Loretta Lux

Loretta Lux creates composite photographs from photographs and paintings she has made.  She photographs children and eliminates all unnecessary objects from the backgrounds.  The compositions Lux creates are polished and muted while the children's features are slightly exaggerated.  Her exact process is unknown, as is her real name which was changed on the first night of her first group showing.  Her photographs are on the small side with the largest being 20x20 inches and the smallest being 12x12 inches.  Each piece typically takes approximately three months to create.

Source: "I Use Children as a Metaphor a Lost Paradise", Louise Baring, The Telegraph.

Loretta Lux's Website

Project 2

Project two revolved around the alter ego.  I tried to persuade my kids to model for my pictures, but only two of them thought it might be fun to dress up and be photographed.  My niece was also willing to help out.  I really haven't photographed people much, other than the basic quick photo to document an event.  It is always difficult to capture my youngest, but when I do, I think they can be some of my most successful pictures. 

I allowed the kids to dress up in whatever they wanted and pose mostly however they wanted.  It was an excruciating, steamy day so we took lots of breaks.  I think we all had a good time, except when Samson was bit by giant ants!

I really enjoy making composite photographs.  I find my creative process interesting- just one piece can trigger a whole image.  The composition unfolded after thinking Rhianna looked like an animal trainer in the Yu-gi-oh costume.  When I went inside, animal crackers were all over the table, and the rest is history.  What fun!

Sally Mann

 Sally Mann's works from the 1990's focused on her family at their summer camp.  Beautiful lighting and scenery, as well as the children's comfort and confidence before the camera, add to the natural simplicity and success of these photos.

Our next project is the alter ego project.  I plan to involve my children and their love of dressing up and role playing.  Hopefully, I can talk them into being photographed too!

David Hamilton

David Hamilton, born in London in 1933, was a French fashion photographer and director.  He became well known for his softly lit photographs of young women.  Like Sally Mann, many of his photos of nudes were deemed controversial and pornographic.  Hamilton had a real eye for capturing the elegance and beauty of the feminine form.

Project 1

For project one we scanned photographs and 3D objects to create composites in Photoshop.  This project was a lot of fun!  My favorite is the one with the larger dachshund peeking from behind the curtain.   The second to the last photo is the actual photo of my mom and the dachshund that scared her to death.  The last photograph is a beautiful photograph of my great-great grandmother, my grandmother, and my mom as a baby.  I just love this picture!

Lesley Bricknell

This is textile art by Lesley Bricknell who resides in England.  Her work fascinates me.  I am attracted to the texture, use of light, and abstract qualities of her works.



Ophelia, 2009, Lesley Bricknell

Lighting Patterns

Here is an informative article from the Digital Photography School site about lighting patterns to use when photographing portraits.  The article incorporates diagrams and example portraits to demonstrate each type of lighting pattern.

http://digital-photography-school.com/6-portrait-lighting-patterns-every-photographer-should-know

Intermediate Photography

And so begins the summer sessions for 2012 and Intermediate Photography class.  In this class we will utilize Photoshop and layers.

The work of Maggie Taylor was introduced in class and I was instantly intrigued.  Taylor uses a flatbed scanner to produce stunning, surreal images from vintage photographs and peculiar props.  Her images can be seen at:

www.maggietaylor.com 











Oh Happy Day!



The Promise



Girl in a Bee Dress