Photo1Q4.30: Pre-ITSO Photographer Research

"Tears", Man Ray / 1932

I love how close this portrait is, and the diverse array of messages that it can give off. On one hand, one can simply interpret it to just be "crying". On the other hand, analyzing it further, the photo could be interpreted by the tears themselves. They're actually glass tears, and they're so perfectly shaped that it must mean something more. I personally interpret it to mean something along the lines of faking something for the sake of someone else to pity you. It's definitely a possible message in the photo since she does appear to be looking up and to the left, showing that she's crying to something or someone "above" her.

"Portrait of Ghana", Paul Strand / 1960

Much like Ray's photo, Strand's photo of this woman with books on top of her head likely has some historical significance. I know that apartheid was prevelant in South Africa, and the same could've been said about Ghana, though, I have no background knowledge on this. Still, it's a very nice photo.

Unknown, Robert Doisneau / Unknown

The ghostly "after-image" of this photo appears to be the work of a double exposure (?) or use of 2nd curtain photography (?). I thought that this photo was especially intriguing when I searched up Doisneau's name, so this has potential to be the photo that I'd like to recreate.

Self Portrait, Robert Mapplethorpe / 1983

The extremely weird pose of Mapplethorpe is so interesting that I couldn't not include this photo. I'm not sure what exactly was the context behind this photo, but I definitely get David Bowie-type vibes from this photo. Very unique.

American Gothic, Gordon Parks / 1942

Definitely in relation to civil rights, Parks' photo has quite the composition to it that I can't quite grasp in words effectively. Perhaps its the rule of thirds, but it's offset somewhat so that it doesn't "follow the rules"... it's a nice photo.

Immortal Marilyn / John Vachon / 1962 (?)

Marilyn Monroe is in quite a lot of photos and was arguably the face of fashion during her era. I like this photo because it captures a true version of Monroe--a candid version of Monroe. In addition, candid photography is what appeals me the most and is what I seek to photograph in the future. Great photo.