My favorite quote from Emmit Gowin's reading is, "whatever picture an artist makes, it is in part a picture of himselft - a matter of identity." I find this statement to be very true even with myself. Every photographer shoots photos of subjects that are of interest to them. Therefore, their photos reflect their ideas, beliefs, likes, and overall identity. I find it interesting how Gowin said home snapshots are the richest resources for photographs he knows. In my experience with photography I have found venturing out into the unknown and discovering new subject matter to be quite fun.
This was the first of Gowin's photographs that really caught my eye and it is by far my favorite. I love the angle of this picture which creates very dark areas inside the vehicle. About the only visible areas are those seen through the windows of the car which give the piece a very creative and original effect. It reminds me of stopping at a family member or a neighbor's place with my family and being stuck in the back seat.
This photo is very emotional. It floods the viewer with feelings of sadness and depression. The elderly woman looks as though she is ill or in pain perhaps. Neither of the subjects are smiling, which makes it a very serious photo. The younger woman also has an arm at the elderly woman's back as though she is comforting her. Later in this series of photos there is a picture of an elderly woman in a casket. I'm assuming this is the same woman.
Consider how much of a difference it would make in the viewer's reaction to this photo if these two women were smiling.
This final photograph is very strange to me. I'm not exactly sure what's going on. The one thing I really enjoy about this photo and a few of the others is the blank edges. Gowin explained that he was able to create such photos because it was the nature of the lens to for a circular photograph.
-Tim Olson
I don't really see what Edwin might have been looking for when he took this photo either. The child is what I feel is out of place. I believe the pregnent women along would have been easier to create a story from.
ReplyDeletethat is very true that a photograph is every bit apart of the photographer.. the subject matter, the color tone of the photophraph, the camera the angle everything is from the mind of the photographer. I also agree that the artist definately captures different emotions and the darkness and black and white adds a more depressing feel to the picture.
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