The realm of photography could be considered one of the most temperamental, most hit-and-miss, most underrated art forms in existence. It is an activity that brings together creativity and the ability to understand space, time and equipment, all in the context of acting on an interpersonal level with the world. In short, it's not easy. For those of us who are not involved with photography beyond capturing a child's first dance recital, the profession can seem all too simple, as in point and click, point and click, point and click. Likewise, it can be easy to dismiss photographers as service people just there to record an event. Alas, they are doing far more than recording an event; they are putting every moment in context through a form of complicated art that requires vision.
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." Ansel Adams
In the photography community the name Ansel Adams is synonymous with black-and-white photos of the American West. He brought the rugged, dusty world of cowboys and ranch hands to life for the rest of the nation. Not a particularly educated man, he still managed to lead a life of success and innovation in his chosen art. Along with colleague, Fred Archer, Adams developed the first system for recognizing the use of exposure and light in producing the final product. He perfected the method, producing haunting images that ultimately earned him several national awards and the respect of artists worldwide.
"A portrait is not made in the camera, but on either side of it." Edward Steichen
Born in Luxembourg, Edward Steichen spent most of his life in the US, eventually choosing to study art and lithography from an early age. By the age of 19 Steichen was already recognized by art promoter Alfred Stieglitz as a diamond in the rough. He developed a strong style of portraiture that eventually evolved (via a 'dare') into the first form of fashion photography. Steichen managed to photograph the garments in a way that actually expressed the physical quality of their appearance on the model - and all in black-and-white. He understood the importance of the position of the model, the eye behind the camera, and its translation into print.
"I have to be as much diplomat as photographer." Alfred Eisenstaedt
Alfred Eisenstaedt is the photographer behind one of the most famous images to come out of World War II: V-J Day in Times Square, in which an American sailor kisses a young woman. This image is not only iconic of the world events taking place that day, but also of Eisenstaedt's penchant for candid photographs. Any time there are going to be living human subjects of a photograph, a certain amount of subtle diplomacy is required. One must be able to quietly capture personal moments without being intrusive or careless. It is a skill not to be taken lightly.
"In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality." Alfred Stieglitz Perhaps it was a result of his marriage to Georgia O'Keefe or it could have been the reason they found each other in the first place, but Alfred Stieglitz was absolutely instrumental in making photography an established art form. Only through his extreme dedication to the craft was Stieglitz able to illustrate photography's relationship with painting and other art forms to an extent where the rest of the world could see the beauty in it. He promoted and wrote tirelessly on the subject, often saying art is not merely art, but actually an individual's attempt to express visual feelings. The reality of that expression is what lies underneath the photograph.
"What I find interesting is working in a society with certain taboos - and fashion photography is about that kind of society. To have taboos, then to get around them - that is interesting." Helmut Newton
Helmut Newton discovered his love for photography at age 12, but under the chaos of World War II was unable to act on it until 1946. Born in Berlin, he and his family escaped to South America, then China, and eventually interred in Australia, Newton set up a studio for fashion and theater photography. The post-war years were affluent and celebratory in Australia, thus subjects for Newton's early risque themes were numerous. Eventually Newton's work matured into a very Paris-friendly erotically stylized methodology, encompassing subtexts not previously explored by mainstream photographers. Even today, his provocative fashion photography is widely imitated.
While he was not a photographer, Jonathon Swift once uttered words that perfectly describe the essence of a world class photographer: "Vision is the art of seeing the invisible." Whether it is contrived or stumbled upon during the creative process, a photographer sees the potential in the invisible and brings to life his vision.
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." Ansel Adams
In the photography community the name Ansel Adams is synonymous with black-and-white photos of the American West. He brought the rugged, dusty world of cowboys and ranch hands to life for the rest of the nation. Not a particularly educated man, he still managed to lead a life of success and innovation in his chosen art. Along with colleague, Fred Archer, Adams developed the first system for recognizing the use of exposure and light in producing the final product. He perfected the method, producing haunting images that ultimately earned him several national awards and the respect of artists worldwide.
"A portrait is not made in the camera, but on either side of it." Edward Steichen
Born in Luxembourg, Edward Steichen spent most of his life in the US, eventually choosing to study art and lithography from an early age. By the age of 19 Steichen was already recognized by art promoter Alfred Stieglitz as a diamond in the rough. He developed a strong style of portraiture that eventually evolved (via a 'dare') into the first form of fashion photography. Steichen managed to photograph the garments in a way that actually expressed the physical quality of their appearance on the model - and all in black-and-white. He understood the importance of the position of the model, the eye behind the camera, and its translation into print.
"I have to be as much diplomat as photographer." Alfred Eisenstaedt
Alfred Eisenstaedt is the photographer behind one of the most famous images to come out of World War II: V-J Day in Times Square, in which an American sailor kisses a young woman. This image is not only iconic of the world events taking place that day, but also of Eisenstaedt's penchant for candid photographs. Any time there are going to be living human subjects of a photograph, a certain amount of subtle diplomacy is required. One must be able to quietly capture personal moments without being intrusive or careless. It is a skill not to be taken lightly.
"In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality." Alfred Stieglitz Perhaps it was a result of his marriage to Georgia O'Keefe or it could have been the reason they found each other in the first place, but Alfred Stieglitz was absolutely instrumental in making photography an established art form. Only through his extreme dedication to the craft was Stieglitz able to illustrate photography's relationship with painting and other art forms to an extent where the rest of the world could see the beauty in it. He promoted and wrote tirelessly on the subject, often saying art is not merely art, but actually an individual's attempt to express visual feelings. The reality of that expression is what lies underneath the photograph.
"What I find interesting is working in a society with certain taboos - and fashion photography is about that kind of society. To have taboos, then to get around them - that is interesting." Helmut Newton
Helmut Newton discovered his love for photography at age 12, but under the chaos of World War II was unable to act on it until 1946. Born in Berlin, he and his family escaped to South America, then China, and eventually interred in Australia, Newton set up a studio for fashion and theater photography. The post-war years were affluent and celebratory in Australia, thus subjects for Newton's early risque themes were numerous. Eventually Newton's work matured into a very Paris-friendly erotically stylized methodology, encompassing subtexts not previously explored by mainstream photographers. Even today, his provocative fashion photography is widely imitated.
While he was not a photographer, Jonathon Swift once uttered words that perfectly describe the essence of a world class photographer: "Vision is the art of seeing the invisible." Whether it is contrived or stumbled upon during the creative process, a photographer sees the potential in the invisible and brings to life his vision.
About the Author:
Araman Studio is a creator of beautiful things. When you need a Photographer Egypt or a person anywhere in the Middle East to capture the beauty of the area and you in it, visit us today. Araman is the Middle East official photographer for Starwood hotels - Sheraton, Meridien, Grosvenor House, Four Points by Sheraton and The Westin. He also teaches photography at the American University in Dubai.
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