Robert Adams
Mark KlettFrederick Sommers
http://yalepress.yale.edu/book.asp?isbn=0300107838
http://yalepress.yale.edu/book.asp?isbn=0300107838Alterations are in essence an alteration of the truth, misleading readers and distorting the truth and the intention of the article, in regards to press photography. Whereas contemporary photography uses alterations to specifically alter the reality of the image. These are used to achieve the vision of the photographer which is already considered inspiration and creation, therefore expected to be apart from reality. The point above all else in art photography in the fantastical union of reality and imagination wouldn't be achieved without the assistance of editing tools. For example, to create the scene below, two images or a scene and a digitally engineered image together form the image of the figure on the dock suspended in the clouds. This would be impossible, as the photograph it's self defies logic and gravity.
http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/aquieterstorm/reviews/150/
http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/aquieterstorm/reviews/150/
Sommers, Adams and Klett all seemed to focus on nature, landscapes etc. In thier own ways they depicted the world as they saw it and how it appears in reality. Even though their photographs were rarely human portraits, the images demonstrated the connection between humanity and nature, and the state of the world as it stands in recent history. They all tried to capture the interactions bewteen nature and mankind, and show the natural beauty of mother nature despite it's oppression. Robert Parkeharrison
The above image shows Robert Parkeharrisons fixation with control over nature. He liked to create his own reality, that although not strictly fabricated, still portayed an image mimicking reality. The reality of his inner desire and those of mankind, because it seems currently we are bent on destruction and dominance of nature.
Vic Muniz used a strange variety of mediums to display his take on reality, I found his images to be unsettling and morbid. He set up his own stages for his photographs, creating reality by substituting relevant objects for objects that in compilation created the desired image, very much like the artist on the famous "Art Attack" british children television show. Muniz recreated classic masterpieces in unconventional ways, like the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci, below, wich represents the changes in art and photography, breaking through traditional practices. The medium used was peanut butter and jelly.
Vik Muniz
Gregory Crewdson took a slightly different approach, although his images were highly stylized and staged he went to great lengths to ensure realism. Even though the story the image conveys is obviously contrived, he tried to make the photograph so real in it's tones, lighting etc that the viewer would almost be fooled into believing it reality. The ultimate achievement in fantasy photography, pulling the viewer into thier world.Clearly, photography has come far from the time of nature vs mankind images in thier true state, into an idea now of a new reality. Adams, Sommers and Klett, showed us reality in thier own way. Parkeharrison, Muniz and Crewdson showed us thier own reality. I feel that in the future more and more photography will be contrived as the world becomes more unstable people subconsciously are more attracted to surrealism and fantasy. They want an escape from the reality of some situations as they are confronted by it daily. Also, the fact that technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace means that the tools available to us will be everchanging and expanding, the possibilities are endless and of course artists will take full advantage of all new techniques and equipment.
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