Mechanical Machinations Photography Blog

    Edward Burtynsky I like this man's works. They show a huge amount of land to provide the landscape required in a landscape photo. I would categorize Burtynsky's works as large format landscape photos. His photos are quite different from Ansel Adams, perhaps the most famous landscape photographer, yet still reminiscent of them. Burtynsky used color, helicopters, and works in a much larger format, while Adams did not.             If someone reproduced Burtynsky's work, the process could be redone with moderate ease given access to a helicopter and large format camera.  I actually think that someone should do this in the exact same spots as Burtynsky, to see the effect that urbanism has to the landscape of the world.  “We come from nature… There is an importance to having a certain reverence for what nature is because we are connected to it… If we destroy nature, we destroy ourselves.” I agree with Burtynsky's point entirely. ...

   Nick Knight Nick Knight's work is anything but ordinary. His works each have a dark and ominous theme. These works seem very fashion-based, relying on what the subject is wearing to add detail. I would categorize these photos as fashion portraits. Nick Knight's works seem to me a combination of the outlandishness of David LaChapelle and the dark, ominous feel of Gregory Crewdson.  I don't fully understand Knight's message in each photo, so it doesn't appeal to me.  I feel like someone could recreate their work, but they would have to understand what his message in his works are meant to be.   “I can use anything from a 10 x 8 inch camera to a photo booth. The most important thing is to get my message across.”     My opinion is skewed, because I could not figure out what his message is.  I guess that entirely contradicts what he was saying in the quote.  The capturing device doesn't matter if the message misses.  However, the ...

 Word Association Solitude Beleaguer Labyrinthine Sumptuous Cynosure Redolent Phosphenes Mellifluous Effervescent Ephemeral

   Jerry Uelsmann Jerry Uelsmann's work is ordinary at first glance, but something catches the eye of the viewer that looks completely out of place, making the work far more interesting and necessitating further inspection. I would categorize Uelsmann's works as monochrome artistic landscape photographs. His works, although monochromatic, are artistic and amplified, like David LaChapelle. And similarly to LaChapelle, I have a lot of time for Uelsmann's style of photography. If someone reproduced Uelsmann's work, the process could be redone with moderate ease thanks to programs like photoshop, where they could scrapbook a photo into the same style as Uelsmann.  This would not be the same, though it would look similar.  Artificially generated art also would yield a similar work, though many would consider that not to be art. “The camera is basically a license to explore.” My first thought after reading this quote is Uelsmann's idea is a really good way to get shot...

   Irving Penn What I found most interesting about Irving Penn's photos was that each portrait background had lighter and darker corners which give an ominous feeling. I would categorize Penn's works as artistic portraits. I have seen this photo of Kennedy before, and it always reminds me of the stress that the Kennedy Administration had been through in his one term. Penn's works use the grayscale and the contrast between light and dark to enhance the portraits, unlike many other portrait photographers. I would say that I like this monochromatic photo style. I would also say that Penn's works could be replicated though the photographer would need a perfect subject. “A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart, and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it.; it is one word, effective.” I agree with this quote. If you should be one thing, it's effective. I have always believed that. The entire point of doing something i...