Irving Penn, On Assignment. Most of the photos in this exhibit are portraits or group photos. This exhibit is dedicated to his six decade career. Most of these photos are when he was “on assignment” for fashion magazines. Irving’s subject matter was the clothes on the people and not always the people themselves. The exhibit had a very dark feel but not dark as in creepy more as in a serious tone. A lot of photos were in black and white and their was not much smiling. Irving’s intention was to capture the clothes beautifully without making it seems like the people in the picture were the main focus. I wouldn’t have guessed without reading the press release because I didn’t know he was a fashion photographer. The lighting is dark not very bright. The graphic element of black and white helps bring out the clothes more on the pale skin of the people. The physically impact of the exhibit is the little details he uses to make you focus on the clothes and not the people wearing them.
Didier Massard, L’Atlas Imaginaire. The photos in this exhibit are amazing. The detail looks so real. Didier subject matter is different parts of the world and animals. Didier intention was to build his picture rather then take it. I would of never guessed that he did this if i had not read the press release. The images look so real and authentic. He uses light that helps emphasize the nature and beauty of the area. His best graphic element to me is balance. Each picture has something that balances and never lets your eye stay heavy on one spot. Physically this exhibit can take your breath away by just knowing that he did all these in a studio.
Phillip Lorca Dicorsia, Hustlers. Most of the Photos taken are Portraits of some kind. Some are taken in the reflection of mirrors while others have a single subject around neon lights. The exhibit really gets across the Los Angeles vibe. Also creating a feeling for these male subjects in every photo. Almost a sense of you can tell whats going on even though it is a still image. Phillip wanted to capture the feel of what is was like for male prostitutes during the day and night. I wouldn’t have guessed the men were prostitutes, I would have thought they were cross dressers or gay men looking for a prostitute. The lighting overall is very front lit. Almost all the pictures have light on the subject while everything around him seems darker. Placement is the graphic element Phillip uses to really get the message across. each picture has perfect placement to create a different feel yet all with the same feel. Its hard to explain but even though one picture has a different feel then the next, as a whole all the pictures have a underlying feeling. Emotionally each pictures tells a story that makes you feel as if you are on Santa Monica Boulevard rather then looking at a picture of it.
