U.S. economy in crisis

I have chosen this photograph by Anthony Suau titled "U.S. economy in crisis". Suau photographed and documented life in Cleveland .For this particular image he followed a police officer who had to hand out up to 20 eviction notices a day .The officer’s duties included ensuring evictees had moved out of their homes ,that the properties had remained vacant and additionally to ensure no looting had taken place.

I enjoy the way in which the Suau has composed the officer centrally within the frame, your eyes are drawn to and focus straight to him. The white wall behind ,contrasting strongly with his black uniform ,framing him and ensuring that the central visual element of his image stands out. Then you follow his actions and to what he is about to do .The door and the unknown which lies beyond its threshold acting as a strong metaphor for the uncertainty in today s economic climate.

The scene that the officer has entered depicts destruction, unrest and chaos reflecting the current state of the US and global economies. The detective has been ordered to use authority to try to control a situation that is in turmoil. The lone subject swamped by the scene shows how much of a losing battle this man faces in the struggle of
controlling an uncontrollable situation. It can be viewed as a microcosm of how governments are trying to control the current economic crisis effecting the world today through a dwindling set of fiscal controls

William Eggleston

William Eggleston is an American photographer and is one of the most influential photographers of the last half centaury. Eggleston is best known for his colour photography and has been names the father of colour photography, he really has the ability to fine the beauty but somehow also darkness to the subject, Eggleston photographs very simple and everyday object but seems to characterize them by using colour.

Eggleston’s latest work was shown at Victoria Miro Gallery which I went to see. It was a small exhibition with only 22 photographs. The photo of which really stood out was this one called ‘Untitled’ (Bathroom with pink curtain, Cuba) 2007, this photo stood to me as it so empty, and I felt lost looking at it. Even through the light is shinning through and the bright pink curtain makes me think of sadness and sorrow I’m not sure why but it does.

Eggleston has had an amazing career but recently he received a life time Achievement Award at the International Centre of Photography (ICP) Infinity Awards from Gatty Images and lately he has had a documentary made about him. 'I had an old Canon and a Leica,' he says, 'but I didn't know the first thing about photography. Never learnt it off anybody either. It quickly came to be that I grew interested in photographing whatever was there wherever I happened to be. For any reason.’ I like that Eggleston leant photography from getting stuck in to it. I feel that this is the best why to understand and to really get to grips with photography.

References:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2004/jul/25/photography1

http://www.interviewmagazine.com/art/william-eggleston/

http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2009/06/the_colorful_world_of_william.html

William Eggleston's Guide by John Szarkowski