Contemporary Photography Project
Andrew Borowiec
Photographer #1
Thomas P. Peschak
Photographer #2
Biographic Information
Andrew Borowiec was born in 1956 in New York City, New York. He graduated from the International School of Geneva and went on to earn his B.A. in Russian at Haverford College (1979) and his M.F.A. in Photography at Yale University (1982). Borowiec moved to Paris with his family at nine months old. He grew up in France, Algeria, Tunisia, and Switzerland. He has worked several jobs, such as photojournalist, the staff photographer for the International Center of Photography in New York City, the Assistant Director of Workshops for the Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie in Arles, France, and the Director of the University of Akron Press. He has also been a photography professor for several different colleges. Borowiec has won two fellowships and the 2006 Cleveland Arts Prize. His work is featured in many museums: the Chicago Art Institute, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum to name a few.
Why s/he became a photographer-
I could not find anything on why he decided to pursue photography, but I suspect it relates strongly to his inspiration.
Inspiration-
Borowiec’s inspiration is the process/beauty of change in the landscape.
Message-
Buildings are able to show economic conditions, and the architecture gives a sense of the past.
Thomas P. Peschak was born in 1975 in Hamburg, Germany, and has a degree in marine biology. 15 years ago he changed his career from marine biology to photography. Peschak now works as a National Geographic photojournalist/explorer, and as an NGS Storytelling Fellow who is the Director of Storytelling for the Save our Seas Foundation. He is also the Founding/Associate Director of the Manta Trust and a senior fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers. Peschak has won a multitude of Wildlife Photographer and World Press Photo awards and has written and photographed eight books. His newest will be coming out this October.
Why s/he became a photographer-
Peschak became a photographer because he believed that it could have more of an impact on conservation than his research field in marine biology.
Inspiration-
The beauty and wonder in nature and the organisms that live on the planet.
Message-
He wants to spread awareness through his photos to conserve the world we live in and its beautiful creatures.
Photo Examples
Slag heap #153, Hélesmes, Nord, France
Nord-Pas-de-Calais Mining Basin
2019-present
Sea Turtles
October 2019
Restaurant La Grupie, Callas
Nights In Province
2009-2011
Stewards of the Sea
September 2017
Coal mine #8, Évin-Malmaison, Pas-de-Calais, France
Nord-Pas-de-Calais Mining Basin
2019-present
Galapagos: Life in the Balance
June 2017
Jefferson Avenue, The Flats
Cleveland
2002-2004
Seychelles
February 2016
Compare & Contrast
Differences
Compositional (Lighting, Camera angles, etc.):
lots of leading lines
mostly black and white
low key lighting
rule of thirds
far distance
Subject:
Architecture/landscape
Theme- What is the photographer trying to communicate through his/her photos?
Architectural history, change, quirks, and human touch
Differences
Compositional (Lighting, Camera angles, etc.):
usually high horizon line
informal balance
close distance
Subject:
Animals
Theme- What is the photographer trying to communicate through his/her photos?
The beauty, wonder, and fragility of marine life, oceans, and coasts.
Similarities
Compositional:
High key lighting, repetition/grouping
Subject:
both have specific subject
Theme:
Both capture the essence of their subjects
Critique
What do you like about this photographer's work? (think compositionally, subject matter, etc.) Why?
- I like how he uses a mix of color and black & white, and I find the architecture that he takes pictures of to be very fascinating. I also like how he utilizes the rule of thirds to make his subjects stand out.
What do you not like? Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable? (think compositionally, subject matter, etc.) Why?
- I don’t like how still his images are sometimes. They are all lifeless in a way. If they showed some type of motion like an animal or people on the street, I think I would like them a lot better.
Are there any connections that the photos bring up in your own life?
- I am interested in travel, and every time I do, I am very fascinated by the different architecture and ways of life that I see.
What do you like about this photographer's work? (think compositionally, subject matter, etc.) Why?
- I like how he has a lot of repetition in his photos and I really like the subjects of his photos. There is a lot of motion, color, and wonder in his work.
What do you not like? Is there anything that makes you uncomfortable? (think compositionally, subject matter, etc.) Why?
- I think that he could play around with different lighting and focus, and also utilize the rule of thirds to make more compelling images.
Are there any connections that the photos bring up in your own life?
- I really love animals and I often take pictures of my own, so all of his photos are interesting and intriguing to me.
Imitation Photos
Artist Statement:
Trying my best to mimic the work of professional photographers was trickier than I thought, but I think I did pretty well with what I had. It was fun to do this project and to learn more about some specific photographers and their work. It made me curious about what it would be like to be a photographer.