Further Artist Research

After my presentation, I have been able to reflect on the changes that I feel I could make to my project. These changes have come with changes in how I want to present my work and also what I want it to look like. I therefore wanted to look at more photographers that I could get influence from. Although I am looking at new photographers, I will still take great influence from the artist’s I have already looked at (shown in-depth in my artist research in my pre-production folder):

•     Francesca Woodman’s way in which she portrays women and her eerie settings in which she     places them and herself.
•     Gregory Crewdson’s use of lighting and props.
•       Richard Avedon’s capture of emotion on the face of his models
•    Annie Leibovitz’s visual narrative information.

I have started the furthering of my artist research with Martin Bell.

Martin Bell 

http://www.martinbell-photography.co.uk/

Although on Martin Bell’s website predominantly shows his wedding photography, the photos that caught my eye was his work with dance and theatrical production.

In both the above shots, I visually enjoy the way the performers have been captured. When captured during a dance performance, Martin Bell has been able to show the extremely difficult and uncomforting positions that these dancers can put their bodies through. In the first shot I was focused largely on the right image, she has been captured in a crab-like position, which to me formulated an uncomforting feeling because I know that I would be unable to get myself in such a pose. The second image shows a position fairly similar to the first, it is however captured with the her body bending towards the camera, rather than side on, this gives me a better glimpse of her face and her emotion when in such a pose.

I love this shot, not for the pose as before, but for the lighting, or lack of it. If I am to compare this photo alongside Gregory Crewdson’s work, you can see a complete opposite in lighting choices. Although Martin Bell wont have any control over the lighting set-up, this photo makes great use of the lack of light and he has kept the performer very central in frame, creating a very natural vignette that only has the dancer illuminated. Keeping the dancer central has helped to instantly draw my focus to him and keep it stuck due to the vignette.

Diane Arbus

I have chosen to look at Diane Arbus’ series that she produced of the mentally retarded during the time of 1969 and 1971. This series of images show multiple trips to see and photograph the mentally retarded during their day-to-day life. I’m interested in the idea that she has created this work that showcases work that some people will find happiness and joy from, whilst others will be repulsed by, this contrast of emotion/opinion of the work intrigues me.

In the second photo, you can again see the girl attempting perhaps a summersault, however what has been captured is this striking pose, showing the girls body in a spread out and uncomforting manner. Although the background shows the other two girls laughing at what is happening, the unnatural body position makes me feel uncomfortable about the photo.

This type of body position is what I have used in my first practice shoot I did in the studio; I placed Arachne in this position. The position looks completely unnatural and therefore is a shock to the audience, my aim is that the more you look at it, the more it will create an uncomforting feeling to the audience.