William Eggleston

William Eggleston, another American photographer born in 1939 is also another very important detail in the development of color photography as we know it today. After attending three separate universities and still not receiving a degree, one of Eggleston's friends placed a Leica camera in his hands and set him off into the world of photography. His interest of course was increasing by the second and began shooting in black and white film. A few years later in 1965, Eggleston began to discover color photography even though at the time it wasn't truly an acceptable art form. After finally getting the hang of shooting, and finally grabbing the attention of a few people, he went on to teach at Harvard where he also discovered the art of Dye-transfer printing which produced some of his most well-known work. One pice in particular known as The Red Ceiling, Eggleston was so bold to say that he has yet to see it represented in a way that is to his satisfaction. Apparently the die-transfer print is simply too good to be reproduced again and again. 

I have always really enjoyed the vintage feel of Egglestons photos, whether its my nostalgia and love for vintage 70's colors or just the way his images look. The images I posted above are by far my favorites, mostly because of the use of color and composition. in each one, the seats or couches play so well with the individuals in them, and I have to accredit that to him, not simply the situation, I believe. Eggleston's work is simply beautiful in my book. I think he does a fantastic job of being able to show the emotion and the situation involved in the photograph through the use of color rather than simply facial expression or body language. Fantastic work in my book...