Artist Research 1

Research and Preparation for the Exam

Josef Sudek

Josef Sudek, b. 1896-1976, was a Czech photographer based around highly exposed, black and white photography. He began taking photos after fighting in World War I and losing a limb. His photos reminisce of dark and drizzly days around early autumn, with a quiet atmosphere to them. However, there is a lot to gain from the images taken as they are quite ambiguous in their composition.

The photos show a variety of ideas inside them, with great visual quality and composition. The first photo finds two eggs between a glass, creating an interesting reflection effect along with the haziness of the bubbles in the water. It is quite interesting because it could be connoting that there are alternate views to ideas - the egg in front being the direct view while the reflection being the separate, more interesting view. However this view is obviously harder to get to. While a stretch, it could signify that with effort, you can achieve better things. Rather than settling for the direct option and taking the path of least resistance, you take a detour and try to improve what you've got already. The contrast on the photo is quite interesting as it creates a lack of exposure on the egg, and makes a very omnipotent shadow over a majority of the photo. It is effective in making the photo match the correct tones for a photo, with sharp lights, calm mid-tones and very significant darks.

Next we have a small view through a window into an overgrown garden. The condensation on the glass is one of Sudek's more famous works, where he takes a photo through a window or of something in front of it and vapour condensed on the glass to create a blur of the outside, or a change in the composition. This specific photo pictures what seems to be his garden after a cold morning. The photo doesn't actually reveal much, and is quite enigmatic in how most of the photo is a mystery. It could be that it's linking to how people should look through windows into new opportunities, and see if it is worth it. 

Finally, there is an intriguing photograph of a flower in front of the very same window from the previous shot.The flower is accompanied by what seems to be some sort of old fruit, as well as an assortment of miscellaneous items and books on the right. In front of the items is of course the cold window, which has built up condensation from the temperature difference between the areas. Looking deeper into the reasoning behind the photo, it could be reminiscing back to the feeling of home, and the civility and personal feeling of being at home. The items in front of the window might link to what Sudek's home might look like, and gives a sense of normality for him and many others. It could link also to how he spent time in the military, where you very commonly feel homesick and adore the idea of being back at home with family.

In a nutshell, his photography is very interesting and abstract giving a lot of areas for interpretation in his works. I believe it will be very interesting or even exciting to take photos based around his art. Especially his reflection pieces.