Author: Gaby

Avila Beach

Gabriella Duva

Archival Print 11 x 17 inches

2013

 

Elliott Erwitt

California

1955

The source of inspiration for the above photograph was specific rules and guidelines that I made for myself for a project. This for a digital photography class that I took in the Spring term. I decided to push myself to try to make successful works by over and under-exposing my photographs. By doing so in the above image, a normal beach scene is turned into a completely foreign looking environment. I love the beach and the peaceful qualities that the ocean has to offer. This is in part because it reminds me of home and where I tend to spend the majority of my time. I wanted to challenge myself to look at something that I saw frequently and that was photographed frequently and try to put a unique spin on it. This specific project really helped to push me out of my comfort zone and led to some really unique, and interesting photographs.

I hope to further my digital skills in photography and hope to be more selective when taking photographs as if I were using film. It can be easy to just take hundreds of photographs and not take the time on each photograph. This is where the decisive moment in photography is important. I should try to take my camera with me everywhere I go, which can be challenging and discouraging in the rain. I feel that I limit myself because I do not usually like to photograph in the rain for fear of ruining my equipment.

A major source of inspiration for my work is “street” photography. I love to grab my camera and walk around a town without a specific goal in mind. This is partly because I am very influenced by Henri Cartier-Bressons, decisive moment. Many people believe that artists are just “getting lucky” with certain shots, but I believe in the effort that goes into each and every photograph I take. I have been a big fan of Elliott Erwitt and love his unique and humorous work. I have yet to figure out a way to bring his style into my work, but hope to in the future. I believe my greatest challenge is being in a smaller town that does not have the same access to different people and situations as large cities do.

Elliott Erwitt is known for his series of photographs on dogs. Many are absurd and use unique angles and perspectives to manipulate how the viewer sees the photograph. Last Spring term I attempted to use this as inspiration for a project. I focused on using dogs as the subject. This was one-hundred times more challenging then I ever imagined. Since the majority of the photographs were staged, (meaning I talked to the owners and set up a time and place to photograph their dogs) I did not get the humorous, unique style that Elliott Erwitt has in his photographs. I have not figured out how to do this, but image that walking around in a place with more people and better weather is a good start.