Annie Leibovitz: Artist

Annie Leibovitz is easily a household name today, and arguably one of the best photographers of her time. Starting her career working for Rolling Stone Magazine, she began taking intimate photos of Hollywood stars creating a type of photo that became her signature. Annie has made a reputation as a photographer of the Hollywood scene, and with that comes controversy. While some argue that Leibovitz’ photos are lewd, most think of them as masterpieces of the world of photography. Despite scandals including the “nearly nude” photo of Miley Cyrus, a teenage Disney channel star, Annie has done some unarguably great work.

Recently, Disney hired Annie Leibovitz to shoot the latest ad campaign for the Disney theme parks. These Ads recreate scenes from classic Diney films using famous actors such as Scarlett Johansen, Jessica Biel, Abigail Breslin, and Julie Andrews just to name a few. Her work combines the use of digital photography, and computer software to recreate the truly magical scenes from the movies the average person knows and loves.

Annie Leibovitz is an example of a truly great photographer and artist, whether controversial or not. Today the world of photography is changing, but artistry remains the same, it is simply the way the photographer works which makes him or her great.

Photos:

http://www.livingorlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/annie-leibovitz-julianne-moore-michael-phelps.jpg

http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00033/annie_leibovitz700_33742b.jpg

http://images.artnet.com/artwork_images/117084/186327.jpg

Artists or Photographers

The Camera has evolved greatly over its long history. Ideas for the camera date back to the 13^th and 14^th centuries when scientists and inventors were just beginning to understand the concepts of filtered light. Since then, we have seen the invention of the camera, the invention of color photography, and the invention of the digital camera and the world of pixels. These inventions have revolutionized photography, and created more than just simple freeze frames of history. Today the world of photography has gone digital in every way. From digital cameras, to digital computerized enhancements, to digital editing software.

In this digital age it is rare to see a photographer whom develops his or her own film, and the computer process of printing seems to have taken over the photography scene. With this taking place it seems just about anyone can create a great picture, which leaves the integrity of the art form in question. Is a computerized photo really a great piece of art, or what constitutes a true photographer? The way to find the answer is not a simple one, but one may consider these elements. What portion of the photo was created by the photographers’ skill and knowledge of the camera? Was the photo digitally enhanced? These questions can help to generate a standard for photography and separate the everyday camera owner from the true artist.

So the next time you see a great photo, ask follow the standard, and ask yourself: was this created by a tech-savy joe, or a great artist?

Photos from:

http://pem.nu/cms/uploads/images/old_camera_2.png

http://img.webring.com/r/r/retrocameras/logo

http://www.laughingplace.com/lp/lotion/pics/SS20071031-DLMedia/P2-0004.jpg

http://z.about.com/d/graphicssoft/1/5/o/-/PSCS2-redeye.jpg

Temperature as Color Theory

photo 1:

http://www.monetalia.com/paintings/large/monet-poplars-on-the-epte.jpg

photo2:http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/monet/poplars-epte/monet.poplars-epte.jpg

Impressionists in art came about in the late 1700’s and created a new medium of art. The use of color in painting is key and in the impressionist era color when was dispersed in a beautiful yet unique way. This medium was explored a by a great deal of artists including one of the greatest artists of the impressionist period: Claude Monet. Monet entered the color world, creating works that challenged the human eye and created a new way to look at paint and color.

Just as on a television screen small pigments of basic colors make up the “bigger picture” so did the tiny blobs of paint and brush strokes, which were the staples of impressionist art. Monet used this new concept of impressionism to create works such as Poplars, and Poplars on the Epte. His use of this technique challenged color theories of his time, especially in the works listed above. He helped to develop the theory of temperature in color and conveyed how very different a feeling can be communicated or felt within color. While the first has a very warm temperature, the later has a cool temperature, although the paintings seem to be very similar.

It is amazing the new meanings a painting can take on with the slightest element being changed. Color certainly can change the feel of a piece of art, and is a strong force within most. So the next time you look at a painting, quickly or without thought, stop and think again about the impact the piece had on you and why.

Eloise at the Plaza and in the World of High Culture

When one thinks of cartoons or animation it is often that they also associate them with children. The art of cartoons is taken to be something of child’s play not taken seriously in the world of high fashion and culture, or at least not until recently. With animated films/shows such as Shrek, Team America, and Family guy, it seems that a new respect for cartooning and animation is born. While adults now can enjoy cartoons featuring adult humor and themes, one cartoon has taken the juvenile world of cartoons, and turned it into an icon of high class and society. The cartoon Eloise at the Plaza created by Kay Thompson and illustrated by Hilary Night in 1954.

The simple elements that make up Eloise, truly show the modern need for simplicity today, as she combines elegant clothes (at times dawning Dior) with spunky hair and an attitude to match. Her illustration is simple, mostly consisting of two colors pink and yellow, which give a girly impression and a classy feel. She is outlined with black lining creating an elegant simplicity that can only be captured by a little girl who lives at The Plaza in New York. Although she is six she has the culture of a woman of much more experience and the mischievous manner of a child, which together could only be combined in this one of a kind girl.

Recently a young actress, Sofia Vassilieva, has taken on the role of Eloise capturing the essence of a young lady with poise, and the roguish behavior of a six your old creating this icon of high class. Vanity Fair magazine featured an article on Eloise naming it a pastime worthy of the world of high culture. And indeed it has grown to be so. Now this cartoon is no longer considered on the level of a juvinile level, but and icon to children across the world, and societies finest. This is so far so that a fashion line inspired by Eloise has been recently put on the market by the designer Betsey Johnson.

So the next time that you think about cartoons and the effects it can place of society, think of Eloise and I think you will “rawther” find cartoons to be shed in a new light.

Eloise Photo 1:

http://thelifevicarious.typepad.com/the_life_vicarious/2008/12/nightmares-of-russian-wives-and-viennese-pastries-at-the-plaza.html

Eloise photo 2:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaiyHOv3keCiB9_SkR9Ino-qX7uFmt9LzCerzoZtGupzbWVLjE5V9TRg7IjX7Hq16gryYKgNfGXy6ZJ2Cfk3kmtkUwImhK38fDzfE9i0eSZyBx86S4Qoiu_VZOTQwB2nVSqEEn3sYvSE/s400/hht2_s.jpg

Photo 3:

http://www.littleboxofideas.com/images/blog/cartooncharacters/meeloise.jpg

Sustainability Is Not Always Green

Think green photo:

http://sundaysenergy.org/files/suit_kedit.gif

"Green is the new.." photo:http://site.babygirlboutique.com/squidoo/boho/green-new-black-tee.jpg

Tote Photo: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=11338915

Green is every where, it is on the reusable grocery totes we carry to the market, on bumper stickers we read while in traffic, and on the minds of people every where. But what is it about this fascination with green? With the environment in shoddy shape, green is the new icon for cleaning up our world. Many companies are now using green to help sell products that are environmentally safe, but one expert says this is the wrong technique entirely. Nathan Shedroff the author of The Power of Design: Sustainable Innovation.

When we use the phrase reduce, reuse, recycle, we are talking about more than just saving the environment. We easily overlook the different areas of sustainability when considering this phrase. Not only does it sustainability refer to our limited environmental resources and the effect of our consumerism on the environment, but also the financial and social category of sustainability. When the term “Green” is applied to sustainability, the social and financial categories are then alienated. Green refers to the effects of consumerism on the environment, and turns off to the financial and social responsibilities of sustaining.

The term green is not easily applied to capital, although we may sometimes call our paper money “green”, but sustaining our money through budgeting, and cutting back is an important aspect of reducing. We want to reduce the amount of capital being thrown away with products, which are virtually unsustainable and bad for our environment. We have to consider the financial aspect of our consumerism, not only for ourselves, but for the future generations.

The generations to come seem to be at risk just as much as the environment. This is where the social side of sustainability comes in. With the rate of degradation to the environment and the financial situations currently at hand in the world, we have to consider the effect that the future generations will have to live with. Not only are they affected by living in a world depleted of resources, but they will also have to live with the depletion of financial resources as well.

Considering these other categories of sustainability, the word green seems to no longer fit the cause. While “green” is a good way to remind us of the effects of our consumerism, we have to also take into consideration the other aspects of sustainability instead of merely isolating the environmental aspect. So the next time you use the word “green” remember also to think about your financial and social responsibility.

To learn more about Nathan Shedroff’s theories, visit his website at:

www.nathan.com/thoughts

Kandee Creations By You!

Social media has taken the world by storm with the power to make people famous. Today with a username and a password, anyone can post virtually anything on the internet ranging from products, pictures, political views, and even productions. This opportunity has opened up the door for the Average Joe/Jane to market themselves and their skills to anyone who will listen. The phenomenon has created a way for people to express themselves and seek fame whether intentional or not. One such person who has marketed her skills is Kandee Johnson: a true artist.

Kandee has taken the world of YouTube by storm, streaming video tutorials of beauty design, reaching out to men and women (and some children!) alike. She has taken her skill of cosmetology to the next level as she teaches step by step beauty technique through hair, nail, and make-up design. Her make-up videos range from regular make-up basics, to real Hollywood costume makeup. This creates an opportunity for the non-makeup artist to be able to create professional looks that one would otherwise not be able to create without the help of a make-up artist.

Her accessible videos have created an opportunity for anyone to have star worthy looks on a daily basis. Kandee is a great example of how social media is taking the world by storm (and in her case), one face at a time. So the next time you have a special event, costume party, or just wanting a fresh new look, consider your resources, and you just might find you too may have the skill of a make-up artist.

To find out more on Kandee Johnson go to her blog: http://kandeethemakeupartist.blogspot.com/

Or subscribe to her videos on YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/user/kandeejohnson

Lights, Camera, Set Design: What you’re really missing

When you watch a movie, play or T.V. it is not often that you may think about the design that a production involves. So many things go into making a production successful including, hair, make-up, and costume design, however, one part of design which is seldom thought of is set and lighting design. While set and lighting design may seem at first thought to be unimportant, with a bit more consideration you may realize that set and lighting design really make up the whole audience experience. Can you imagine watching a play with no lights to highlight actors, or sets to create an atmosphere for the viewer. To even imagine this seems quite absurd, so it is odd that we do not normally think of these important details.

Such an important detail, requires an important job for a crew of people. Lighting and set design are two separate entities in the production of television, movies, and plays, yet they must be able to work together to create the desired feeling for a production. One thing that is very important in the working together of designs is the colors. Lighting must be harmonious with colors used on the set, and also be able to work efficiently. This fact leaves a big job for lighting technicians and set designers to work together to find the perfect balance.

While set designers do a lot of research to create the right time period and feeling in a set the lighting technicians must work equally as hard to create the right lighting. Meticulous planning must take place in order to have a successful set that works for the given productions needs. Set designers have to have a vision as well as be able to have a “designer-client” relationship with the producer, taking into consideration the directors needs. Not only must the set designer be able to collaborate with others but, must also be very consistent in all the planning stages. Models must be drawn up and then constructed starting in small scale, which in turn has to be constructed into a full scale.

This may be the hardest job for a set designer. The small scale must be able to exactly replicate the full scale, including the most minute details such as paint color, furnishings, and architectural accuracy. The job of the set designer to create such accuracy is incredible in all its awe from start to finish. Knowing all the effort that is put into creating the perfect on set atmosphere, really changes the whole meaning of a production for many. So the next time you watch your favorite T.V. show pay attention to the details, the incredible work which surrounds the performers, and you’ll find that the actors are not the only artists in show biz.

photo at right: http://www.rfdesigns.org/graphics/amadeus3.jpg

photo at top left: http://www.clinton.k12.ky.us/revised/cchsrevision/Student%20Pages/Bway%20Rocks/assets/rent2.jpg