Mentor: Garry Winogrand

    "I photograph to see what the world looks like in photographs." 

    Through an exploration of photographers, Garry Winogrand (1928-1984) seems to have captured every good thing. I noticed that most of his notable works are of moments. Iconic moments to be specific. EVERY photograph has something intriguing to it that catches my eye; the small yet key details. For example, in his portfolio for 'Women are Beautiful' the women is laughing and holding an ice cream cone. It shows her carefree attitude and youthful demeanor, which also represents the 60's time period of when Garry Winogrand photographed.Garry Winogrand's 'Figments From the Real World'(2003) work and 'Women are Beautiful'(1975) exhibition are my most favourite. I love Garry Winogrand's work because his images are more than photographs, there is a uniqueness to his photographs and he thinks women are beautiful.

Women are Beautiful, 1981

    Now who really was the man behind the camera? -- A street photographer who grew up in the then Jewish working class area of the Bronx, New York. He portrayed American life in the 1960's. Capturing energy filled moments in great depth. His photographs represent the social issues that were shined away by the media. After his death, thousands of fill rolls and negatives were discovered. The Garry Winogrand Archive at the Center for Creative Photography includes numerous work prints. He studied painting, photography, and photojournalism in New York. In 1955, two of Winogrand’s photos appeared in The Family of Man exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. In 1959, Garry Winogrand's first one-man show was held at the Image Gallery in New York. Several of his photographs have been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, the book 'Figments from the Real World' was put together by the museum including his unedited works. The director of Photography at this museum called him the 'central photographer of his generation'.

Los Angeles, California, 1969

      Garry Winogrand's images, especially the one on the right represent his statement as a photographer. As he captures the new and trendy lifestyle of the 60's he also captures consistency. Throughout generations of time, there are always those that are disadvantaged. This image is a perfect example of the medias portrayal of what life is then and now. In this particular image, 3 women are shown to be walking down a 'runway' by the direction the light falls. It shows how glamorous their lives are, yet the parts of the photograph where light misses, you see the leftovers. The real events and problems of the era. This is such a great representation of society and the norm. To merely walk past and not notice what goes on. Winogrand displays very bold replications of what goes on, on the streets of California. His work as a street photographer represent messages in their own media of interpretation.

   
    His photographs hold a unique quality that not even similar photographers can acquire. In all photographs there is a distinct feature, a signature, a personal touch that screams 'Winogrand!'. As Winogrand is a street photographer, it is assumed that movement is always there; what grabs my own attention is the proximity he captures, the perfection from one corner to another. I love how his work is so technically genius. In his work 'Women are beautiful', he presents no specific depiction of women besides the everyday lifestyle. Whether it be riding a bus, dancing, or shopping with 2 men following her. His work speaks volumes for detail and precision.

      Garry Winogrand's photography captures all of what I would like to. His take on street life involves so much depth. By emulating his work, I decided to focus on a deeper meaning in the photograph as a whole and as well as capturing a moment. The first image provides further thought and meaning. I had my sister fix her belt as we just came to the setting, this was my first photograph that I had. I ended up really liking how it's very natural and not posed. My second image is as set in an atmosphere representing what is left of the old times in old Oakville. I have her looking like she is waiting for someone to come, like she is tired but really it is her tired since she was standing their for about 5 minutes.This emulates Winogrand's work because it describes a lifestyle. Similar to the 1960's, the old crowd of people and the old themes.

Shutter Speed: 1/60

Aperture: f/3.5

Shutter Speed: 1/80

Aperture: f/3.5

Works Cited:

Fabio. "Garry Winogrand « File Magazine." Garry Winogrand « File Magazine. 24 Mar. 2011. Web.03

      June 2012. <http://file-magazine.com/features/garry-winogrand>.

"Garry Winogrand Biography." Atget Photography. Web. <http://www.atgetphotography.com

      /The-Photographers/Garry-Winogrand.html>

"Garry Winogrand." Museum of Contemporary Photography. Web. 03 June 2012.

      <http://www.mocp.org/collections/permanent/winogrand_garry.php>.

All photographs taken with 
Canon Rebel XSi Camera
&
EF 28-105mm Lens

Alternative Process: Solarization

As for my last alternative process I wanted to re-explore the dark room, I developed my old negatives from Toronto. This image is one of my favourites because everything in the reflection of the glass is in more detail than the actual street. I liked how you can see the other half of the mans face through the glass. This photo stands out to me because he was first staring inside the restaurant. Initially I planned to do a multiple exposure, though it being very difficult to burn and dodge images together so I decided to explore a solarization (Sabattier Effect). Working in the darkroom again has made me better at developing negatives. Working in their and being able to use more than one enlarger at the same time has been fun. As this effect was caused and created by over exposing the print by accident, I really like how it reflects the process of actually learning through trial and error in the darkroom. With a solarization, I like how the images we develop are set to an exact exposure, and then after being put in the developer exposed again to a white light. It is converse of what we are suppose to do with film and very fun!

All photographs taken with 
Canon EOS ELAN II E Camera
&
EF 28-105mm Lens

Alternative Process: Gel Acrylic Medium Transfer

Shutter Speed: 1/60

Aperture: f/10

Original photographs:

(Images displayed are scans)

Top Left:                                Top Right:                            Bottom Left:                     Bottom Right:

Shutter Speed:  1/125          Shutter Speed: 1/125           Shutter Speed: 1/80        Shutter Speed: 1/125

Aperture: f/3.5                      Aperture: f/5.6                    Aperture: f/4.0                 Aperture: f/3.5

For my second alternative process assignment, I chose to do a gel transfer. After finally choosing images that benefit the idea of this medium (What I can do with them) I started painting on the gel! I decided to have four images of flowers in black & white to show the beginning of the summer weather, so I took pictures of all the flowers planted in my front yard. As I initially wanted to make patches -- I expanded from that idea and created another print for my bag (Last Photo). I used about 20 layers gel acrylic. In all, a gel transfer is very neat, I love how it can stretch out and that it's transparent! This alternative process is my favourite.

Photograph taken with 

Canon Rebel XSi Camera

&

EF 28-105mm Lens

Alternative Process: Silkscreen

Over the past few weeks I have explored several mediums of alternative processing. Initially, when we were taught how to do them silkscreen stuck out most to me. As we had 3 AP assignments I chose this to do first as it takes the most preparation. I found this humourous yet very helpful video, "How to silkscreen" so that I could understand the process a bit more.

                      Shutter Speed: 1/60                                                              Shutter Speed: 1/60

                         Aperture:  f/4.0                                                                     Aperture: f/4.0

The images I decided to have as a silkscreen were inspired by kids, the designs on t-shirts that most stick out to me are the prints on their t-shirts. I decided to make my brother a t-shirt with a line of giraffes (Not my image ) on it (3rd photo & right photo). As I didn't actually use the concept of registrations on the silkscreen, I did my own alternative way. In all, I had a 'separate registration' for the grass, the actual giraffes, and their brown spots. The other t-shirt I made for my brother was of him sitting in a car --I decided to attempt a pop art type for it. So my first registration was the four coloured squares, then the actual print. It was extremely difficult to correctly match the position of the face for each square, though it all worked out! My third print is of elephants (Not my image), this print has the most detail and it came out very well. In all I am happy with my final results.

All photographs taken with 
Canon Rebel XSi Camera
&
EF 28-105mm Lens

Breaking The Rules

Shutter Speed: 1/500

Aperture: f/7.0

This photograph breaks the rule of thirds and simplicity because first, there is no real focus which doesn't specifically draw you to any point. Most of my photo's demonstrate looking at the photograph as a general whole, not divided or focusing a particular point. There is a lot going on in the photo--I especially like how everything is overbearing the fence.  

Shutter Speed: 1/400

Aperture: f/8.6 

This photograph breaks the rule of thirds because there is no specific point to look at. It breaks the rule of simplicity since there is so much to look at, even with green and brown as the main colours. The background, sky creates more depth in the photo, creating lots of layers in the photo. This photo is also breaking the rule of symmetrical balance because the left bench has a unique tree branch protruding out,  a bigger/darker tree trunk also on that side. The photograph includes a lot--plants in front, path, benches, trees, and a clear sky.

Shutter Speed: 1/2500

Aperture: f/3.5

This photography breaks the rule of simplicity because even though I only photographed a tree, there is a lot going on with the branches, their leaves and the lights wrapped around the trunk. I like how the photo has a white cloud in the middle of it, contrasting the light and dark between the sky and tree. The photograph is only a section of the tree, which makes it incomplete, leading our eyes in every direction!

Shutter Speed: 1/200

Aperture: f/5.6

I really like this photograph because of the bright yellow colour in comparison with the neutral brick and street. This photograph breaks the rule of mergers because the hotel sign in the top right corner is cut off, there is a car in the right bottom corner, as well the building on the left is cut off. It is not a simple photo and the focus of the photograph is covered by a tree.

Shutter Speed: 1/200

Aperture: f/5.6

This photograph is breaking the rules of simplicity because it shows all the parts of the street; trees, mailboxes, cars, streetlights, and stores! It also is divided even though the photo is not taken in the middle of the street, the left side of the street is shown with light and the right casts the shadow. There is no rule of thirds because there is so much to look at, and the picture draws you in from the middle because of the tree.

All photographs taken with 
Canon Rebel XSi Camera
&
EF 28-105mm Lens

Mixed Lighting

This assignment took me the longest to complete because I wanted it to be perfect. I had an idea in my mind of what I wanted to caption, though as creative I wanted to make it, the harder it was for me to get it done. As mixed lighting can be almost anything, I realized how many photographs I'd already taken. Family photos! All photographs that have been taken are outside and include a flash, how could I have missed that? However, that was still neither what I aimed for nor what I wanted.

This photograph has a specific quality that intrigues me. Though it was not what I was looking for. I used both natural light and a reflector for this photograph.

Shutter Speed: 1/25

Aperture: f/22

Photograph taken with a  Canon Rebel XSi Camera

&

EFS 18-55mm Lens

Renaissance Photoshop

Sistine Madonna, Angels 

1513-1514, Raphael

 Shutter Speed: 1/20

Aperture: f/4.5

  Photograph taken with a  Canon Rebel XSi Camera

&

EFS 18-55mm Lens

      The Renaissance period (1400 to 1600's) marked the rebirth of humanism and the revival of cultural achievements in all forms of art. The classical antiquity from knowledge (math), experimentalism, and the importance of living, well in the present. During this time, artists produced works that displayed more artistic freedom and individualism. This creativity allowed artists to leave stricter ways of the Medieval Era. Their art forms rediscovered the ancient Greek ideals (Archaic Smile, Da Vinci's: The Mona Lisa). An explosion of knowledge brought on by printing and the creation of new techniques in art, poetry and architecture led to a change in the style, and part of the arts and letters. This period represents Europe emerging.

      During the Renaissance, painters began to enhance the realism of their work by using new techniques in perspective, thus representing three dimensions more authentically. Artists also began to use new techniques in the manipulation of light and darkness, such as the tone contrast evident in many of Titian's portraits and the development of sfumato and chiaroscuro by Leonardo da Vinci and Giorgione. The most refined works were produced in the High Renaissance. The most famous painters from this time period are Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. Their paintings are among the most widely known works of art in the world. The Last Supper, the Scuola di Atena and the Holy Family all feature a perspective, lively and natural presentation of people and landscapes. Renaissance painting evolved into mannerism around the mid 16th century. The High Renaissance symbolized exquisitely balanced frescoes of Raphael.

 

      Sculpture was the first of the fine arts to display Renaissance traits. Donatello was one of the most notable sculptors of the early Renaissance. He returned to classical techniques such as contrapposto and classical subjects like the unsupported nude. His second sculpture of David was the first free-standing bronze nude created in Europe since the Roman Empire. About a century later, Michelangelo developed figures that were independent of any architectural structure surrounding them. Michelangelo's David however is moving in a more natural way. Both sculptures are standing in contrapost, their weight shifted to one leg. 

 

Raphael (1483-1520) 

     Raphael became one of the three greatest masters of the High Renaissance. His first painting lessons came from his father. He then trained with Perugino, his early work supports this theory reflecting the clarity and harmony which is prevalent in the work of Perugino. Later Raphael, worked in Tuscany and Umbria where the work of Leonardo Da Vinci influenced his development. Pope Julius II sent Raphael to Rome in 1508 where he was employed to complete the fresco decoration of a number of rooms in the Vatican. The best known of these works is The School of Athens, a piece which glorifies the philosophers of antiquity.  The characteristic of serenity and harmony, clearly display Raphael's maturity and technical skill.

     The famous painting, Sistine Madonna, Angels is an oil painting, painted between 1513-1514. The painting has been highly praised by many notable critics, being called "a truly rare and extraordinary work". The angels are mentioned numerous times in the Bible. They always are described with light and godly, holy, beauty. Neither were children nor had dark wings. This painting is unbiblical, as most angels are seen with white wings, the colour of the children's wings are black, brown, and red. The background is very dark, the smoke covers all or if any light. The cherubs faces are painted exactly how Raphael saw two children on a street looking through a window of a bakery.

      My attempt of seamlessly adding another photo on the original was not ideal, but I think the shades of lighting in this painting match and work. I had my brother's face replace the cherub on the right. I decided to have his eyes shut (sleeping), because firstly, it would be easier to take the photo when he was still and second, the cherub's arm position is as he rests. As I spent two consecutive days both learning and using Photoshop, I feel I still have so much to learn. My biggest challenge was matching the hue of orange in the face, from cropping, angling, changing the hue/saturation, using the impressionist brush, and healing brush I feel I have come close to the original. Though from what I have done, through numerous cycles of trial and error, my final product has very alterations with tools in blending in.