Artist of the Week: Gregory Crewdson

 

Gregory Crewdson

The amount of detail and setup each shot has is apparent in each photo. This is different from many photographers who take photos of real events in the moment. Crewdson's work is reminiscent of that of a cinematographer in Hollywood.

His shots remind me of movies where the director uses the environment as a storytelling device, like Martin Scorsese. Crewdson's works are categorized as cinematographic portraits. His work could be replicated to a degree, though the shots, the lighting, the cars in the shots, and the storytelling behind it would be different due to the times changing.

“I’ve always been interested in the commonplace, in finding a sense of beauty and mystery in everyday life. I’ve always been interested in the psychological nature of pictures, in trying to explain my own fear and anxiety and desire in photographs. The pictures are my means of trying to find meaning in the world.”

    It's interesting how he speaks of everyday life, and the craze that follows it, yet he manufactures every shot far enough to recreate the craze of life.  He goes full circle, in a sense, highlighting the psychological nature of his responses.   He also highlights well the passion and emotion that it takes for an artist to make their art.