David Hurn: A Life in Pictures

David Hurn is a photographer of 83 years. His career lasts for 60 years, he took pictures of ordinary people, but at the most famous as well. His career started in the army, he became a photographer almost incidentally after seeing a picture he decided that photography was a perfect instrument to represent the reality.

His pictures transmit what was going on in that period, a moment of change that could be transmitted visually. He says something with what I totally agree: “For me, the best photos are those which go straight into the heart and blood, and take some time to reach the brain”. I think like him that the most important pictures are the emotional one, more difficult to forget.

His photographs are mostly black and white he plays a lot with strong contrasts of light and shadows. He is able to portray ordinary people in extraordinary ways. The photos that I like the most are the series that he took in Arizona  the sense of the country is so expressed that you can actually feel it.

Signs and Symbols

Signs and Symbols surround our quotidian life. Some of these signs are considered universal such as colors while other sign requires a more specific study. The study of the signs is called semiotics and is applicable to a wide variety of fields. However to be studied, it is necessary to look at the background of the sign for example the context or the social and cultural conditions. Photographers must pay attention to the context and there some main elements that have to be considered.

The photographers have to be aware of the semiotic, but semiotic is not the only method to decode and interpret photographs. Photographs are in fact used for many purposes as an evidence, or in relation to class, race, and gender.

In order to interpret semiotic is indispensable to use a specific terminology such as: signifier, signified, representament, interpretant, object, studium, and punctum.

Firstly is essential to recognize and understand the meanings of the words the signifier and the signified. A symbol represents something different. The signifier does not represent the signfied. However, in icons the signifier tries somehow to imitate the signified.

An indexical signifier is correlated to the signified. It is related to photography a photograph is a mark of the original subject. Two are the main points the capacity of technology of representing the world and the way the camera does it. Regardless the function and intention the audience will interpret the photos with the perception of truth and reality.

Many photographers claim that even if they take pictures in a particular moment or situation, they still have in mind their intention while others claim the contrary. Different are the cases sometimes symbols or signs are not predetermined, but a photographer who works in a constructed set, would have the time to insert signs and symbols.

The conditions in which the photographer decides to work is also relevant. A particular weather could bring a specific sign, for example, buildings in the night or landscape under a storm.

The essential is to reflect on the concepts of truth and reality. Because a photographer may not use traditional symbol or sign and it is up to the audience to interpret and understand.

Another mode to introduce signs and symbols is to use techniques like shutter speed, subject and lightning conditions.

Everlasting Moments

Everlasting moments was one on the film suggested in box of broadcasts. I found it really interesting due to the fact that gives to photography a real important value. It shows how photography, can give a purpose to the life of the people. The main character is indeed living in a frustrating situation where there is no way to escape. The only thing that gives her a personal joy is photography. I really appreciate how photographies could influence her life and the life of the people around her. One of the scenes is extremely meaningful; the daughter of one of the ‘friends’ of the protagonist died. And she ask her to take a picture of the daughter to remember the daughter. she takes two pictures, one for the mother and one that shows her sense of artistic photography.

Lua Ribeira

https://www.luaribeira.com/Work-2

One of the photographers that I found in Magnum photos is Lua Ribeira. Her work is quite unique. The pictures mostly represent people, in abnormal almost disturbing moments and position. In fact, she says: ‘

“I am interested in nuns, thieves, and gardens. In the rotting body, witchcraft, hotel receptions, and heaven’s gates. Phantoms, funeral directors, and gravity.”

-Lua Ribeira

The colors are strong and bright, the subjects are out of the ordinary. The photos are usually set in gardens the nature is an essential element.

‘By exploring the perception of life generated outside the strictly socially acceptable, she aims to question the morals and values she grew up by’.

 

Genius of photography

This tells the story of the conceptions of photography and the way in which it became an integral part of the modern world.

It represents how photographers moved away from the traditional idea of ‘artistic’ photography. These photographers pay more attention on portraiture and landscapes. They construct their ‘studios’ on the streets, the highways, and beaches particularly the post-war world.

The subjects of these pictures do not pose for the photographers, they are represented in all their naturalness. The ability of the photographers is in fact become almost invisible, the subjects do not pay attention to them.

The photographer that impressed me the most is Robert Frank. His photos portray Americans in a genuine and authentic way. He can create a strong sentiment using only black and white. Thing that before see his photos I did not thought it was possible.

 

 

Alessandro Grassani

Another photographer that I decide to analyze from Lensculture is Alessandro Grassani. Through his pictures he transmits a sense of loneliness and dissemination. The portraits are expressive, what I most appreciate about them is the use of light and shadows. The colors are mostly dark, or not that relevant. In my pictures, particularly in the landscapes I wanted to give a similar idea, which is the sensation to be in a state of mental peace.

Steven Barrit

The second photographer that I find really interesting is Steven Barrit; especially the series of photos ‘mythographer’. What is most intriguing about his pictures is that are mostly really static. All these pictures are set in houses, and even if they look so immobile the representation gives a sense of anxiety and disquietude. The colors, and the use of light and shadows look surreal. I’ve tried to realize a similar effect with a portrait (Klaudia in front of the mirror) using bright colors tending to yellow and light pink.

Julie Poly

 

During my research in ‘Lensculture’ I found the photographies of Julie Poly. I’ve been suddenly won by her pictures. In my opinion her photographs perfectly represent the idea of the brief ‘sense of place’. Poly is a photographer from Ukraine and what shines through the pictures that I choose it’s exactly her origins. She belongs to Ukraine and all her photos belong to Ukraine too. In the beginning inspired by the strong identity of the photos and by her way to represent the reality in which she lives, I thought that my brief should have been based on the representation of my Italian origins as well. What I most admire of her photographs apart from her ability to show everyday situation in a totally unusual and sometimes bizarre, is the use of the colors. I appreciate how she is able to mix primary and shiny colors, even though it makes it look cheap (however, in my opinion is a great way to represent a country like Ukraine which is not a rich country).