Category: Unit 7

Daisuke Takakura is notorious for his clever use of cloning in his images casting the illusion of multiple versions of a model, although looking identical they all seem to vary personality wise.

The subtle interactions between the different versions of the model gives the image that little bit more liveliness to it and adds a bit more character to it.

In most images the blurry effect can be quite a nuisance however in this instance it helps give it a more “homemade” feel to it, by this I mean it makes the image feel like a group of friends taking some fun photos which is exactly what it depicts.

His work doesn’t seem like the generic “cloning yourself” into an image and that’s it, he makes them feel a lot more lively and almost personal.

This image is another great example as this image doesn’t look as though it’s been cloned, once again it feels like an image of just some friends having a good time. I really enjoy looking at his work as it has a different atmosphere to other clone photographers.

As I mentioned before, his use of subtle interactions in the images makes it so much more believable that there are multiple people in the image. Even down to minor details such as the various facial expressions or the person by the projector at the back of the theatre.

During an interview with IPA (International Photography Awards) he revealed he first discovered his passion for photography after he entered some competitions which took no notice of his work. He also disclosed the fact that he was inspired by American photographer Ryan McGinley. Daisuke said his work represents communication to himself as well as the numerous faces and capabilities humans have, he went on to add that it also shows the people who provoke him.

He later went to say in an interview with PetaPixel that he wanted to “harness the expressive power of theatre in still images” as although he is a photographer and a designer, he is also involved in theatre- something he enjoyed ever since he was young. The style/theme he uses is classed as “Monodramatic“.

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.

Jeff Wall produced his first backlit staged image in 1977, he experimented whilst an undergraduate at UBC. He later presented at his first exhibition in 1978 where he then had his piece “The Destroyed Room” in the front of the store.

The Destroyed Room (1978)

Picture For Women (1979)

Another piece of his, “Picture for Women” released in 1979, was considered one of his pieces to really kickstart his success, as well as “The Destroyed Room” which also became one of his recognised pieces. It’s quite an interesting piece as it seems rather simplistic; two figures within a rather bare setting of what looks to be some kind of studio. The room is practically empty besides the few desks and chairs. The woman appears to be wearing a serious look, almost in deep thoughts whereas the man; Jeff Wall seems to be watching something behind the camera. Art critic, Jed Perl described the image as his signature piece.

A Sudden Gust Of Wind (1993)

Jeff’s piece “A Sudden Gust Of Wind” was heavily influenced after Katsushika Hokusai’s piece “Yejiri Station, Province of Suruga” which was originally a woodblock print created in 1832. The image has several actors which had been cloned into the image to create the illusion of several people in the image.

Yejiri Station, Province of Suruga (1832)

 

Erwin Olaf first started his journey by documenting the nightlife during the 1980’s. Since then he has done a mixture of series; in black and white (squares, chessmen and blacks) as well as some in colour (rain, hope, mind of their own, dusk and dawn).

Olaf developed his theme after starting these series, where the image seemed average until you start to dissect it. For example, the image above seems like she is simply at a hairdresser’s however they both wear a look of deep concentration or possibly sadness. This then makes you question, do they know each other? Have they had an argument?

He has done commission work for big companies such as Louis Vuitton and Vogue.

This picture has quite a dull theme despite the yellows, but combining the yellow with the brown leaves the image with quite a bland theme. The two models within the room are quite tense; she’s looking away, almost avoiding eye contact with a brooding look whilst he looks at her. The door is left open which could mean she has only just entered the room meaning this was a quick interaction.

Following his common theme, it appears as though they have had some form of argument due to the serious look upon the woman’s face, whilst the man in the back seems to be lost in his thoughts. They could have been recovering from a previous fight and she is trying to convince herself to enter the room.

The majority of Erwin’s series involve similar lighting giving the series something to link them together. He mainly has quite dimmed lighting which gives the scene a darker feel to it.