1.Select an Artist
Harry Callahan was a well-respected American photographer during the mid-1900s, whose photos depicted the details of nature while also experimenting with double exposures. There are primarily five characteristics that shape his photos, including everyday objects, nature, black and white, high contrast, and shapes. Due to these elements, the feeling I get is one of a quiet and pure atmosphere. This is because in his photos, the use of black and white, along with the majority being in high contrast, expresses a calm, yet sometimes uncertain feeling, while the simple compositions indicate purity. When I see his photos, it’s as if the whole world has come to a halt.
Moreover, I have chosen his work because it directly aligns with my vision of how we can capture pictures that show the purity of this complex world. Callahan uses black and white, high contrast, and everyday objects perfectly to show calmness, which is what I am also aiming to do in line with my vision.
“I like the simple things. I don’t know why. I’m that way. I came from a simple place.”
– Harry Callahan
I have chosen this quote by him because it gives a solid reason in which why he likes simple things. Additionally, I can also personally relate to this; I also enjoy simple yet detailed sceneries, but for a specific reason, but I enjoy how you can show, instead of tell messages.
2. Respond to an image
Chicago, 1950
I like its composition; the innumerable branches create an interesting contrast with the clean and pure setting. This was also something I found surprising about this photograph, the background seems too pure to be real, while the photograph itself looks like a drawing.
Tone, one of the formal elements, is depicted importantly in this photograph. The tone is defined as brightness, ranging from black to white. This is demonstrated here as the black trees lay on a white setting. In my opinion, the author intentionally created this high contrast to capture the details of the tree branches
This photograph, along with other Harry Callahan photographs, can be referred to be abstract because it goes into a great emphasis on the shape created through the tone of black and white. Also, some photos he has taken are double-exposed and can align with the definition of abstract as it leads the viewers to an unusual perspective.
I am fond of this style. As previously mentioned, I like the feeling it gives me as an audience- a calm, yet uncertain feeling, and a pure, also halted world. Furthermore, I like how they are all taken in black and white, this adds to the calm and uncertain feeling. Calm in the sense that it allows a deeper focus on the focus and shapes and lines, while uncertain in that the message is not clear, leaving the viewers to be confused. Lastly, I like the extreme details Callahan puts into detail in these everyday objects. It shows me a different perspective, one that depicts the beauty of everyday objects, objects that are not considered “artistically valued” or aesthetic.
I will adapt Callahan’s style in my photographs in several ways. First, my photos will also be in black and white to focus on the details and fundamental formal elements, which links to my message of capturing the purity of the world. Next, it will be focused on everyday objects, primarily nature, such as trees, leaves, buildings, etc. Lastly, inspired my Callahan, I will aim to create my photos in great detail.
3. Revise your vision
Original Statement of Intent: Nature’s Gift
The message of my triptych will be through my showcase of nature sceneries in our everyday life, my viewers can comprehend the message that in this complex world, we must emphasize the pure and natural elements. We should not be pressured and be too attached to living at a quick pace. Life is short; we must slow down and glance at the true beauties this world has to offer before regretting it. I will express my message in my photos, which will be abstract landscape photos. Specifically, all my photographs will be in black and white. This is because, without any color, it can help me focus more on my message and theme of purity, focusing solely on the lines and shapes. Furthermore, for inspiration, I will find photographers that primarily focus on pure compositions; it does not have to be minimalistic but should focus on nature, such as trees, water, clouds, etc. Lastly, recently realizing the importance of time, I hope through photography and this project, I can also experience my message. In high school, with countless assessments and work, everything goes by so quickly. I want to cherish my high school moments as best as possible, and I hope that in the distant future when I look back at my memories during this period, I can think of the enjoyable memories with friends and not just the repeating assessments and grades.
Overall, I think my original statement is good and has similar ideas. I want to maintain to capture the pure, natural, everyday subjects of life, while I also hope I can comprehend my message of enjoying nature and our surroundings before we regret it. However, now analyzing Callahan’s style, I want to add some of his techniques. In particular, one thing I want to alter in my final vision is to also take the photos in detail, emphasizing the purity of the subjects.
Now, this is my final vision:
My vision is to express the concept that in this busy and complex world, we must value pure and natural elements. Life is short; we must slow down and glance at the true beauties this world has to offer before regretting it. To achieve this, I will take photos in the style of Harry Callahan, including black and white, high contrast, and detail, and the subject must be natural or everyday elements. I am particularly inspired by Chicago and will try to take pictures similar to that, conveying the purity, natural, and silence of the world.
