Inspiration Thursday #15: Stephen Tourlentes

Stephen Tourlentes is a great photographer. He was a guest lecturer for my class the other day, and he really knows his stuff. Look at these photos, absorb them a bit, and then I'll explain.

Absorb. Then read on.

So the long exposures seen here are photos of prisons. I think it's such an interesting play with the mind. In one respect, you want to be drawn into the light. You're surrounded by darkness, you want to go to the light. But once you know the context you kind of step back. He is an amazing artist, see the rest of his prisons at his website.

Sorry this Inspiration Thursday is so short, I'm kind of still recuperating from recent events.

City Living

Needless to say, this is what I've been dealing with this last four days.

Inspiration Thursday will be late (as most of you have are already aware.)

Inspiration Thursday #14: John Divola

This week's Inspiration is John Divola, a photographer who spoke at my school today and I really enjoyed his work! His work involves a lot about creating a photograph, making a scene. Divola indulges in finding his subjects by chance -- politely breaking into abandoned houses, taking pictures of houses in the desert, and documenting their change.

He just overall seemed like such a down-to-earth kind of guy. When a student asked some presumptuous question about if he is interested in his mark-making performance as a part of his photography, Divola just went, "Um, nope. They only exist as photographs. I'm not interested in performance or installation."

There are two series (though I'll share a few from each) that I really enjoyed: 1) Dogs Chasing My Car (which is EXACTLY how it sounds) and 2) The Green of This Notebook, which illustrates lines from Satre. Check out his website here, for more images.

Zuma

Dogs Chasing My Car

Paraphrasing from what he said about these photos: "We'd drive in through the desert and there would just be these dogs sitting out there. And as soon as they saw us they'd start running. They were friendly, they'd lick your hands. But us driving by was like the highlight of their day."

Soo cute!

The Green of this Notebook

Like his work? Hate it? All opinions welcome, just leave a comment!

Hope you're having a great week!

When did life become so busy?

For everyone who looks at my blog on a daily basis, only to be disappointed that there's no new tutorial, or picture post, or what have you -- I thank you wholeheartedly for thinking as my blog as a stop on your Internet experience for the day.

It's been kind of a whirlwind experience the last few weeks, from life completely overwhelming me and taking grasp and not letting go. Thankfully though, it's been a relatively great few weeks filled with much exciting news.

• I applied for a Student Orientation Leader position. I have my interview on Monday and I'm actually rather nervous (despite knowing I'm pretty great in a leadership position, if I do say so myself.)
• I have been roommate searching like CRAZY, and I think I have finally found a potential roommate. And last night, I was offered by a few new friends to live with them if this last-ditch effort falls through. All around, I'm pretty satisfied.
• School work has reached a new high -- I am terribly tired of school at the moment. I've definitely hit that point in the semester where you say to yourself, "okay... how many days until it's over?"
• Most amazing news - three of my own photos got into my school exhibition! Seeing how I've tried now for 3 years, I guess you could say that the third times a charm! I found out the news tonight, and I was SO excited to let you all know! I'll be documenting the experience, and I've never had my photography in a show before despite that being my major! It's been a CRAZY few days. One of these days I'll actually explain my project, but I'm still really hesitant about it. For now, here's a preview:

Inspiration Thursday #13: Deana Lawson

This is the first photographer that could be considered NSFW!

Deana Lawson is an photographer that deals with African Americans in intimate situations. Her photographs are not snapshots of everyday life, but meticulously constructed by Lawson herself -- every aspect is chosen specifically. Her work was recently displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in 2011.

From the MoMA site, because MoMA is infinitely better at articulating work than I am:

"Deana Lawson (American, born 1979) received an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2004 and currently lives and works in New York. Lawson refers to the subjects of her photographs as “her family.” Although she is not related to them by blood—in fact, they are nearly all strangers—the pictures are remarkably intimate. Lawson composes almost every element, often sketching scenes out on paper before working with the camera. Reflecting Western and African portraiture conventions, the works examine “the body’s ability to channel personal and social histories, drawing on the various formal and informal languages of the medium and its archival capabilities,” the artist says. The result is an alphabet of body compositions demonstrating humans’ seemingly limitless variety. The size of these photographs ensures that although they are intimate, they are also confrontational; viewers are invited into the world they depict, but strictly as spectators."

 

My personal favorite... just look at the juxtaposition between the couple and the baby -- priceless.

What do you think of her work? I seriously want to know your opinion!