William Eggleston [Critical Essay]
I have chosen to focus my Critical Essay based all around an American photographer called William Eggleston. Most commonly known for his use of colour, he could sub-consciously be the reason as to why colour is such an important feature within my own work. He is most definitely one of my favourite photographers and is someone I refer to quite often within my sketchbook work. With this essay I would like to breakdown some of his early colour photos, as well as how my work is inspired by his own.
Whats interesting about William Eggleston is that he gained this reputation of using colour to his advantage incredibly well, even knowing his early work was completely black and white. As his colour work began during a postwar era, he believed that the use of colour created a much more positive atmosphere, and shown everybody that there is a brighter, more positive life. This I can completely agree with and is one of the reasons colour has become such a massive feature within my own work. Black and white photography tends to create quite a morbid atmosphere, and doesn't allow the viewer to gain the full experience of what is being shown in the photo. Adding colour generates a completely different feel to how the viewer would see the picture, and can turn a photo from negative to positive.
To begin this essay I would like to discuss one of his most early colour photos ever taken. This photo that was never given a name has become one of his most popular captures and has been used as his portraiture book cover, which I was lucky enough have looked through within one of my college lessons. This photo always stood out to me, the use of natural lighting within this photograph has been executed so perfectly to draw the viewers attention to the character, but at the same time knowing the photo was taken so quickly without purposely trying to capture a particular narrative is just sensational.
Notice how the shadow creeps over the boys hand and then starts again on his back, as if the lighting was intentionally trying to show only his face and really make him the centre of attention. Not only this, but also notice how the boy is off centred. This could be a mistake and in that case could be his downfall as its an easy photography error to make, however this being said I think it was an intentional feature. I believe by making the boy in the photo off centred, its allowed the audience to see the props he is interacting with, and thats what is giving the photo narrative.
The boy displayed in the photo is clearly an employee of whatever store this is on the left hand side. As the boy looks so absentminded, it appears as if he's in his own world which can make the viewer ask so many questions. Photographs like this leave the viewer wanting more, its as if the story is starting to unfold but is also leaving it on a cliff hanger, it tells half a story. Could the woman blurred in the background indicate that she is irrelevant, and is just one of the many people the boy encounters every day? Could the natural lighting that is almost glowing on this teenager signify some form of importance? As if he's meant for more than pushing trolly's as a way of earning a living?
Another photo I would like to talk about is the following,
I have a few opinions on this photo. Now you're probably thinking why has Eggleston just taken a photo of a toilet and somehow he's known as one of the world's best colour photographers? I thought the same thing. However, the colour is what makes this photo quite captivating oddly enough and he nailed that aspect.
I really like how the red lighting from the bathroom slightly lights up the hallway, making the outskirts dark and gloomy, creating a leading lines effect. Red symbolises danger and anger but could also indicate love. What is Eggleston trying to tell us about this room? If anything at all. I feel like if he wanted to label this picture with a connote, he could have captured it with something else maybe hidden in the photo to make the viewer wonder what this photo is trying to tell us. But maybe he's just trying out colour effects whilst he's bored. The red glow really does leave us questionable.
The one thing I really don't like about this photo is the angle of which this was taken. Personally, the camera angle should've been more level since it is obvious it isn't. The leading lines make this clear as you can tell the floor isn't straight in the image, its at a slight angle, just like the doorway. Why couldn't he capture the whole doorway? Why does it have to be cut off a bit? I think it lets the photo down a bit as its a big mistake. However, maybe that was his intention and did it to make you feel even more uneasy about this strange photograph. Whether that's the case or not, I personally take time to make sure my photos are straight and lined up well if I'm working with leading lines.
Another thing that puts me off this photo is the white lighting on the right hand side. I think that's quite off-putting. Evidentially, the main aspect to the photo is meant to be this suspicious, red glowing room but the other lighting captures your gaze away from it. In every photo, I like to have a focal point and I try my best to make that evident, which of course Eggleston has but I think he's forgotten about a few aspects that may be distracting for the viewer. However, like I said before, maybe he liked that light. Everybody is different and like taking photos a certain way.
Regardless of the negative comments I gave this photo, I do like it. I love the red lighting especially since I personally like working with gel filters and changing the colour of my images to see what mood it can create. I read online a few articles where Eggleston would always say that his town was ugly and how he felt he needed to try bring everyday objects to life and he definitely achieved it in this photo. He made a basic photo of a toilet really make us question the story behind the photo. It was brilliantly done.
The final image I would like to talk about is the following:
Eggleston was a big fan of portraiture and photographed a wide variety of people. He started shooting in colour around a post-war era and this image brings a warm feeling to my heart. A lot of his portraiture shots, doesn't capture very happy faces. But this girl has a slight smile on her face whilst laying on the grass enjoying the sun. It definitely has a different feeling to the rest of his photos, which is the main reason as to why I like it.
The angle Eggleston used to capture this is really different. When you look at more recent photos of people laying on the grass it's normally always shot from above at eye level so that the models face is completely in shot along with their hair and surroundings.
He has cleverly chose to only capture the girl and nothing else around her. One thing I enjoyed doing with my photos is shooting in front of solid colour walls because I like it when the only thing viewers can look at is the person, which is the whole idea behind portraiture. So I think he's taken that in mind and portrayed her well. I also believe that having only her in the shot portrays that she's in her own little world and her face shows that too. He portrays her as really being dreamy. Maybe she too has hope that one day, life will get better. The photo also looks dreamy because the edges of the shot are very soft the same with the majority of the photo. Sharp edges wouldn't create the same effect so I really believe this worked in his favour.
Now onto something that lets the photo down. It is way too over-exposed in my opinion. Eggleston loves to play with colour to make his photos stand out but that really isn't the case in this photo. The bright sunlight completely drains out the colour. The grass could look so much more appealing but the sunlight is making it look yellow and quite unappealing. Another thing that is washed out is her dress. It has some really pretty details on and the red detail contrasting the white background could've been what topped off the image.Finally, I'm not a big fan of how her outfit is blurred but other places are in focus. I'm really disappointed with the fact that he pretty much ignored one of the things that could've made the image stand out a lot more. Maybe this is because I love fashion photography and the clothing is one thing I HAVE to have in focus. Maybe he thinks her facial expression is enough to really make an impression for this photo.
Eggleston will always remain my favourite photographer regardless of what his weaknesses may be. His take on colour photography really inspired me to experiment with colour. And like him, the area in which I live isn't the prettiest either, but I try my best to work with what I have just like he did. I adore the fact that he is using his photography to try and escape and create a new life for himself and try to make others believe that life is great, you just need to open your eyes and see it.
