What Makes A Great Photo?

Рет қаралды 16,289

5 ай бұрын

How is it that some photos leave us cold, while others, even from the same photographer can be amazing?
I'm taking at a look at Erwin Olaf today, along with Christian Taliavini and Desiree Dolron.
www.erwinolaf.com/
www.christiantagliavini.com/
www.desireedolron.com/
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Пікірлер: 77

@Tomservoca 5 ай бұрын

Dammit Alex, you're stealing my thunder! From an article I'm working on: "Before we go any further, we have to remember that photographs have a visual language. Some parts are constant across cultures or genres, others are unique to cultures and genres. Like any language, photography has its grammar, its tropes and its symbols; again, these vary because of culture and genre while others are constant. This all combines to inform a photographer’s vision and voice. This is a whole other area of discussion and is too complex to talk about here, but you do have to be aware of these as you critique your own and others’ images."

@ThePhotographicEye 5 ай бұрын

Sorry! :D

@Emilaria 5 ай бұрын

I'm so glad I'm not the only person who both likes and doesn't like products from a single person. I have the feeling for pretty much all creative works- painting, photography, music, film, etc.

@TLe004 5 ай бұрын

I appreciate this channel for its philosophical discussions of photography. It promotes artistic vision rather than one says, taking picture of a pretty girl in a beautiful location with the widest aperture.

@AK-hk2pd 5 ай бұрын

So Alex, I am normal by liking some and severely disliking others. A little validation for me, thank you so much. 😊

@ThePhotographicEye 5 ай бұрын

I know, its cool to know others feel the same :D

@Anon54387 5 ай бұрын

@@ThePhotographicEye You should include some O. Winston Link photos in one of your videos, check his work out, see what you think of it.

@rbasso415 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for introducing these two photographers to me. Quite a contrast in style and both are mesmerizing.

@roxikoko3744 4 ай бұрын

Gregory Crewdson. Master of this style

@rico77yt 4 ай бұрын

This immediately reminded me of Crewdson's work as well, but couldn't remember the name. So thanks for that!

@ingabett 5 ай бұрын

I really don’t know enough about portrait photography, but I do know what I feel. Looking at Christians images, I don’t mind they are setups. Sometimes when I look at other portrait photographers I only see a pretty image but they don’t move me in any way, it’s just an image of a person. In both Christian and Olaf’s case, the photos are setup but they move me and make me wonder around in the picture looking at all details- wonderful! 🤩

@andreasklindt7144 5 ай бұрын

At 9:27, that portrait by Tagliavini immediately reminded me of a renaissance portrait of Federico da Montefeltro, Lord of Urbino in the 15th century, painted by Piero della Francesca. She has the same posture as Montefeltro and the color palette is very similar to the 15th century painting of him. I like it a lot!

@ChrisMosner 5 ай бұрын

Great photographer! Reminds me of watching a Wes Anderson film.

@sarahmae8991 5 ай бұрын

Alex, great video, thank you! Brooke Shaden does some super interesting conceptual fine art photography. If you haven’t heard of her or seen her work, you should check her out.

@geoffmphotography9444 5 ай бұрын

This is what makes photography so endlessly interesting. I admire Erwin Olaf's work for its skill and complexity, but I don't like it (same for Gregory Crewdson). Is it because it isn't spontaneous? I don't know; but it doesn't do for us all to like the same things. And yet, I love the photography of Desiree Dolron, who I believe is one of your favourites.

@frankc3834 5 ай бұрын

OMG! Love these photographers. Thanks for the introduction and the spot on commentary.

@billmartin1663 5 ай бұрын

William Eggleston puts the onus on the viewer to interpret his photographs. In the same way, I believe the value of the photo is in the eye of the beholder. I find that his $600,000 tricycle triggers memories and emotions in me and that probably would not be true for someone who had never seen -- much less played on -- such a tricycle in similar time and place. The beauty of that green paint stirs a flood of memories. Such is likely true of nearly any image. We hate it or love it based on the emotions it inspires in us -- each of us, with our unique experiences, victories, and traumas. (I'll be honest . . . a lot of Olaf's stuff creeps me out in a big way. Taliavini, not at all.)

@ThePhotographicEye 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing - Erwin is tricky for me. A lot of it I love, but the more 'physical' stuff I find a bit too much. I'm not a prude by any stretch, but it just doesn't connect with me at all. But then again that's the point of this video

@gauravmishra457 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for introducing us with these great photographers and their works. A lot to learn from these kind of videos.

@Daniel_Ilyich 5 ай бұрын

2:27 Amazing, I was just about to say painterly...and you beat me to it!

@kafkaian 5 ай бұрын

Writing at 4:45 into this video, there is a Gregory Crewdson quality to some of these - especially re the meticulous attention to detail, although I find Crewdson's images slightly more neon-like in colour quality

@xtra9996 5 ай бұрын

Great work. The (not so) funny thing is that most people nowadays would claim that those images are AI generated stuff.

@deborahcitron9025 5 ай бұрын

Alex thanks so much for introducing these photographers to me. I can't say I've ever been particularly interested in portrait photography, but wow these are mind blowing. The Tagliavini shots in particular amaze me. I'm into fashion, but his clothing creations, while stunning seem to only serve the perfection of the lighted faces. You bring up the point of just how carefully these projects were developed, color, lighting etc. likely over weeks. To this bumbling photographer, still working on the exposure triangle, such a revelation! Thanks again.

@streetphotographymentor 4 ай бұрын

Olaf's work is beautiful and easy to look at in his modern era. His earlier work is what i first (and best) remember (and forgot to bring with me when I met him). Look at his book Chessmen from the late 80's. It seems inspired by Joel Peter Witkin. Gorgeous in it's construction and lighting and difficult to view in some instances in it's subject matter. Like a train wreck that you can't help but continue to look. Witkin goes much, much farther of course. Olaf's evolution is interesting. He was a master. Such a shame he passed away so early.

@johnmullinax1 4 ай бұрын

Really nice video, and some beautiful work! Thanks for introducing me to Christian T. and Erwin O.!

@billkossmann9246 5 ай бұрын

Once again, your video reinforces why I subscribed to, and continue to enjoy, your channel: you speak of the art, not the gear.

@edgarbernal7210 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights. So helpful!

@michaelajoseph6856 5 ай бұрын

Thank you! Very enjoyable video!

@GeorgeKremer-sp2uw 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for a great video and for showing me yet more photographers and their works for me to explore. Disturbing or "noisy" photographs are those that I feel a need to go back to every now and again to see just what it is that disturbs me, and then to learn from it. "Comfort the Disturbed and Disturb the Comfortable" -Cruz sort of thing. To have the patience needed to work on an idea for days and days is something I don't yet possess. But it is fodder for future images. Thanks again.

@guillaumebouqueau 5 ай бұрын

Olaf’s work reminds me of the movies of Roy Andersson: The same intentionality down to the smallest details like building specific sets.

@nvrumi 5 ай бұрын

Alex, this was a super-interesting chat about some photographers, and a photographic style, that I had not seen before. I really appreciate your discussion of how these images were "constructed". In the brief looking at them via your display, I was astounding thinking about the amount of work that went into the construction of these images. That said, they are not my cup of tea. It isn't that I dislike them, but at my point in life as a photographer (remember, I'm a hack), I don't find them engaging such that I would want to spend a lot of time looking at them. Perhaps I should buy a couple of books and spend some time looking at them. I believe, although I am not particularly good at it, that studying aspects of one's art that are not particularly appealing is a good way to expand one's vision. As I said, I am good a writing that; but I am not so good at the implementation thereof. ;) So, thank you again for bringing work to my attention that I have not seen before. There is no question as to the quality of the work.

@SteveKershaw 5 ай бұрын

I love these images,

@apb148 5 ай бұрын

With most of these images I’m drawn to the simplicity of them.

@donaldgibson1642 5 ай бұрын

Thank You ...

@katemaxwell6061 5 ай бұрын

Great video, thank you 🙏

@alstuart8801 5 ай бұрын

wow some stunning images

@ThePhotographicEye 5 ай бұрын

They are!

@SteveKershaw 5 ай бұрын

Just ordered his book, thanks

@Daniel_Ilyich 5 ай бұрын

Alex, as I am watching this video, an HCB quote came to mind: "Photography is an immediate reaction, drawing is a meditation." As some may know, HCB was a wonderful sketch artist, in addition to being one of the greatest photographers in history. So, I think he is coming from a place of personal experience. As I'm watching your presentation of Olaf and company's work, each is a marvel. Real artists. However, there is something anti-photographic about these images. There isn't that frisson of the pulsating energy of life. The subjects almost look like wax figures. Just my humble (or brazen) opinion. Finally, this was a superb video! Really great stuff!

@xtra9996 5 ай бұрын

I fully agree with your statement that those people look a bit lifeless, like wax figures. But for this very reason I find those photos fascinating.

@tedbrown7908 5 ай бұрын

Think about it, most portraits are minimalist in design. Sharpness and details make a portrait standout.

@JohnDrummondPhoto 5 ай бұрын

Tal-ya-VEE-nee (Tagliavini) 😂 He's very interesting! I would like to see more of his work. You did a video on him before?

@ThePhotographicEye 5 ай бұрын

Yep, it's linked at the end of the video

@markfarnell183 5 ай бұрын

I would love to see an exhibition of large prints. It’s how the work is intended to be seen. Check out an Australian photographic artist called Bill Henson. His exploration of adolescence is done in studio sets and is quite divisive, having an exhibition in Sydney raided and temporarily closed. To me there is so much more art in creating an image from nothing rather than capturing existing elements

@JoachimSchlosser 3 ай бұрын

Indeed. Two years ago or so, Erwin Olaf had a very large exhibition in Munich. I found it breathtaking.

@d.k.1394 5 ай бұрын

Great great vid

@seaeagles6025 5 ай бұрын

Hi Alex, two different styles of photography, I do like the style of photography from Erwin Olaf rather than Christian's photography. accept for the Clown picture. Looking forward to seeing the work of other photographers. Thanks Alex 😊

@waynethorn7218 5 ай бұрын

Wow, even control freaks have good points (just messing)😅. Very good photos but the salon one stands out for me at 06.00 min. They have that calm and zombie look to them and that semi shallow depth of field. Like you said Alex, what makes a good photo but can’t put your finger on. For some reason I like Shirley Baker and Bert Hardy photos👍

@reneebetteridge1289 5 ай бұрын

I do faceless potraits all the time, not that its a project but i do like to take them

@jonjanson8021 5 ай бұрын

"Constructed Reality"

@angelamaloney4871 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for your thoughts on these photographers! I know Olaf Erwin's work, but Christian Tagliavini and Desiree Dolron are new to me. Books of their work are added to my cart. I don't like Christian Tagliavini's work much from what you showed. But I think that is precisely why it makes sense to study it.

@BrettOssman 5 ай бұрын

This is great. I need to look at more photos and figure out what I like or don't like about them. To me, I think it boils down to subject and style, and what mattered to me. Did a leading line matter to me? Did a framing matter to me? Did the lighting matter to me? Did any of those contribute to me liking the photo? I don't think the answer will always be yes. What makes me say ""WOW" or "COOL" and why? Would removing or changing anything in the photo make me dislike or become indifferent about it? This will help me with my own genre(s) and a style. Now, I think I spend too much effort trying to figure out what a LOT of other people will like, and don't take photos that WOW me. I'm sure there are plenty of folks that would like photos that match with my reasons.

@johnclay7644 5 ай бұрын

informative content

@ThePhotographicEye 5 ай бұрын

Thanks John

@Consciousphotography 5 ай бұрын

Thinking of my own pictures I find often hard to say why I like one and don't like another.

@lasticonoclast2960 5 ай бұрын

I find myself indifferent to 98% of photographs out there because they do nothing for me. Good artists, photographers included, provoke a reaction with their work, whether good or bad, but never indifferent. How one perceives such work is all subjective, but it breaks up the monotny, so I welcome them even if I may not necessarily like it.

@williamlong63 5 ай бұрын

We have the ability to decide if we like a photo or not. How, or why, that is I do not know.

@johnchipperfield3367 5 ай бұрын

I'm not sure if you have done a vlog on Ruth Harriet Louise, it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on her.

@jnrickards 5 ай бұрын

The only thing I can think of to describe these photos is "human still life".

@snoogly 5 ай бұрын

I am more comfortable with images of ‘artificially’ set up subjects than I am with images heavily manipulated in post-processing.

@cmichaelhaugh8517 5 ай бұрын

I certainly appreciate the craftsmanship required to create these photos but, to me, all the humanity has been boiled out of them. “That’s why they make chocolate and vanilla ice cream,”

@philiptuths3747 5 ай бұрын

Gregory Crewdson… constructed…

@robertj4689 5 ай бұрын

very much reminds me of pictorism funny you mentioned ansel adams he hated this style and called William Mortensen the antichrist i alwys loved this style of photography tho

@jamesmonahan9408 4 ай бұрын

Tagliavini...... its easier to pronounce if you silence the G. TAL - EE (y)AH - VINI. Interesting photography.

@tedbrown7908 5 ай бұрын

The Camera makes the difference: "he wanted to create his own reality, his own surrealist dreamworld. He dropped his surname, and his 35mm Nikon camera, and bought a second-hand medium-format Hasselblad, which would bring a more formal quality to his edgy work." Erwin Olaf.

@ThePurpleHarpoon 5 ай бұрын

Some of these images are merely human still-lifes. They say more about the photographer than the person in the image. We don't really see anything of the character of the subjects. The subjects are merely objets d'art.

@claudelambert1376 5 ай бұрын

DO YOU KNOW CARLA VAN DE PUTELAAR « BRUSHED BY LIGHT »? Luxembourg 2020

@ThePhotographicEye 5 ай бұрын

I haven't but thanks for the heads up

@leovangaal3605 5 ай бұрын

Carla van de puttelaar, two t’s

@jeff__w 4 ай бұрын

Correct the name in the description-it’s _Tagliavini._

@user-re9mp2nh5e 5 ай бұрын

Great video but the photographers are not my cup of tea.

@ronniea.4830 5 ай бұрын

KZfaq allows full-on naked Yoga but not controversial photography - go figure

@ThePhotographicEye 5 ай бұрын

I stopped trying to second guess KZfaq ages ago

@borassictime918 5 ай бұрын

I understand the concept and admire the attention to detail in the execution, but Olaf’s and Tagluavini’s don’t speak to me. Images that are too obviously staged, too contrived, too self-indulgent for my taste (which is probably the point), and the degree of stylisation (if that’s a word 😂) feels like simply a sliding scale of the absurd. This isn’t a criticism of their work per-se, I can understand why many love the images, and you’re right about the lighting and colour, but…nope, non è per me. 😉