Contextual studies

“Garry Winogrand- Los Angeles” 1969

Location: Los Angeles

Garry Winogrand was an American street photographer which was born in 14 th January 1928, NYC.
He was known for his portrayal of U.S social issues and life. He had received three Guggenheim
Fellowships to work on person projects, a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and
he as well published four books during his lifetime. He sadly passed away on 19 th of March 1984,
Mexico. The Los Angeles 1969 image which is above is one of the photos that are part of the series
of social issues and life. The lighting usage in this image shows the contrast between the upper class
and lower. The shadow on the less fortunate shows that in society they are under looked. The mood
of this image has both sadness and joy as if you look at three women, they look happy in the lighting,
but sadness strikes when seeing the person on wheelchair. The composition of this image is well
presented as it shows the reality of USA. In the frame there is different people that are caught in the
moment. The colour and tone of this image shows raw reality of people and their actions. This image
gives sad and anger emotional response as the image makes you wonder of the real issues of society
but makes you anger that no one is helping but looking. In my opinion this image is power as it
shows status by just snap of people and their surroundings. The use of lighting benefits the whole
image by adding character to the image. The depth of field is well presented in this image.

“Imogen Cunningham-Seen & Unseen” 1950s

Location: unkown
Imogen Cunningham was an American photographer which was born in 12 th April 1883 in Portland,
Oregon U.S. She is known for her industrial landscapes, botanical photography and nudes. Imogen
Cunningham was a member of the California-based group f/64, she was known for its dedication to
sharp focus version of simple subjects. She turned into documentary street photography in the
1940s. The depth of field shows the variety of subjects in the lenses.

Marta Serwatka
Contextual studies

The seen and unseen image uses good exposure as it highlights the subjects by presenting them in a
good lighting as they were angels. The natural lighting was used as it highlights the natural beauty of
one of the forms of art such as dance. The composition of this image is well represented as the
figures are in the central point of view. The tone of this image gives out elegance and class as the
three women present ballet dance. In the frame there is three figures who appear and it seems to be
a street that they appear on bare footed. The emotional response to this image is relaxation as the
image appears peaceful and filled with energy. Overall this image gives the style of documentary
photography.

“Lee Friedlander-New York City” 1966

Location: New York City

Lee Friedlander is an American artist and photographer who was born on 14 th July 1934, Washington
U.S. In the 1956, lee moved to NYC, where he photographed jazz musicians for record covers.
Friedlander’s early work was influenced by Walker Evans, Eugene Atgert and Robert Frank. Some of
his most famous images appeared in the September 1985 playboy, black and white nude
photographs of Madonna from the late 1970s. The photo which appears above is from his collection
which is called “The Shadow Knows”. In this frame a woman’s back is captured on a NY street which
as well contains a shadow this links to the images above as they reference that shadow work can
change the whole perspective of the image. The composition is well presented as the body of this
subject is caught all on the frame and the background is well presented. Comparing this image to the
Imogen Cunningham image as the lighting showing different scenes this image gives more of a scary
mood than the other picture which shows light, and joy compared to this photograph. The
emotional response can be predicted by the words that lee has mention when talking about his
shadow series book which he said, “these photographs will be nearly impossible to merely “look” or
“glimpse”, this gives a feeling that they will be uncomfortable for viewing. Lee has used the lighting
for his benefit as he showed a different figure by playing with shadow and exposure which
surrounded him. The point of view and depth of field make this image more eye catching.

Marta Serwatka
Contextual studies

“Joel Meyerowitz- land, Provincetown”1976

Joel Meyerowitz is American landscape, street
and portrait photographer. Joel was born on the
6th of March 1938. He started taking photos in
colour in 1962. And in the early 1970s he taught
photography at the Cooper Union in NYC. His
work is in the collections of the Museum of
Contemporary photography in Chicago,
International Center of Photography, and
Museum of Modern Art. In 1962, inspired by
seeing Robert Frank at work.

This frame shows well the location by showing it

from the bottom to the top.
Location: Provincetown, Massachusetts

The colour and tune in this image gives out a relaxing and peaceful mood. The use of natural lighting in
between the artificial lighting is genius as it shows the transformation between the day and night
lighting. I also think that the colours are well used in this image as they stand out such as the yellow
which represents happiness. The comparison between the colour and the B&W images shows how
colour can make a big difference in showing the atmosphere. The emotional response that this image
gives out is joy and calmness as it is not over filled with subjects.

“Saul Leiter-Foot on El”195

Saul Leiter was an American painter and photographer whose early
work in the 1940s/1950s was an important impact to what came to
be recognized as the one and only New York school of
Photography. Saul was born on the 3rd of December 1923 in
Pennsylvania. In 1948 he started taking coloured photographs and
he began associating with other photographers such as Diane
Arbus and Robert Frank.

Another image shows that the use of lighting matters as it shows

the detail and represents a new start. In this frame there is bus
seats and a foot placed on one of them. This could represent the
small steps in the life journey ahead which can have bright things
coming. The composition of this image is good as it shows the
preview of the bus by showing a low angle shot. Once even Leiter’s
assistant has said that “he broke all the rules when it came to
composing a photograph”. The emotional response this image
Location: Bus gives confusion but as well emptiness as this seat seems to be so
empty but so full of that foot. The colour and tune show the true
mood and show realness of this moment capture forever. The
degree of focus in this image is brilliant as it is look over a window
and even you can see the reflection but still see the detail.

Marta Serwatka
Contextual studies

“Jason Eskenazi-Bus, Menage Square, Moscow” 1993

Jason Eskenazi is American photographer

that was born on the 23rd of April in 1960 in
NY U.S. He is a Brooklyn, New York based
photographer. Most of his photography is
from the countries of the former Soviet
Union. Jason worked from 2008 to 2009 as
a security guard in museums in NY. During
that time, he worked as a guard for the
exhibition Looking in: Robert Frank The
Americans. And he was inspired by his
work.

Location: Russia, Moscow

In this frame there is different elements going on such as hidden figures and building surrounding the
scene. The lighting plays a crucial part of this image as it transfers the figure and building through the
piece of glass. The use of lighting shows its different figures as it is shown from a different perspective
this relates to the image of Lee Friedlander as of the mysterious subject being place in the frame. Like
Jason Eskenazi said on a YouTube video that “figuring out how one photo fits to another, how to tell a
story” this was told on the “Jason Eskenazi - Documentary Photographer” video. This highlights that
narrative is important factor of the image. The emotional response this gives out is mystery and fear
of what is coming from the shadows. The depth of field is well presented as it show the variety of
focus on both the figure but the building behind too

“Robert Frank- Mabou (electric dog)” 1980

Robert Frank was a Swiss documentary filmmaker and
photographer who was born on the 9th of November
1924. The book titled The Americans in 1958 earned
him comparison to a modern day de Tocqueville for his
fresh and nuanced view of point. He emigrated to USA
in 1947. Jakob Tuggener was Robert’s role model and
was first mentioned to him by his boss.

The frame includes a lamp post and the view of the

open sea. The lighting is shown in two perspectives as
there is natural lighting peaking through the back and
the artificial lighting used for the poster. This related to
the image that Joel Meyerowitz has taken as it shows
the true meaning of using the light while you can.
Location: Mabou

The composition shows the layout and setting this creates a feeling of unsetting worry of the open
area and the surroundings with no one around. The emption response this image is projecting is a
sense of getting lost in sea or lost in thought as your mind settles on the sea. Robert Franks links to
these images as he was the influence for some of the artist as his work was outstanding as it showed
great light work and composition. The sharpness in this image shows the details of lamp post and the
depth of field shows the detail to show the scene a and make the image more memorable.

Marta Serwatka
Contextual studies

“William Klein-Wings of the Hawk”1955

William Klein is an American-born French filmmaker and photographer,

who was born on the 19th of April 1928. William trained as a painter,
learning under Fernand Leger and he founded early success with exhibition
of his own work. Klein’s work was considered revolutionary for its
“ambivalent and ironic approach to the world of fashion and his vast use of
the wide- angle lenses, natural lighting and motion blur. The New York
times wrote that along with Robert Frank, William is considered among the
fathers of street photography.

Location: New York City
This image shows the true meaning of artificial lighting as it reflects and
lightens the whole image by standing out. This Frame capture well the
setting as reflection causes the overview to become much bigger and gives
a sense richness. This image was shot by instincts like he said in an
interview “ I was an outsider, following my instincts” this shows that
unexpected images that give a classy and happy emotion can be created in
one shot. I think this image really stands out as it is capturing and the more
you read into it the more it becomes interesting. The use of lighting shows
how the world has developed from small lamps to massive wall lighting
brightening the night. This style of this image shows that this photography
is documentary based.

“Jill Freedman - Fiddler's Light”1974

Jill Freedman is an American street photographer and documentary

photographer who was born on the 19 th of October in 1939. She was a
traveling salesman and a nurse. When being an adult Jill photographed
extensively in Ireland. When she ran out of money, she uses to sing to
make a living and Jill did continue to sing in Paris. Freedman arrived in
NY in 1964. In 1983, the New York Times critic Andy Grunberg
recognized Jill work which was in Black and white of street photography
in the NY, grouping Jill with Lee Friedlander and other photographers.

This frame of work captures the emotion of joy surrounding the love of
music and spending time together. The lighting is well used as it dives
into emotions and feeling as it shines of the man playing. The layout
makes the image whole as it presents two different ages. Tones used in
the B&W photo shows the different era of shades and gives a
documentary mood. Through the use of subjects, the image is brought
to reality as it shows character and narrative. The depth of field used in
this image gives the opportunity for the everyone in this photo to
Location: unknown appear and be seen. The style of this image is documentary.

Marta Serwatka
 Contextual studies

“Daido Moriyama- Hokkaido”1978

Daido Moriyama is a Japanese photographer

who was born on the 10th 1938. Moriyama
received the Infinity Award for lifetime
Achievement from the International Center
of Photography in NY. He made a collection
of images “ Nippon Grkijo shashincho” which
had an impact as it showed the darker sides
of the urban life and he also taken photos in
the less seen parts of cities. Daido Moriyama
photography was influenced by William
Klein, Andy Warhol etc.
Location: unknown

The use of lighting in this image shows the power of use of one bulb of light can change the whole mood of
this image. The emotional response this image is giving out is tiredness but relatability as the audience can
see that they all have been there, late night and wanting to be somewhere else. Even though this image
doesn’t have colour it has strong tones that make the image stand out as the greys and whites pop out. In
one of his interview he has said about his use of B&W film to create it and he commented “Color doesn’t
have that same erotic charge. It doesn’t have so much to do with what is being photographed; in any black-
and-white image there is some variety of eroticism.” The depth of field gives a chance for the reads to see
more of the image. This style looks like a staged photography.

“Brassaï – Putting out a streetlight, rue Émile Richard” 1932

Brassai ( Gyula Halasz) was a Hungarian-

French writer, sculptor, filmmaker and
photographer who was born on the 9th of
September in 1899. He studied sculpture and
painting at the Hungarian Academy of Fine
Arts in Budapest. Brassai portrayed scenes
from the life of the city’s high society, the
grand operas and its ballet. He was also
known to take photographs of his friends
N including Alberti Giacometti, Pablo Picasso,
Salvador Dali etc.

This image well contrasted with the image above by Daido Moriyama as this image shows the beginning of light that
is made by humans but in different formats. The use of lighting in this image is historical as this is not powered by
power or natural lighting but man made making the image more important. In the frame a man appears and lamp
post. This is a well composed and lighten photo as it shows the whole picture than fragments. The emotional
response this image is pushing is future and joy of where the world has came to. This image also shows a reference
to where the light sources have all came from.

Marta Serwatka
Contextual studies

“Fan Ho-Hong Kong market scene” 1950s/1960s

Fan Ho was a Chinese actor, photographer and film

director who was born on the 8th of October 1931.
Fan is a self-taught photographer whose work
displayed a fascination with urban life, slums
streets, explored alleys and markets. His most
famous work was “Approaching Shadow”.
Throughout his career Fan Ho used the same
Rolleiflex K4A which he used from the beginning of
his journey in the photography career.

Location: Hong Kong

This frame shows the figures showing through the light and the shadows it creates. The mood and
atmosphere of this images shows freedom and hardwork that these subjects are going through this
photo contrast Garry Winograd image as the lighting doesn’t cover them with shadow but highlights
there doings this setting is complete opposite the los angles as this images happens underground.
The powerful use of lighting shows the true use of lighting which would be to show direction and to
make the darkness disappear to see your surroundings. In my opinion this image shows the true
colours of people reality even to this day where they have to take care of something or someone.
The contrast between the light and dark shows how natural lighting has its part in the world. The low
angle is well used as it makes it more realistic.

Marta Serwatka
Contextual studies

Reference-
-Artland Magazine. (2019). Top 10 American photographers. [online] Available at:
https://magazine.artland.com/top-10-american-photographers/ [Accessed 7 Dec. 2021].
-Wikipedia. (2020). Garry Winogrand. [online] Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garry_Winogrand.
-The Museum of Modern Art. (2014). Garry Winogrand. [online] Available at:
https://www.moma.org/artists/6399.
-Wikipedia Contributors (2019). Imogen Cunningham. [online] Wikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imogen_Cunningham.
- Wikipedia. (2021). Lee Friedlander. [online] Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Friedlander.
- Street Photography. (2020). The Shadow Knows by Lee Friedlander. [online] Available at:
https://streetphotography.com/the-shadow-knows-by-lee-friedlander/ [Accessed 8 Dec.
2021].
-Wikipedia. (2021). Fan Ho. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_Ho.
-Wikipedia Contributors (2020). Brassaï. [online] Wikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brassa%C3%AF. Wikipedia Contributors (2019). Joel
-Meyerowitz. [online] Wikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Meyerowitz
- Wikipedia Contributors (2019). Robert Frank. [online] Wikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Frank.
-Street Photography. (2020). The Shadow Knows by Lee Friedlander. [online] Available at:
https://streetphotography.com/the-shadow-knows-by-lee-friedlander/.
- Art Blart. (n.d.). Saul Leiter Foot on El. [online] Available at: https://artblart.com/tag/saul-
leiter-foot-on-el/ [Accessed 8 Dec. 2021].
- Art Blart. (n.d.). Saul Leiter Foot on El. [online] Available at: https://artblart.com/tag/saul-
leiter-foot-on-el/ [Accessed 8 Dec. 2021].
- www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Jason Eskenazi - Documentary Photographer. [online] Available
at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBgMDNsf5zU&t=1123s [Accessed 8 Dec. 2021].
- Aperture. (2020). Daido Moriyama on the Unending Newness of Photographs. [online]
Available at: https://aperture.org/editorial/daido-moriyama-on-the-unending-newness-of-
photographs/.

Marta Serwatka