Present ed by Atanas Bosakov For Photogr aphy 120, Online Class at Napa Valley College.
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Transcript of Present ed by Atanas Bosakov For Photogr aphy 120, Online Class at Napa Valley College.
Presented by
Atanas
Bosakov
For
Photography
120, Online
Class at Napa
Valley College
John Pfahl
BORN February 17, 1939; New York, New York
Raised in Wanaque, New Jersey.
EDUCATION BFA. Syracuse University, School of Art,
1961
MA. Syracuse University, School of Communications, 1968
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
1968 – 85 School of Photographic Arts and Sciences,
Rochester Institute of
Technology. Resigned as full Professor to pursue
photographic
career.
1983-4 Visiting Professor, University of New Mexico,
Albuquerque.
1986 – Present Adjunct Professor, University of Buffalo,
Buffalo, NY.
Biography
John Pfahl is an American photographer mostly known for his Landscape work. His style is directly related to nature and the environment. Pfahl’s work is an unique combination of classical landscapes (reveling the beauty of the nature) and discreet remainder of the human intervention in nature. His unique style masterly provokes.
“I want to make photographs whose very ambiguity provokes thought, rather than cuts it off prematurely. I want to make pictures that work on a more mysterious level, that approach the truth by a more circuitous route.”
John Pfahl
John Pfahl’s Work and Style
John Pfahl’s work grabbed my attention because of the beauty of the environmental message that it carries. I find his photographs very influential. One of my favorite series of photographs are Power Places (1981-84), Missile /Glyphs (1984-85), and The Very Rich Hours of a Compost Pile (1992-93). Although the photographs differ in style, they are fascinating because of the passion and the concern for the harmony of culture and nature.
This landscape image
from the Power Places
series is a great example
of the photography style
of John Pfahl. The author
of the image doesn’t
emphasizes directly on
the power place. Instead,
he places the chimneys
using the rule of third to
achieve his message of
indirect alert. The result
is a provocative
combination of pure
nature and human
intervention. Great
choice of cloudy
condition and defuse,
soft light for the image.
Power Places
This photograph, named Fat Man
Atomic Bomb(that was the name of
the bomb detonated over Nagasaki),
is from the Missile/Glyphs series.
The image is absolutely outstanding
and it speaks in a such a deep way.
The photograph is designed on the
diptych technique. I really like how
John Pfahl masterly uses color, light,
and shadows to create this
composition. The image is very
urgent and loaded with tension, and
reminds us about the danger of the
nuclear weapons. The bomb placed
above the images of humans is a
great way to express the destructive
power . The motives of culture,
technology, and environment are
present in this masterpiece of
photography.
Missile /Glyphs,
The Watermelon Ruts is an
beautiful directorial, still
life image. Complementary
Color Contrast (green and
red) and unique
combination of texture is
what catches my attention. I
admire the idea of using
remains in a way that shows
some beauty. The layout of
the elements is very
dynamic. I get the idea of
transparency and hidden
meaning of ongoing
purpose. The decaying
organic matter will
eventually be completely
“dead”, but it will provide
nutrients for the soil. The
image conveys the purpose
of harmony and balance.
The Very Rich Hours of a Compost Pile (Watermelon Ruts)
John Pfahl’s photographs are very influential for not only photographers, but for environmental activists and political agendas as well. I learned from Mr. Pfahl’s work that photography is more than simply taking pictures. It’s a way of expression, it’s passion, it’s a tool for sending a message. I also learned that beauty appears in different forms. His indirect way of conveying a meaning is what I like the most about his photographs.
John Pfahl’s Influence
http://www.janetbordeninc.com/biographies/Pfahl.pdfhttp://
www.mocp.org/collections/permanent/pfahl_john.php ( The Museum of Contemporary Photography Website)
http://www.environmentalartblog.com/2009/04/john-pfahl-early-work.html (The Environmental Art Blog)
http://johnpfahl.com ( Mr. John Pfahl’s Website)Altered Landscapes, book by John Pfahl, June 1, 1981Picture Windows, book by John Pfahl, October 1, 1987
Annotated Bibliography