
Visual Research Archive

Steve McCurry

Joel Meyerowitz

Alec Soth

Frans Lanting

David LaChapelle

Andreas Gurkst

Paul Nicklen

Annie Leibovitz

David Bailey

Garry Winogrand

Edward Steichen

Tony Ray-Jones

Charles C. Ebbets

Michael Kenna

Sally Mann
Photography Accounts
Sasha Samsonova
https://instagram.com/sashasamsonova?utm_medium=copy_link
Benjamin Rasmussen
https://instagram.com/benjaminras?utm_medium=copy_link
Brian Ladder
https://instagram.com/brianladder?utm_medium=copy_link
Kelia Anne MacCluskey
https://instagram.com/kelianne?utm_medium=copy_link
Ha'a Keaulana
Review A Photo book
The photobook I decided to review was called Annie Leibovitz At Work. I decided to review this book because she is one my favorite photographers and her images are known around the world. The three main aesthetics that I noticed about her photography is first the lack of color. In many of Leibovitz’s photos they are either black and white or a very neutral toned color. The second thing I noticed is many of her photos have a very retro/old school feel. That may be because of the camera she uses or the grainy like texture she likes to use. And the third thing I noticed is her images feature around subjects. There always seems to be a point behind her photos, and it revolves around people.
Leibovitz’s book progresses in a themed fashion. She has many different sections of the book that speak on her process and more intimate stories behind the photographs. Some of the sections are titled after people, or after genres of the photographs. For example, titled “John and Yoko” or “Dance” etc. Within these sections the photos related are included and expanded upon, which gives a good sense behind her vision.
I believe that the concept of this book is to show Leibovitz’s most famous and proud works and explain the process. Many of her photos consist of very well-known people/celebrities and it is encaptivating. People who are well known or famous can be seem almost as an alien from the point of the average person, however within her photography she brings realness out of them. The way that we see the celebrities changes and becomes more personal and relatable to the viewer.
The photos are printed alongside text in the book however never encompass the full page. I am not sure why this is, but I do feel having not full-sized paged images fits Lebovitz’s style. She is a subtle photographer not flashy or extravagant, she likes to show people in a very natural real light. Regarding her technique, she has great sense of composition, lighting, and angles. For example, in an image of a pregnant Demi Moore, the soft lighting highlights her figure and the darkness behind her gives a feeling of strength. She is also photographed from a slight downward angle which elevates her and gives the subject power. This is one example of many that Lebovitz does to show off her subjects. This review book was very carefully put together and executed and showed the beautiful work of Annie Lebovitz which I am now even more impressed to know.





Continued Inspiration
Throughout this entire visual research achieve I have been able to help find myself as a photographer. I have realized that there are so many different artists who produce so much work that I cannot just limit myself to one. I always thought of myself to be more interested in color photography but looking at my completed visual research archive I have found that I do enjoy black and white images. What I love about black and white images is the contrast in shades and depth they can bring. However, I would still say my preferred style would be colored photos, mainly in pastel shades. By looking at so many different artists work and being able to go into depth about what I like and don’t like, I have taken some of this inspiration into my own work. I noticed that when I take photography, I do like the images to be slightly overexposed, as well as not have bright bold colors but more pastel shades. Also, through my visual research archive process I have learned to love simplicity and interesting scenes. Some of the pictures I would find most interesting were the ones of an empty gas station or nature that did not include any protagonists. I think images of just an environment or place can really transport you into a feeling and possibly give a nostalgic feel. I have taken that inspiration into my own work when trying to capture objects, nature or an environment and try my best to create an atmosphere. I loved doing this visual research archive because it made me learn more about myself as a photographer and what I am interested in capturing.

William Eggleston

William Eggleston

Stephen Shore

Saul Leiter

Fred Herzog

Joel Meyerowitz

Fred Herzog

Harry Gruyaert

Ernst Haas

Cindy Sherman

Constantine Manos

Marie Cosindas

Laurence Philomene

Etheldreda Laing

Richard Misrach

Karen Waters

Joel Sternfeld

Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams

Edward Weston

Man Ray

Man Ray

Robert Capa

Fan Ho