Over the past decades, the photographic medium has been redefined and shaped by new emerging technologies as well as new and innovative formats. Perhaps the most important change in relation to this was the appearance of Color Photography, which has a closer equivalent with reality itself. Nowadays we have undergone another crucial change in creative photography with digital manipulation and digital development.
Contemporary photographers often use these developments to present new perspectives on traditional subjects and compositions.
The word contemporary refers to everything that has occurred since the 1970s/1980s.
Here are some examples of Contemporary photographers –
Mikael Aldo
The two photographs above taken by Mikael Aldo use one male and one female subject, the two embrace, almost entangled.
Aldo has used the universal emotion of love to convey his message in the simplest form. By using basic compositional techniques in both the images above, he has allowed the meaning behind the image to be easily interpreted. The unity of the background reflects the balance of the two people embracing in the photographs.
More photos here – http://www.mikaelaldo.com/
Kyle Thompson
Kyle Thompson’s hauntingly surreal photographs evade narrative and easy answers. We make associations and attempt to form meanings that that artist has indicated, but are left with only more questions.
The rhythm and movement of both above images are uncomfortable, awkward and vulnerable which represents the way many people could feel in situations where you’re in a large group but feel isolated. By distorting the view of his face he has created anonymity that makes viewers think about their own relationship and experiences with loneliness. They begin to understand the emotions that are misunderstood, and rather than see them as negative, see them as relatable.
More photos here – http://www.kylethompsonphotography.com/
Alex Stoddard
Stoddard’s work is heavily influenced by art history in the digital age, exploring concepts and surrealism within portraiture and the human form, connecting it to nature. Through all of his images, he represents a strong message that he communicates by style and techniques.
This image ‘The Air Up There’ by Alex Stoddard looks at the issue of air pollution. It shows a man, placed in the lower centre of the image, breathing from a mask connected to one singular cloud in the sky.
More photos here – https://www.flickr.com/photos/alex-stoddard/
Robin Macmillan
More photos here – https://www.flickr.com/people/robinmacmillan/
Robin was having cancer treatments, and dreaming about ways to become more creative with her photos. Photography soon became a welcome escape from the reality of her battle with cancer. She began following conceptual portrait photographers on Flickr and became inspired by their work. “I immediately knew that this was a world I needed to be a part of.”
In the above photo on the right, Macmillan describes this image titled ‘1903’ to represent the innocence and magic that children hold. The image seems to be set in an older era due to the clothes that the child wears, the plane in the sky and the absence of bright earthy pigments resulting in a dark and smokey environment. I believe this image is representing the event of the first airplane flight in 1903. Relating back to the description that Macmillan gives, the use of a child portrays the idea of innocence perfectly. Children are young and ‘free’ and despite what may be going on around them, they may be oblivious but still show their purity and innocence
Todd Hido
Hido takes his pictures in a “fairly undirected way”, he says, but edits his negatives together and manipulates them until he produces an image that represents his encounter with a place. In describing his process, Hido said, “I shoot sort of like a documentarian, but I print like a painter.”
More photos here – http://www.toddhido.com/
Steve McCurry
Documentary photographer and storyteller Steve McCurry is one of the iconic figures in contemporary photography for almost forty years, best known for his evocative color photography.
His work spans conflicts, ancient traditions and contemporary culture from six continents and countless countries capturing the essence of human struggle and joy.
He focuses on the human consequences of war, not only showing what war impresses on the landscape, but rather, on the human face.
More photos here – https://www.stevemccurry.com/
Jason Peterson
Jason M. Peterson’s work in advertising impacted his photography enhancing his ability to tell a story through monochromatic imagery.
From stunning cityscapes to candid street photography, Peterson aims to evoke emotion through his work. His work is moody, but crisp and clear. He works with shadows, lines and angles to draw out unique forms within composition.
His photographs, juxtaposing urban architecture with human silhouettes have a bold, graphic quality that is immediately recognizable.
More photos here – https://mymodernmet.com/jason-peterson-black-white-photography/
Photography with Tiffany 