William Eggleston

Dust Bells by William Eggleston. 2004

William Eggleston was born in 1939 in Memphis, Tennessee. He is an American photographer who is best known for recreating "color photography". He is also one of the most original and influential photographers in the 21st century. Eggleston work represents life and the simplicity within it. Although most of his work seems as snap shots he is able to capture the beauty, honest, compelling world that surrounds us. His work evokes past memories of an individuals life. All of his photographs are very successful because they provide "true"colors of the present. This photo above was published in 2004 in his portfolio called Dust Bells volume 1. It is one of 15 photos all printed on dye transfer paper. I enjoy this photo because the natural lighting makes me feel as if I am the one taking the picture. The angle of this photo is unique and gives a different perspective of the car, street and sky. As mention earlier, he evokes a sense of being in the actual photo, on a cold gloomy day. This photo also seems "creepy" which to me suggest more than just a car, but that someone is driving through a small, quiet, perhaps lonely town.Furthermore I appreciate Eggleston's work because I feel that my best photos are taken when I'm trying to capture the moment I am in.

Hiroshi Sugimoto

 Earliest human relatives by Hiroshi Sugimoto The Origins of Love, 2004

Hiroshi Sugimoto is a Japanese photographer born in 1948. He spent a good portion of his life working in Tokyo as a photographer. He later moved to New York and continues his work as a photographer.Each one of his series has a different theme but collectively they all represent a time in history. Hiroshi refers to his own work as  "time exposed", this photo above represents the earliest of human life and evolution. Hiroshi photos are all black and white, he works with long exposures and adjusts his shutter speed often. Depending on what his subject is, he adjusts his exposures accordingly. He is known as the "highest technical photographer" and later had some of his work published from the Pulitzer foundation. I enjoy this photograph because Hiroshi creates a sense of " real life" although I know that these are mannequins, they still look as though they are strolling through the land enjoying each others company. The lighting in the picture is all natural thus allows the viewer to see great detail in the neanderthals. This natural lighting is what creates the feeling of coldness and someone walking outside in the winter. Hiroshi is known world wide for his photography now and continues to have sold out shows.

Gregory Crewdson

Untitled photograph in book Twilight "Amstaged"

Gregory Crewdson is best known for his elaborate, detailed staged scenes of  "America suburbia" life. He often has a full crew to help develop and create his unique sets, then photographs them later. This photo above is from his book "Twilight" published in 2003, it belongs to a series that documents dramatic surreal moments in life. The subject "woman" seems to be in another world, surrounded by nature, yet she is still in her kitchen. The expression on her face creates a sense of loneliness and allows the viewer to perhaps put themself in her shoes. I enjoy the photo because  Crewdson thought about the the light that flows in through the right window and the increased contrast adds to the photo. The woman and flowers are in focus and the rest of the background seems to fade out. Although this photo has a deep depth of field its subject still stands out to me. The light areas of the photo give the dark areas a perfect balance, and all the flowers colors stand out. In my opinion, Crewdson has created a very successful photograph because it evokes a intimate feeling and allows the subject to be somewhat herself in the photo.

Jerry Uelsmann "Undiscovered Self"

Undiscovered Self

                                      Jerry Uelsman 1999

Jerry Uelsman photographs are  "surreal, spiritual and thought provoking". He is the very first photography that used a technique called layering. He only uses his negatives in each of his new works. He spends hours in the dark room creating new and unique pictures such as the one above. (Undiscovered self) I enjoy this picture because to me it represents the love between two people but also the separation. Most of his photos are black and white and with each negative he has put together a whole new picture. He also uses each picture as a frame, and the boarders of each picture create another picture within itself. 

Sandy Skoglund

Sandy Skoglund
Ger,ms Are Everywhere
1986

Sandy Skoglund is a photographer and installation artist  who was born in America in 1946. She studied at several different colleges but ultimately earned her degree at the University of Iowa and  received her Masters of Fine Art in 1972. Skoglund is most recognized for designing and creating a unique set. Her sets are complete with objects like furniture, plants, humans, animals and other various decor. She also uses a contrasting technique in which she focuses the attention of her subject with one distinctive color and blends everything else with another abstract color. Her sets take on average several months to create. Every detail is hand crafted and selected by her to give a realism yet surreal to her set. Once perfected she then  photographs it.Skoglund uses elements like shallow depth of field,texture and patterns. In "Germs Are Everywhere" she uses two similar shapes, rectangles and ovals. Notice the TV, the stand, the base of the lamp, the picture frames and the outlines of the lamp and light shade are rectangular. The chair, leaves, the germs, the actual shape of the light shade, and the women have a oval shape. This is one part of a series of photos that Skoglund creates. She often uses  real people in the surreal environments she creates.