Indre Kupczynski

Indre Kupczynski

Floria Sigismondi, Untitled (from her book, Immune)

2005

I chose this diptych because it juxtaposes subjects in a way that almost creates a sense of discomfort to the viewer. Sigismondi draws a parallel between innocence and youth and the chilling reality of war. This creates a strong statement because we have become so used to seeing images of war that society has become largely desensitized to graphic material—however seeing it in a perspective (especially one involving children) reminds one of the harsh reality they have become so used to ignoring.  The warm background light over the hills contrasts the cooler light on the masks that creates the hard shadows on the sides of the faces.  The slight overexposure of highlight also adds to the harsh soviet aesthetic. 

Deserie Flores

Deserie Flores
Jeff widener, "Tank Man"
1989

I selected this image because it speaks to me about rebellion and standing up for what you believe in even if it means standing alone when all odds are against you. Photo journalist, Jeff Widener, made this image of a man who stood in front of tanks when the Chinese military were forcefully trying to putting an end to Tianamen Square Protest. Even though it is obvious that the tanks can easily take him down, the man stands firmly and holds his position without intimidation. In a video taken by a spectator the tanks later moved to the side to pass. For me this image did not stand out because of technique, but because of the message it portrayed.

Nadia Mattis

 

Nadia Mattis

Bill Arnold, Dennis (Car)

1969, Gelatin Silver Print

 "I stopped to look at where I was." This simple observation has informed and crystallized Bill Arnold's approach to making pictures for nearly forty years. He believes there is poetry in prosaic everyday occurrences, and that his role as an artist is to find and fix those moments into pictures. In the late 1960's and early 1970's, Arnold pursued photography as a means of creating personal documents where atmosphere, gesture, and mood were prized over the recording of facts, or the investigation of a particular subject or theme.

I chose this image because of its uniqueness, simplicity and wonderful light and shadow, which stands out immediately.  The picture is slightly out of focus but photographer captured the moment absolutely amazing. What I like about this image is a wonderful light that hits the car on the left and also reflected light from the street on the side of the car, that creates an illusion of movement.

Devin De Leon

Devin De Leon
Helmut Newton "Hand in Shoe"
1991 Gelatin silver print

With the flick of a wrist or the press of a button one who is skilled enough can make an image appear as something that its really not. At first glance this image appears to be a woman's leg placed on a table, but it is only her hand in her shoe. Photographer Helmut Newton was famous in the fashion industry for his beautiful images. He mostly worked in black and white. I genuinely enjoyed this image because it made me question everyday perception.

Julia Viadero

Julia Viadero

Daido Moriyama, "Route 16, Yokota"

1969, gelatin silver print 

Daido Moriyama's photograph, "Route 16, Yokota", evokes themes of nostalgia and moments past. The deliberate use of grain and high contrast represent the way in which people may recollect memories of their past. Grainy and unclear, this photograph feels like a dream or a brief glimpse of a broken memory.

Throughout his career, Moriyama often focused on capturing raw, authentic images that defined a new, post-war Japan. The playfulness and simplistic "day-to-day" nature exhibited in this photograph embody this overall idea. 

Michelle Dena

Michelle Dena

Boogie "Queensbridge, Queens"

2004, Black & White Print

I selected this image because it speaks to me about emotion, as I look at each window I wonder what each household is emotionally going through. It's the kind of mystery that I would love to spend some time trying to unravel. 

It's the architecture that makes it seem that everything is so close but emotionally there so far apart. Not everything can be hidden behind a pair of glass windows. I know after all the windows are transparent and so are the people trying to hide behind them. It's the negative contrast that makes one be a wanderer. It invites the viewer to pay attention to the little things in everyday life.

His work has been an inspiration to me. I love the emotions I get as I look at each window. The light and shadow of this image reminds me of the battles we go through every day.

Ajalah Tate

Ajalah Tate
Francesca Woodman, "Self-Deceit #4"

1978, gelatin silver print

"There is a face beneath this mask, but it isn't me. I'm no more that face than I am the muscles beneath it, or the bones beneath that." -Steve Moore

This photo represents the never-ending search for self. The balance between identifying what to value about your nature versus what society tells you matters most. Having her face covered by a mirror reflecting back the images that come in contact with it as if what might emerge from behind the façade is irrelevant. At the same time Woodman's body is completely exposed and vulnerable, yet never fully emerging from the background.

Simply merging, becoming just another faceless body to be scrutinized by the masses, but her mind… her mind is hers to keep her thoughts her own to cherish their value known only to the one who conjured them. Self love, that which is most important. 

Skyler Adams

Skyler Adams
Bob Willoughby, "Roy Eldridge performs at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles"
1950

Although Bob Willoughby became famous for his images capturing the essence of Hollywood and its stars, I consider his best work to be found in his collections of Jazz photography. I feel that these are his best images because he had a strong appreciation and love for the art form.

What initially drew me to this image was how the man, famous Jazz musician Roy Eldridge, stood out from the darkness in a brilliant white suite, as if he, like his music, was a beacon in the darkness. I love how empty the image first appears to be, as if Roy is playing his trumpet into an empty night sky with no audience in sight. As I peer at Roy from behind the curtain backstage I can't help but feel I am intruding on his private world. This is his moment in the spotlight, alone on stage performing what he loves for an unseen, unknown audience.

Jazz is full of powerful emotions and soul filled music, and to me this image shows that Jazz is just as much an experience for the performer as it is for the audience.

Vanesa Castaneda

Vanesa Castaneda
Philip-Lorca diCorcia "Alice"
1988 Extacolor print

Philip-Lorca diCorcia once said, "The more specific the interpretation suggested by a picture, the less happy I am with it." His work demonstrates a moment in time that was captured. A piece of work that captured my attention was "Alice," photographed in 1988. What intrigued me about this picture was the solitude of the woman shown at a certain time and place. To me this picture demonstrates a moment of tranquility.

By having her eyes closed, she is lost in her own world. Something that I can relate to sometimes.

Noelle Quito

Noelle Quito

Lewis Wickes Hine, "Boy with Bicycle"

1913

This photograph was taken by Lewis Hine in Waco, Texas in 1913.  Hine was known for being a photographer for the National Child Labor Committee.  This was a time when child labor was popular and practiced.  His work was dangerous as he was threatened by the industries because he was exposing their little secret - child labor.  This photo intrigues and touches me because this photo represents freedom.  The bicycle represents a mode of transportation to go any where the child wanted.  The cigarette represented adulthood and maturity.    Although I am not a smoker, I am a cyclist.  Cycling gives me the freedom to go to places I want to go to.  It also allows me to make my own decision on how to react to cars, pedestrians, and stop lights; and to me, making your own choices show adulthood.