Duane Michals is an American photographer who has used text and collage within his work which creates context and a deeper, yet obvious meaning to his photos. Michals was known as both a photographer and a communicator due to the stories he told within his pictures. I have chosen this photographer as form when I looked at his images for my research log I like his use of text from first glance and I want to see if that opinion stays when I look at him in much further detail. If I decide I like this as I continue, I will try and incorporate this in my work.
Examples of their work
This is the first image i found with his use of text that intrigued me. For me, this photo created a strong narrative with a number of questions as a following aftermath. Were these pills prescribed? Were they his? Was he taking his daily medication or was he killing himself? Michals has used black and white in this photo which i believe shows emotion, just like Meisel did with his photo of Madonna kissing the woman. This backs up the idea of to use black and white specifically.
This photo has influenced me to actually incorporate a narrative into my photo with text, in this photo nothing was given away but it was or you to make up your own ending which I enjoyed. I think this is interesting for an audience.
This photo has also used text and black and white. The actual photo is very simple and is just of two lovers sitting on a bed hugging, however the text creates a complete new meaning, that actually shows that they are not a loving couple but in fact ex lovers. The use of test in this image creates a closed narrative which tells us that he still thinks about her and she is most likely the one that left, however it does raise questions like, why did she leave? From 2 photos I can already determine I like the use of text because it make a photo into a story, which is why I now understand why Michals was named a photographer and a communicator.
This photo has influenced me to perhaps tell a short made up memory with text which is also hard hitting as it makes a picture more effective upon an audience and allows them to keep looking at the picture to try and understand or perhaps reflect.
This picture uses no text, however is very interesting. It is evident that Michals has took 2 different photos to create this effect, however what this symbolizes is the effective thing in this picture, The body which is faded out acts as if it is a soul stepping out of its, therefore showing death. He has used black and white which I think is used correctly as it shows something emotional, a person who is dead who has become a ghost, or his soul is leaving his body, I think this picture is very deep and very interesting to look at.
This image has influenced me to consider what I am taking a picture of and what it means, also what I want the audience to feel when they see my work, I now know that this is important for successful work. Also this image has again influenced me to think outside of the box.
This picture uses text and of the formal elements it uses tone. The text of this image makes you think that with love the two exchanged souls, I think this photo is very effective. The light tone for me is a visual way of showing how the picture represents light an it is talking about good things. I really like this image. I think you could also say that this picture shows the formal element of movement as the girl is blurred, for me this shows her going to kiss him and then getting up after, but it also could show her soul going into is.
This image influences me to vary the tone I use to reflect what mood I want the audience to have, I think this would also reflect of the text I use if used as well. I also again like Meisel, like the slight use of blurring and I would again use that.
Overall
Overall, after having studied Michals work and explaining it thoroughly in detail, I have decided that I am less interested in his work to when I started off with, however saying that, I do still like his work. I think the 2 most important things that influenced me with Michal was his use of tone which reflects the mood of the photo for the audience and the use of text because I believe this can build an interesting narrative and can become quite effecrive and hard hitting for the audience.
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