Michelle Groskopf
I have researched Michelle Groskopf for this last assignment of EYV. I feel an admiration for all the photographers who I have researched thus far. I genuinely appreciated the visual experience of Michelle Groskopffor. Her street work results, I consider to be strong and vivid. Michelle tackles her subjects with confidence. I admire her approach. On examining her images I am personally drawn to the power of the subjects. They are full of life and authentic.
Her style is obviously influenced by her own personal response to the subject in front of her. The results are intimately focused on the importance of her subject.
I listened avidly to Michelle being interviewed and she discusses challenges of street, documentary photography. She compares the experience as being an autobiography with visual results of just that. Michelle talks about what it teaches us about oneself, self knowledge and self love. She enjoys the experience as it makes her feel alive and connected.
The interviewer Ibarionex Perello asks Michelle about the distinct difference of shooting in wealthy areas. How is it segregated…Michelle emphasises the disconnect of some people, and how some people are more reactive to being photographed. That the wealthy are not all comfortable. However, some are genuinely happy to be shot with their authenticity captured whereas, some are clearly dissatisfied with the imitate shots. The areas where she sometimes explores are wealthy, the result is sometimes paranoia at being photographed. She feels it important to capture peoples authentic self and feels this is paramount. I personally feel that to shine light on someones face can be too intrusive for some. We do not know what is happening in that persons life. I understand the importance of capturing emotion. However, I have taken shots and the results are like a deer in headlights. I personally feel you have to understand that if someone seems uncomfortable it isn’t always wise to take the shot. You have to go on instinct. I can speak from personal experience and I appreciate that we all may have a different perspective on this. Street or documenting in photography is my favourite type of photography so I understand that we will always have this different days.
In her interview she is comes across well and very likeable. I found it very interesting to listen to her discuss her personal experiences and that she was self taught. Her personal response is understanding her subject and the results are unique. Her work is a reflection of her own personal experiences. She works with a freedom to be creative and exploratory. Michelle does not like the feeling of not being free. She is well travelled and has explored photography since the age of 15 when she started to travel, she traveled from Canada to Europe and then Los Angeles where she is now based. Her enjoyment of street and documenting started at 15.
When photographing she feels comfortable with her personal response which she feels is autobiographical. She captures decisive moments, always obsessed with the taking of images because she likes to study people. She uses photography as her own personal response to how she is feeling. She gets very close up and personal to the human subject. She is brave using colour, uses a flash and plays with the camera for differing results. Her camera is always in manual setting and she uses techniques to capture brightness with the flash. She is experimental with her instrument. She talks about always being experimental and being comfortable with herself whilst shooting. She discussed still getting nervous when approaching people and because of that it has resulted in different image types. The reason for such images is also due to her personal experiences of her past and that the details in her mind are important. She reinforces this concept when she discusses reminiscing on details such as polished nails. She has to get up close to the subject and frame images with little expanse around the subject in order to focus on such minute detail. She reiterates the importance of getting close to the subject and so she has to take risks. She feels the sentiment and personality of the person reactions are diverse. She captures emotional energy and relates to others. She talks about how energy can change if people react badly then she often then gives up on the day of shooting. It sometimes makes her feel uncomfortable, scared and small. I think it is interesting how she discusses how she approaches her work and has had to change due to people yelling. As I have mentioned I go on instinct and stop or then direct my camera at another subject to avoid conflict.
Her style is obviously influenced by her own personal response to the subject in front of her. The results are intimate and focused on the importance of her chosen genre. She talks about the challenge and what it teaches us about oneself, self knowledge and self love. She enjoys the experience, as do I, it makes her feel alive and connected.
Her images are real and full of personality. Human nature is revealed.
It was interesting to see how Michelle ticks, how creative and how resilience she can be. She has such passion for the subject and is extremely focused. I have enjoyed learning about her and how she is inspired by the reality of her subject.
- Michelle’s contribution to street photography was recognised and she is currently commissioned by LA Korean brand Monday.
- Michelle wished to preserve the sense of fun and energy for Wired magazine when commissioned.
- Michelle captures liberated images of iconic leaders.
- Michelle gets up close and personal. The photos looks relaxed she focuses on hand tattoos etc… to demonstrate intimacy, relaxed gestures and emotion.
- Bright lights using are flash are used as Michelle likes the images to be bright.
- Michelle’s images are visually authentic as she feels this to be more important than perfection. She focuses on the face and interactions.
- Michelle uses a wide aperture and positions herself to get close-up shots. Resulting in some individuals feeling defensive or insecure. Some shots result in powerful body language, confident and approachable. Or represents delight or purity.
visme.co
https://audioboom.com/posts/4242053-tif-ep-312-michelle-groskopf
Miho Kajioka
Miho Kajioka reflected on her relation to photography and how by virtue of catastrophe it influenced her to capture the affect of disaster on camera. It was through the natural devastation of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan she witnessed great loss. This caused her to want to record the images of the trail of ruin that took lives, and the human experience with the aftermath. Miho was affected by what she had witnessed. However, despite the then recent distressing scenes, she saw indications of resurgence which gave hope. This renaissance lead to her photography. Which of course helped with a new found optimism. Through, the incredulity she recognised with bad experiences that good had to follow eventually, and whether we like it or not, often without choice, life will be constantly changing. She recognised how fragile life really is.
Miho was reported describing the contrasting arrangements of layers. The disaster that nature brings, and she wrote about this. She was fascinated with the combination of beauty and the inhospitable environment and how they coexist in harmony.
Miho was originally a journalist but she considered documenting supporting images after the 2011, Japanese earthquake and tsunami. The images can be seen below. I personally find them very delicate and I understand as a result how the good and bad coexist. Sadly, 800 people died and this influenced her personal response to the devastation. The trigger was when she spotted roses beside a blasted area. She has deliberately made the images look wore to support the idea of past and the future.
https://www.lensculture.com>Layers- Photographs by MihoKajioka
Ane Hjort Guttu.
Ane Hjort Guttu is a Norwegian artist. I have researched Ane and discovered that she feels everything could be considered as being art. I listened with interest to Morgan Quaintance’s recommended interview. Morgan asked Ane political questions and she answered them honestly. They discussed the film produced by Ane named ‘Beggars’. She discussed the importance of her idea for the film and her wish for wanting equality. She talks about how art should be seen by all. She knows the importance of art. I feel that art is inspiration to everyone and is about the freedom of expression which is exactly what Ane talked about. Ane considers all art to be considered important, saying is for everyone. She was concerned with art disappointingly, disappearing.
Public space and art should not be taken for granted. Hence, the reason why she made the film ‘Beggar’.
- Guttu is a director of film.
- Her Art is about the everyday life.
- Art is about expression for Ane. It is part of life.
My Learning Log.
I was mindful of my composure of the shots for 5.1. I have enjoyed taking images throughout this course. I personally feel the research on Michelle Groskopf would be of great help before 5.1. as I personally believe that she is a great example for the title.
https://healthypets.mercola.com
https://modern dog magazine.com -Canine empathy/modern day magazine
Claire Clark 