Art History: Alfred Stieglitz - Photography as Art

Untitled, Alfred Stieglitz, 1905

Alfred Stieglitz was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, in 1864. His main goal was to prove that, "photography was a medium as capable of artistic expression as painting or sculpture." Alfred Stieglitz was married to the famous painter, Georgia O'keefe.

Art History: W. Eugene Smith

Littlest Survivor, W. Eugene Smith, June 1944, World War II/The Pacific Campaign, Battle of Saipan Island

Japanese Island, W. Eugene Smith, April 1945, World War II/The Pacific Campaign, The Battle of Okinawa

I chose these two images because they resemble one another yet are photographed during two different battles. The soldier in each image is dressed the same and is holding a survivor. W. Eugene Smith was born in December of 1918. Smith was a photojournalist and photographed many intense moments in history all over the world, but specifically is famous for the ones taken in World War II. He brings his subject matters to life and each image itself tells it's own story.

Prework Part 1 : Backlit images

Photographed by: Yelena Yemchuk
Model: Karen Elson
Magazine: Lula Magazine

In my opinion this is a properly exposed backlit image. I think the photographer took the meter reading in the middle of the plant photographed at the light. On the plant there is a gradient where it's really light/bright at the top and gradually gets darker at the bottom of the photograph. I believe the mood the photographer was going for based on how she used the light is a enticing and elegantly seductive one. I love how you can see a mere silhouette of her body through the fabric and the light that shines through her hair. If the photographer had metered on the sun the model would have been washed out/very dark, we wouldn't be able to see much detail if not any detail at all.

Tree #11, Myoung Ho Lee, 2005

I am absolutely in love with Myoung Ho Lee's tree series. Although you can still see some details in the leaves, I would say overall this is a backlit silhouette. I think the photographer metered on the light in the center because if he had metered directly on the light the tree would be pitch black and be less defined. If he had metered on the tree or on the grass we would be able to see those things in more detail and it wouldn't be as dark. I think the mood is meant to inflict awe and evoke one to have their own personal interpretation. The concept is simple. By framing the tree's with canvas,' and separating the tree from it's natural environment, it's almost like he's creating natural paintings. "The series includes diverse species of trees photographed [...] in a variety of seasons at different times of day. Mr. Lee allows the tree's natural surroundings to fill the frame around the canvas, transforming the backdrop into an integral part of the subject. Centered in the graphic compositions, the canvas defines the form of the tree and separates it from the environment. By creating a partial, temporary outdoor studio for each tree, Mr. Lee's 'portraits' of trees play with ideas of scale and perception while referencing traditional painting and the history of photography." - Yossi Milo Gallery

Prework Part 2 : Light, Shadow, and Reflection

Self-portrait, Florence Henri, 1983

"From the 1920s to the 1940s, Florence Henri made her name as a major player in avant-photography. Born in New York 1893, she settled in Paris in 1924, where she played with mirrors and light to create these beautiful mind-trick masterworks."

Lark Ford, Shadows

Unknown, Found on Pinterest. Back lit photo, silhouette

Silhouette
My photo

Reflection, found on Flickr (linked)
Photo by: Colton Allen

Silhouette, Kuperberg, Found on pinterest

Do you believe a single photograph change someone’s viewpoint / the world?

"Because this calf lives in a dirty, fly-infested veal crate."

Personally I don't believe that a single photograph could change the world but I definitely believe that it could change someone's view point. Photographs capture real life moments, therefor like science are fact. If someone has a preconceived idea about something, seeing a photograph could change their opinion. For example, PETA uses animals in poor conditions to try and change your mind about eating meat(see photos in post). Photos tell us stories, everyone interprets them differently and they can impact people in a multitude of ways.

"Because this rescued cow escaped from a burning transport truck bound for slaughter."