8x10 or large format cameras
This technology is old, with its cameras heavy to carry and requiring a long time to set up and expose. 'Large format' is a generic term - 11x14", 5x7" and 4x5" are also considered large format and refers to the size of the sheet film used. Photographers using these cameras are often exploring big ideas, big images and how the level of detail, or its exclusion, can change our perception. Unlike the 35mm, these are not spontaneous photos, but highly planned and researched and requiring multiple visits to create them.
Richard Avedon
Shot iconic fashion and people in the 60s, clever use of B&W and shot the book, 'In The American West'. Travelled with 2 assistants and set up a tent before each shot for diffuse light. He directed the models while the assistants operated the front and back of the camera. Would print the whole frame to 'prove' he hadn't cropped to other photographers (cropping can completely alter the meaning). Avedon shot Americans of all kinds eg Ronald Reagan, abattoir worker, bee-keeper, with the camera able to create highly detailed (to pore level), confronting photographs at which we can look closely and give us a close look.
Richard Mizrach
Works predominantly in landscape. Organised his work into 'cantos' - 'the vision of a long poem'. Photographed the South and Midwest of the US such as the idosyncratic Burning Man Festival. His images are highly metaphorical, surreal and reveal sumptuous colour despite his subject matter eg wastelands of Saldon Sea. See images here.
Gregory Creudson
Contraversial in some respects as his shots are highly staged with film crews (more very expensive conceptual art than poor solitary genius). Creates narrative images with realistic-surreal mis en scene and brooding light.
Andreas Gursky
Vast walll-sized images of food production, consumerism and waste. Overwhelming impact of system versus insignificance of individuals. Scans images and stitches them together in Photoshop to emphasise his ideas. Perception, depth and scale are important to his images.
A review from New York Art, an essay on interpretation and some images.
This technology is old, with its cameras heavy to carry and requiring a long time to set up and expose. 'Large format' is a generic term - 11x14", 5x7" and 4x5" are also considered large format and refers to the size of the sheet film used. Photographers using these cameras are often exploring big ideas, big images and how the level of detail, or its exclusion, can change our perception. Unlike the 35mm, these are not spontaneous photos, but highly planned and researched and requiring multiple visits to create them.
Richard Avedon
Shot iconic fashion and people in the 60s, clever use of B&W and shot the book, 'In The American West'. Travelled with 2 assistants and set up a tent before each shot for diffuse light. He directed the models while the assistants operated the front and back of the camera. Would print the whole frame to 'prove' he hadn't cropped to other photographers (cropping can completely alter the meaning). Avedon shot Americans of all kinds eg Ronald Reagan, abattoir worker, bee-keeper, with the camera able to create highly detailed (to pore level), confronting photographs at which we can look closely and give us a close look.
Richard Mizrach
Works predominantly in landscape. Organised his work into 'cantos' - 'the vision of a long poem'. Photographed the South and Midwest of the US such as the idosyncratic Burning Man Festival. His images are highly metaphorical, surreal and reveal sumptuous colour despite his subject matter eg wastelands of Saldon Sea. See images here.
Gregory Creudson
Contraversial in some respects as his shots are highly staged with film crews (more very expensive conceptual art than poor solitary genius). Creates narrative images with realistic-surreal mis en scene and brooding light.
Andreas Gursky
Vast walll-sized images of food production, consumerism and waste. Overwhelming impact of system versus insignificance of individuals. Scans images and stitches them together in Photoshop to emphasise his ideas. Perception, depth and scale are important to his images.
A review from New York Art, an essay on interpretation and some images.
Recommended text: Susan Sontag, 'On Photography'
Some quotes from the book....visual editing, choosing between infinite possibilities...things you don't see...Gary Winnobrand - i photograph to find out what things look like photographed...in other words: the many reasons to photograph.
More quotes from photographers on photography.
No comments:
Post a Comment