Idea Blog: Color transitioning

Right now, I have established that I need to focus on my color in my pieces. I recently have tried a few different techniques to combat this issue, and try to find better ways to deal with the issue. The main one I started to focus on was to use my clothing as a representation of Kenya, rather than try and edit all of the photographs to imitate shades of colors that remind me of Kenya. The main issue I had with the pieces of last semester was the connection with Kenya and the viewer. I felt like the viewer did not pick up on the hints of Kenya, because the experience of Kenya gave me the idea of changing hues and saturation to imitate shades of Kenya. If they had never been to Kenya, then that specific ideal would not be conveyed at all. So this semester I did some brainstorming of ways to use color to better influence each individual piece. My first idea was with my clothing, as I stated earlier, focusing on a shirt I own that is the National Kenyan Jersey for their rugby team. It clearly shows the flag colors, as well as the flag pattern as the main part of the Jersey, and I decided that the images would be unified by all having those bright and distinct colors and shapes, and that would somehow connect all the pieces. I thought of having a photograph where the shirt is close enough in the photograph so that the viewer can identify with it and directly point it out. I also thought about giving more emphasis on this by giving a gradient of color to black and white from the shirt out into the environment phtoographed. This would also help to influence the idea of separation that I feel internally from the environment I am in now, and give the influence of a 'trying to blend' effect, as if the two identities were trying to mix in this 'one-identity' photograph. They are both competing for the attention, and this is the result of their fighting, a confused and separated photograph. The pictures at the top are examples of what I worked on. I will continue to deal with this issue, trying to iron out a successful and solid idea for uniting the photographs, both in color, and in conveying of the concept.

Artist Blog: Paul Himmel

(Brooklyn Bridge, circa 1950, Himmel)

(Grand Central Terminal, 1947, Himmel)

Paul Himmel is an artist from the mid-twentieth century, whos work I draw direct connections to my own work. These two photographs directly relate to my work that I have done throughout my artist's experience. The photographs he captures clearly focuses on an emotion, a feeling, an internal struggle for the one that is the focus for the photograph. Paul Himmel was born in New Haven Connecticut, was an immigrant with the rest of his family from Ukraine, and got a degree in Science. He started teaching himself photography, and eventually started working with a professional. He eventually gave up photography and became a psychotherapist. His pieces inspire me because I see so many strong connections to his photographs, as if I had stolen the idea from him. He photographed what I would call hidden photography, capturing successfully emotions and feelings that react all viewers on a personal level, touching a sensetive subject that could be any number of things. The photographs directly speak to me because he captures what I feel through my own photography, the separation, the loneliness, and the blinded friends or people of the world that cannot, or do not understand or connect to his emotions. The main problem with this type of photography is that the photographers will use the medium to convey the separation, and the inner struggle to others, but the people still don't seem to ask or try to understand the emotions behind the person, they just understand that he or she feels alone, separated, and unreachable. I feel that my photography will try and breach that gap, with the use of actual travel, the motion of walking, and the use of bridges as a way to connect with both the viewer, and the inner struggle to which the problem subsides from. This by no means is a solid idea that I am running with, however, I do feel that progress is being made, and that continuing on this path will lead to more successful, beautiful, and strong photographs.

www.artnet.com/artist/424209218/paul-himmel.html