Masters of Illusion

This video explained the importance and discovery of perspective in art. The use of such technique allows for a realistic, and visually correct work of art, be that in drawing or in use with photography. This video was important to this project because it would not do to have a traveling focal point when trying to capture the lines of a building, or in contrast, helped direct the photographer when changing views.

Roland Barthes' 'Camera Lucida'

Barthes states the amazing thing about photographs is that they do not lie. They capture a snapshot of a moment in time, and whatever was occurring at that moment is what is transcribed to an image. Photographs are special because they create a sense of wonder within the viewer, be it the questions of ‘I’ve been to this place, was I in the shot?’ or ‘is this person still alive?’, photographs allow for an endless number of questions, and often very few answers. However, the brilliance of photographs is also their downfall. They can be taken so spontaneously with little care that one may never remember the circumstances regarding the image. Overall, I find this reading to be tiring, a well worded mess, too focused on its own ostentatious poetic verse to get the point and give any fact besides the artistically written mind spew of the author.

Susan Sontag's 'On Photography'

According to Sontag the magic of photography and the photographs that it produces lies in its accessibility. Anyone can take photos; anyone can enjoy and appreciate them. Photographs allow the viewer to experience a sight they would never have a chance to see otherwise. Like a native in a South American rainforest who lays eyes on Buckingham palace without ever traveling there themselves. This accessibility and the fact that unlike paintings photographs are not cheapened by their printing in books, allows for humanity to learn and experience, as well as create still pictures of their own to document their own experiences.

Inspiration Feb1

One of my favorite things to do is scour Tumblr for celebrity photo shoots. They always put out crisp images with fun poses, and classy outfits. As I've always had problems with creating poses when I draw I like to reference them. Here are some examples.

Way of Seeing

The Ways of Seeing video speaks of how the reproduction and distribution of paintings has cheapened the experience of viewing them. This is due to the fact that outside factors can play into how one feels when viewing the image. Be it the music they are listening to at the time, or what one previously viewed before looking at the work. In museums the viewing experience is carefully monitored, and how one views the image is relatively uninhibited. This information is important to me as an artist because in creating an image I’d have to take into account the outside factors that may be playing on my audience. Be that music directly opposing the message I’m trying to send, or precognitive notions already held by the viewer.

John Szarkowski's 'The Photographer's Eye

Szarkowski charges that most photographs are less art, than a fleeting desire that even the untrained can capture with a click of a button. At the same time however, he says that photographs have a beauty of their own, which can be expressed no matter how much thought or training when into producing the final image. In spite of a photograph’s seemingly readymade finality, there are problems that one can encounter with them. One of the problems of photography is the subject itself, and the fact that as a natural creation the photographer must take into account how it is best captured. Along with this, photographs make it difficult to pose something as an artist of paint would; there is an amount of detail which is captures within the photo that does not allow for one to cover up mistakes. Be that of the imperfection of the subject itself or that of the artists own making.  Despite these shortcomings, photography is a medium that was created in its final form, it leaves little room for improvement, and unlike most inventions never truly need to be improved upon.

A few pictures of strong