Everybody has influences in their lives Photographers have visual influences that contribute to their aesthetic Today, John lead a discussion on what influences we (individually) have had shaping our visual aesthetic. The discussion produced some surprising and powerful narratives about our lives as artists. As usual, it's difficult to sue a documentarimmarize a 90 minute discussion and I'll probably mis-state the actual verbal exchanges. But we all agreed the subject of visual influence will be discussed again later this year. Jim...discussed the influence of his grandparents "photo albums" and lead him to pick up a camera and focus on documentary photography. He discussed the role of the magazines of the times eg LIFE and finally the influence of photography books. His photographer influences included Bruce Davidson. Angelo...picked up a camera only 10 years ago...shortly before becoming one of the founding fathers of f8. He feels that his science background and his love of nature lead him to focus on developing his aesthetic in nature photography. He could not identify a specific photographer influence but felt his time at f8 has helped shape his photographic interests. Paul....rambled through his life history...touching on his attempts as an art teacher since he was an art major. During his art schooling he took a photography course. After college he eventually landed at Kodak where the short version is he fell for the "chemistry" of photography. Lucky us today for his choice. John...noted time at PCC esp his class in experimental photography with Vicki Martin. From this class he experimented with emulsion transfer to watercolor paper. He showed some of these images. We encouraged him to do more of this technique. Steve...described his early days with a camera in Jamaica and his finding of how photography gave him a different perception of reality. Later in his life and career his involvement with architecture developed his composition aesthetic in his photography. Bill ....noted the influence of Bill Claxton in jazz photography, Burrows in conflict photography. He pointed out his need to create order from chaos in his wall photography. He noted how Hockney took order created chaos then re-ordered the image to it's final form. He also felt the question of influence was one of the hardest assignments we've had in f8. All agreed to re-visit the issue of "influence" under the leadership of John at some future meetings. Other things we chatted about...
Catherine Opie the conceptual photographer who has three, yes three, exhibits running at the same time here in LA...MOCA, Hammer & LACMA. Nice article in LA Times (January 24, 2016) http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-ca-cm-cathy-opie-moca-hammer-20160124-story.html
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