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