There are a multitude of photography blogs out there. The internet is lousy with them. If you're a photography fanatic and want to check out the latest lighting techniques or camera gear, there's a blog for you. If you're a Photoshop or Lightroom geek seeking the best workflow solutions, there's a blog for you. The resources to keep up with the latest trends in digital photography are phenomenal.
What I find sorely lacking however is any kind of historical references to where we came from as visual artists. I'm always stunned when I'm on a shoot and mention to the the digital tech or photo assistant the name of some photographer or painter from the past and I get nothing but a blank stare of non-recognition.
While I'm certainly not an art historian, I can't imagine working in the visual arts without a fundamental understanding of what went before. Nothing excites me more than visiting a museum or book store and getting turned on by a new (old) artist. It's like opening a door to an alternate universe that demands exploration.
Which brings me to the point of this blog. I'm setting myself the goal of exploring the artists and art movements that have been influential to me as a fine art and commercial photographer. This list is completely idiosyncratic and certainly not exhaustive. What follows is what has and continues to inspire me. I hope it provides some open doors to you the readers as well.
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3 comments:
Thanks for this, Rico. I'm looking forward to reading more. We learn more about the future, but remembering the past....
Dear Rico,
As always I am in awe of your knowledge & thirst for it.
This is only one of the elements that make you so fascinating as a photographer & a friend.
I love your new blog!
More , please, more!
g
P.S.typo : Is it Carbo ( as in Dennis) or Carbro process?
Hi Rico,
I had a chance to see Topolino do a live presentation sponsored by MAC for a select group of invited artists in Los Angeles. He was entertaining and meticulous in application. He was also shocking to many of us artists as he unapologetically smoked while applying makeup to the model, using his fingers and even spit in the process! I found it entertaining as it laughed in the face of the otherwise sterile nature of our work. However the thing I most remember is the person sitting next to me in complete adoration commenting that Topolino was wonderful because he was "fearless". I think that describes him very well. Another revelation that stunned the room was his candid response to his dislike for John Galiano and how he refused to work with him. I don't think there was anyone in that room that could conceive of turning down John Galiano because of a lack of common ground. As a makeup artist who has worked with you Rico, I thank you for acknowledging the work of makeup artists in general.
Best,
David
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