible in the photgraph.  Kitaj seems unaware that there is a camera anywhere near him- he looks as though he is looking in a mirror and truly not liking what he sees.  

Edward Sheriff Curtis- The Announcement:  The simplicity of forms in this photograph is what intrigues me the most- in this case less is more.  It not only intrigues me but also inspires me to strive for a composition like this in my work.  The way the sky and mount are reduced to mere shapes that join together reminds me of the way that the Natives view the sky and the land.  Besides the composition I also admire Curtis's dedication and respect towards the Natives.  He is photographing something the Natives believe to be spiritual/ritual.  Amazing.

Edward Sheriff Curtis- Four Horns:  I also relate to this image because portraiture of this nature and quality is one of my goals.  Curtis put his WHOLE life into creating portraits and landscapes of Natives across the country.  I admire these portraits- this one especially- becuase the effort to make this image is more complex then just his shooting and plate developing techniques.  The real difficult part of this portrait is gaining Four Horns respect, trust, and faith- which Curtis achieved with probably all the Natives he photographed.

Photo2-Entry #1

Man Ray- Gift:  This image relates to me as a goal for myself.  I would very much like to help define an art movement- like Ray did for dadaism- with a photograph.  He is someone that inspires me so i tend to flock to his work when I need a little motivation.  What I admire about the photograph is the relation between the nails, the iron and the title encompass dada art.