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Photography
Ashley Trawiski
The photographers I will be comparing in this comparative study are Steve McCurry and Tina
Erdmann. In addition to these two photographers, I will also be comparing my own work to their photos
by analysing their techniques in relation to my work.
Steve McCurry is an international photographer while Tina Erdmann is a local photographer based in
Milwaukee, WI. I will be exploring their techniques, style, use of light, background, camera's, tone, the
emotional impact of their piece and their initial meanings while comparing their portraits/
photojournalism work.
Steve McCurry
Steve was born on February 24, 1950 in Philadelphia, USA. He attended Penn
State University, originally his desire was to study cinematography and
filmmaking but instead he decided to get a degree in theater arts. His interest
in photography started when he first worked for the Penn State newspaper
The Daily Collegian. After two years of working as a photographer for the
newspaper, he decided to continue with photography and embarked on a trip
to India. Steve is well known for his photograph called the Afghan Girl, a
portrait of a young woman whose identity was unknown for 17 years. He also
has published several books of his photographs such as Looking East
(2006) and Portraits (1999).
McCurrys images are best known for their striking use of colour. He visually
demonstrates the human consequences of war, not only showing how war
ravages the landscape, but also focuses on the tragedies of war etched in the Most of my images are grounded in people. I
human face. As Steve describes himself now: look for the unguarded moment, the essential
soul peeking out, experience etched on a
I am a visual storyteller persons face. I try to convey what it is like to
be that person, a person caught in a broader
landscape, that you could call the human
condition.
Tina Erdmann Time goes fast. Years are over in the blink of an
eye. Take photos. Tell your story. Go analog.
Tina was born in Hartford, WI, but grew up in Oshkosh,
WI. As an adult she lived in Colorado for two years but
the majority of her life was been spent in Wisconsin, She
currently resides in Germantown, WI. Photography is her
second career, but it has been always been her passion.
With her Canon camera she runs two photography
businesses, one being her local business which is portrait
photography of families and young children. Her second
business is called Suitcase Shots. In this business she
organizes and runs international travel excursions, for
small groups, up to 10 people. Taking these people on a
photographic journey that they will never forget. Tina has
so far travelled to 21 countries and more await her
explorations.
Tinas motto:
This portrait of a young woman was taken in a refugee camp in Pakistan in 1984
during the time of the Soviet occupation in Afghanistan. Soviet troops began the
invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, resulting in civilians being killed and many had
to flee the country and sought refuge in Pakistan. Due to her situation as a refuge
this young woman had a great impact on the photographer; her facial expression,
her eyes, her ripped, worn clothing. Her striking intense/haunting eyes, her scared
expression seemed to capture and symbolize the terror and anguish felt by
refugees. With this photograph Steve portrays the emotional intensity of a refugee
and all the fear, anguish and confusion expressed through her eyes and on her
face. Her identity to the world was unknown for 17 years, until Steve and
National geographic team decided to look for her. They succeeded in 2002, her
name is Sharbat Gula. This photo appeared on the front cover of National
geographic in June 1985.
Interpretation of function and purpose
The most intriguing part about this photo is the girl's
eyes. The way they appear in many shades of green as
well as a touch of blue. Her gaze is very intense,
looking right at the camera. When I look at her I see a
young girl that is scared, distrusts everyone, always
watching her back, always is tense and cautious, due to
the impact the war has had on her.. She is trying to
appear brave and in control by having closed lips and
her firm face, but her frightened, doubtful eyes give her
away. The light is focused on her face, drawing the
viewers attention to her big, intense gaze, making us
feel slightly uncomfortable. The effect of the backdrop
since it is green, almost matches her eyes and her dark
red burka is a more subtle color thereby drawing her
eyes out, making them the focus of the photograph
causing the viewer to be drawn immediately to them.
Her burka is torn in several areas illustrating her
difficult situation and the traumas of her life.
Evaluation of Cultural Significance
Daydreaming by: Tina Erdmann
This photo was taken in Kenya by Tina in 2015 during her travels.
It is a black and white photo taken of a young girl about 1 years
old. She is gazing outside of the lens shot towards the right, facing
a door, where the light source was coming from. The photo was
taken in a one room mud house. Its a monochrome photo that
contracts the tones of the photo. On the right side there is intimate
light highlighting her features. Due to the little girls unfortunate
living situation, living in extreme poverty, no electricity, water,
mud hut dirt floor, Tina used only the natural light that was
peeking in through the door. Tina was able to capture the girls
pensive state. There is a sense of sadness, concern reflected in her
expression. Caught in a natural unguarded state the young girl
epxresses her inner feelings.
Interpretation of function and purpose
Tina Steve
Portraits Blurry backgrounds with a
Black backdrop to focus and enhance
the monochrome tones green backdrop that focuses
Use of light to focus on the girl's eyes
on the facial features
Canon camera with a EF 70-200mm Nikon FM2 camera and with a Nikkor
f2.8L II USM lens Both young girls 105mm F2.5 lens.
affected by their
Theme of women living in a situation Theme of war and its impact on
third war country the image
Unguarded moment Medium: Cibachrome
Used split toning to add yellow in Used high saturation to Photography
the shadows in order to get rid of increase the red and green
the blue colours
Evaluation of Cultural Significance
Dancing Wodaabe by: Steve McCurry
Tina Steve
Similarities:
After evaluating Tinas style of photography I kept the
photos natural, slightly enhancing the beauty that already
exists, but not too dramatically.
-Both photos have two boys with one bicycle
- Similar to Tina I made the corners darker using the
burn darken setting in lightroom, resulting in
highlighting the aspect of photo which are the boys.
-No artificial light was used, just natural
-I also used the rule of thirds
-Medium coloured photography, taken by Canon cameras
Comparing my work to McCurrys
Similarities: Differences:
-Steve used saturation
to enhance the green
-Medium coloured and red areas, while I
photography used saturation to
- Portraits of women bring out the blue
- I increased the saturation colours
resulting in blue, cold - Subjects of the
colours being enhanced photos from different
- Highlighted facial background, Genesis
features in my photo is from
-Eyes are intense, and Puerto Rico, while the
focus of the photo Sharbat is from
- Natural light Afghanistan
- Natural features -Steve used his Nikon
camera while I used
my Canon 650D
-Different expressions,
Sharbat expressions
show her inner
strength while Genesis
shows a softness
Comparing my work to McCurrys
Similarities: Differences:
-Medium colourful -On the left we see the
photography Wodaabe tribe while
- Portrait photos on the right Polish
- Theme of culture culture
is presented in - Steve used saturation
both photos to increase his vivid
- I increased the colours, while I used to
saturation in order enhance red and white
to express the - Expression of the
colours Wodaabe man is stoic
-Natural light and Sebs expression is
happy. expressive.