Duane Michals was born in 1932 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Michals was always interested in art as a child which led him to attending Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, then the University of Denver, Colorado where he received a bachelor of arts degree. He later studied at the Parsons school of design in New York City in the art of graphic design. Michals discovered his love for photography in 1958 when he traveled to the Soviet Union. He went arrowed with a borrowed camera and made portraits of the people he would find on the street. He was a very successful early on working for many major magazines such as Vogue, Esquire, and Life Magazines. As his career went on however, he desired to exemplify his own thoughts and ideas through his photographs. He began experimenting with multiple exposures, texts, drawings, sequences, and series. Many of Duane Michals photos can be seen in several museums such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Michals has also published books of his work. His more popular books are Duane Michals, Foto Follies: How Photography Lost Its Virginity on the Way to the Bank, and Album: The Portraits of Duane Michals, 1958-1988.
Duane Michals work is important because it came in a time where photography was dominated photojournalism. Michals was able to express his own ideas on gender, sexuality, and death through his photographs. Many of his works are humorous, tragic, imaginative, or creepy, and sometimes all at once. Michals’ sequences are what he is most known for which mirror the film industry’s frame-by-frame format. This allows a story to be told through the photographs, adding another dimension to the piece. He also has played with the idea of drawing, and adding text to photos. Drawing adds a humorous, abstract effect while writing incorporates ideas, telling a story or idea that may have not been understood otherwise. All of these in combination make for a very interesting showcase of work that has made Duane Michals into one of the most unique and successful photographers of his time.
Duane Michals work is important because it came in a time where photography was dominated photojournalism. Michals was able to express his own ideas on gender, sexuality, and death through his photographs. Many of his works are humorous, tragic, imaginative, or creepy, and sometimes all at once. Michals’ sequences are what he is most known for which mirror the film industry’s frame-by-frame format. This allows a story to be told through the photographs, adding another dimension to the piece. He also has played with the idea of drawing, and adding text to photos. Drawing adds a humorous, abstract effect while writing incorporates ideas, telling a story or idea that may have not been understood otherwise. All of these in combination make for a very interesting showcase of work that has made Duane Michals into one of the most unique and successful photographers of his time.
Photo Critiques
Image #1- The Fallen Angel
Description- In this black and white series, there are two main subjects, an ordinary girl and a man with wings who appears to be an angel. There are two paintings vertically placed on top of each other in the background bordered by windows on the left and right. There is also a wind on the right side of the room they ar in. The girl is laying on top of a made bed with her head resting on a pillow. The girl is wearing a robe while the angel is nude. Through the series you see the Angel start to come closer to the girl. The girl meets him half-way as he leans in to kiss her. They get closer and closer to each other until he is directly on top of her. Finally, the angel gets up from the bed, now without wings. He starts crying in bed naked but is then crying fully clothed in black leaning against the window on the right. The last image shows the angel leaving the room holding himself.
Reflection- This photo The Fallen Angel by Duane Michals is about an angel who sucumbs to lust and has sex with a women. By having sex, the angel loses his wings and is visibly crying about what he has done. He then leaves the room in haste with deep regret.
I believe this photo represents how easily things can be tainted and corrupt. The angel is often associated with being a divine and faithful supernatural being but in this photo, it is an example temptation. Michals does a beautiful job creating a controversial, morale warning.
Formal Elements- Balance, harmony and pattern is portrayed with the symmetrical background of the windows and paintings. The two main subjects are slightly blurred which conveys movement. They are also lit in such a way where shadows cover portions of their face and figure The image is in either in expansive or medium depth-of-field because the whole photo is in focus.
Description- In this black and white series, there are two main subjects, an ordinary girl and a man with wings who appears to be an angel. There are two paintings vertically placed on top of each other in the background bordered by windows on the left and right. There is also a wind on the right side of the room they ar in. The girl is laying on top of a made bed with her head resting on a pillow. The girl is wearing a robe while the angel is nude. Through the series you see the Angel start to come closer to the girl. The girl meets him half-way as he leans in to kiss her. They get closer and closer to each other until he is directly on top of her. Finally, the angel gets up from the bed, now without wings. He starts crying in bed naked but is then crying fully clothed in black leaning against the window on the right. The last image shows the angel leaving the room holding himself.
Reflection- This photo The Fallen Angel by Duane Michals is about an angel who sucumbs to lust and has sex with a women. By having sex, the angel loses his wings and is visibly crying about what he has done. He then leaves the room in haste with deep regret.
I believe this photo represents how easily things can be tainted and corrupt. The angel is often associated with being a divine and faithful supernatural being but in this photo, it is an example temptation. Michals does a beautiful job creating a controversial, morale warning.
Formal Elements- Balance, harmony and pattern is portrayed with the symmetrical background of the windows and paintings. The two main subjects are slightly blurred which conveys movement. They are also lit in such a way where shadows cover portions of their face and figure The image is in either in expansive or medium depth-of-field because the whole photo is in focus.
Image #2- I Build a Pyramid
Description- This series is of Duane Michals in Egypt near the Great Pyramids of Giza. The three pyramids are in the background accompanied by other ancient ruins to the left. Michals, wearing jeans and a coat, is placing rocks into the image. He is continually stacking rocks on top of each other and striking different poses in each image. As the stack of rocks grows larger it starts to take shape of a pyramid. As Michals completes the pyramid he is seen leaving the scene and the final image is a closer-up view of the newly constructed architecture, comparing itself to the Great Pyramids.
Reflection- This photo shows Michals humorous side as he creates a small pyramid using a stack or rocks. He does this with the Great Pyramids of Giza in the background to joke about its massive stature. On the other side of things, it is also a nod to the great architecture. The pyramids, like Michals’ construction, were man made and exemplifies how amazing the creation of these massive structures were.
Formal Elements- The camera was set in expansive depth-of-field as the background is very clear and in focused. The image conveys a lot of rough, bumpy texture in the sand and rocks while the pyramids show both pattern and repetition. Finally, in the last image an emphasis is put on the stack of rocks piled into a pyramid.
Description- This series is of Duane Michals in Egypt near the Great Pyramids of Giza. The three pyramids are in the background accompanied by other ancient ruins to the left. Michals, wearing jeans and a coat, is placing rocks into the image. He is continually stacking rocks on top of each other and striking different poses in each image. As the stack of rocks grows larger it starts to take shape of a pyramid. As Michals completes the pyramid he is seen leaving the scene and the final image is a closer-up view of the newly constructed architecture, comparing itself to the Great Pyramids.
Reflection- This photo shows Michals humorous side as he creates a small pyramid using a stack or rocks. He does this with the Great Pyramids of Giza in the background to joke about its massive stature. On the other side of things, it is also a nod to the great architecture. The pyramids, like Michals’ construction, were man made and exemplifies how amazing the creation of these massive structures were.
Formal Elements- The camera was set in expansive depth-of-field as the background is very clear and in focused. The image conveys a lot of rough, bumpy texture in the sand and rocks while the pyramids show both pattern and repetition. Finally, in the last image an emphasis is put on the stack of rocks piled into a pyramid.
Image #3- This is Photograph My Proof
Description- This single, black-and-white image is of a man and a woman sitting on a bed in a small room, their bodies facing away from the camera. The room is lighted well in the middle but dark in the outer sections on the left. The bed is neatly made with sheets that are designed with lines and flowers. On the very right of the photograph a part of a white curtain and window are visible. The woman is leaning and embracing the man from behind as they are turned to face the camera. The man is wearing a suit as the girl is in a black blouse and pants. The man is smiling but his face is covered partly in shadows. The girl is giving a tired, comfortable facial expression as her head leans against his back. Text is incorporated on the top and bottom of the photo. The title is placed on top while the explanation is written on the bottom.
Reflection- This heart warming photo tells of love in a tragic manner. The text on the bottom reveals that the couple is no longer together but the man keeps the photo as his “proof” of her past love for him. This is truly an emotion photo that is one of my favorites by Duane Michals. Its simple, honest message is very clear in my opinion. Love hurts.
Formal Elements- This photo gives emphasis on the couple sitting on the bed in the middle. The room is darkly lit with plenty of shadows on the outside edges of the photo. The bed sheets gives pattern to the photo. The faces of the two people are side lit. Overall the photo is very simple with only a few lighting details.
Description- This single, black-and-white image is of a man and a woman sitting on a bed in a small room, their bodies facing away from the camera. The room is lighted well in the middle but dark in the outer sections on the left. The bed is neatly made with sheets that are designed with lines and flowers. On the very right of the photograph a part of a white curtain and window are visible. The woman is leaning and embracing the man from behind as they are turned to face the camera. The man is wearing a suit as the girl is in a black blouse and pants. The man is smiling but his face is covered partly in shadows. The girl is giving a tired, comfortable facial expression as her head leans against his back. Text is incorporated on the top and bottom of the photo. The title is placed on top while the explanation is written on the bottom.
Reflection- This heart warming photo tells of love in a tragic manner. The text on the bottom reveals that the couple is no longer together but the man keeps the photo as his “proof” of her past love for him. This is truly an emotion photo that is one of my favorites by Duane Michals. Its simple, honest message is very clear in my opinion. Love hurts.
Formal Elements- This photo gives emphasis on the couple sitting on the bed in the middle. The room is darkly lit with plenty of shadows on the outside edges of the photo. The bed sheets gives pattern to the photo. The faces of the two people are side lit. Overall the photo is very simple with only a few lighting details.
Image #4- Self Portrait
Description- This self portrait is of Duane Michals on his 40th birthday wearing a blank long-sleeve shirt. He is posed with his hands together on his head, thumbs raised up as horns. Michals’ has his tongue out and eyes wide, his face half in shadow. The white background has certain dark, shadowy areas on the left and right edges.
Reflection- Duane Michals makes fun of himself in this picture as he, “ poses as the devil on his 40th birthday”. I really enjoy this photo because it is one of Michals many examples of his humor and care-free nature.
Formal Elements- This self portrait of Duane Michals is very simple. Michals’ face is side lit and the slight blur shows that Michals was moving. Due to Michals devil pose, the image is very balance and creates even space in the background.
Description- This self portrait is of Duane Michals on his 40th birthday wearing a blank long-sleeve shirt. He is posed with his hands together on his head, thumbs raised up as horns. Michals’ has his tongue out and eyes wide, his face half in shadow. The white background has certain dark, shadowy areas on the left and right edges.
Reflection- Duane Michals makes fun of himself in this picture as he, “ poses as the devil on his 40th birthday”. I really enjoy this photo because it is one of Michals many examples of his humor and care-free nature.
Formal Elements- This self portrait of Duane Michals is very simple. Michals’ face is side lit and the slight blur shows that Michals was moving. Due to Michals devil pose, the image is very balance and creates even space in the background.
Image #5- Fred
Description- This photograph is an old portrait of a man with a mustache wearing a suit. The photo is discolored to a brownish yellow color. Michals made drawing modification to the image by adding a transparent oval-shaped covering on most of his body, leaving small section for his face to be visible. The name Fred is written in green with orange accents on top of the man. Michals added reddish, orange fire sections to the left and right edges of the oval along with pink, black, and white square designs to the bottom. A white x is covering a portion of the man's right arm and a small red box is placed over his left bicep. Blue is covering the higher section of the oval and surrounds the man’s face. Finally blue, red lines are drawn, 2 vertical on the left, one vertical on the right, and a horizontal line on top, above his face.
Reflection- This photo by Michals is puzzling to me. It contradicts itself with the elements implemented on the image. The bright colors and designs over the old print don't exactly fit together artistically. Well, atleast in my opinion anyways. But despite all this, I know that this is what Michals was going for in this photograph. He wanted the viewer to question the art. He wanted confusion and thought to arise in t mind. Michals hit this one out of the park.
Formal Elements- At the base of this image is an old, worn down image. Duane Michals however, adds many colors and details by drawing on the print. Several colors and shapes explode and deeply contrast the brownish, yellow base. Red, blue, orange, pink, green, white, and black are all added in different lines, patterns, and shapes as well as the name, Fred, at the top. All the added designs are evenly distributed and symmetrical which adds balance. Finally, emphasis is put on the mans face as it is framed and left untainted by the colors and designs.
Description- This photograph is an old portrait of a man with a mustache wearing a suit. The photo is discolored to a brownish yellow color. Michals made drawing modification to the image by adding a transparent oval-shaped covering on most of his body, leaving small section for his face to be visible. The name Fred is written in green with orange accents on top of the man. Michals added reddish, orange fire sections to the left and right edges of the oval along with pink, black, and white square designs to the bottom. A white x is covering a portion of the man's right arm and a small red box is placed over his left bicep. Blue is covering the higher section of the oval and surrounds the man’s face. Finally blue, red lines are drawn, 2 vertical on the left, one vertical on the right, and a horizontal line on top, above his face.
Reflection- This photo by Michals is puzzling to me. It contradicts itself with the elements implemented on the image. The bright colors and designs over the old print don't exactly fit together artistically. Well, atleast in my opinion anyways. But despite all this, I know that this is what Michals was going for in this photograph. He wanted the viewer to question the art. He wanted confusion and thought to arise in t mind. Michals hit this one out of the park.
Formal Elements- At the base of this image is an old, worn down image. Duane Michals however, adds many colors and details by drawing on the print. Several colors and shapes explode and deeply contrast the brownish, yellow base. Red, blue, orange, pink, green, white, and black are all added in different lines, patterns, and shapes as well as the name, Fred, at the top. All the added designs are evenly distributed and symmetrical which adds balance. Finally, emphasis is put on the mans face as it is framed and left untainted by the colors and designs.
My First Photo Shoot (All 40 Pictures)
Finished Pictures
Sequences
Reflection
In this assignment, not only learned about the life of Duane Michals, but of his artwork and personality. His humorous, passionate style of photography was my inspiration as I tried to emulate his work. His many different techniques were very new to me. It was an adventure trying out different tools and methods to obtain Michal's photography style. Writing on photos allowed me another dimension to manipulate, to really get my ideas across to the viewer. Drawing on the other hand was very abstract and difficult to create a meaning with. I ended up just creating a funny photo to replicate Michal's image. Sequencing was my favorite to do as it was very similar to motion-picture work. It was very much like telling a story and added a sense of movement to the piece. All in all, the Famous Photographers assignment was very fun and taught me a lot about sequencing and writing and how it adds a storytelling aspect.