Blog 2: André Kértész

 André Kértész is a Hungarian born photographer. By using reflections, transparency, and shadows, Kértész pays close attention to detail in his still lives. I find Kértész interesting because I want to do and re-create some of his works through my own representation. I love his close attention to transparency and shadow. One of his works specifically caught my eye.

What I find interesting about this photo is this lighting specifically. You can see that there is an obvious light about the still life along with a light to the right. We can know this by looking at the shadows in the bowl to the left. What I would want to try to re-create this photo is to create a darker background and have the light shine through the glasses. I think it would create an interesting effect. I also like how this photo has a story behind it, even though it is just a still life. I like how he uses his imagination to create a story through simple, random objects.

Another one of his photos that are edging my inspiration for the still life assignment is this one below: 

I love this photo. It is absolutely stunning. The shadows created by the direct light from the top make this photo so interesting. It is just a simple everyday object, but with amazing light and shadows, it can be an amazing photograph. I like how Kértész took random objects and created them into something beautiful. Which is what I look forward to doing on my still life project! 

Blog 1: Robert Mapplethorpe 2022

 Robert Mapplethorpe was once enrolled at Pratt Institute in 1963 where he studied painting, sculpting, and drawing. In 1970 is the year he acquired a Polaroid camera and started to create and explore  photographs and photography. He was really interested in creating photographs that have never been seen before, he wanted to achieve new, different, and the unexpected when he was taking photos. Specifically, in the 1980s, he discovered a way to challenge the "classical" aesthetic for standard photography. Unfortunately, Mapplethorpe was diagnosed with AIDS in 1986. Throughout his work after this, his struggle and battle with AIDS can be seen throughout his photography. 

In this photo titled, "Self Portrait" we can see that Mapplethorpe is holding a cane like object in his hand that has a skull on top where the hand would be placed to hold onto while walking. His body is completely vanished, as his head is the only body part we can see other than his hand on the cane. 

When looking at this photo I can get a sense of death. It seems to me that Mapplethorpe created this due to his struggle with AIDS. It is almost as if he knew he was going to die soon, or that death was "right around the corner" with this photo. This portrait was also taken in 1988, so two years after he discovered that he did in fact have AIDS. 

To me this photo gives off ominous vibes and feelings, which can directly relate to his struggle with AIDS.

Another photo that I find interesting that Mapplethorpe created is this one here shown below: 

I find this photo so interesting due to the contrast in highlight and contour in this photograph between the African American male and the White male. I love the decision to have the black males eyes closed and the white males eyes opened. The dark background and Mapplethorpe able to capture such beautiful lighting to expose both of these men is just so eye catching. 

The way the lighting falls on both subjects just makes all the details come to light and it is truly beautiful.