Chased by the Light - Jim Brandenburg

Jim Brandenburg is one of the best photographers I have seen. His ability to capture a particular shot is amazing. For having a mid-life crisis and almost quitting photography all together he seems to be a very aware and thankful to be taking pictures in an environment that is important to him. Jim was a National Geographic photographer for many years, but he had very little professional experience when he was asked to be a freelance contract photographer for them. He now resides in Ravenwood, a complex he built which displays his work in a gallery where his family helps him.

Jim's 90 day project was designed to determine whether he still had the love for photographer still in him. He told himself that he would take one picture everyday for 90 days, from the first day of fall. It was more a spiritual journey more than anything. He knew that everyday he was out there he would find that perfect moment in time where he could capture it. To him, this was a time of quiet reflection. He was going to tell the story of nature. The picture I enjoyed most was the photo of the bird, island, and fog on the horizon. That photo was born from an action he did, in a sense he made that photo work just like the photo of the waterfall with the flashlight behind it. Very exciting photos.

Picture Adjustment

"Warning" Original

"Warning" Adjusted

Levels Adjustment

Contrast Correction

White Balance

Crop

Collier Schorr

I found it very interesting that she is obsessed with the masculinity of males from a female perspective. From what I understand after watching the video is that she is trying to capture the image of what makes us who we are. She is on a constant search for what that means. Who are we? What are we? She likes to photograph her subjects up close and when they have been pushed to their physical limits, such as her photos of the high wrestling team. She explores gender roles by placing males in female positions and plays around with the meaning of that situation. I do not know exactly if I like her as an artist. However, she did say something that could apply to any photographer. She mentioned that when she is working in the field and she takes pictures it can be, "...not a picture I planned but a picture I saw." This can and should indeed be something that all photographers come to understand.

Sally Mann

I found this artist particularly interesting. Her connection to nature and love for her work is priority in her life. While she admits to not be the best of mothers, I am sure her kids received a worthy experience growing up having such an artist for a mother. One thing that stuck out to me the most was that she embraces the flaws in her work. She said that is what makes them interesting. I on the other hand tend to try and perfect the little things. I wish to bring her philosophy to my work and enjoy the small errors, even perfect work can be boring. Im happy she is very open about everything in her life, and I am sure that her kids will appreciate all their hard modeling work growing up later in their life.

Roni Horn

I found the video of Roni Horn extremely philosophical. Her perception of the world is rare. Not too many people get to understand and perceive things as she does. She has this obsession with water and the human condition that craves it, that needs it in some comforting way. I enjoyed her water pieces in Iceland, the idea of water flowing around the school along with the students up and down the hallway is very clever. She said she does not want the unknown to disappear, she wants to be in it. To be in non-existence, almost in a spiritual manner. Her installation art is very creative, I did like the her definition of space and image space being two different things and I do agree with her on most she had to say.

This is her niece.

Website in Progress

This is a website background graphic I started today. I have been experimenting with colors, size, and composition. Obviously, I am trying out a grunge style and my website will be about alternative energy but thats subject to change at anytime. I may need to narrow my focus on what about energy I will be researching. Im looking forward to using Dreamweaver, so far it is pretty simple. My website is up and running but has absolutely no content. I will keep posting the images I plan on using. As of now it is only a work in progress.