Famous+Photographer

__Manuel Alvarez Bravo__  (1902-2002) (R.I.P.)

__Historical Background__  Born on February 4th, 1902, In Mexico City, Mexico of a family of artists; particularly photographers, Manuel was influenced in the arts at an early age. Meeting several famous artists when he was young including Tina Modotti and Diego Rivera, this only increased his interest in the arts. In 1918, he began studying painting and music at “Academia Nacional de Bellas Artes ” which means National Academy of Fine Arts. He acquired his first photographical camera in 1923, and began his career in professional photography in 1925.

__Influences__  Manuel’s grandfather was a photographer and his father was a patron of photography, painting and literary composition. Also, when he was a child, he met famous artists Tina Modotti and Diego Rivera. That is what drove Manuel to become a photographer.

__Style__  Manuel was never officially involved in the Surrealist movement, but his work reflects many surrealist qualities, and his work was exposed to many of the movement’s founders. His work often suggests dreams or fantasies, and he frequently photographed inanimate objects in ways that gave them humanistic qualities. He is classified as an abstract photographer, but much of his work was political, particularly dealing with the Mexican Revolution. He did not let politics overwhelm the personal aspects of his work, however.

__Manuel’s Work__

This is an excellent example of  the use of symmetry, in the left  and right halves, as well as in the  top and bottom halves. This is also a good example of the use of lines, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and depth. He used soft light in this photo.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Centro Fotográfico Álvarez Bravo” <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> at the Institute of Graphic Arts of Oaxaca.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This is Manuel’s most famous photograph. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It shows a striking worker who has been executed <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> by the Mexican Officials. This <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">is a good example of his work because <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">he often took photos depicting the struggle <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">of the Mexican Revolution. This photo uses <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">the design elements of lines and texture.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Obrero en huelga, asesinado, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Striking Worker, Assassinated) is <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> housed at The Wittliff Collections, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> at Texas State University.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This photo is a good example of the use <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">of patterns and lines. Manuel used light <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> dramatically in this photo, although he didn’t overdo it.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Figuras en el Castillo, 1920 is housed at <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Langhans Gallery Prague, in the <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Czech Republic.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This photo incorporates several design elements. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It is a good example of value, and contrast because <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> of her shadow. It uses lines very plentifully.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Untitled”, depicts <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Louise Dahl in a stretched out pose. 1940s

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This photo has an eerie feeling to it. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It is a good example of texture, as you <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> can see. It also uses patterns and lines.It uses light tastefully, balancing it with shadows.