Assignment2: Portrait

Greg Friedler

Greg Friedler is an American photographer that is well known and admired. He has several books out of his work which he photographs people in their  daily attire or uniforms and then a second photo of them naked. The only description is their profession and age. He mainly does portraiture and it is described as raw, revealing people in a real and honest light. The books tend to show that people from different professions or cultures are really not that different. It displays people in their true form.

Blog Prompt #5, 6, and 7:

#5: Give your thoughts on one or both of the following quotes. 

“Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man.” ~Edward Steichen




I entirely agree with this quote. I think photography does an amazing job of pretty much explaining everything. Things that most people wouldn't understand or even be aware of can be displayed via photography. not much can really be hidden in a photo. When you take photos of people, they're true mood comes across in the photo.


#6 In your opinion, when is it beneficial, ethical, or appropriate to digitally alter photographic portraits? When do you think it is inappropriate or ethically wrong?

I think it's appropriate to digitally alter portraits in situations in which the photo is being used artistically. More-so if the photograph is being enhanced. I think the subject should be comfortable and accepting of the alterations as well. I think it's inappropriate to alter images if it changes the meaning and/or context of the picture in any way, but specifically in a negative way. For instance, if a photograph of a specific culture group is taken and portrays them in a negative way on purpose. Or in any situation in which the subject is not comfortable with the changes being made.

#7 Pay close attention to the types and number of photographic portraits you see in one day. Where did you see them? How do you think that the content of the portrait changes based on the context in which you see the image (news, facebook, magazine, advertisement, television, youtube, etc)? In other words, what is the difference between the portraits you see on facebook vs. those on the news? What is the difference between the “viewpoint” of the photographer in each situation? What is the difference between their “intents”?

The content of the portrait changes dramatically when the context in which it's displayed. On facebook most of the portraits are taken and displayed by the individual in the photograph. Therefore, the photo most likely will be made to enhance the person or show them at their best. The intent of a portrait on facebook is to show who your are and everyone wants to be seen in a pleasant way. However, in the news portraits are not displayed by the individual in the photo and therefore aren't usually in the best interest of that individual. For instance, if the news is displaying a criminal of some sort, it is likely that the photo will not make them appear in their best light. Usually they appears as what they are being accused of, a criminal. No one wants to be seen in that way so the image isn't going to enhance that person.

Assignment 2(0): Recreate

I really enjoyed the original picture from Corinne Day. I was just soft, simple, and beautiful. She is known for having more candid and intimate photographs. I didn't want to change anything and tried my hardest to get everything to match up as much as I could allow with the setting and material I had. I think my image does a pretty good job of recreating the original. My criticism with my image is the i couldn't get the lighting to match due to the room I was in, but I attempted to block out some light to make it similar.

Assignment 1: Final; Written Statements P2

Image 1

Interpretation: It seems like my image was interpreted as being interesting yet simple at the same time.

Evaluation: What’s working in the image is the simplicity and contrast. However, there could be more contrast on the toilet seat cover.

Extension: I could use this as a jumping off point for a series of very simple images that still have a unique beauty.

Image 2

Interpretation: This image was interpreted well. It seemed people understood the meaning I was attempting to portray by having the subject sitting and then walking out of the frame.

Evaluation: I think the lighting on the chairs and the fact that the subject is balance by the window is working. I don’t think I would make any changes, I am happy with the results.

Extension: I would find it interesting to see what other images I could make with similar camera settings as this and create a series with that being the common factor.

Image 3

Interpretation: The image was interpreted well as having a soft, somewhat nostalgic feel.

Evaluation: The contrast and framing is working in this image.

Extension: Similar to the first image, a series of simple images would be nice, but maybe in contrast they would have a soft, nostalgic characteristic about them in addition.

Assignment 1: Final; Written Statements P1

Composition: Since this imagine was taken as "asymmetry" as the prompt, I wanted the shot to be centered in order to express this the best way possible. The fact that it isn't symmetric makes the photograph more interesting.

Concept/Aboutness/Idea: Initially I didn't have a concept, but if I have to come up with anything I'd like to think that this photograph expresses the idea that something as plain and simple as a toilet can be beautiful in its own way. Compositional elements help support this because the subject matter it the toilet and nothing more.

Method: I really didn't do any planning for this photo, I was simply looking around the room for asymmetrical objects and liked the idea of using a toilet.

Motivations: I didn't have much of a goal when creating this image, it came to me more-so after the fact.

Context: I think this photograph is similar to Duchamp because he played with the idea of found art which I think describes this photo perfectly. It brings a new perspective though because the way it is cropped does more than just display the subject matter. In my opinion the photograph can be related to larger issues socially because it teaches the lesson that we need to appreciate the simple and/or less beautiful things in life along with the beautiful objects.

Composition: I enjoy the fact that this photograph is darker with subtle amounts of sharp contrast. I also chose to have the subject to the left side to somewhat counterbalance the brightness of the windows.

Concept/Aboutness/Idea: My image is about someone being somewhat torn and unsure of their place and/or situation in life. the fact that the subject is blurred and present in two separate areas displays this.

Method: I did brainstorm in order to get the best image possible as far as both composition and exposure. It took numerous tries to get both of the images of the subject the correct translucency and position.

Motivations: My main goal was to prove to myself that I was capable of making an image appear this way, which I think I accomplished.

Context: I think the image relates to the larger issue created by our society and culture. All throughout life we are encouraged to "find ourselves" which doesn't even make sense half the time and I think it's somewhat of a struggle during life.

Composition: I wanted to crop out enough of the subject in order to make it distinguishable, but leave a larger portion of it out of the frame.

Concept/Aboutness/Idea: The image isn't about anything deep and reflective, it's just about simplicity.

Method: I didn't do any brainstorming for this photograph. I looked around my room for objects that I find interesting and beautiful.

Motivations: My only motivation was that I found the lamp to be dainty and wanted to capture its beauty

Context: I think my photograph is probably different for the fact that professional photographers most likely don't go out taking photographs of lamps or simple things like that. The simple things they photograph usually have more to them. I don't think the image relates to any larger issues within society.

Blog Prompt #3 and #4:

#3: “Photography deals exquisitely with appearances, but nothing is what it appears to be.”~Duane Michals. Do you agree or disagree with this quote? Why?

Yes I do agree with this quote because in more situations than not you misjudge based on appearance. Whether this is through a picture or everyday life. Everyone perceives things differently and judges on those perceptions, therefore nothing can just be what it appears to be, it is far more complex than that.

#4: “If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera.” ~Lewis Hine. 

Do you agree or disagree with this quote? Why? Describe situations when photographic images reveal “the story” (as compared to words). Describe situations when words reveal “the story” (as compared to images).

I agree with this quote because I find that I am not the best at communicating and getting my ideas across and also that words don’t always fully express my thoughts when I can find a proper way to communicate. Situations in which photographic images do a better job of revealing the story is when you are trying to express feelings and/or the feelings you get when you see an image. For instance, a photograph of a facial expression does a way better job of expressing that feeling than words could. Situations when words reveal the story more clearly are when you are trying to express your thoughts. Not all photographs are capable of expressing thoughts, depending on the context.

Assignment 0: Recreate

When I first saw the original picture "Blind Home, St. Paul, Minnesota" by Jerome Liebling I didn't quite get what the picture was trying to say but when I researched what Liebling's work was generally about it made more sense. He tends to photograph "ordinary" people and he also touches on the grassroots along with harvesting food which makes sense in the context of this picture. I wanted to go for the opposite idea of working for your own food and instead played off the idea of not having the ability to feed yourself.

Blog Prompt #2:

To me the word photograph literally means a picture produced by a camera. However, there is much more behind the word photograph. It is not just a picture with nothing more to it. It can be a way of communicating, expressing feelings, or capturing memories. There's a reason for the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" because it is entirely true. Numerous things can't even be expressed without the help of a picture. A photograph is a way of getting ideas across in which words are basically meaningless.

Blog Prompt #1:

It's practically impossible to envision a world without photographs. I feel like we are so dependent on photos to bring back memories, help explain/teach us information, or even as a form of personal expression. I think a world without photographs would be extremely dull. Life would be slightly less beautiful. Events and memories couldn't be captured for the future, making them easy to forget. People don't even realize the fact that photographs are everywhere. When people think of photographs they think of hand held pictures, but they are much more prevalent than that and affect our everyday more than we realize. For example, we wouldn't be able to know the beauty of Italy without traveling there. Not having photographs in instances such as this would create a very difficult world to live in.