I believe that Evans was very creative in the fact that he was able to get photographs of people with a camera and no one had a clue about it. He was incredibly smart to find a way to take these photos and thus collect images that had great significance. When I read this I couldn’t help wonder if there is someone out there who is doing the same or plans on doing the same after reading the review on Evans’ “Many Are Called.” Furthermore looking through these images I can relate to them because people in NYC riding the subway have not changed since then in terms of what they do on the train and their facial expressions. When people are on the train, the sleep, stare at other people, read a newspaper and so on just like they did when these pictures were taken. Like that man told a newspaper reporter when you’re on the train there is really nothing to look at. Sure there are ads but you’ve only seen millions more like it, all there is to look at is people’s faces and it does get boring. Furthermore I think Evans was smart in keeping those pictures and publishing his book years later because as time goes on something like what he did has a different impact. Now we are able to appreciate those photographs even more because they are not only a window to NYC’s past but it also reflects our present. People really have not changed much and like they say history repeats itself.
Walker Evans’ Subway Portraits
Discussion Topic: Walker Evans’ Subway Portraits
Evans’ photographed people on the New York City subways between 1938-1941. He only published these photographs 25 years later in his book, Many Are Called, which was re-issued in 2004. Read a review about the new edition in the New York Times or listen to a radio interview of the book’s re-release and a related exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Then look at some of Evans photographs on the Getty website or on Visualingual’s blog. What do you think of Evans’ clandestine approach to photography? Do you see similarities between the riders’ expressions during the Depression Era to today’s riders?
NPR interview with Met curator Jeff Rosenheim (audio)
Getty Collection of Walker Evans Subway Portraits
Visualingual’s Blog on Walker Evans’ Subway Portraits
Please post your responses and comments by Saturday, April 14.
Discussion topic: Photography and early film
“Le voyage dans las lune” by “George melies” there alot of aspects of of the practices of early photography . The aspects that I observed in the film was first the use of props and staging . I noticed that they were storying telling their their performance. I also observed that the film was in black and white and . I saw a lot of effects like the changing of clothes and the big puffs of smoke. They were basically making a scene. There are differences and similarities between photographic camera and the film camera . The similarities are that they both are in black and white and they both take a lot of time to produce. The major difference between these two is that film moves and photography doesn’t . Photography is meant to display something for example a person or a moment. while in film its the moment and action taking place. I also see that in film images repeat while in photography you could have copies but they don’t repeat and make motion. I also see that one is animated while the other is not.
Discussion Topic: Photography, Tumblr, and Copyright
According to Conor Risch tumblr is getting some more buzz on their copyrights. The issue is more when it comes to photographers and their work. I think that its a good thing that a photographers work should get credit for that work and it’s also the photographers job to also make sure that they credit themselves too. I remember in one of my classes my publication professor made sure that all of his work was copyrighted .He showed us the website for the copyright. I personally myself being an artist I have to make sure that all my work are copyrighted especially if its something. very important . I love that tumblr is very open and very useful for millions of people that love artwork and photos. Not everyone has time to go to places or enough money to buy magazines . That why tumblr is a good place to get resaerch from and look at other peoples work. When it comes to the issue of copyright troubling an photographer has the power to say yes or no. for example if someone wanted to sell their photo with an artcollector . The photographer would have the power to say yes I will give over my rights to this photo. Or maybe they could say no I do not. It takes to agree something. also he or she knows that someone will take their work for some reason than don’t put up your photos. At the end the photographers have the power in their hands.
Discussion Topic: Photography and Early Film
In 1902, Georges Méliès released the first science fiction film, A Trip to the Moon (Le voyage dans la lune). The filmmaker spared no expense for special effects. Review the approximately 11-minute long film and consider the following questions. Do any aspects of the film recall the practices of early photography? What are some differences and similarities between the photographic camera and the film camera?
There are many copies on the web of various degrees of quality. The quality of the following version on YouTube is very good.
Georges Méliès’ A Trip to the Moon
Please post your responses and comments by Saturday, April 14. Apologies for mis-setting the release time on the blog post last week (this should have appeared then!) I’ve extended the comment time on this so that you can post over Spring Break.
Photography, Tumblr and Copyright
I think that it’s great that we can have access to photographer’s work on sites such as Tumblr. It allows people to experience photography through a social network and see the work of different photographers. Furthermore the issue of copyright is troubling because it makes a person, especially a photographer wonder whether they are getting credit for their work or not. However it is something useful that Tumblr is doing to ensure that photographers have a copyright for their work. In addition I think that if something isn’t meant to be shared then it is best to keep it off a social network like Tumblr. If something is meant to be seen by others and shared with others it should go on the site and if it isn’t then it shouldn’t be published. Overall I think that the issue of copyright is troubling, something can be done, but people are always going to find a way to take credit for something that isn’t theirs.
Photography, Tumblr, and Copyright
According to the article, Why Photographers Love Tumblr, I strongly agree that its a great idea to have photographers broadcast their images on Tumblr for everyone to see especially their followers. Tumblr is more of showing still images then posts. It will give the followers much more interest in the images and have the photographers feel very grateful that their images are becoming popular. Copyrighting is a big issue when someone is taking it without the owner’s permission. But in this case, a photographer, Pfluger suggests that, “Not every single image we make needs to be sacred”. He also said that not every image should be framed in the gallery. That also explains that it is okay to have their images re blogged or reused because they allowed it. Some implications for other social media sites like Pinterest such as, there is a fear that people will use these images and sell them as their own and make money out of it. But it states that “Pfluger uses Tumblr to offer unsigned, non-editioned prints to his followers, something he also used to do when he maintained a blog.” By doing this he earned money for selling each piece.
Announcement: Midterm Short List is online!
Andre Kertesz, Eiffel Tower-Summer Storm, 1927
Discussion Topic: Photography, Tumblr, and Copyright
Photo District News recently published an article “Why Photographers Love Tumblr.” What do you think of the open access to photographers’ images? Do you find the issue of copyright troubling? What are the implications for other social media sites like Pinterest?
The photographer Brantley Gutierrez’s success with Tumblr is discussed in the article. On the right is Gutierrez’s photograph of musician Mike Einziger.
Check out the photos that accompanied the original article
See instructions on how to “post” and “comment” under “Blogging Guidelines” above.
Please post your responses by Saturday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day).
Old Photographic Processes in a Modern World
In society one thing is certain. Trends are popular for a period of time and then they get old. Advancements in technology clear out the old and make room for the new, although there are a few exceptions to the rule when it comes to inventions, techniques or products.
Things have a way of coming back, especially in some kind of creative process. It’s common to see artist bringing back “old school” trends or techniques. Today with ample application and photo-edited programs, any average Joe can adjust their photos in unique process.
The wet plate process of photography is coming back, in the photography scene. Its no surprise that this artistic method is being revived by photographers that take their work seriously. When people are passionate about something they do, they tend to explore the old methods that were used once upon a time. In this case the hands on process really gets the user involved on another level then just pressing a button, and really produces a unique result.
High quality fashion designer, Louis Vuitton recently used the wet plate process in an advertising campaign and I’m not surprised. Louis Vuitton’s products are on another level of quality, style and class and the vintage look their collection gives is the perfect target to be captured in this method of photography.
