Artist heroes
Ansel Adams
Ansel Adams' pieces are usually landscape photographs on gelatin silver. He was born in San Francisco, California. Ansel was committed to affecting political and social change through his art. His causes for this motivation included the protection of wilderness areas, and witnessing the Japanese internment camps during WW2.
The main photograph (Center), "Moon and Half Done" was taken in 1960. It's Gelatin Silver with dimensions of approximately 8"x10". The setting of the work is Yosemite National Park, California. It is a picture of a granite dome, with a clear view of the moon. There's some shadows cast across some of the granite, but that contrasts with the overall lightness of the photograph. In the granite, you will notice the lines in the grain of the stone, as well as some texture. Since the photograph is in black and white, you cannot identify the colors of the sky, granite, or the moon, but that does not subtract from the piece. There's shape with the moon, and value with the granite and its' shadows, as well as texture. There's contrast through the shadows cast across the granite walls. I feel as though I am present, looking out at this view myself. This image brings on a "self discovery" feel, as though I've gone on an adventure alone to find out who I truly am meant to be. The artists purpose for creating the piece was to share this beautiful journey with his audience. I enjoy this piece because it makes me feel as though I'm present in the moonlight. I don't believe this piece should be an important piece of art in history because it has no influential meaning. The Title is self-explanatory as to how it relates to the piece.
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French humanist photographer who was known for his candid photography. He attended the University of Cambridge where he studied painting and literature. The center of many of his photographs is a "Decisive Moment".
The Main Photograph (Center) is titled Cell in a Model Prison; It was taken in New Jersey in 1975. The medium is a gelatin silver print. It is a photograph of a balled fist, and a leg sticking out into a prison corridor from behind bars. There's many elements and principles of design in this photograph including line, contrast, shape, and emphasis through the greyscale and repetition of vertical lines interrupted by horizontal lines from the limbs. I feel as though this photograph is to make its viewer feel angered from an injustice. This photo is from 1975, although it is portraying a message thats relevant today; a hunger for justice where there is none. The work tells a story similar to this message... where whoever is behind those bars could have been wrongfully accused or framed. Theres many possibilities that the viewers mind could come up with as to how thing photo came about, but it's up to them to decide. I found this photo was just a powerful photograph that gave off a sense of rebellion, resilience, and strength. Once again, the title is self explanatory to its relation to the piece.
Diane arbus
Diane Arbus was an American photographer who often photographed marginalized people (For example, midgets, members of the circus, and transgenders,) Her photographs main purpose was always to provoke thought in the viewer.
The Main Photograph is located in the center, and is titled "Miss Venice Beach, CA (1962)". It is a gelatin silver print by the dimensions of 8 x 11.5 inches. The photo is of contestants lined up for Miss Venice Beach from a male on-lookers point of view. This point of view is most likely to criticize the objectification of women by men. This photo holds an interesting Point of View in order to serve the previously-stated purpose. The photo has value, by having a complete range of black and white through the background to the man's jet-black hair. There is also line and shape seen from the stance of the women and how they are positioned in an arc in order to be judged. The photograph makes the viewer realize how deeply rooted this issue is, as we still fight this objectification today. "Miss Venice Beach" screams for a rally of equality, and freedom from these unjust chains. Women want to be paid, and treated equally... not judged on their looks in order to determine their worth and destroy their self-esteem. This photograph radiates a strong sense of authority and determination to bring about change in the future. The title only gives you a description of the exact Pageant that this photo was taken at.