Virtual Essay
Action photographer David Bergman
Find (online or in books) at least five images that remind you of the work of a particular photographer by your choice and write 600 words explaining the similarities and possible impact your photographer had on these images. You should explain the most important aspects of the work of the photographer you have chosen. Post the assignment on your website and submit the link through WebCt Assignments.
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| David Bergman |
David Bergman, a self presumed "band geek" started his life at a prestigious music school in Boston. Though he was interested in music, he found himself behind the camera taking pictures of bands more often then studying musical theory. He then decided to transfer to the University of Miami and was a sports photographer for the Miami Herald newspaper which changed his life forever.
With the opportunity of working in sports and shooting photographs during Olympics and Superbowl’s, as well as his love of music, he was fascinated with capturing motion. The two aspects also got him involved in producing music videos which makes sense for a photographer who is obsessed with movement.
Looking through his photographs you can see that all the moments are specifically captured to express and evoke an emotion. David Bergman seems to snap his photographs during increased movement and uses machinery such as the GigaPan and remote cameras to be able to catch the movement clearly. His photographs allow those who are viewing them to connect with the picture and feel the moment it has been captured in. When we look at the photograph of the basketball player we see the precision Bergman uses to be able to capture such an extraordinary moment in that split second of time.
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| David Bergman |
The five images i chose are all caught during a time of motion. They demonstrate raw emotion and bring real life captures to print photographs. The soccer photograph by Justin Grant seemed to capture the same aura of the lacrosse picture David Bergman had taken. Both photographs show athletes who are completely focused on their sport and trying to accomplish their goal of putting that ball through the net. The pictures were also captured mid air which shows they both used remote cameras in order to capture movement. Grant seems to have the same inspiration of athletics and motion as Bergman evokes in his work.
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| David Bergman |
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| Justin Grant |
Though not sport related, the next two photographs of the young girl and fighting lions still seem as though they come from the same inspiration David Bergman has. Both pictures show the liveliness of the moment and capture the intense movements of real life situations. All photographers seem to have the love for raw and real life movements. The inspiration behind each of them seems to come from movie clips or real life motion which ties them all into the same category of motion photographers.
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| David Cardinal |
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| Leah Mitchell |
The next photograph taken by John Murray closely reminds me of Bergman photograph of the rock star yelling in the crowd. Though the photograph is black and white and Davids photographs are usually more vivid and bright, the way the picture was taken has so many similarities. You can see that Bergman like to capture his proteges off guard. None of his photographs are posed and generic but captured in the midst of seconds during an immense moment. The same is done here with the coach looking as though he is yelling at the top of his lungs. He did not take a second to have him pose for the camera and did not bother facing him. Instead John Murray saw a moment and quickly captured its strength and character.
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| David Bergman |
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| John Murray |
Lastly is the photo from “ishootshows” of the rock band slipknot. In this picture the band members are all focused on their show and you can see the power and excitement of the concert. Concerts are usually a place where motion photography is popular which is why it fits so perfectly with John Bergmans style. Along with the photograph Bergman has of Avril Lavigne, we can see that movement is captured with great precision and no blur. Music was a great impact for Bergman and with the name “ishootshows” it seems as though it is also a huge inspiration for the other photographers as well.
David Bergman
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| "ISHOOTSHOWS" |