Matthew Ross

Matthew Ross

Henrik Knudsen,  "Lyme Regis"

Unknown

            It was hard for me to find a photo that really keeps my attention for long enough to think about all it has to offer. From a composition side alone, it has just about everything I look for when I try and take photos.  I never noticed the light post balancing out the more prominent picture of the fisherman. I also love the sort of grey line between land and water due to the color pallet of the image. It has a minimalist vibe that still doesn't fail to illicit plenty of different emotions. It really makes me think about living a simpler life where you actually have the opportunity to just get up and fish. In today's time when everyone is so preoccupied by so many different things in life, I almost feel like we're all missing out on something really special in terms of enjoying simplicity.

Siena Avila

Siena Avila
Robert Mapplethorpe, "Lisa Lyon"

1982, gelatin silver print

I chose this image because, to me, it depicts unsexualized feminine beauty. Lisa Lyon's body and lifestyle deviate from that which is sold as desirable for a woman in the western world. She is a bodybuilder and allows her body hair to grow long; both seen as masculine practices unbecoming of a woman. Yet she is still beautiful. The viewer's eyes are drawn along her figure and her curves are noticeable, but not exactly sexy. She is beautiful, but not objectified. This is strengthened, I think, by Mapplethorpe's skills in photographing portraits. This image also stood out to me because I see myself in Lyon. My body differs from that which is desired in a similar way to hers. I have distinct arms and shoulders as well, and, while personally this is more of an insecurity rather than something curated, I feel a sense of my own beauty through hers.

Daisy Tellez

 

Daisy Tellez
Annie Liebovitz (American, born 1949),
"Jeff Koons and La Cicciolina" 1991, c-print

Annie Liebovitz is a celebrated American photographer best known for her engaging celebrity portraits. She began working as a commercial photographer at Rolling Stones magazine in the 1960s, and still regularly contributes to Vanity Fair and Vogue. I chose this artist because I became intrigued by the emotion each image contained. In her work, she captures her subject's personality, inner life, and intimate moments.  Her images reveal the playful and expressive aspects of her models, for instance, the "Jeff Koons and La Cicciolina" that was photographed in 1991 for a wedding picture. This image was taken to use as a front image of their invitation.

Guillermo Fregoso

Guillermo Fregoso
Kevin Carter "Struggling Girl"
1993

This photo was taken by Kevin Carter who won the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography. This photo is about a starving child from South Sudan who is being watched by a vulture, a creature who feeds on dead beings. The child was attempting to try reaching a United Nations feeding center in Ayod, but collapsed in the foreground. This picture caught my attention because it is so powerful, that it humbles everyone in America. I chose this image because from this one photo, it is trying to send a message to the people with meaning behind the image. A child dying of starvation who will soon be fed to a vulture, which gives the people opportunity to check reality as to how well their lives are, compared to those of the starving, helpless children. This is showing the truth about the world that not everyone has a peaceful happy life.

Megan Wissner

Megan Wissner

Sally Mann "Candy Cigarette"

1989, Gelatin Silver Paint

I selected this image because there is a sense of innocence but also she is showing that she is mature and in charge. The photo was part of the Immediate Family Series she did which she incorporated her own children in doing. The girl in the photo is clearly too young for a cigarette but the ways she is posing with it looks like she is does it all time. The cigarette happens to just be one of those candy ones, so that can also represent her youth. The girl in the back most likely her sister is not seen so we can only depict why Sally would have her in the pic. I think it might be because it shows her being there with her sister so it shows the fun and youthfulness of children, but she isn't looking at her sister because of her holding and that represents the bad in the world. 

Daen White

Daen White

Alexey Titarenko, "Rainy Day"

2006, Toned gelatin silver print

    This image is part of a series of pictures taken by Alexey Titarenko centering around the city of Havana. Upon first seeing this photo, I was struck with a feeling not quite like unease, and can best be described as a person that is simply wandering and waiting for something to happen. The eye is drawn to a focal point in the picture, forcing it to travel up the scarcely populated road and the figures that inhabit it. No details can be made out from these figures, and they all have a somewhat ghostly feel. The rain only further emphasizes ethereal environment in combination with the crooked nature of the buildings and the roads. The greyscale puts the finishing touches on this sensation, blending the environment into one unnatural feeling.

Sebastian Meza

Sebastian Meza
Tim Kellner
"Headed into the new year," 2017

This photography shows an empty foggy road leading to who knows where in the middle of nowhere. I appreciate the emptiness of this image because anyone can relate to it since it could have been shot literally anywhere. The fog adds on to the question of where this image was taken. The fog is also what makes this image stand out. I relate to this image because sometimes I question myself where it is that I am going. It gives vibes that one has during an existential crisis in not knowing what comes next. It could be something scary in not knowing, but also something exciting because better things ought to come.
I have been a fan of Tim Kellner for a couple of years now. His works are very eye appealing since there is always so much detail but all is kept with simplicity. He is one of my favorite photographers because most of his works give out more than aesthetics. They put you in the moment of that shot. Not only is he an amazing photographer, but he is also a cinematographer and that interests me a lot being a TV Production major.

Kevin Ayala

Kevin Ayala

Robert Frank, "Trolly"

1955

I chose this image because it explains how everyone can be experiencing something drastically different at any moment in time. Personally when I'm feeling overjoyed and excited I never realize that the people are around could be feeling something on the other tail end. A perfect example is public transportation, nothing in the bus is purposely making someone feel a certain way but while we all sit in the same bus we can all be feeling extremely different emotions. In this image you can see to the far right that this woman is feeling cheery, but the man next her almost seems hopeless. These feelings are essentially opposites yet the environment around them has nothing to do with what they're feeling and both of them aren't aware of each other. 

Honestly the reason why I found this image so interesting is because I feel most people are stuck in their own world. Very few people notice that others are feeling terrible and disgusting, just because the environment they're in seems to be okay. Taking the time just to ask someone how they're doing is something that seems so small but is so important and essential.

Jose Medrano Velazquez

 

 

Jose Medrano Velazquez
Kenneth Josephson, "Chicago"
1961, gelatin silver print

Kenneth Josephson is a pioneer in conceptual photography who explores the idea of photographic truth and illusion, and how photographs can hold ideas. When discussing his work, he's mentioned the idea of shooting images that capture many possibilities. This image, which was shot under Chicago's elevated train tracks impacted me in an almost discomforting way. The figures are swallowed almost whole by the darkness that surrounds them, yet still spots of light land on their bodies. It reminds me of the countless hours I spend commuting to and from school and all the experiences I've had on Los Angeles public transit, as well as how that affects my depression. When you're underground for so long and you're always exhausted, there's this sense of weight and fear, of drowning in darkness. But then - the light in you keeps you going. There's this idea of "what if?" This photograph asks me "what if you keep going?" and "what if you find your way out of the darkness?"

Alex Redd

 

Alex Redd
Bruce Davidson, "Subway"
1980

I chose this image as I believe it exemplifies why Davidson set out to do this series, as it perfectly explores an inhabitant of New York's subway. The intensity of the subject's expression paired with the graffiti in the background perfectly portrays what it is like to lock eyes with a stranger on the subway. The scar on the man's face and his unusually colored garb all lend to this sense of mystery that draws you into the image. Even more interesting is the story behind the picture. This man didn't initially want his photo taken until Davidson showed him his portfolio and once he agreed to the photo, he gave Davidson his address so he could send the man prints of the photos. However, when Davidson sent the prints, the returned weeks later with a red stamp that read: "RETURNED TO SENDER—MOVED—LEFT NO ADDRESS". Adding to the mystery of the man in the photo.

Jonah Enos

 













 

 

Jonah Enos
Duane Michals, "Grandpa Goes to Heaven (2)"
1989, Gelatin Silver Print

A young boy cast in shadow stands in pensive curiosity, as his grandfather slowly passes into the beyond. On the grandfather's side of the room, light welcomes him, whilst the young boy remains in darkness. The softness of the blanket and light, contrasts with the man who somberly sits with his back turned to the child. This dichotomy and stillness in the image are reminiscent of my relationship with my own father, which has been both affectionate, as well as cold and austere. Although the boy can be representative of me, I can still see myself in my father's image, as the deceased man. Similarly, I am reminded of a time in my life when having had to comfort my mother after deep loss, I was forced to quickly mature and leave my childhood behind, which I desire to relive. It is the light from the window, that represents my desire for optimism and bliss, and aspiration to move out of life's darkness's, hoping that one day I can be at peace, just like the man who slowly fades into eternity.

Ernestina Arceo

 
 

 

Ernestina Arceo

Unknown, Street New York City

1982, gelatin silver print

 

The image I chose was published in 1982 called street New York City by an unknown artist. This image identifies a deep message to the reader, according the this image its a hangman in the left side on a black background and saying "I love you" on the opposite side. This image can indicate a message to those who think they are alone but no matter what there will be people that appreciate you. Even though, the person taking the hangman's place doesn't know about other caring for them, its best to keep our positive and solar energy close to each other. The message itself show love and loyalty to that person who feels lonely. This quote, " The game is almost over so it's time you acknowledge me, do you want to fall not even knowing who took you?" establish a lack of kindness and fear of this person not knowing about the ones that love them. The sense of humor towards not acknowledging the ones that care about them is constantly a feeling of loneliness within themselves.  

Veronica Hernandez

Veronica Hernandez
Mary Ellen Mark, "Rat" and Mike with a Gun, Seattle
1983, gelatin silver print

In this image photographer, Mary Ellen Mark, subjects were two young men of the ages 16 and 17. This is one of the first exposures that she has in a series where she took photos of runaway kids who lived in the streets of Seattle. The images are very strong and impactful. There are various scenes in which kids are shown being injected with drugs, smoking cigarettes, and in engaging in activities such as prostitution. The image that I selected was the most impacting because throughout her series you can see she constantly follows the two young boys, "Rat" (left) and Mike (right). This photograph impacted me the most because growing up in South Central it was not uncommon to see young teens pick up a gun and join the dangerous life of being in gang. Mark did an impressive job to show how dangerous life can become to children that are not guided through the right path. As I looked at the image my eye naturally caught the attention of the gun due to it being the area of highest contrast. Then it moved along to see that it was not an adult who had the gun but a kid. It is also very important to note that the face of "Rat" is in extreme focus which makes you notice how young he is. The message that her photography sends is extremely impactful and this image alone shows how difficult it is to grow up in the situation these kids found themselves in.

Nickolai Antolin

Nickolai Antolin
Wolfgang Tillsman, "New Family"
2001, Photograph, colour, Chromogenic print, on paper

What caught my attention with this image, by Wolfgang Tillmans, is the name of the image. The name of the image is "New Family", I feel like I've started a new family recently. When my dad found his new girlfriend, she's sweet and really nice. Once she joined our family we started connecting more, more than even when my mom was around. Recently it's been feeling like we've started a new family. This image specifically connects with me because of the windshield wipers, when. I first glanced at the image I thought it was raining, but it actually isn't. Since I thought it was raining it reminded me of rainy days, usually when it rains, I have bad days. Whenever it rains and when I'm in the car I always like staring at the windshield wipers going back and forth. This image gave me nostalgia of rainy days.

Leon Magnus Mallillin

Leon Magnus Mallillin

William Greiner "X-mas House at Night"

1994, Dye coupler print

I selected this image because the subject matter and colors reminds me of a time in my life when everything felt so magical. However the photograph also reminds me of harsher times that I can now look back at with joy. I can remember all the years spent sleeping in some family friends apartment sharing the bed and room with my parents, grandma, and two sisters. We were always moving, and because of that movement I never had a distinct place to call home or people to call my friends, to me my family was my home and they were my friends. Which brings me back to the reason why I picked this specific image, Christmas time was one of the only times in my childhood when things felt stable, with the holiday spirit keeping us hopeful. Holiday seasons meant no day long moves to follow jobs, no time spent without parents, no frozen dinners, no worried arguments between parents, and most importantly it meant that we still had each other.

Samantha Ditto

 














Samantha Ditto

William Eggleston

"Untitled" from Southern Suite Portfolio, c 1970

When I first saw this image, I was immediately teleported to my childhood in Mississippi. Long car rides across the south, the only scenery being old beaten up billboards. I feel happy and nostalgic seeing this image while it may bring a sense of isolation and abandonment to others. Memories flood back into my mind of my father driving, my mother in the passenger seat drawing our route on the map and my sisters and I fighting in the back seat of our old beat up 1980s mini van. I like how William Eggleston used color to photograph the south instead of black & white. The use of color makes it feel like it could be present day and it brings the deep south into the modern world. It makes me feel like a 10-year-old kid seeing this out of the car window. Sometimes we wish we just go back.

Kelly Custard

Kelly Custard
Michael Melford, "Moonlit Canoe, Allagash River"
2011

Michael Melford is a photographer who specializes in taking photos of nature and landscapes. This photo was taken at Allagash River in Maine, an area that is so far removed from the city that it remains a tranquil place for people to go canoeing and fall into a peaceful trance. I chose this image because it makes me feel calm and evokes a sense of serenity with its completely still and glass-like water. The fact that it is taken at night so only the soft moonlight illuminates the surrounding area and canoe makes it feel even more peaceful as there is no harsh, bright sunlight. As I look at the image, I feel as though I am transported to the area, looking at the hazy, pinkish clouds and the still, moonlit river and feeling the sense of complete tranquility that the river is known for creating. The photographer's website states, "My mission is to share the wonders of the natural world with others, and to help them see the beauty that surrounds us. My hope is that we might preserve it for future generations". I feel as though this image has fulfilled this mission, and I too hope that places like this will remain undeveloped, peaceful places to get away from the stress of civilization.

Emelin Sanchez

 

Emelin Sanchez

Arnaud Thurel, "Where do we go, what do we see"
2011

This picture gives me a lonely feeling but also freedom. You can tell that it is a big space of land and it being big you are able to walk around the river or pass by in a car. No one is shown in the picture which allows the person to capture the moment where it is maybe silent, and you are able to have peace even if the place does not seem exciting. From what I can also get from it is that even though the bridge is broken it does not stop you from exploring. Taking time to be alone or go and discover are things I really enjoy doing because it lets me get away sometimes and have time to think. The road can continue and as it goes you will find yourself feeling different as it goes. The broken rail does not make the view of the trees and water the water any less beautiful to look at. To me it appeared to be a picture to demonstrate how you can not let what you see broken push you away from seeing what it is really about.

Lily Wiesler

 













Lily Wiesler

Todd Klassy, "Morning Glory"

2014

This image is called "Morning Glory" and was taken by Todd Klassy for National Geographic. He felt as if everyone chose to photograph the world as the sun went down, so instead, he captured the peacefulness of the morning light as a new day was beginning. I chose this image because it reminded me of the area I grew up in. The simpleness of the idle road that seems to lead nowhere, the repetition of the telephone poles, and the boundless white terrain. The image showcases the beauty in contrast, combining the minimalist scenery with the bright pink and purple hues that came with the sunrise. The image gives me a deep sense of nostalgia. Reminding me of the days I would drive on identical roads to get to my cabin, reminding of the days I used to play in the snow with friends and family, and most importantly, reminding me of my home.

Byron Barillas-Borjas

 

















Byron Barillas-Borjas
Todd Hido, "#9308"
2010, Chromogenic print

Todd Hido drives around waiting for the perfect moment to take an exposure, waiting for light and point of view to come together, stopping anywhere that may capture his eyes, this shows that he's paying attention to what is happening around him. I chose this image because it speaks to me about being in the moment, not thinking about the past or the future but enjoying what you have in front of you, noticing the world around you. If you spend most of your time thinking or worrying too much, your life is going to fly by and at the end you're going to regret that you didn't take the time to cherish the moments that you wish you had. You know how as kid you sometimes wished that you were an adult and vice versa, you were focusing on either the future or the past but never actually took the time to stop what you were doing at that time and just be grateful that you were in that specific stage of your life. Sometimes you just have to take a break and live in the moment.

Janet Lopez

Janet Lopez

Duane Powell, "Cameron"

1981

In today's society, gun violence has become a vey big issue. In just this year alone, there has been more shootings than the amount of days in a year. It has become a constant thing to turn on your television and the main story being talked about in all the channels is another mass shooting. When I came upon this photograph by Duane Powell, the first thought that came to mind was that we need to do something to end gun violence. The child in the picture portrayed the innocent lives that have been loss due to gun violence. A child is so innocent and pure that they should not be growing up with fear of gun violence being a usual thing.The child's facial expression can relate to the parents worry they have not knowing if their child is safe. Future generations should not be living in a world where gun violence occurs often. Life is so precious that it should not be taken away and we need to protect our loved ones from gun violence. 

Arpah Avanessian

Arpah Avanessian
Joel Meyerowitz, "Bay/Sky"
1977, ektacolor

When you see a photograph that is inspiring, you become speechless. This photograph, "Bay/Sky", by Joel Meyerowitz was one of the twelve in his collection taken in Cape Cod, Massachusetts that moves me. The special sense of mood and light is captivating, making me feel vulnerable and silent. The photograph speaks for itself leaving the observer in awe. The pink and orange hues give a sense of peace. The perfect separation of the water and sky have a rigidness that makes me feel still, like I'm being present with my mind and body. The calmness of the water allows me to exist in that very moment. There is an effortless gradient of color casted by the Earth's sunset which leaves a matte finish. The play of light on the water is captured minutes before it disappears below the horizon. I chose this photograph because it makes me feel and not think.

Aleesis Curtis

Aleesis Curtis
La Cigale, Edward Steichen
negative 1901, print 1908

This image pulled me in for many reasons more than a simple photograph would. Upon first glance, it gave me a eery sense of curiosity and portrayed a familiar sense of vulnerability. The naked womens hunched back and the contrast between her white body and the dark atmosphere made me feel as though something was definitely not right and an underlying sense of urgency. A strong sense of exposure was enhanced by the hiddenness of her form and the way it affected me was all too familiar.

Jonathan Rojo

 

Jonathan Rojo
Janet Kelly "Cory and Beauty"
July 1987

This photograph was taken July 1987 by Janet Kelly and is titled "Cory and Beauty". The purpose of the exposure was to show the similarity between people and their pets. This exposure was interesting to me because the dog is the one being vaccinated yet the kid is the one who is crying. Although the kid isn't physically being affected by what's happening he feels the pain through his dog and has a great sense of empathy. The photographer stated in an interview that she felt that she was too far away and decided to crop the image in order to focus on the boy and his dog. This made the exposure feel a lot more genuine to me because it becomes a lot more personal when it is up close. Overall this was a strong exposure due to its interesting subject matter and its framing of the environment.

Marlen Gronewold

Marlen Gronewold

Todd Hido "#9202"

chromogenic print

This image called #9202 is by Todd Hido and it is part of his landscape series. It was published in his book "Excerpts from Silver Meadows" in 2013.

This image hits home for me. Deeply. It takes me back to my simple, beloved childhood home that will never be the same. The home I am losing, slowly but surely. Not its physical form, but its spirit will be gone.

This image represents the joy I feel for the countless hours of being free and loved with no worry in the world and the dark daze that comes with saying goodbye. 

This image shows what it is like to be a bystander, looking at a scene from far away, feeling left out, wondering what it would be like to be closer. 

And quite frankly I am intrigued, and likely jealous of the people that get to call this little house home when it reminds me so much of my own. 

Elizabeth Unanyan

Elizabeth Unanyan
Tania Franco Klein, "Our Life In The Shadows"
2016, Archival Pigment Print

Tania Franco Klein has easily become one of my biggest inspirations in photography because of the way she uses her talent to portray real underlying issues we have in society today. I first saw her work at a photo fair in San Francisco at the beginning of this year. Her images being the only ones that stood out to me, I decided to look more into her series, "Our Life In The Shadows." Her photographs are influenced by our generation of media overstimulation and how we lose ourselves in a sense of self anonymity.

Tianlai Jie

Tianlai Jie

Wally Skali, "An owl sits on the beach in Malibu, Calif., on Nov. 9 as the Woolsey Fire approaches."

2018

I chose this photo because it is not only a piece of art work, but also related to our daily life. It tells a story that an owl sits on Malibu beach because the Woosey fire burned its home forest. This photo has strong geometrical shape and a good composition. When I look into this photo, the owl instantly caught my eye. I can feel the heavy mood though the owl's eyes. The fire-colored sky in the blurred background took me a while to notice. The balance in this photo is symmetrical and the photographer used a lot of negative space to emphasize the main objective. What's more, the photographer used the rule of thirds. The most important objective-the owl, is place two thirds of the way across the image horizontally.  This photo makes me think how the Woosey fire influenced not only people's life, but also many creatures'.