Photoshop Project #1

Exercise #1

Project #1 Photo

Cindy Sherman

I find Cindy Sherman's work to be very intriguing and unique. Like Hocks, Sherman also uses herself as the main character in her photography. She successfully plays the role of various characters in her film stills. This photograph is especially dramatic. Her work makes me really curious about how she arrived at her present state in the photograph. As is the case with Crewdson and Wall, Sherman's work is very open to individual interpretation.

Jeff Wall

Like Gregory Crewdson's work, Jeff Wall's photographs can also be open to interpretation. Before I knew what the composition was about, I was not really as interested in Wall's work as I was with the other artists. It was not until after I read about the context of his images that I was able to gain a real appreciation for his ideas. This image is actually my favorite. I especially enjoy it because Wall successfully captured a fleeting moment in nature and simultaneously showed how the people within the setting were influenced by that act of nature. It's also interesting because I don't even realize that the people are kind of in the middle of nowhere. The fact that the wind has affected them in such a dramatic way gives them a sense of belonging and connection to their designated environment.

Teun Hocks

Teun Hocks' work is very playful and dream-like. I really enjoy how he incorporates himself into his painted photographs as a sort of pitied, yet humorous character, as he is portrayed in this work. I also enjoy how he creates and paints the background that surrounds him, instead of using a photographic environment. Although Hocks always appears in a suit and tie, he never appears in the same kind of situation. He places himself in front of different landscapes and in different locations, which makes his work pretty intriguing. Each one of Hocks' works has something different to offer as a means of entertaining the viewer.

Gregory Crewdson

Gregory Crewdson's work all creates that common feeling of uneasiness or uncertainty. His photographs are usually characterized by cool, dreary colors and some area(s) that are emphasized by a sort of light source in the compostion. I especially enjoy his work that involves open car doors, such as this piece. It makes me wonder where the girl is coming from, if she is upset, or if the other passenger in the car is going to follow her out of the car. I enjoy how the viewer is left to interpret what he or she believes is going on in the photograph.