The idea of this, the second lesson, is to recognize your influences and take photographs reflecting those influences. Recognizing them in your work, reproducing them at will.
I took quite a bit of time trying to determine what my influences are! I believe I've narrowed them down to five primary influences:
Vanity Fair Magazine: Originally read for the gossip of Dominick Dunne, which turned into a fascination with Christopher Hitchens and the adventures of Sebastian Junger and continued to be adored for the stunning photography of Annie Leibovitz.
New York Times Magazine: Fashion & Style, Book Reviews, Arts and Travel were always cutting edge and made a lazy Sunday filled with grand ideas and dreams of far away places and fancy dress.
A random cover from Spring 2007.
Ralph Lauren not Calvin Klein: I preferred the rich and comfortable fashions of Ralph Lauren's designs rather than the tight and presumably uncomfortable structure of Calvin Klein's style. My true favourite was the Santa Fe collection of the early 1980s. I still love the rustic Navajo-inspired design. I wanted to live inside those ads.
Timeless. I would still decorate my house in exactly what you see above, if I could find it. I find the lodge look to be warm and welcoming. I love stone and wood and warm rich colours.
Impressionist Paintings: There was a huge exhibit of Canadian Impressionists in Europe at the Art Gallery of Ontario. The work was stunning. A huge sports fan, I love the impressionist influence on LeRoy Neiman work. The vibrant colours certainly make it representative of my childhood era! My favourite:
Toreadore, 1973
Isn't that painting incredible? Swirls and dabs and all that colour that is so untraditional but so perfect.
Martha Stewart: Domestic maven thoughout the 1990s, she was the most intimidating representation of perfection I had ever encountered. She was the first major style influence who provided doubt in myself, but at the same time motivation to enjoy beautiful things. Especially appealing during those years when I could not afford much but you could always make things look nice. At my engagement party in 1994, I received a copy of her Entertaining book signed by all in attendance. It is still on my cookbook shelf in the kitchen:
Now days I'm far less intimidated and use her website as a constant resource for inspiration and ideas.
MY RESULTS:
A bit of a twist on the actual assignment: I decided to take a look through my considerable digital collection to see if I have photos that reflect the influences outlined above. The weather being as it is, and my time being scarce of late, I'll do the actual assignment as written in a couple of weeks, but was really curious to see what I already had on hand.
Tell me, do you see the influences in the following photos?
What do you think? Can you see my personal style influences in my photographic work? I really think I can. What are your influences? Are you participating in develop on fridays? Leave a link!
