Jeff Wall
Canadian b.1946
The Goat 1989
cibachrome transparency, fluorescent light and display case
229.0 x 309.0 cm
Dave Hill Discuss the intentions of the photographers. Why would these photos be made?
Interpret meanings.
What do you see as the most innovative and creative aspects of the photo?
Interpret meanings.
What do you see as the most innovative and creative aspects of the photo?
Discuss techniques and working processes? Similar? Different?
Display of work?
Make 2 intelligent comments. The comments cannot be back to back. Someone must comment after your comment, before you comment again!
This is an online discussion. Respond to other comments, pose questions, research, provide pertinent information, feel free to rebut the opinions of your classmates – kindly.
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ReplyDeletethese photo's are two very different photo's, the first photo has more of a family happy feeling to it and the second one has a very dark feeling to it, the contrast is not all that different but the first one looks more grainy like a film camera and the second one looks digital, both of the photos are very well done but they both different styles of photography.
ReplyDelete-Theo Laan
The first photo seems less planned out and relies more on body language to express what is happening in the photo. However in the second photo it is more about the natural components to express the theme, like the rain and lifeless terrain. Anyone agree?
ReplyDeleteSam
these photo's are two very different photo's, the first photo has more of a family happy feeling to it and the second one has a very dark feeling to it, the contrast is not all that different but the first one looks more grainy like a film camera and the second one looks digital, both of the photos are very well done but they both different styles of photography
ReplyDelete^Yeah I do agree. The first one looks like it is in the moment and less planned out. The second photo with his body position, language is very stiff and does not look natural and caught in the moment.
ReplyDeleteHanna
Jeff Wall's art has been described as, "one-frame cinematic productions," which seem to be more candids and require a lot of post production. Dave Hill's photos are also edited but they look more plastic. In the case of these two photos, it's obvious that the one by Dave Hill is more staged, and the environment behind him looks almost fake, where Jeff's looks to be more of a raw and vintage scene.
ReplyDeleteI think that both of these photographs are extremely different. Jeff Wall tends to take photographs more so of a scene with multiple people in it whereas Dave Hill focuses more on one person as a portrait. Dave Hill's photographs look extremely edited though and Wall's photographs are more natural
ReplyDeletei do agree, the second photo looks really natural like it wasnt planned out what so ever, and the first one looks planned.
ReplyDelete-Theo Laan
The first one is visually interesting in a very subtle manner, as the normal and carefree scene of boys playing is ruined by the agressive stance of one of the boys. He's acting like he's aiming a gun or a weapon, in a very threatening gesture. The danger in this photo is subtle and quiet, faintly defined and barely present.
ReplyDeleteThe sense of danger in the second photo is much more obvious. Sharp rocks, crashing waves and driving rain combine to present an image rife with a sense of danger and adventure.
Both of these photos differ in content as well as technique. Wall's photo seems more natural and canddi, whereas Hill's picture is more artificial. While Wall' photo does give the viewer a sense of intrigue as to what the people in the shot are doing, Hill's tells more of a story of adventure
ReplyDeleteNatasha
I do agree with Natasha, the second picture looks very manufactured and tampered with.
ReplyDeleteHanna
Jeff Wall's photo shows contrast with the tree tops. The contrast of the children's body is also shown on the garage. Jeff's photo gives a vintage feeling of what the late 1900's was like.
ReplyDeleteDave Hill's works are first taken and alter in photoshop. This gives it the super high definition look. With using photoshop Dave has put more detail into his works. You can see the deep contrast within the rocks with creates depth within the photo.
I agree that both photos show very different styles of photography. The first one, although it looks posed, does not seem as created as the second one. The Dave Hill one appears to be digitally altered and much more fabricated. This is noticeable due to the almost plastic sheen it has, and artificial lighting. Like Sam said, the first one is much more difficult to interpret because the subject matter is further away and you need to rely on body language whereas the second one, although mysterious is much more easy to interpret. One website refers to the first photograph and says "By the 1980s the artistic appropriation of found images from the mass media had become one of the hallmarks of artistic practices known as post-modernist. During this period Canada''s Jeff Wall was first recognized internationally for his large back-lit photographic works that refer to the history of representational practices, particularly painting." I believe that both of these photos intentions are to tell storys. The first one is the story of young boys playing, and the second one alludes to the story of a hunt for treasure. At least, this is how I interpret it.
ReplyDeletei agree with Theo's second post as i do believe the first photo looking like it was taken as a diverse moment and the second photo looks extremely set up almost making it look fake.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the two photo's are both different with the subject matter, because of the decisiveness differences. The second photo also has more of an obvious depth to it, whereas the first one doesn't seem to have much depth to it at first. Of course, both photo's are showing a story. This first picture shows a more juvenile tale, and the second one is more intense with lots of intense feeling to it. The pictures are both similar though because the main focus for both of the photographs are the boys, and they are similar in both pictures, seeming about the same age. The meaning behind the first story is probably something along the lines of small problems that every young adolescent goes through, like mischievous demeanours, etc. The second photograph seems to be telling a more harder problem, where the solution isn't as clear or easy to get to. Clearly Jeff Wall is a less insightful and seemingly more easy-going character than Dave Hill is.
ReplyDeleteSarah collier^
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jason when he says that the mood of the photos is somewhat similar, but much less obvious in the first photo. The lighting in the second one and the way stance that he's in looks like he's preparing for danger, or that it already occurred because of the debris surrounding him. I think that because of this, the second photo tells more of a story, where the first photo you can more or less make up a scenario of your own.
ReplyDeletei agree that both photos are very different but at the same time they both use the same style. they both have hidden meanings that most people likely do not understand including me. I believe if we were to research more about each photographer we would understand the photos a little better than just looking at them without knowing any thing about the artiest.
ReplyDelete-anna servedio
Like it has been said before, these photos are very different. While Wall's photo is more of a candid/decisive moment photo. Hill's is obviously staged. Also with a lot of Hill's work it is very obviously photoshopped, giving the viewer a new way to look at reality.
ReplyDeleteThe intentions of the photographer would be to display childhood innocence and imagination. The first is what it looks like from an outside view. You see a bunch of children all together in their own world. There isn't much exciting there to make an amazing adventure, that can last entire afternoons, but somehow the children make it happen. In the second you see what imagination is like inside the child's head. He is wrapped up in a fabulous world where he is playing the hero on a deserted beach full of treasure.
ReplyDelete-Nessie Nankivell
I'm pretty sure the second photo is from a series by Dave Hill titled "Girl on an Adventure", which would make a lot of sense given the subject matter. That would explain the sense of epic adventure and the questing expression on the girl's face. The simple fact that she's staring into the heavy rain displays her determination.
ReplyDeleteIn the first photo it looks like the kids on the left are being agressive, while the kids on the right look like they're trying to avoid a confrontation. Still, this slight tension cannot dispell the feeling of childhood playfulness which is created by the background, the simple fact that they are children, and the excited posture of the hunched over boy on the right.
I agree with Jason in that the first image has various subtle undertones, making the viewer have to really search for specific themes or images, which makes it more interesting to look at. Hill's photo is more blatent and obvious as to what the theme is.
ReplyDeleteI think that everyone has come to the consensus that both the photographers seem to be complete opposites of each other. Jeff Wall's photography seems to have a very natural focus, and the finished products remain unaffected. Dave Hill's photographs however, have a very unrealistic end result. Wall's photos almost seem like ones you could find in a family photo album, especially this one, because it has a very organic touch to it. As we can see in Hill's photograph here as well, the background and even the subject both have a digitally enhanced look.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Laura how Hill's work is staged and clearly photoshopped in order to achieve what he feels should be shown. He is almost like Pedro Meyer in the sense that photoshop can show all the layers have been put together to form one photograph, and that his final product that he wants to accomplish can only be produced with photoshop. Wall's work is not photoshopped, or at least doesn't seem to be, and seems like a very real and normal scene between a group of young boys. The contrast and composition in both photo's are very good though, the setting in both is well put together and works with the idea of the photo's.
ReplyDeleteSarah Collier
Sarah Collier
Even though the intentions of both photos are to tell stories, I believe that their techniques and working processes are what make the second one stronger that the other. Because of the contrast and depth of the second photo it sends a much stronger message and the story is easier to interpret. The first one doesn't have very good contrast and has one main fluorescent lighting that makes it harshly lit. Because of this the image doesn't stand out as well and therefore the story doesn't come through as well. The fact that you can't immediately tell what's going on in the first photo could perhaps be considered it's creative aspect. It makes the viewer look at it longer. Unfortunately, it doesn't have enough to offer and appear good enough for this to entice the viewer. The second photo's creative aspect is the fact that the photo has so much depth and subject matter, that it keeps the viewer drawn to the photo and looking at the various objects around the viewers feet and the treacherous background.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sarah regarding to the second photo, he put a bunch of layers together to create what he envisioned his photo to be
ReplyDeleteSam
I agree with Anna. By researching more about each photograph, you would be able to grasp a better meaning/understand of each photograph and photographer. I googled both photographers photography and they are completely different. All of Dave Hill's photos look very unrealistic and posed. Jeff Wall's are natural and look effortless in the sense of not being posed. However, in the first photograph by Jeff Wall, I think that it looks less staged than Dave Hill's. This is because Dave Hill's background just looks very unrealistic and looks as if the boy is placed in the position he is in. Jeff Wall's photograph looks like the children were just playing and he took a picture, not like he placed them in the positions they are in.
ReplyDeleteKelsey Rayner
I agree with Ali, as the photographers do seem to be very different. However as we talked about in the first post, different photographers shoot for different purposes. Wall shoots for a more natural, candid feel, which portrays some sort reality to the viewer. Hill, however, takes photos to create some sort of altered reality to tell more of a story. His pictures show more of an extreme for the subject matter, which is aided with the alterations he makes to his photos.
ReplyDeleteHill's are also more exaggerated and animated.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Christina in that I do not think the second photograph tells a story better than the first. In my opinion it is too edited and it is more than a portrait than a story. How can you tell a story from just one picture with one person in it?
ReplyDeleteI think that the first picture is much stronger even though the lighting or subject matter may not be as strong as the second one, I think it is a better photograph overall
i agree with anna and kelsey. after googling both david and jeff's photographs, it is clearly shown through davids photos that he has staged them and a lot of them are unrealistic. where as jeffs photos looks effortless and unplanned. the two styles are very different from each other
ReplyDelete- madi grant
It seems like the first photograph was taken on the spurr of the moment. The second one, however, was clearly taken after lots of planning.
ReplyDeleteThe first image looks alot less professional than the second one, as well. Obviously this is just personal opinion, but it seems like anyone could take the first photograph.
SARAH HARDY
Wall's intent is difficult to determine, but i would assume that the image's message has something to do with youth and innocence??
Hill's intent also seems to have a sort of young, innocent feel to it. True, the subject matter is a little gruesome (soldier's remains from a battle?), but i am immediately reminded of my imagination as a kid. The exploration, treasure hunting, and apparent island all remind me of the incredible world that is hidden in a child's vast imagination.
I agree with Robyn, i do liek the first photo better overall
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Jason in that the kids on the left look aggressive, but the overall tone of the photo is still one of childhood innocence. The photographer probably also had the intent of making people think about what exactly the children were arguing about. With the second photo the photographer photoshopped the photo to make it appear as if the women in the picture were, as Jason said again, was going on an epic adventure or had gotten caught in the middle of a storm and is trying to get home.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Christina said. The second photograph by Dave Hill is definitely the stronger one of the two. A viewer looking at both of these would be more impacted by the second because it captures your attention much easier. One is probably less inclined to look at the first one, as it has a very boring sense to it and the overall look isn't very appealing. In all honesty, it looks very amateur. The second photo however looks much more professional and the composition of it is excellent. If i had to choose to hire one of the other based on these two photos I was contrasting, I would definitely choose Dave Hill.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that in the first photo by Jeff Wall, he is using a more candid moment then the photo taken by Dave Hill. In Jeff's photo, all of the boys are focusing on something different, but it still seems like they are working together as a whole. In Dave's photo, the boy in the picture is focusing on one specific thing, and you can tell that he feels a lot for whatever it is that he is focusing on. In both photos there is a sense of adventure, and exploration, however each photographer showed this theme in different ways. Jeff focused on showing creativity through trying to have each boy in his photo tell a different story. He wanted each boy to stand out in their own way, while at the same time the group of boys were still together as one. In Dave's photo, he showed his creativity through having the story slightly less obvious, and allowing us to have to think deeper about what is going on in the photo.
ReplyDeleteWall’s photo is much more natural and looks like he has used little to no techniques or foreign processes to create his image. Hill’s photo on the other hand looks very processed, almost as if it is an illustration. Although compositionally very different, I think both photographs have a similar intent. By looking at both pictures I feel that they are both trying to tell a story. The first by Jeff Wall is more of a subdued story, leaving the viewer to have a wide range of possibilities to interpret, while Dave Hill’s photo is an obvious story telling of an adventure by the seashore. Does any one else agree with my thought on similarities?
ReplyDelete-Ali Crawford
In response to a comment much further up and in no accordance to my previous post, (no one is commenting). I agree with christina in thinking that the second photograph by Hill is definitely compositional stronger. You can not disregard the simple fact that Hill's photo has more going on and therefore has more to consider. While looking at this photo an average viewer can ask so many questions. Where is it? What is it? Is it an alternate world? Is it an ocean with out water? Could it be the future? It seems like with Hill's photo there are endless assumptions and possibilities which in turn creates a stronger work.
ReplyDelete-Ali Crawford.
I agree with the fact that Wall's photo is a lot more natural, and seems like he didn't really use many photography techniques to help better his photo. It looks as if he just pointed and took a picture of these kids looking around in the backyard. We're not sure what exactly they are all looking at, however it is obvious that they are trying to find something, or figure something out. Hill's photo does look very processed and not realistic at all. It's hard to imagine what the person in Hill's photo was thinking about because it seems so un realistic. We know where he is and vaguely what he is doing (he is on the sea shore and he is looking at or for something) but it is very hard to relate to it. With Wall's photo, though it is more vague and we don't really know what the boys are doing, it is more relateable because it is a simple scene with normal people doing normal things.
ReplyDeleteI think that these photos are very different, the one on the top of the kids looks like it is showing what everyday life is like and this is what real life is like. The second photo shows more of an adventurous side to kids, this is what they imagine in their mind and that this is what it is like to be a kid
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Conor. In my personal opinion I like Jeff Wall's photo more than Dave Hill's because it shows life naturally how it is and isn't altered.
ReplyDeleteKelsey Rayner
I agree with Ali. I think both of these photographers styles are very different, in the sense that Dave Hill's photos do appear to be altered in some way, while Jeff Wall's photos have a more natural look to them. It also apparent that Dave Hill focusses on one subject, while Jeff Wall will incorporate many into each photograph.
ReplyDeleteI think the most innovative parts of both photos are quite opposite each other. This first the most interesting part of the picture is the way the photographer has left it so understated. It really is up to the viewer to decide what it is about and it makes them really think to pick up on the small subtle details that allow the photo to tell a story. However in the second picture it is the obviousness of the meaning that makes it such an easily likable picture. The big in your face subject (the girl), the context she is in, the mood of the colouring and the depth all make this an obvious photo. Keep in mind I say obvious in a positive way because it allows the viewer to get past understanding the picture and gives them more time to enjoy and interpret the work.
ReplyDeleteNessie Nankivell
I also agree that the second photo is the strongest of the two. Although both photos seem to be candid moments captured by Jeff Wall and Dave Hill, the second photo is the most interesting and creative because of its use of detail and definition. As Ali said, the second photo is compositionally stronger and has a lot more going on to be considered. I also enjoy that each photo is up to the viewer to interpret in their own way.
ReplyDelete-Jackie Prange
In these to photo's it is not only the subject matter that differ's but also the way in which the photograph is executed. In the first picture by Jeff Wall it seems as the the image was not planned and that he caught a moment. The boys in the photo look as thought they are taunting the boy in the light blue shirt(second from the right). This creates a tension in the photograph. In the second picture which is obviously digitally altered there is only one subject and he is in a very aquatic seen. This image looks more commercial while the other looks more like decisive moment photography.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jason's comment. In the first photo it is the body language that makes one think the children are showing sign's of aggregation. It is a strong piece because at first glance it seems like a simple moment captured but when one looks closer it is easy to tell that the moment is not so simple and the repressed aggression that one may at first over look is noticed.
ReplyDelete