Robert Mapplethorpe

 Robert Mapplethorpe was an american photographer than was know for his sensitive and equally blunt cover and portrayal of highly controversial matters at the time. He constantly pushed the boundaries with what was acceptable to be shown in photography. By doing so he and a few other artist almost caused the funding from the government for art to be terminated.

 For my photo essay I found inspriation for Mapplethorpe. His photos were always very raw and provoking. Some of his works even cause people, myself included, to feel uncomfortable. He also did a lot of self protraits, so he himself had to be infront of the camera and act out what ever it was that he was trying to convey. I too was intrested in making pieces that were raw and sowed things that possibly would make others uncomfortable or shoked to see. I also did self portraits and had to act out what it was that I was trying to express. An imediate difference from myself and Mapplethrope, is that all of his photos are studio portraits, mine on the other hand consist of some that I tried to do in a studio set up and then others that are more set in an enviroment.

 This image is very powerful to me. He was a victim of HIV and he did this piece to show that he was fading away and death would take his place. Its amazing how he was abble to have everthing so dark and only have his face and hand holding the cane lit. The abundace of negative space really pulls you in to the cane and his face and makes you feel cold. I tried to pull a lot of inspiration from this photo and did something similar. I had th entire space dark and only illuminated my face to show as if I was surrounded by darkness