Red House (2012)
Ryan Schude’s photography can tell numerous different stories which vary depending on where you look in the image. At first glance his piece “Red House” simply looks like two young girls sitting outside of a small house. However, once you take a closer you look you can see the two older figures looking as though they are in a heated argument, the child on the steps wears a bored expression but also seems transfixed on the object in her hand. The older girl has a bottle clutched in her hand whilst she stares off into space, clearly both girls seem accustomed to this behaviour.
The Saturn (2007)
This image from his piece “The Saturn” also has many stories to be told, the first thing that caught my eye was the woman tossing a suitcase from the balcony. Below the balcony stands a man half dressed, to me that could be due to an argument or possibly something more serious. Further in the back is a figure sat alone almost spectating the couple’s argument up ahead. There’s a child who is simply sat on the pavement which could be the man’s child or she belongs to a different family who lives there.
Ryan Schude is known for his staged images, they all have different themes to them but all tell a story nonetheless. The way he lights up certain models shows he wants you to see them, not all are as obvious for example; the man on the first floor seems to be watching TV, the dim light from the screen is the only source of lighting on him but it still makes him visible.
Dream Nostalgia
Schude’s piece “Dream Nostalgia” personally, feels like it’s what he wishes his childhood was like. A beautiful house in a secluded area, the family seemingly enjoying themselves without a care in the world. However I believe everyone has that dream location in their head, or that wish that a certain time could have ended differently.
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