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Digital Imagery: Final

For my final I wanted to focus on angles and cropping techniques while working with a horse. I’ve mostly done candid shoots with horses and very minimal staged shoots, so for this final my main goal was to try and capture successfully staged photos without them appearing too intentionally staged. I feel as if the shoot was rather successful but I also see a lot of room for growth

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Digital Imagery: 5 a week

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Photographer Research Post #5: Kurt Markus was a photographer known for his honest and straightforward approach to capturing the American West. Born and raised in Montana, Markus was deeply connected to the landscapes and traditions he documented. His black-and-white photographs focused on cowboys, ranchers, and the wide-open spaces of the West, often emphasizing the hard work and dedication required by this way of life.

Markus’s photography avoided glamorizing the West, instead presenting it as it is—challenging, rugged, and deeply rooted in tradition. His images are known for their simplicity, focusing on everyday moments like a cowboy adjusting his gear or a herd moving across an open plain. These straightforward depictions give his work a grounded quality, free from unnecessary embellishments.

One of the aspects I appreciate most about Markus’s work is his attention to detail. Whether it’s the texture of worn leather or the way light falls across a weathered landscape, his photographs capture the physicality of ranch life. This attention to the small but significant elements inspires me to slow down and focus on similar details in my own photography.

Markus also had a strong sense of composition, using light and shadow to bring out contrasts and textures in his black-and-white images. His thoughtful framing and use of negative space make each photograph feel carefully considered. These techniques remind me to think critically about how I construct my own images, using composition to highlight the subject without unnecessary distractions.

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Photographer Research Post #4: Barbara Van Cleve is a photographer known for her work documenting ranch life in the American West. Growing up on a cattle ranch in Montana, she experienced the lifestyle firsthand, which gave her a deep understanding of her subjects. Her black-and-white photography often focuses on the daily routines of ranchers, the wide-open landscapes they work in, and the unique roles women play in this environment.

Van Cleve’s work stands out for its straightforward and honest approach. Rather than glamorizing ranch life, her photos show both the challenges and the rewards of the lifestyle. Her images often highlight hard work, community, and the strong connection ranchers have with the land. She focuses on real stories, which makes her work feel grounded and relatable.

What I admire most about Van Cleve’s photography is how she gives a voice to the people she photographs, especially women. Her images remind viewers that women have always been an important part of the ranching tradition, even though they’re often overlooked. This focus on storytelling and representation influences my own photography, where I aim to capture the underrepresented stories of Black cowboys and cowgirls.

Van Cleve’s photography also inspires me to look closely at the relationship between people and the environment in my work. Her ability to portray this connection through her images is something I strive to achieve as I document the traditions and culture of the western lifestyle.

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Photographer Research Post #3: Gordon Parks was a groundbreaking photographer whose work captured the struggles and beauty of the American experience, particularly through the lens of race and social justice. Born in 1912, Parks was the first African American photographer for Life magazine, and his career spanned photojournalism, fashion photography, and filmmaking. His images remain powerful today for their ability to tell deeply human stories.

One of Parks’s most iconic projects is his documentation of the Civil Rights Movement. Through striking black-and-white photos, Parks chronicled the lives of everyday Black Americans during a time of intense racial segregation and inequality. His photograph American Gothic, Washington, D.C. (1942) is particularly famous, showing a Black cleaning woman standing in front of an American flag with a broom and mop. The image is both a critique of the American Dream and a tribute to resilience.

What I find most inspiring about Parks’s work is how he used his art to create empathy and spark change. His ability to blend artistry with activism is a guiding principle for my own photography. Parks’s portraits are especially moving—each one seems to capture the essence of a person’s story. One of my favorite images features a young boy sitting on a stoop, his expression filled with both innocence and strength. Parks’s knack for capturing those complex emotions reminds me to look for the humanity in every subject I photograph.

Parks wasn’t just a photographer; he was also a filmmaker, musician, and writer. His film The Learning Tree (1969) was one of the first major Hollywood films directed by an African American. This versatility inspires me to explore different ways of storytelling in my own art, whether through combining photography with printmaking or experimenting with new mediums.

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Photographer Research Post #2: Ismaila Rufai is a talented photographer whose work explores themes of identity, culture, and belonging. He is known for capturing striking portraits and vivid scenes that reflect the rich diversity of African life and traditions. Rufai’s images are both vibrant and thought-provoking, offering viewers a window into the lives of his subjects.

What draws me to Rufai’s photography is how he celebrates his subjects while challenging stereotypes. His images convey strength and dignity, breaking away from clichés often associated with African communities. This inspires me as I work on my own photography projects that aim to highlight underrepresented stories, such as those of Black cowboys and cowgirls in America.

Rufai’s storytelling through photography is something I deeply admire. He doesn’t just document moments—he tells stories that bridge cultures and foster understanding. This is a quality I hope to bring to my own work as I continue to explore documentary photography.

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Photographer Research Post #1: Rob Hammer is a photographer known for capturing the rugged charm of the American West. His photos focus on people, places, and traditions, especially cowboy culture and old-school barbershops. Hammer’s work feels both timeless and authentic, showing a side of America that often gets overlooked.

One of his most famous projects, Barbershops of America, showcases vintage barbershops from across the country. The series includes portraits of shop owners and detailed shots of old tools and decor. Shot in black-and-white, the photos highlight worn leather chairs, faded signs, and the unique character of each shop. Hammer’s book on this project has received critical acclaim and been featured in exhibitions.

What I admire most about Hammer’s work is its honesty. His photos aren’t overly polished; they simply show life as it is. This inspires me as I explore my own documentary photography focused on western themes. Hammer’s cowboy portraits stand out, showing hardworking people who carry on old traditions. One image I love features a cowboy in front of a barn, his expression telling a story of resilience and pride.

Hammer’s dedication to his subjects is another thing I look up to. He takes the time to build trust and truly understand the communities he photographs. This approach is something I’d like to apply in my own work, especially as I document Black cowboys and cowgirls, a group whose stories are often left out of mainstream media.

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Digital Imagery: 5 a week

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Digital Imagery: 5 a week

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Digital Imagery: 5 a week VIII

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Digital Imagery: Critique #3

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Digital Imagery: 5 a week

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Digital Imagery: 5 a week

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Digital Imagery: Photo Do’s and Dont’s

Image #1 Photo Do - Do something old in a new way: I took a digital image and photoshopped it onto a digital wanted poster.

Image #2 Photo Don’t: Put tape on an image

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Digital Imagery: Project #2

Photo composite 20”x30”

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Digital Imagery: 5 a week

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Digital Imagery: 5 a Week