Photographers Research- William Eggleston

William Eggleston is an American photographer whose work is widely linked to colour photography. However his photography also has many links into the journey style photography. I have chosen Eggleston as one of my photographers because his influence of colour within his photos are quite unique and give a completely diverse feel than any other journey photography that I have been able to look at. His aspects of era specified objects within his photos allow the viewer to understand the time in his career that the photo was shot in. Personally, I connect to his photography a lot and find many different things about each photo that speaks to me.

This photo is interesting on so many levels, starting with the low angle that Eggleston has decided to shoot with it gives a different viewpoint of showing a car, whilst allowing the road to fill the bottom half of the image. The blue of the car is the brightest aspect of the image which draws the viewers attention. The car itself is what links this image to journey for me. Another reason the viewers eye is drawn to the car is because of his use of depth of field, the front half of the photo is completely out of focus until the road leads up towards the car and the image becomes focused. I like this image and the connections to journey can be seen, however I feel that it could be applies more within the photo so that at first instant the viewer can tell that journey is what should seen when looking at the photo. 

Colour is what drew my eye to this photo at first, the bright colours from the blue sky, green building and red signs. The theme of journey and travelling can be assumed through the fact that there is an esso sign hanging and as we know esso is a brand of petrol station. I personally link petrol station in with journeys because on long journeys there can be many stops to fill up the petrol tank. Another reason is because of the cars driving down the road and parked at the station. This is one of my favourite photos from Egglestons range because of the combination of colour and signs makes it different from anything I've seen in the journey genre. 

This is another of my favourite images from William Egglestons series because of his use of one sign as the main focus for the image. The bright red indicates that its what should be mostly looked at in the image. He shows journey in way without using any vehicles or modes of transport which I like and think is refreshing within journey photography. The photo looks as though its been slightly burned because it hasn't got that clear crisp pixelation. I feel that this is an area with this photo that could be greatly improved to make the photo look better overall. 

I can see the theme of journey within this photo because it makes me think to bathrooms that are in hotels and motels, which are places that people stay in when on a journey or whilst travelling. Again colour is a strong component with this image as the pink overtakes the entire image. I do like this image and I feel that it can relate to journey however I would use this specific image to influence my own work because it has no link with anything that I have already photographed and wouldn't particularly work within my own personal series of photography. 

Influence-

There are certain aspects of William Egglestons photography that I am planning on including within my own work such as his influence of colour within his work. Including this is important for me because it would show camera skills and also because it would show a contrast between a large quantity of my photographs that have been photographed or edited in black and white. I would also like to influence the use of signs within my photography, its a unique object to use that most people wouldn't initially think of when thinking of my theme, therefore making my own work more engaging. 

Summery-

Overall I can identify aspects of his work that works well with my own theme and others that I could develop and change to link in with journey. I think he is a very talented photographer and there are many photographs if his that I personally love.