Nikki Lee

  Holy Shit!


I was not very impressed at first when I looked at these photographs. 'Sure I said, 'they're depicting different social stratas as a way to give me a glimpse into this world. And, even more, this photographer isn't all about high quality images, and the snapshot thing seems like the work is rawer.' But then I began to see what makes this work so compelling.

Works courtesy of fraction magazine


    Upon wikipediaing Ms. Lee I learned:
               "Lee's most noted work, Projects (1997–2001), begun while still in school, depicts her in snapshot photographs, in which she poses with various ethnic and social groups, including drag queens, punks, swing dancers, senior citizens, Latinos, hip-hop musicians and fans, skateboarders, lesbians, young urban professionals, and Korean schoolgirls." (Courtesy of Wikipedia.org)

Then I looked back at all those images above (try it, it'll blow your mind). She then is so omnipresent in every picture. Such work transcends what is the typical role of a viewing audience. Yeah, they're cool images, but you never realize how much you are involved in these pieces. What I mean is that I felt slightly disappointed in myself for not noticing the peculiarities of the works. Maybe I need to start being a more active viewer. Maybe not. 

   It's very intriguing to think about all the aspects of art I, as a viewer, misses. I know I devote so much energy to subtleties and minute details in my work that why shouldn't I also analyze another artist's hard work as containing subtle and deliberate characteristics? Does it degrade me as a viewer to have missed so obvious the interesting and rather smart qualities of Ms. Lee's work? 

     This work speaks so much on identities, and the inability for someone to see at first a strong message in the work: we are not quite only shaped by the 'class' or race in which we are born in or choose to involve. But, rather we adapt ourselves to that environment: maybe subconsciously. 

      

   Ms. Lee pushes a very thought provoking thought in her work. For me, I see from her work that the visual world present how we express our 'attitude' more than just our race or the cultural identity we surround ourselves with .Our outward presence and the overall visual image of ourselves to the public sphere expresses what we will be communicating about ourselves more than actual auditory language.

 The visual world is omnipotent. Scary.

Kim Holtermand

Though the internet does not suffice for a good description of Mr. Holtermand's work, what we do know is he "is a freelance architectural and landscape photographer from Denmark [who] when he's not out taking mood epic photographs of architecture, Kim works  as a fingerprint expert in The Crime Scene Unit of the Danish National Police." (Courtesy of Behance Network)

Now for my take on his work. Holtermand's predominantly yellow-tinged and subtlety minimalist wide angle scenes go beyond the mundane architectural work you'd expect to see. A bright yet muted color palate along with a strong sense of vertical (and occasionally diagonal lines) augment the sense of emptiness in his scenes.

Mr. Holtermand's masterful ability to make expansive seem miniature has been a large focus of my current landscapes. I believe this is because he carefully coordinates parts of his scene within the whole realm of the photograph. Everything is placed with almost mathematical precision.   In addition to his excellent compositional skill I also hope draw from his levels of contrast: something I have been experimenting with  both in camera and post process. Finding a healthy medium in contrast without loss of information nor the loss of the power contrast can create has been an ongoing struggle for me.

Overall, I take from Holtermand's work the understanding of developing both a style for which to draw success, but also, from his subject matter, keeping a keen eye open to applying my artistic style/ formula with whatever I shoot. Be less fleeting, if not in life, at least in photography.

Courtesy of booooooom.com

Courtesy of twirkethic.com

Courtesy of drseussjuice.com

Courtesy of keef.tv

Courtesy of barrette.tumblr.com

Astrid Kirschherr and the Beatles

In the nature of a true education, I aim to cross-connect my courses. In this instance, the course I'm taking on the Beatles I aim to overlap with my omnipresent desire for portraiture. Ever more, I'm realizing education has one large purpose- to inform us of human interaction.

Kirschherr is best known for her portraits of the Beatles. Simply put, her these photographs cross-list my two earliest passions in music and art. The Beatles equate to my first musical love, portraits equate to one of my earliest forays in photo-arts.

Forcibly focused, intently aware

In the past month, I have found it harder and harder to focus on my photography. Though I blame two things- fewer ideas for locations to shoot and, more powerfully, a slight lack of interest- I do not think I still have the drive.

Though I haven't been out shooting every other day as I had hoped, I am still working hard. I have begun to both focus on my ideas and also I have come up with some exciting new aspects and ways of shooting. Shooting though car windows has began to look interesting for me. Additionally, I am focusing less on planning times to shoot and I have begun to go out and shoot more spontaneously.

My biggest problem, and the one I address here to you is that I like to get things done as soon as the ideas come to fruition. How can I separate myself from impatience in my work and instead continue to incubate my ideas? Additionally, how do I do that without procrastinating? Or worse, without losing the idea all together?

Enjoy the super bowl (commercials)