Novatos

© Heather C

Anthropomorphisize

This is the second post I have that includes photographer Nick Brandt but his photos blow my mind every time I see them. In an interview with Lens Work magazine he talks about how he feels that there is very little respect for animals in photography. His photos have been criticized for being too anthropomorphic, but Brandt describes his work as true to the character of the animals he photographs. Animals are typically photographed in action in a pure documentary style, but there is little exploration into their actual souls.
Agreed.
It amazes me at how narrow minded some photographers are about various fields of photography, rejecting Brandt's work and calling it too fine art. what? His photos have some the most honest animal expressions I have ever seen. It also reminds me a little of Jill Greenberg's monkey portraits. These are shot in studio, and reveal a different element of animals. She uses Hollywood trained animals, but in a way there is a sort of satirical look in their eyes. Different from Brandt, but lovely all the same.

Lesson: keep an open mind to the borders between "fine art" and "photojournalism". better yet, don't label just look...
And a photo of my cute puppy.



photos © Nick Brandt



photos © Jill Greenberg


photo © Heather C

Faith in your own photography

Just found this article in PDN about having faith in yourself as a photographer. Piper Carter was a photographer's assistant for seven years and then finally realized that she was never going to be a photographer if she kept on assisting. This is very similar to the understanding I found in NYC this summer. As tempting and alluring a full time job as a photographer's assistant is, I made the decision to come back and work on my own photography. Work. And work.
I figured I can always go back and try to get work, but NOT assisting. As difficult as it might be, a young photographer has to try try try...

Untitled 1-3

sometimes photos don't need an explanation

© HetherC

Roversi and the element of balance

Paolo Roversiphotography is the ultimate in fashion photography for me. Even though he worked straight through the peak of glamour fashion in the 80's, he has kept his photos ethereal and airy. His style is vastly different from Meisel, Bourdin, and Helmut... but I love Roversi the most. <3
I was lucky enough to see one of his shows at the Pace MacGill Gallery in NYC this summer, and he changed my life. In a collection of ten photographs Roversi really took my mind to the next level. The photos put me at rest, in a very strange way. He really seems to care about the women he photographs and cares about the energy of the photo. In these ways, I connect to his work the most.
I have had long talks with friends about what I want to get out of a career of photography, after analyzing Roversi I can say that I want to have a collection of work as beautiful as his. With an emphasis on the beauty of women and the mastery of light.
His works bring a spirit of lightness and aren't caught up with technical elements. Roversi's focus is in making his women look beautiful in spirit. As much as I love Bourdin and Helmut, I can't connect with their work. Their perception of women don't match up with mine, we don't believe women stand for the same thing. Photographer's own personalities clearly are displayed through their photographs and it's evident by looking at large bodies of their collections.
Roversi reminds me of Sally Mann, Julia Margaret Cameron.

Roversi, these are my favorite things about you:
You are smart.
You love women and respect them.
You paint women with light and make their bodies look like angels.
You use film and mostly polaroids, without even hesitation.

Roversi, I love you.

photos by Paolo Roversi