I've been studying the work of a photographer this week whose photos have (mostly) one thing in common, and it is a skill worth mentioning because he is a master of it.
Photos can have many styles. They can be subtle and full of imagery, forcing one to investigate the image for clues, or they can be like bod's. That is not to say that his photos don't challenge or make one think or feel, but in my mind, he is the undisputed master at forcing us to see what he wants us to see.
In theatre, it is the director who does this. He or she makes sure that you look in the right direction and that the focus is where it should be. Paul (bod) takes this bit of subtle theatricality and runs with it; in his photos, you always know where to look.
I've been a fan of his work for many a day now. Many of his shots have influenced my own. I love how he keeps things simple but somehow lends an air of mystery to his shots. Way to go Bod!
I've been keeping my eye on Bod since he started sending me emails when he wasn't getting comments from me (apparently 3 or 4 challenges in a row I left him very long comments about his photos). Shortly after that, he made a name for himself, perhaps cashing in on some of my good advice (hahaha!), but more likely he just honed his skills enough to make his camera see what his eye did. He does great work even with his city sheep. Great choice Dave.
Thanks David, I really appreciate your appreciations of the work of others - it helps me to see their work as a coherent whole which I wouldn't otherwise do.
And I, too, am a fan of Bod's work - he definitely has the knack of directing your eye at exactly what he wants you to see. A skill I for one, have yet to master.
Definitely one of my favorite photogrpahers here - I love his use of contrasts and color saturation in so many of his images to come up with a really professional looking product.
There. I have only "copied" two photogs on this site - Jacko and Bod. My copy of bod's was good enough that I got a comment to the effect of I was reusing props. I emailed him that it was my first time using it and he said "looks like bod's work." I was floored that a ribbon winner compared my shot to another ribbon winner's shots. THAT is a compliment.
Plus bod's a funny guy. He doesn't really want the voices in my head to stop. Who would he laugh at?
