Proposal for Final Project
I met Stephan Dirado last fall here at UNH when his some of his photographs were in the museum. He gave a talk in the big lecture hall, and it was probably the most well attended artist talk that I’ve been to here. I was struck right away his easy manner, he seemed utterly comfortable in his skin, and when he talked to the room about his life as a photographer, it was like he was talking to a room full of old friends. This easy and comfortable way of being made an impression on me, and when I saw Dirado in Philbrook dining hall after his talk I approached him to thank him for the talk and express my enthusiasm for his photographs. When I introduced myself he made me feel as if it was an honor for him to meet me, as if I was the accomplished artist and he the doting college art student. It was quite remarkable, and I went away from the conversation feeling uplifted.
Dirado must have this effect on many people, for most of his photographs are very intimate portraits which would not be possible without such an easy way with people. In the film “A Summer Spent”, which I watched in preparation to make some photographs emulating Dirado, this aptitude for people, as well as his camera is on full display. The pieces of his artistry that I will try to bring into my final project are: having a conversation with the subject while taking their photo, and at the same time positioning them in a way which fulfills my vision for the image, using some kind of artificial lighting or way to change the lighting (Dirado uses flash and reflectors), being aware of the gaze of the subject, photographing subjects in ones and twos. My plan is to photograph friends whO I already have an established relationship with.
Sources
“A Summer Spent”
Stephan Dirado Lecture and show “A Photographer’s Embrace”
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