5 characteristics of the selected photographs:
-This set of photographs is in black and white.
-There is a clear subject in all photos.
-There is a variety of textures in every individual image. It makes the photograph more appealing to the viewer
-There is always a configuration of lines in the photographs.
-There are geometrical shapes in every photograph.

In three of the photos, there is a repetition of identical elements. For example, funnels, pills, and what appear to be spools of yarn.

Artists who also reference the characteristics above included Aaron Siskind and Daido Moriyama. Aaron Siskind likes taking photos of exotic textures in black and white. For example, he takes black and white pictures of brick walls in New York City. Daido Moriyama is a Japanese street photographer who takes photos in black and white. His photos often have a clear subject; most of the time, it’s a human. There is a variety of lines and textures in his photos. I chose Albert Renger-Patzsch as my inspiration because I like the surreal feeling in his realistic photographs. He relates to my vision because I want to create the same surreal feeling in my photographs. He relates to me because he takes photos in black and white. I think taking photos in black and white bring out more lines and textures compared to when the photo has colour.

“Let us… leave art to the artists and let us try to use the medium of photography to create photographs that can endure because of their photographic qualities.”
-Albert Renger-Patzsch

This quote is very interesting because it suggests that a photo should be exceptional only in terms of photography. Photos should not be compared to visual art and be critiqued based on their artistic qualities. I believe this quote came from when he was influenced by straight photography. I agree with his interpretation.

I chose the photograph to the left because it features industrial funnels similar to the ones at the 798 arts center. This photo is unique because there is an axis of symmetry and features height and depth. It seems like the photographer was bending backward to emphasize the size of the funnels. To a certain extent, this photograph makes you feel as if you were the photographer. I think the most important formal element in this photograph is repetition. It’s the most important formal element because the repetition of the funnels at the sides of the photograph help emphasize the height of the funnel in the middle, which is the main subject. This kind of contrast makes the photograph more interesting as opposed to a photograph without contrast at all. Albert Renger-Patzsch’s photographs are abstract in the way that the realistic subjects depicted don’t just represent that subject. There is usually a deeper meaning that the audience has to reflect on. I like the style of Albert Renger-Patzsch’s photographs because they contain identifiable subjects that often have more depth and meaning. What inspires me is that the black and white colour of his photographs makes me feel retrospective, as if I am looking at something that happened in the past. I will adapt this style to my own photographs by taking photos in black and white and using repetition and patterns to bring out the main subject.

 Revised Vision Statement:

My vision is to bring out the beauty of easily recognizable objects and add depth and emphasis to the main subject. I will take photos in the style of Albert Renger-Patzsch. I am particularly inspired by the photographs such as Walzwerk Peine, Fungi Lepiota procera, and photographs that feature industrial objects from the New Objectivity. Based on these photos, I will try to take pictures that use patterns and repetition to bring out the main subject.