Photographer of Note: Jason Travis

 

  

Jason Travis
"Persona"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasontravis/sets/72157603258446753/with/6982038281/

I stumbled on Jason's series "Persona" over a year ago, and I have been regularly subscribing to his feed to keep up with new entries of this personal project.  The concept is simple enough: looking in our purses, backpacks, satchels (and matchels) to see what we carry around on a daily basis.  It is both intimate (and a little voyeuristic) and very revealing, displaying those essential items to our life: from electronics (phones, ipods) to personal details (make-up, medications, books, accessories).  The series also captures on the "What's in my ____" trend of internet photography posting.  I have been known to indulge in this from time to time as well.  It's a reflection on what we bring with us everyday or on special occasions, and how those objects define who we are.

The images are set up as diptychs, which is a good juxtaposition, having the person in a relaxed, casual pose, and underneath is a neatly organized collection of their belongings.  They are unique, intimate portraits of each person and can be really revealing, whimsical, and fun.  What is in your purse?  What do you consider essential to your day?Enjoy. 

Photographer of Note: Bridget Fleming and downtownfrombehind

Bridget Fleming
"Downtown From Behind"
http://downtownfrombehind.tumblr.com

Photography takes all different shapes and forms, and one thing that is so important to defining someone is a particular project or style or aim, something that I still wrangle with and I know a lot of others do as well.  And then you stumble upon a project that is so simple, yet so imaginative and encompassing, that you have to stop and take notice.

downtownfrombehind is a photographic series that, as the name implies, captures subjects as they ride their bike through New York City from behind.  Bridget Fleming has photographed people riding on some 200+ streets, avenues and lanes in the downtown part of the metropolis.

 It is a whimsical, romantic view of the city, in my opinion, as these bikes become the departure point for a daily look at the streets of New York. The portrait models are a diverse collection of writers, architects, designers, chefs, etc. that inhabit the city and make it so colorful.  So it is a hybrid of portrait photography (although from the rear, which is unique unto itself) and street photography of the less popular avenues of New York.  Still, the imagery is interesting, intimate, and charming, and I recommend checking it out.  Enjoy.

Photographs of Phamous Photographers Holding Photographs

I saw this over at Wired Magazine,a great little collection of photographs of photographers holding photographs.  Some of these are iconic images, such as Marilyn Monroe in bed, the towers exploding on 9-11, and Ali standing over Liston.  My three favorites, however, have to be Steve McCurry's portrait of a young girl in Afghanistan in 1984, the funeral procession for a murdered silverback gorilla, and the infamous line of tanks confronting a protester in the 1989 Tienanmen Square uprising in China.  These three are beautiful, haunting pictures that resonate with me especially strongly, and to see these images in the hands of their creators puts a personal perspective on each, seeing the artists who live behind the lens.








McCurry's image of the girl has consistently been thought of as National Geographic's most recognizable and outstanding image, his portraits are wonderful creations that are as beautiful as they are honest.  

The gorilla funeral is so sad, not only as it is a reminder of how few of these animals are left in the world (and highlighting the plight they face against poachers and land encroachment), but it shows how much empathy these animals can inspire in others, and how closely related we are.  

The tanks in Tienanmen Square need no real introduction, it is one of the most famous images of individuals standing up for their rights against oppression and demanding rights, even at the sacrifice of their own lives.

Enjoy the entire gallery at Wired.