Garry Winogrand

Garry Winogrand was an American street photographer known for his portrayal of the United States of America in the 20th century. Winogrand has been cited as the 'Central photographer of his generation. Many of his photographs depict the social issues of his time and in the role of media in shaping attitudes. Winogrand's photographs of the Bronx Zoo and the Coney Island Aquarium made up his first book The Animals in 1969. 

I have chosen to study Garry Winogrand as I am extremely interested in street photographers and taking pictures of people and the way they act, their mannerisms and their natural behavior. I find Winogrand's work appealing because in around 80% of his photographs his subjects are never looking at the camera or anywhere near the camera lens. Another reason I adore Garry Winogrand's work is due to the fact that he focuses on the social issues of his time, his books primarily Public Relations of 1977 show the antics of the political world from the view of the american streets in the 70's, the book includes images of protesters being beaten by cops, museum parties and press conferences.  I love the way that street photography, although completely unassuming can speak a thousand words, the brutality of the image can never be hidden whether its bad or good. 

This photograph is composed in a way which makes the women look like they are on natural run way. The natural light shafts act as leading lines so the eye of the viewer is drawn to the women. Formal elements used here would be tone, form, movement and depth. These are used to define the women walking towards the camera. I love this photo as I love the way the depth of the background makes the women look as if they have been on a mission. (Photograph from: 'Women are Beautiful'.)

This photograph is 100% natural and the spash of water and reactions of other people in the photograph aside from the main subjects adds to natural air this photo carries. Formal elements used here would be again tone, movement and form and possible texture. Form due to the shadows in the image and tone due to lighter and darker tones given by the monochrome camera. Texture is shown by the ripples of waves, creases of skin and wet fabric of swimming costumes. I adore the way this photo was taken with its subjects completely off guard and think this image as a whole is reminiscent of classic street photography. (Photograph from: 'The Animals'.)

This photo of the late JFK is another classic example of the brilliance of street photography. I love this photograph due to the fact it is not posed or formal in the way shots including a president would usually be instead nobody is looking in the right direction and the subjects are still hysterical at the fact they've just met the president. Formal elements used here would again be Tone due to immense light and dark tones used to express the difference between the people there. Another formal element used would be movement due to the way the woman is captured mid laugh and the viewer can see this photograph is not posed. (Photograph from: 'Public Relations'.)

This photograph is an excellent representation of the way Gerry Winogrand took photos due to the fact that it is not the people in the photograph which mattered to him but the actions in which they were partaking, this is shown by the fact that nobody can tell who any of the subjects are in this case. I love this photograph because it represents the anonymity of the millions of people who pass through life. Formal elements used in this photograph are tone and depth. Depth is used to create a distance between the viewers and the subjects. Tone is used to add to the distance created by the depth of the corridor in the photograph for example the black tones of the photo corners make the subjects seem up to three times further away. (Photograph from: 'Arrivals & Departures'.)

How I was Influenced…

Gerry Winogrand has given me a boost of interest and adoration for street photography, I have learnt that having the perfect pose or setting may not be the right attitude and to instead focus on the natural beauty and behavior of human beings when they are oblivious to the camera lens pointed in the direction. I have also learnt that while street photography is extremely spur of the moment the correct composure is also important, remember the angles your capturing; an unflattering photo is more than pointless and never pleasing to the eye of the viewers. Something I wish to take from Garry Winogrand which he has influenced me to use would be to shoot in monochrome, I adore the tone which the black and white photographs had regardless of whether this was the only option I think monochrome photographs are beautiful and capture human nature in stunning definition. I wish to maybe do a shoot in the style of Garry Winogrand, a shoot full of completely natural shots where none of the subjects are looking directly down the camera lens, I may focus on a busy tourist destination for my own shoot. After studying Garry Winogrand I feel connected to him through his art. Since studying Garry Winogrand I have taken this photograph  (next to text) which is a live action shot of a girl laughing, this is my interpretation of street photography which is why I chose to study him in the first place, I chose to black and white the photograph despite the fact I have the option of colour which Winogrand didn't.
 I believe his photographs tell the story of the society of 1960's-70's America in a time of what is seen as great difficulty for the country. I hold Winogrand in extremely high regard due to the care he took within his photographic career, I think he is one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century.