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Message
Posted
I'm always looking at art on the net, and search engines being what they are, they often take a wide view of what you're looking for. Occasionally they throw up interesting photographs. When I stumble across such a picture, I save it in a folder called 'Interesting photographs.' (Very original). I find these pictures absorbing, and often inspirational...a big high value word that. All I mean is it gives me an idea for a drawing or a painting, not that something inspired will result.
Many people don't regard photography as art, some of it definitely is in my book. It's the ideas that enthrall me. So I thought I'd show a few of these photos...if you don't find inspiration, I hope you'll agree they are interesting.
When I can, I'll give the photographers name. Frustratingly, the internet isn't always good at that.
I never copy them outright, they just nudge me in a direction I might not have thought of. Here's a photo of a 'apache' dancer taken in the 1940-50's in Paris....
This prompted this sketch....
Here's another photo they might well prompt something. It shows people appreciating 'Goya's Nude and Clothed Maja.' It has obviously been 'set-up' by the photographer...I don't care...he/she obviously 'saw' a picture and made it.
Here's a few more pics where the photographer has had a idea....
Sometimes they are just very old pictures of long dead trades...here's a 'knocker-upper' from 1865, firing peas at people's windows to wake them in pre-alarm clock days.
I have plenty more...as may you. But we'll see if anyone's interested (apart from me), before I flood the forum with more pics.
This prompted this sketch....
Here's another photo they might well prompt something. It shows people appreciating 'Goya's Nude and Clothed Maja.' It has obviously been 'set-up' by the photographer...I don't care...he/she obviously 'saw' a picture and made it.
Here's a few more pics where the photographer has had a idea....
Sometimes they are just very old pictures of long dead trades...here's a 'knocker-upper' from 1865, firing peas at people's windows to wake them in pre-alarm clock days.
I have plenty more...as may you. But we'll see if anyone's interested (apart from me), before I flood the forum with more pics.
Posted
Well I love them. If nothing else at least they brought a smile to my face. Actually, whilst Lewis finds them inspirational in one sense, I do in another. I can see shapes and tones which can work effectively in abstract painting. So more please Lewis if it's not too much trouble.
Edited
by Michael Edwards
Posted
I agree Michael more would be welcome. I trawl the internet looking at old photos as many of the thing I like to paint aren’t available anymore, old steam ships etc. Like you Lew I find them inspirational and lead to developing a painting. I know its not like painting a live scene but if it’s not available what else do you do. And yes it would be nice to acknowledge the photographer, I do so when possible. Do you combine bits from several photos Lew?. I do often take a ship etc from one scene and place it in another dockyard scene using another photo or use bits from each to make up my own scene.
Yes more photos would be welcome as it’s always nice to see what inspires others.
Posted
Lovely to see these old photos, Lewis. I mostly use my own (and my OH's) photos, and occasionally photos from Flickr (after asking the photographer). However, I very much enjoy seeing old photos and how other people use them as inspiration. I agree with you Lewis, in photography being a real art. Would definitely be happy to see more of your inspiration.
Posted
Thank you for your interest Michael and Dixie, I'll add a few more. I do combine bits from reference material, Dixie. It's rare for me to copy anything exactly except as an exercise. I think people who make art need the stimulus that diverse experience in life brings. It comes from reading, and everyday sights and sounds, all of which are 'eye and thought candy' to the imagination. I'm not explaining this very well, perhaps I can't. But this process exists in all of us in some form, and we process it through our own likes and dislikes.
I see all these images, information, myths and stories as ingredients, and each of us will select and interpret them in our different ways. So it's no surprise to me that Michael can see different things in these, or any other images, than I'd find. I'm not looking for the profound, in fact it's often the most mundane that provides the spark for a picture. A while back I came across an unremarkable photo of a group of people holding 'dentures'. The story behind it was that these people, the poorest, were buying second hand false teeth. This happened all over Europe. It ended in the UK when NHS Dentistry was founded. I certainly wasn't looking for this. Here's the cartoon that resulted from seeing that photo...
All very lowbrow. But...maybe...just maybe...the next image I stumble across will result in that elusive painting I'm waiting to do. You know the one, you've probably got one. You get everything right, just as you'd hoped, it's a complete success. (Not sure these exist. I'm thinking it's a mental carrot our brain hangs in front of us to keep us going).
I like drawing characterful faces...look at this...
That's not far from one of my grotesques. It's by Robert Doisneau, the great French street photographer from the 1930s onwards. He worked mostly in Paris. One day he spotted a group of people peering into a small gallery window. They were looking at a painting of a beautiful girl. He asked the owner if he could set his camera up inside the gallery, then he took a series of pictures. Here's a few of them...
For me, an absolute delight. A treasure discovered. I thought about making a picture based on this idea. But these are perfect.
All very lowbrow. But...maybe...just maybe...the next image I stumble across will result in that elusive painting I'm waiting to do. You know the one, you've probably got one. You get everything right, just as you'd hoped, it's a complete success. (Not sure these exist. I'm thinking it's a mental carrot our brain hangs in front of us to keep us going).
I like drawing characterful faces...look at this...
That's not far from one of my grotesques. It's by Robert Doisneau, the great French street photographer from the 1930s onwards. He worked mostly in Paris. One day he spotted a group of people peering into a small gallery window. They were looking at a painting of a beautiful girl. He asked the owner if he could set his camera up inside the gallery, then he took a series of pictures. Here's a few of them...
For me, an absolute delight. A treasure discovered. I thought about making a picture based on this idea. But these are perfect.
