Artist research

Ernst Haas (1921–1986) was a pioneering Austrian-American photographer renowned for his innovative use of color in photography. Born in Vienna, he began his career post-World War II, gaining recognition for his poignant photo essays, including one on returning prisoners of war that caught the attention of LIFE magazine. Haas declined a staff position to maintain his artistic independence and later joined Magnum Photos, where he collaborated with legends like Robert Capa and Henri Cartier-Bresson. In his pictures uses a very low shutter speed to trace the movement of people or cars on the streets. He also uses very contrasting colors to illustrate the main characters of each picture. Ernst also used depths of field to show the buildings and blur out the person figures. He also used reflection to clearly show the people through the glass. His picture convert the feeling of noticing the beauty of the city around you. In his pictures you are able to notice the beauties that you are not able to notice in real life. His picture have the overall impression is one of a busy, urban environment. He was instrumental in elevating color photography at a time when it was often viewed as inferior to black-and-white. His vibrant images transformed ordinary scenes into extraordinary compositions.  He employed slow shutter speeds to create a sense of movement and used selective focus to isolate subjects, resulting in images that resembled abstract paintings. This approach allowed him to convey emotions and dynamics effectively.

I like this photo because this image captures the movement and energy of a city street scene. The car is blurred, creating a sense of motion and speed, while the background is also blurred, suggesting a busy urban environment. The color palette of the image is vibrant, with contrasting shades of blue, yellow, and pink, which add to the dynamic and lively feel of the scene. The use of motion blur techniques gives the image a cinematic quality, evoking a sense of excitement and nostalgia.

Alexey Titarenko is an outstanding Russian photographer known for his memorable black and white photographs that explore themes of urban life, time, and memory. Titarenko was born on November 25, 1962 in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), and his early experiences in a city marked by historical trauma deeply influenced his artistic vision. Titarenko began his photography journey at a very young age, joining an independent photography club at the age of 15. He later graduated from Leningrad Cultural Institute in 1983 with a Master’s degree in Film and Photography Arts. Titarenko’s innovative use of long exposure and intentional camera movement, creates images that convey a dreamlike quality and is able to show the city’s historical depth. Titarenko’s photography is heavily influenced by Russian literature and music, particularly the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky and Dmitri Shostakovich. He often uses these influences to create metaphors that connect the past with the present, exploring themes of isolation and human resilience amid urban landscapes.

This is also a picture that I really enjoyed because this image has a distinct noir-like aesthetic, capturing a moody and atmospheric scene. The primary focus is on a set of metal stairs or walkway, enveloped in a hazy, ethereal mist or smoke. The stairs lead up to a dimly lit, ominous-looking building in the background, adding to the sense of mystery and foreboding. And if you look very closely you are able to notice that all of the blurry mist kind substance is a huge herd of people.  This gives off a bit of a mysterious and scary vibe to the picture, making it more entertaining for the audience.