The Art of the Image | Art Wolfe | Talks at Google

Key Concepts

• Composition in photography
• Influence of art history on photographic vision
• Impressionism and its application to photography
• Abstract Expressionism and its influence
• Wide-angle perspective in photography
• Leading lines in composition
• Animal camouflage and habitat photography
• Abstracting subjects through perspective and design
• The importance of passion and creativity in photography

Introduction

Art Wolfe, an award-winning photographer, shares insights from his career, emphasizing the importance of art history and personal vision in finding compelling images. He aims to teach how to discover unique subjects in everyday environments, differentiating oneself from the average observer.

Influence of Art History

• Paintings as Historical Records: Historically, paintings served as records of events, similar to photographs today.
• Impressionism: Wolfe draws inspiration from Impressionist painters like Seurat, Monet, and Van Gogh.
• Seurat and Pointillism: Seurat's pointillism, using tiny points of color, inspires Wolfe to look for similar patterns in nature, such as in Swedish forests or Minnesota's north woods.
  • Example: Wolfe seeks "little points of color" rather than horizons or leading lines.
• Monet and Impressionistic Techniques: Monet's imprecise brush strokes in his later years inspire Wolfe to experiment with long exposures to capture motion in nature.
  • Example: Long exposures of wind blowing through trees or water flowing.
  • Book: Rhythms From the Wild resulted from this body of work.
• Van Gogh: Van Gogh's lack of sharp lines inspires Wolfe to find similar reflections, such as in metal panda sculptures in Shanghai.
• Picasso and Cubism: Picasso's Cubist period influences Wolfe's perspective on abstract forms, such as overturned boats in Siberia.
• Georgia O'Keefe: O'Keefe's simple forms and subjects inspire Wolfe to invert photos or capture similar subjects in nature, like icebergs resembling her rose paintings.
• Jackson Pollock: Pollock's abstract expressionism inspires Wolfe to find similar patterns in unexpected places, like mud-spattered vehicles or half-painted buildings.

Shooting Without Prejudice

• Wolfe emphasizes shooting a wide range of subjects, from wildlife to decaying urban scenes, due to his background in painting, illustration, and graphic design.
• He finds beauty in decay, seeing stories of rebirth and renewal in old walls and abandoned buildings.
• American Abstract Expressionism inspires him to look at the abstract rather than the literal.
• Havana, Cuba, is highlighted as a great place to photograph street scenes and find the unexpected.

Wide-Angle Perspective

• Wolfe discusses using wide-angle lenses to create depth and a relationship between foreground, middle ground, and background.
• The goal is to engage the viewer's eye and keep them moving throughout the composition.
• Examples: Snow macaques in Japan, Weddell seals in Antarctica.
• Leading lines are used to direct the viewer's eye to the subject.
  • Examples: Tracks leading to an animal, roads directing the eye.

Distinct Points of View

• Wolfe emphasizes the importance of getting up early and gathering cultural icons to capture a sense of place.
  • Example: Benares, India, with offerings of marigolds and banyan leaves.
• He advocates for gaining unique perspectives by physically positioning oneself differently.
  • Example: Laying in the snow to capture the reflection of Mount Fuji.
• He stresses the importance of understanding animal behavior to capture unique shots.
  • Example: Urinating on a rock to attract mountain goats seeking salt.
• Book: The Living Wild focused on animals in their habitat, emphasizing the importance of preserving land.

Migrations and Patterns

• Book: Migrations was inspired by the work of MC Escher and focused on patterns of animals.
• The book incorporated digital illustration, which caused controversy.
• Wolfe emphasizes abstracting subjects and forcing viewers to figure out what they are looking at.
  • Example: Photographing monks from above to create an abstract pattern.

Vanishing Act

• Book: Vanishing Act challenged viewers to find animals hidden in plain sight.
• The book explored the concept of camouflage and natural selection.
• Examples: Leopard in a tree, Great Grey Owl on a branch, seahorse in a coral reef.

Earth Is My Witness

• Book: Earth Is My Witness is a retrospective of Wolfe's most memorable moments in culture, wildlife, and landscape.
• Wolfe aims to inspire, uplift, and inform people through his work.
• He chooses to photograph beauty to counter the negative news in the world.
• He encourages people to fully embrace photography as a passion.
• The book celebrates humanity and diverse cultures.

Tribes and New Directions

• Wolfe is working on a new project inspired by his earlier work on tribes.
• He is collaborating with Thomas Knoll (creator of Photoshop) and members of remote cultures.
• The project involves abstracting culture and photographing the human form in a theatrical way, using camouflage and abstraction.
• He is incorporating tribal designs and Jackson Pollock-inspired elements.
• He is experimenting with claying people and creating images analogous to Vanishing Act.

Q&A Highlights

• Judging Photos: Time and distance provide perspective. Taking classes and engaging in dialogue are helpful.
• Impressionistic Feel: Suggestion to use extreme depth of field reduction with a long lens to achieve an Impressionistic feel. Wolfe acknowledges the potential and encourages further exploration.
• Equipment: Wolfe admits to being camera illiterate and more focused on composition and vision.
• Unvisited Places: Wolfe expresses interest in visiting Egypt, Spain, Jerusalem, and Oman.

Conclusion

Art Wolfe's presentation emphasizes the importance of artistic vision, drawing inspiration from art history, and continuously evolving one's perspective in photography. He encourages photographers to find unique subjects, engage viewers, and use their work to inspire and uplift others. He highlights the value of passion and creativity in leading a fulfilling life.