HUMN 303 Verschure Week 6 Art Creation Reflection Photography
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Introduction
Photography
Photography, a captivating art form, holds the power to evoke diverse perceptions among individuals. For me, it is both a passion and a beloved hobby. Through this lens, I immortalize the precious moments of my children’s growth, preserving cherished memories for eternity. The act of photography enriches my life, as I joyfully share my captured images with loved ones. As defined by Merriam-Webster (2022), photography is the remarkable process of creating images through the interaction of radiant energy, particularly light, with a sensitive surface.
Ansel Adams, a renowned photographer, played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Center for Creative Photography in 1975 (www.ccp.arizona.edu). Throughout his illustrious career, Adams explored various themes, becoming most celebrated for his remarkable landscape photography, often capturing the mesmerizing vistas of the American West.
HUMN 303 Verschure Week 6 Art Creation Reflection Photography
One of his favored locations for capturing landscapes was Yosemite Valley. In the early years, Adams employed a pictorial style, but a transformative encounter with Paul Strand’s photography in 1930 led him to embrace a new, pure, and sharply focused approach (www.ccp.arizona.edu).
Historical Perspective of Photography
In 1932, Adams and fellow photographers formed Group f64, known for their modernist style characterized by sharp focus, which was prominently showcased at San Francisco’s DeYoung Museum, leaving an indelible mark in the history of the medium. For this assignment, I have selected a captivating black and white photograph taken by Adams in 1942, set in the breathtaking Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.
Captured near the majestic Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan, the photograph above tells a story titled “Guiding Light.” To enhance its impact, I applied artistic edits, transforming the image into a striking black-and-white print. The contrasting elements of the darker sky and the brilliance of the white captivate my aesthetic sensibilities.
Through meticulous adjustments in color, exposure, and brightness, I meticulously crafted a work of art that resonated with my vision. In this composition, I sought to highlight a myriad of textures, lines, depths, and a nuanced interplay of black, gray, and white shades, resulting in a visually captivating experience.
HUMN 303 Verschure Week 6 Art Creation Reflection Photography
The thematic connection between my piece and the source of inspiration lies in their shared focus on landscapes and black-and-white photography. Both images encompass elements such as water, varying shades of black, gray, and white, and the depiction of outdoor landscapes.
The medium employed in both works is black-and-white photography, effectively capturing and harnessing the essence of light. As Martin (2018) suggests, the deliberate use of lighting to accentuate essential features in the subject matter contributes to the creation of meaning.
It is worth noting that my camera differs from Adam’s camera and the printing techniques he used. While my photograph resides on my computer, Adam’s work was captured on film, with the advent of digital photography altering the medium significantly. I believe the chosen medium exerts a substantial influence on viewers, shaping their perception and ultimately attributing meaning to the photograph. In terms of formal elements of design, both our photos emphasize the interplay of shades (black, white, and gray), texture, shapes, lines, and the concept of space.
References
Martin, F. D. (2018). Humanities through the Arts (10th Edition). McGraw-Hill Higher Education (US).
https://ambassadored.vitalsource.com/books/9781260154238
Home. Center for Creative Photography. (2022, May 21). Retrieved June 7, 2022, from
https://ccp.arizona.edu/
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Photography. In the Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved June 7, 2022, from
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