What is Typology? Typology is typically a body of work that holds consistency throughout the work, usually in the environment, subjects and presentation.
Bernd and Hilla Becher
1934-2015
Bernd and Hila’s main aim was to capture disappearing and changing landscapes at the time in Germany. This connects with the New Topographics idea of not only recording the moment in time but prompting the viewer to consider the subject’s place in the world. They were inspired by other photographers and styles such as Karl Blossfeldt, August Sander and The New Objectivity. they would photograph similar buildings from the same angle, and space away from it, then create a grid with all their images. They used the same ideas and rules each time they did a shoot. The main rule was to photograph on a day with simple light, and they would wait for a big cloud, winter or dawn to do this. Hilla said this was because they wanted the buildings to stand out and be the dominant subject. The couple didn’t want the image to distract from the main focus, and needed the main contrast and detail to be in the buildings.
‘buildings where anonymity is accepted to be the style’.
Kevin Bauman
Bauman is a Montana based photographer specializing in architectural, interior, and industrial photography. His work is used in multiple architectural and interior design clients. One of his popular projects is ‘100 Abandoned Houses’. https://www.100abandonedhouses.com/ – I like the way he documents houses that once had a life, and tell a story in the way they are presented. Using typology to present these photos creates an overall story and feeling that can be told. I like the way you can click on an image and zoom in to see the full detail. I think the repetition of typology in his work can first off be seen as boring, and similar between each photo. However it is a piece of work that needs time and attention to be fully appreciated.
I like how his photos from ‘100 Abandoned Houses’ can be organised into a ‘story’ from fully uncovered houses, to completely surrounded and hidden houses. The fact that its almost showing nature taking back it’s habitat is like an opposite of typography. It also displays natural decay and could possibly represent death.
Karl Blossfeldt
1865-1932
Blossfeldt also used typography in his work, except he photographed natural subjects. He built his own camera out of wood that had lenses capable of magnifying his subjects up to 30 times their natural size, and had 1m long bellows. This meant he got unique images. Although he began his career as a sculptor, Karl later was best known for his precise photographs of plants. His images have high detail considering he built his own camera, and the technology at the time was fairly new.