Photographic Strategies

Dana Scruggs is a photographer who is known for her unique and innovative approach to capturing images. Her strategies involve creating a comfortable and relaxed environment for her subjects, allowing them to feel at ease and express themselves freely. She also uses natural light to create a soft and intimate atmosphere in her photos. Scruggs is known for her use of color, often incorporating bold and vibrant hues into her images. She also pays close attention to composition, using angles and framing to create dynamic and visually striking shots. Overall, Scruggs' approach to photography is focused on capturing the essence of her subjects and creating images that are both beautiful and meaningful.

The photographer in the video, Zun Lee, has a unique approach to capturing images of black fatherhood. His strategies involve building relationships with his subjects, spending time with them and getting to know them on a personal level. This allows him to capture intimate and authentic moments between fathers and their children. Lee also uses black and white photography to create a timeless and classic feel to his images. He pays close attention to composition, using angles and framing to create visually striking shots. Lee's approach to photography is focused on challenging stereotypes and exploring alternate notions of black fatherhood, creating images that are both powerful and thought-provoking.

Zanele Muholi, a South African visual activist and photographer, employs a powerful and evocative approach to capture the essence of their subjects. Muholi's strategies involve creating intimate portraits that reveal the resilience and strength of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly black lesbians, transgender individuals, and gender-nonconforming people. By utilizing natural light, stark contrasts, and close-up framing, Muholi captures the raw emotions and vulnerability of their subjects. Furthermore, they often engage in collaborative processes with the individuals they photograph, fostering a sense of trust and understanding. This empathetic approach allows Muholi to delve deeper into the personal narratives and experiences of their subjects, ultimately humanizing them and challenging societal prejudices.

Bernd and Hilla Becher, a renowned German photography duo, were known for their systematic and objective approach to capturing industrial architecture. Their strategy, often referred to as "typologies," involved photographing similar structures, such as water towers, coal bunkers, and blast furnaces, from a consistent angle and under overcast skies to minimize shadows. This method allowed them to emphasize the structural similarities and differences between the subjects. The Bechers' work, exhibited at Hauser & Wirth Zürich, showcases their dedication to documenting the vanishing industrial landscape and preserving it for future generations. Their meticulous and disciplined approach has significantly influenced contemporary photography and the Düsseldorf School of Photography.

Barbara Kruger, an American conceptual artist and photographer, is known for her bold and thought-provoking creations. Her signature style involves juxtaposing black-and-white photographs with provocative text, often in red Futura Bold Oblique or Helvetica Ultra Condensed typeface. Kruger's strategy is to challenge societal norms, consumerism, and power structures by using familiar imagery and direct language. She appropriates images from mass media, manipulating and recontextualizing them to create striking visual statements. Kruger's work is a powerful commentary on contemporary culture, politics, and gender, urging viewers to question their own beliefs and assumptions.