Out of all the photographers I have explored thus far, Richard Avedon has been my favorite. He has a way of capturing a candid in which the viewer feels like they're standing right there in the scene. He not only captures the subject, but the entire mood of the environment. Although I loved many of his images, this specific one was my favorite. As soon as I saw it, it put a smile on my face. The man that is the main subject of the image seems to be having such a great time. His facial expression exudes happiness and joy and it is infectious. It makes the viewer wonder what kind of person this man is as well as who the people around him are and what they're doing. It makes you want to jump into the photograph and be a part of the experience.
Photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe provide the viewer with a dynamic and striking view of human beings. Out of all his studies of the human figure, I find this one the most interesting. What I found most striking when I first saw this photograph was the stark contrast between the bold, solid black of her clothing and the bright, vibrant white of the pearls. Also, the way the black of the woman's hat frames her face and the different texture of the material over her face immediately draws the attention of the viewer to the woman's face. I love the striking contrast between the black hat and clothing and the light gray of the background. Looking at this photograph makes me curious as to who this woman is, as well as what she may be dressed up for.
