Photography+and+Digital+Innovation

toc =Photography=

[|Photography]: The art or process of producing images of objects on photosensitive surfaces. [|Digital photography]**:** A method of photography in which an image is digitally encoded and stored for later reproduction.

As photography emerged, photographic prints became evidence and proof of existence. The photograph would represent a subject that existed and that photograph was truth. It was a reinforcing method used in photojournalism. Pictures included with a report or story only made the report more real to the viewers. Digital innovation changed this perspective. With technological advancement and innovation in the field of photography came doubt. The credibility of photos used in news reports was questioned. After false stories were created, manifested and then reinforced with digitally manipulated images people began to doubt them.

The pros of digital photography outnumber its cons, and with technological innovation photography has evolved not only in the news but as an art.

=Documentary Photography=

Documentary photography is the process by which we document an event, our lives, and in my case our culture. The main aspect of documentary photography is to, “record some aspects of reality by producing a depiction of what the photographer saw and which portends to represent that reality in as objective a manner as possible,” (washinton post). The early uses of this style were to portray the ills of society in order to create social change. This style of documentation was widely used during the depression in the 30’s, most notably by the Farm Security Agency, which was an organization that photographers the poverty stricken farmers of the time. A widely used medium for documentary style was life magazine. They described documentary photography as, “a depiction of the real world by a photographer whose intent is to communicate something of importance” (FSA). The main aspect of this style is to show human condition, the good and the bad of our society, and to make people think about how they are living their lives and how they can help to improve others lives. Documentary still penetrates itself in today’s world with the same message as it had in the beginning: social change.

Photography in the New Age
We have come a long way from the various artistic methods used by the likes of [|Ansel Adams] to capture beautiful scenery to the age of digital innovation which works towards a different goal. While still remaining artistic, photography has taken a different turn, one which involves the usage and over usage of elements such as special effects and filters with the help of the many computer software programs out there. More specifically ones that stem from companies such as [|Adobe]with the myriad of options they have to offer.

This page will discuss the different elements of photography as a transition from the old to the new. It will go on to talk about Photography in the new age in regards to digital innovation and, more specifically, will focus on the work done by working photographers and artists such as Horst P. Horst and Floria Sigismondi.

=Horst P. Horst (1906-1999)=

[|Horst P. Horst] was born on August 14, 1906 in Weissenfels, Saale, Germany. Horst died at the age of 93 on November 19, 1999 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA, leaving behind a 60 year career in photography.

Style: Fashion shots, Still life, Classic Nudes and Famous Celebrities. Camera: Analogue.
 * Shot for Vogue magazine.
 * Digital manipulations were not popular until mid to late 90s
 * Hence Lighting is crucial because altering after was not possible unless it took place in the photo studio itself which is time consuming.
 * Hard to reproduce
 * Copyright laws aren't as strict
 * Interesting Information: Shot Madonna's music video for 'Vogue'.


 * MADONNA - VOGUE



Similar Shots To Horst P. Horst
For actual image [|click here]

For actual JLo image [|click here]

=Floria Sigismondi (1965-present)=

Born in Pescara, Italy in 1965, [|Sigismondi] now resides in New York and Toronto.

About her life
Floria Sigismondi began her career as a fashion photographer. Now, as we all know she has begun directing music videos after being approached by Torontos very own //Revolver Films.// Her work, as described by her as "entropic underworlds inhabited by tortured souls and omnipotent beings" indeed sums up the entirity of her style of work and the quality of effort her execution of such aspects (Sigismondi, 2005) .Her work is known for its 'creativity' even though it may be viewed as offensive to some audience members.

Known for her hyper-surreal creations, she has worked with artists such as Marilyn Manson, David Bowie and Incubus. More recently, she has worked with musicians such as Fionna Apple and the White Stripes. Her style is very different because all her concept are based on dream-like ideologies and she recreates this through her work. Here are some examples: =Comparison - Digital Innovation?=

[|Horst P Horst's] work was concentrated on the 'creation' aspect, which was crucial. At the time of taking the photograph - all elements were supposed to be made sure to be perfect, as post edits were very time consuming in the photography laboratory. Taking all this into consideration, there was still some level to manipulation to this but in a different way, one that we would not suspect to be deceitful. He tended to manipulate his celebrity shots in a way that they wanted to be portrayed or in a way that he wanted them to be put across. However, this blurry line between what was true and what was 'staged' was hard to define due to the fact that there were no post-manipulations but the pre-manipulations were up for debate.

However, when it comes to [|Floria Sigismondi], majority of her work is based on these digital manipulations due to her hyper-surreal dream-like imagery which is hard to put across any other way. As mentioned before, she started as a fashion photographer - very similar to Horst. Her photographs were just as questionable as were the content she represented in them. Now, as she continues to excel at her work, her photography and videography relies on the digitally innovative methods being implemented around us.

Both these artists have been around at crucial points in the history of and advancement photography. Horst was working when photography was becoming more popular than just around for those wealthy elites, and being utilized to represent fashion, celebrity, and art with his nudist pictures. On the other hand Sigismondi's fame arose in an era where analogue photographic methods were going digital, which aided the style in which she worked even more. Horst has passed, but if he were to be alive, his work would perhaps be similar to Sigismondi's to some extent. Even though the 'truth' value of photography is questionable, we are perhaps now moving into a time where it is OK to do so because this represents anonymity, mystery and art.

=CCT205 Wikispaces Links=

Digital Photography

Bluetooth

=Works Cited=

Farm Security Administration. Online at http://www.oberlin.edu/library/papers/honorshistory/2001-Gorman/FSA/default.html accessed on February 26th, 2006.

Sigismondi, Floria (1999). //Redemption//, Gestalten Verlag.

Sigismondi, Floria (2005). //Immune//, Gestalten Verlag.

the-artists.org (2006). Online at: http://www.the-artists.org/ArtistView.cfm?id=D3514C04-0781-4DFA-8C9A751644E78952, consulted on: February 24, 2006.

Images

 * Dream Image - http://beverlytang.com/found/floria_sigismondi3.jpg
 * Floria Sigismondi Image - [|http://home.comcast.net/%7Eothastar/FloriaSigismondi.html]
 * Girl Image -http://fashionwatch.com/2002/winter20012002/floria/page2.html
 * Manson Image - http://www.csudh.edu/dearhabermas/art_floria_022big.jpg
 * Horst P. Horst - http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/williamf/31846/379102/0/background_r05_c3.jpg