Didier Massard

Didier Massard is able to create images that have a surreal quality to them.  Every image can transport the viewer into a world they could only dream to be in.  After looking through his images, you will conclude that the images can not be real and do not exist in the world.  You wouldn't be wrong if you said that.

He uses two of his talents, sculpture and photography.  If you view the silent video he has on his website, Didier Massard, under the tab backstage, you will see how he creates an image.  Knowing that the creates all of his images by creating the whole scene before he takes the photograph is amazing.  Before I looked at how he created the image "L' Elephant", I could not grasp how he created these surreal images.

The art of his work is that he creates a world through the use of his photographs.  When viewed as a series it becomes a documentary on this world he has created.  From the work he shows on his website, you can see a sample of each part of the fictional world.  His images range from scenes underwater to scenes of elephants towering over the landscape.

It is really hard for me to pin a word or feeling to his images.  The only word I can think of is surreal, but that doesn't even describe the work well.  I want to be able to give insight into this artist photographs, or at least be able to describe the images in words.  Since I am lost for words and don't know how the images make me feel, I would like to ask the audience to help me. Look at the following images, or you may view all of his work on his website, Didier Massard.  If you can describe any emotions you feel or if you can describe his work in a few sentences, please feel free to leave a comment.

Herb Ritts

When I think of black and white portraits I can't help but think of Herb Ritts.  I came across him when I wrote a paper on fashion photography.  Out of all the people I wrote about in the paper, I remember him the best.  He got his start when he was at a gas station by his house and took a picture of Richard Gere, an up and coming actor at the time.  Then when he sent the pictures to Richard Gere, he got his first break and photographed Brooke Shields.  Since then he has taken photographs of countless celebrities until he died from cancer in 2002. The reason he was considered on of the best is because he didn't do what everyone else did, he set up little lighting and made the client comfortable so he could show the true personality of the person he was photographing.

Even though you have seen all these celebrities many times, these pictures are unique because they capture who the real person is.  From looking at the pictures I feel like I know who they are, and that is hard to do consistently in picture after picture.

The lighting in all the pictures show a very clean simple lighting environment.  The lighting he uses in his photographs is always very inviting and makes the photograph easy to approach.  You never get distracted by the lighting, instead you can focus on the subject matter.  Herb Ritts has set the bar in black and white portriature much higher and has gained the respect of many of the industry's finest professionals.

Current Work

This is my first post in my blog.  I have never written a blog before but I am currently an artist working on my first major series.  By creating this blog I hope to gain feedback of my work and to also share interesting trials and tribulations that arise from attacking this project head first.  I am going to lay out a few of my photos first. NOTE: You may view the picture larger by clicking on it

Beauty of Fall - Photo A

Destroyed Landscape - Photo B

Beauty of the First Snow - Photo C

Another Destroyed Landscape - Photo D

When you look at the photographs did you pick up any connection between Photo A and B or Photo C and D?  If not, can you infer from the photographs a message?
In the early stages of my project the issue I am most concerned about is getting a crystal clear connection on the message I am trying to convey using a series of 4 sets of photographs.  The message I hope you got from this mini series is that nature has a beauty when left untouched.  However, with all the damage humanity is causing; greenhouse gasses, pollution, extreme urbanization, and the collection of resources without concern for the environment.  Not only will nature be destroyed, but humanity will also suffer consequences.
I know that in the beginning stages the message might get lost or be hard to read.  Any feedback you can provide will be greatly appreciated and considered when continuing this project.