Book Research: Digital Photography an Introduction

I have recently purchased a book called ‘Digital photography an introduction’ which is written by Tom Ang who is an award winning photographer. I was recommended this book, and I thought it would be a great investment especially being in my first year: it covers everything from the core skills that photography requires to the equipment that may suit your field. This is something that I feel that I need to research and take into account, in order to benefit my degree and future work.

Generally speaking the book enlightens you on the fundamentals of digital photography: it looks at 4 main categories that consist of core skills, photography projects, image development and buying guide.

The core skills category is something that was a nice refreshment to read up on, but the photography projects category is something that I think will remain very central to my studies, due to the fact I’m still trying to establish who I am as a photographer, each component in this category educate you on tips that will advance your skills which in return will help me ascertain what route I want to take.

This book covers everything that I may need to know, and I think will broaden my thinking about photography massively.

Front Cover

Reference List:
'Digital Photography an Introduction' by Tom Ang

Artist Research: Sophie Calle

Sophie Calle is a French artist who continues to interest me due to the unusual stories behind her work, giving them an exciting and diverse edge. In this blog I want to explore 3 of her most known series: Suite Venitienne, The Chromatic Diet and The Hotel.

Suite Venitienne was a series that started when Calle coincidentally saw a stranger twice in one day, on the second encounter Calle prompted a conversation with the man and learnt he was on his way to Venice. Calle took it upon herself to follow him to Italy without him knowing and document his journey. I think the spontaneity of this series really emphasises and reflects in her work.

A year later, Calle took a job as a chambermaid in a hotel, during her days cleaning the bedrooms she would photograph personal belongings, open suitcases, read diaries and looked through their bins and laundry. Although this may be quite controversial, and open up a lot of conflict due to the invasion of space, her work opens up a whole new spectrum and makes her work extremely compelling.

In 1998, Calle ate a diet of food that was just a single colour for 6 days, which was titled ‘The Chromatic Diet’. I think Calle’s work embodies imagination and thinking outside of the box: which as artists we should all be doing to push boundaries and unfold a whole new level of ideas. 

Suite Venitienne

The Hotel, Room 28

The Chromatic Diet

Reference List:
http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/sophie-calle-2692
http://www.iniva.org/dare/themes/space/calle.html
'The photograph as Contemporary art' by Charlotte Cotton

Artist Research: Yasumasa Morimura

Yasumasa Morimura is a Japanese artist who has had an on-going project since 1985 which is titled ‘Self Portraiture series’ this series consists of him staging and dressing himself showing famous icons, these photos exhibit people such as Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and the Mona Lisa. His work is somewhat similar to Cindy Sherman however has a significantly different twist, like Cindy Sherman he is constantly challenging issues that concern identity: in the sense both sexuality and culture. I personally believe his work is a direct result of him struggling with his sexuality which was used as a type of outlet.

By studying and examining the matters, backgrounds and historical factors that arise from the art masterpieces that Morimura explores, he is able to renovate his own elucidation to create his own work of genius.

Something that really strikes me about Morimura’s work is the resemblance his work has with the figures he portrays: you can tell almost immediately who he’s trying to get across in his work. Something that makes me really value Morimura’s work is how as a male, he can represent feminine roles and quite persuasively at that, which is vital in displaying the underlying meaning in his work. 

Self Portrait - After Marilyn Monroe

Self Portrait - Audrey Hepburn

Self Portrait - Liza Minelli

Reference List:
http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/yasumasa_morimura.htm
http://www.artnet.com/awc/yasumasa-morimura.html
http://outsiderjapan.pbworks.com/w/page/9758570/Yasumasa%20Morimura%20-%20The%20Art%20of%20Self-Portaiture%20in%20a%20Post-Modern%20Global%20Japan

Artist Research: Cindy Sherman

It’s safe to say that Cindy Sherman has certainly made her stamp within photography; her work has been a continuous example of postmodern art photography. Sherman’s relationship with art first emerged with painting, something that soon developed into photography. Something that makes Sherman’s work so unique and apparent is the fact she is both the photographer and model: the observer and the observed. I think this allows a twist on people’s perception of her work and address issues regarding gender, identity and power. These portraits have many elements within them that make them so successful, ranging from heavy make-up, wigs, dramatic clothing and ill-fitting prosthetic facial parts.

A monumental part of Sherman’s career in the world of photography was her series of photographs named ‘Untitled Film Stills’ which displays the role of women into society and how femininity is a composed notion and not merely something that is naturally intrinsic to women. These particular photographs allow us to undertake how we may visualise something, and how images have the ability to shape both our sentiments and understanding.

Sherman’s work is dynamic, diverse and versatile and emits something that make you really question the reasoning and meaning behind the images as well as the connotations that are involved.

Untitled Film Still #48

Untitled #132

Untitled Film Still #35

Reference List: 
http://www.cindysherman.com/
http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/1170
'Cindy Sherman' by Roberta Smith, published May 3, 2012
'Art Photography Now' by Susan Bright