"I still need the camera because it is the only reason anyone is talking to me. "-Annie leibovitz

So obviously I enjoy photography. Hence the title of my blog "Picture This". Maybe one day it can be part of my profession, but for now it is a hobby of mine. I mostly enjoy photographing architecture. I love architecture. I think buildings, whether it's a house or the empire state building, tell a story about that particular location. The era the building was built, the angles, the materials, the detail, everything describes the way of life when the building was constructed. I really want to start photographing people more though. Especially in the times we are in now, peoples expressions tell it all. Anyway, enough about my point of view...these are a few photographers who's work I love. Maybe you will too.

Eugene Atget was a photographer in the 1920's. Atget started off as a painter and then realized photography was his passion. The majority of his photographs were done in Paris. Atget loved Paris because of all of the detail and materials all around the city. I don't consider his work "artsy" but more just a raw view into what Paris was like when he walked the streets. The picture I pasted on here was taken in 1927 and it is of Notre-Dame. The thing I love about this picture is the obvious tree obstructing the view of Notre-Dame. I love the contrast of the black tree and how light Notre-Dam looks just sitting in the background. To me the tree is not an obstruction at all, but it makes the picture more interesting. Atget died in 1927. Unfortunately, he did not get to see the success his photography would one day have.

Ray was an American artist who was born in 1890 and died in 1976. He was known as a surrealist with his work. Very modern and unique for his time. He was also a painter and fashion photographer. He and Atget actually had studios on the same street in Paris. He traveled all over the world working on both his paintings and photography. During his life people didn't appreciate his work as much as they do now. Probably because it was so unique they didn't understand it. The picture I posted is titled "tears" and was done in the early 1930's.

photographer I love from more modern times is of course Annie Leibovitz. She started her career working for Rolling Stone. Her intimate portraits of celebrities made her very well known. She really gets involved with the people she is photographing and her pictures make you think you know the subject. Leibovitz also uses unique lighting styles and poses with her subjects. She continues to be successful to this day. She was also the last person to photograph John Lennon. He was shot and killed hours after ending his session with her. This photograph is taken of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

So there are a few photographers who's work inspire me. They are all 3 very different but they all have one thing in common: emotionality. Whether it's and old building in Paris to 2 lovers holding each other, each photographer takes intimate and emotional photographs.