#005 Gregory Crewdson

When I think of traditional photography, I generally think of capturing the moment before it is gone, of having a camera ready to go at the opportune moment. Watching Gregory Crewdson’s documentary in class on how he puts together his photos provided a whole new level to how I interpret photography as an art. Crewdson constructs his photographs like landscapes; each aspect completely essential to the piece as a whole. By putting together his photographs before he takes them instead of happening upon them or simply capturing a moment as it passes, Crewdson has complete control over ever aspect of the photograph; the photograph becomes less of a snapshot of life and more of a pure comment on, or play with, the idea of life itself.

One of the aspects I found most interesting about Gregory Crewdson’s photography is the fact that he uses minimal to no photoshop after taking his photos. His precision and premeditation, coupled with the intense colors he achieves by lighting when taking his photographs makes Crewdson’s photos almost painting-like. It was interesting to hear his thought process in the documentary we watched in class, “The Aesthetics of Repression,” as it is interesting to hear any artist’s thought process; I think that it would be especially interesting to be a part of his artistic process, particularly if you were to be one of the actors in one of Crewdson’s photos.

What I think is really important in art, and what Crewdson does really well in the specific arrangement of each of his pieces, is to start a conversation with the viewer. In each piece there is tension or some aspect that catches the viewer’s attention and causes question or contemplation. Instead of simply being a statement, Crewdson’s photographs are a part of a conversation, inviting the viewer to engage.