As once Da Vinci and Vermeer ruled the scene with their paintings, the photographers of today are growing strong with their interpretation of life. The contemporary camera professionals have found a versatile and prolific medium to express themselves artistically. Their artwork has gained worldwide recognition and they are standing side by side with painters, rightfully so. Estimated value of their hardship is not at all modest. The price tags are going as high as six million USD. Still, bear in mind that constant development, much more than talent got them where they are now.
Peter Lik
Life and Career
This successful master of imagery started dabbling in photography as a kid with his Kodak Brownie. Australian born Lik later-on frequently captured the scenes of wild life, ocean and the countryside. At a young-adult age he travelled to United States where he had been exploring the possibilities of panoramic photography. Lik hasn’t got a formal education, but tends to learn from trial and error. His favorite model is Linhof 617 Technorama.
- Most Famous Work
Lik’s prints are mostly done on FujiFlex silver-halide paper. It enhances the light and glow encapsulation and further promotes the vividness of colors. His single-printed Phantom was sold to a private bidder for record 6.5 million USD. The piece is a black-and-white version of previous colored success, Ghost. It depicts a cave in Antelope Canyon, Arizona.
Andreas Gursky
Life and Career
German virtuoso of photographic expression Andreas Gursky followed a somewhat different path. Unlike Lik, Gursky had some schooling with the experts of the image-wielding department, the Bechers. The pair influenced him with their imperturbable catalogue-style of industrial items depiction. Similarly, Gursky incorporates this methodology in his large-scale photoshooting. The very distinctive characteristic of his work is precisely the high vantage point producing the illusion of both central and peripheral view combined.
- Most Famous Work
Renowned for his uniform structure and meticulous arrangements, Gursky produced great compositions like 99 Cent II Diptychon sold in Sotheby for 3.34 million US dollars, and Rhein II that represents his love for landscape theme. The latter was second all-time priced photo valued 4.3 million US dollars at Christie’s.
Cindy Sherman
Life and Career
A close-runner-up Cynthia Sherman began as a painter but quickly turned to photography due to restrictive nature of painting, as she claimed. After initial course failing, she retook it with Barbara Jo Revelle. She thanks her for introducing her to contemporary and conceptual outlook she employed on her path.
- Most Famous Work
The controversial print in orange, Untitled #96 received opposed reviews. However, connoisseurs concluded the mysterious self-portrait was worth its selling price, 3.35 USD. It features a reclining and slightly seductive androgynous figure holding on to a ripped out newspaper section. Masterpiece or overpriced selfie, which one is it?
Complexity of expression
The post-modernism and its children have brought us the giants in the various spheres of artistic statement. Modern life-painters deservedly occupy a special section in the history of art form.
