KK's Photo Class

A Young Birch
by Robert Frost

The birch begins to crack its outer sheath
Of baby green and show the white beneath,
As whosoever likes the young and slight

May well have noticed. Soon entirely white
To double day and cut in half the dark
It will stand forth, entirely white in bark,
And nothing but the top a leafy green—
The only native tree that dares to lean,
Relying on its beauty, to the air.
(Less brave perhaps than trusting are the fair.)
And someone reminiscent will recall
How once in cutting brush along the wall
He spared it from the number of the slain,
At first to be no bigger than a cane,

And then no bigger than a fishing pole,
But now at last so obvious a bole
The most efficient help you ever hired
Would know that it was there to be admired,

And zeal would not be thanked that cut it down
When you were reading books or out of town.
It was a thing of beauty and was sent
To live its life out as an ornament.

Name of photographer: Ansel Adams
Date of work: most creative from late 1920's - 1960's
Visual style: production of work: Black & white photography, mostly landscape images which are not only wonderful but inspiring to the eye. He creates a level of depth and clarity in his photos. Ansel Adams used burning and dodging to manipulate the photos taking the initial shot and crafting it to art form.
Social/historical context: His early success as a photographer was a result of his participation in the Sierra Club. Environmental issues of particular importance was the preservation of wilderness. He had a love for nature and much of his photography was of the west; Yosemite and Sierra, and the Big Sur coast of central California.
My interest in this photographer: I have always had an interest in black & white photography as it appeals to my eye. I enjoy the outdoors and living in Vermont all my life find the beauty in the cold of winter. I especially like Ansel Adams variety of images with trees.
Source of information: Preliminary information and image obtained from google of Ansel Adams. Biography published by Oxford University Press for its American National Biography and repreinted courtesy OUP and the author William Turnage.
Theme: Black & white photography, fall to winter mode in Vermont
Possible subject matter: Mountains, trees, rivers, rocks, etc.
Shooting & production technique: Shooting technique will be early morning light; late afternoon. Production technique not defined as yet.
Paying homage: I intend to pay homage by focusing on good shots; lighting, depth and clarity in my photos. No doubt will be about landscape and the natural beauty in black & white.

My second artist I am waiting for a call back on. She is a local Franklin County artist who focuses on landscapes and portraits. Will update on Wed. after speaking with her. I was unable to connect with this local artist in time for this project but will be following up just for my own interest. In the interim I started researching other artists that might interest me and decided on Paul Caponigro.
Name of artist: Paul Caponigro
Date of work: Artist was born in Boston 1932 - his first exhibition was in 1958 and an artist for over 40 years. At the age of 76 he is living in Maine his son John Paul who manipulation of photos in the digital era.
Visual Style: Mostly black and white photography, some color. Features landscapes, nature but also has a wonderful selection of still lifes and for a period of time focused on the sunflower.
Social/historical context: Early years spent capturing images of the shoreline especially growing up on the North Shore of Massachusetts. The army brought him to the west coast where he fell into the likes of Ansel Adams. He enjoyed architectural photography, still lifes, and landscapes focused on nature.
My interest in this photographer: Obviously his artist ability is along the lines of Ansel Adams which is one significant draw for me. I also enjoy the paintings of Van Gogh especially his series on sunflowers which Caponigro also was drawn to. Even many of his still lifes appear to be focused still around nature which I love.
Source of information: Primarily found through doing a google search and photoinsider.com I did not come across the detailed information as of yet that I did for Ansel Adams.
Theme: If I go with this artist I will probably choose to do a selection of black & white photos of nature, including still life themes but I haven't quite decided for sure yet
Possible subject matter: Trees, nature hopefully with some fog lifting, rocks presented either in nature or staged setting as still life.
Shooting technique: the same, early morning light in the cold and late afternoon lighting. Not sure yet what techniques will be used to work with photos.
Paying homage to artist: Through trying to capture the nartural beauty found in the nature.