Walker Evans
Walker Evans was an extremely influential photographer of the twentieth century, this is greatly demonstrated by the work of Darren Harvey-Regan. His photography ,which consisted of elegant crystal clear photographs, as well as his articulate publications have inspired several generations of artists. Evans had the extraordinary ability to see the present as if it were already the past, and to translate that knowledge and historically inflected vision into an enduring art.
Walker Evans began his journey in photography during the late 1920s by taking snapshots whilst being on a European trip. Once he returned to his home, New York, he published his first set of photos in 1930. During the great depression Evans to photograph for the Resettlement Administration, later known as the Farm Security Administration. These photos were a documentation of workers and the architecture in the southeastern states.
Analysis
Walker Evan photos of tools are interesting as the tool is composed to the center of the photo and the background is completely empty which gives it a clean and sharp look.
The black and white effect causes the photo to look old despite it being taken years ago it appears that the photo was old even when it was taken back then.
Darren Harvey-Regan
Darren Harvey-Regan was hugely influenced by the work of Walker Evans and this is shown through his photography of tools which portray the similar clean and sharp look of Evans work. Darren Harvey-Regan is a graduate of the Royal College of Art. His work has appeared in exhibitions and publications all over the world and is part of the permanent photography collection at the V & A Museum, London.
Darren Harvey-Regan is not only a photographer but is also a sculptor. Harvey-Regan’s work often sees a hybridisation of the conventions of photography and sculpture. As quietly humorous as they are frustrating, his works challenge the viewer to distinguish where representation ends and the object begins.
Comparing
Darren Harvey-Regan and Walker Evan have taken extremely similar photographs of tools, with the composition being the same. However Walker Evan’s photos appear much older so Darren Harvey-Regan is almost like a modern version of Evans.
Darren Harvey-Regan
Walker Evans