Name of Artist: Diane Arbus
Dates of Artist's Life: March 14th, 1923 - July 26th, 1971
Personal Background:
Diane Arbus was an American photographer. She came from a rich Jewish family and had been educated at Ethical Culture Fieldston School. Her original name was Diane Nemerov and she was the daughter of David Nemerov and Gertude. She got into photography after marrying Allen Arbus which they worked together in advertising and commercial photography before parting their own ways. Arbus ended up committing suicide in 1971 after separating/divorcing Allen Arbus and falling ill with depression and Hepatitis.
Diane Arbus was an American photographer. She came from a rich Jewish family and had been educated at Ethical Culture Fieldston School. Her original name was Diane Nemerov and she was the daughter of David Nemerov and Gertude. She got into photography after marrying Allen Arbus which they worked together in advertising and commercial photography before parting their own ways. Arbus ended up committing suicide in 1971 after separating/divorcing Allen Arbus and falling ill with depression and Hepatitis.
Style:
Diane Arbus’ style is classified as documentary photography. Her documentary eye and search for personal, inner wealth created the shocking and intriguing images of asylum inmates, midgets, nudists, drug-addicts and transvestites. She sought the adversity of the people on the “fringes of society”. Arbus recorded these subjects in sharp focus, with their gaze looking directly into the camera. She attracted immediate attention with her “new documents” and was awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship in 1963 and 1966.
Diane Arbus’ style is classified as documentary photography. Her documentary eye and search for personal, inner wealth created the shocking and intriguing images of asylum inmates, midgets, nudists, drug-addicts and transvestites. She sought the adversity of the people on the “fringes of society”. Arbus recorded these subjects in sharp focus, with their gaze looking directly into the camera. She attracted immediate attention with her “new documents” and was awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship in 1963 and 1966.
Philosophy:
Diane Arbus is a very controversial photographer. A lot of her work focuses on the social aspects of society and people. A lot of people say Arbus’ work reveals and reflects our deepest fears and most private wishes. A lot of her work and achievements have been overshadowed by her suicide and the strangeness of her photos. She had even became known as the “photographer of freaks.”
Diane Arbus is a very controversial photographer. A lot of her work focuses on the social aspects of society and people. A lot of people say Arbus’ work reveals and reflects our deepest fears and most private wishes. A lot of her work and achievements have been overshadowed by her suicide and the strangeness of her photos. She had even became known as the “photographer of freaks.”
Influences:
Arbus was not afraid to show realism in her photos. She took the deepest darkest parts of our society and showed them in her work. There wasn’t any fake depiction. She did her best to capture natural states as well as posed. She did not us a lot of color considering her photos are older. I gravitate towards black and white images. If there is one thing she has influenced me on, it would definitely be using realism in photos.
Arbus was not afraid to show realism in her photos. She took the deepest darkest parts of our society and showed them in her work. There wasn’t any fake depiction. She did her best to capture natural states as well as posed. She did not us a lot of color considering her photos are older. I gravitate towards black and white images. If there is one thing she has influenced me on, it would definitely be using realism in photos.
Sources:
1. Link: https://news.artnet.com/market/diane-arbus-birthday-890000 Title: "Child Toy Hand Grenade"
1. Link: https://news.artnet.com/market/diane-arbus-birthday-890000 Title: "Child Toy Hand Grenade"
2. Link: https://www.sleek-mag.com/article/diane-arbus-best-photographs/ Title: Identical Twins
3. Link: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/a-fresh-look-at-diane-arbus-99861134/ Title: Unidentified
Compare and Contrast:
I did not do my own photographs. I ran out of time with my chaotic work schedule. If I were to do my images though, I would have the same focus. I would probably use a different background and lighting. I don't exactly like the way Arbus highlights them in a depressing light. I would still use the black and white because I love black and white photos. I think they come out great and show good reflection. I would of had the subjects pose in a more natural state as well. I think the photos would tell more of a story that way.
I did not do my own photographs. I ran out of time with my chaotic work schedule. If I were to do my images though, I would have the same focus. I would probably use a different background and lighting. I don't exactly like the way Arbus highlights them in a depressing light. I would still use the black and white because I love black and white photos. I think they come out great and show good reflection. I would of had the subjects pose in a more natural state as well. I think the photos would tell more of a story that way.
Personal Artist Statement:
For the whole trimester I have focused in on telling a story of innocence and how you can find beauty in natural things. I focused in and used techniques like value for every image as well as color. I focused on shading and how the light reflects what color. I used principles like emphasis on portraits so each person is in the spotlight. I tried to keep a symmetrical balance in each photo. I worked to make sure there was clarity in every photo and a different sense of mood was felt.
For the whole trimester I have focused in on telling a story of innocence and how you can find beauty in natural things. I focused in and used techniques like value for every image as well as color. I focused on shading and how the light reflects what color. I used principles like emphasis on portraits so each person is in the spotlight. I tried to keep a symmetrical balance in each photo. I worked to make sure there was clarity in every photo and a different sense of mood was felt.