alexandra-marie.com » One To Watch

One To Watch: Eli Rubel

Alexandra Marie — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:04:00 +0000

“A face holds the key to the universes that intersect behind the eyes. The wrinkles, the eyes, the hints of hidden scars revealed in a portrait enable us to sense the soul, the character, the acceptances and the denials of the person as no other medium can. The snapshot smile conceals. The thoughtful portrait reveals and stirs. The faces of our aging survivors are uniquely those of…survivors. Portraiture enables the viewer to partly grasp, even as it immortalizes, a story that should never be forgotten.” – an excerpt from Eli Rubel’s Discovering Hope Project Proposal.

As a photographer, it is imperative to be passionate about one’s subject. I feel it is truly difficult to take a great portrait without really having a connection. Whether it’s a friend, a political figure or a celebrity, we all relate and connect to certain persons differently. And that is what makes a photographer’s individual style and ‘eye’ really define their work. Think of Marilyn Monroe; a face photographed a million times over; recognized by all. But somehow with each sitting, even though she would put on the same show, each photographer captured her in a slightly different way: they each had a different connection.

But what about those people we don’t know? What about the faces no one recognizes? How do we as photographers relate to them? What is our connection? And how do we translate that into a portrait?

Eli Rubel, a young and talented photographer based in Los Angeles, found his subject through personal heritage. As a descendant of European Jews, he identified himself early on with a group of individuals that are slowly being forgotten. When we think of the Holocaust today, we usually think of it in its entirety; rarely breaking it down to the individuals that were victimized. As part of a generation almost twice removed now from the horror of the Holocaust, Rubel was determined to get a clearer understanding of the effects and forever archive the frail remains of such a catastrophic event through the lens of his camera. And thus, the Discovering Hope Project was conceived.

And he certainly doesn’t take the subject lightly. Shooting this project on black and white 8×10 film, Rubel has traveled great lengths all across the country to find and document these ‘survivors,’ taking the time to listen to their stories and piece together a visual version of history never seen before. Relentless and driven, he has gained the respect and financial sponsorship from numerous photographic organizations, not to mention a solo show at the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust in 2010.

Rubel’s images are frank. A certain Avedon quality is present within them, but that in no way discounts his own personal photographic style. The images are simple and sharp. Some are off-beat moments that capture the subject in mid-thought, traveling back in time and reliving the horror all over again. Some are just empty stares that visually denote the life that had been sucked out of them so very long ago, leaving behind a delicate shell of involuntary sacrifice. While others indicate strength and the resilience to rise above. Through Rubel’s striking portraits we are an audience to this. We suddenly relate, identifying theirs with our own personal suffering, not that many of us could ever measure up.

This collection (or ‘archive’ as Rubel calls it) is truly a visual reminder of our history. History some of us choose to forget or — for those who are so far removed — don’t even know how to remember. It is a collection that will preserve a group that is slowly, one by one, fading away. A group of individuals who’s story needs to be heard. A group of faces that should be seen and recognized as heros and survivors. This collection gives that group a face and a voice. And it’s about time we take a moment, open our eyes, and listen.

Eli Rubel’s Discovering Hope project can be found at http://www.discoveringhopeproject.com/

One To Watch: Marco Walker

Alexandra Marie — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:12:00 +0000

Marco Walker is one of those photographers who’s photographic style just makes sense. Not as in the photographs are an easy read, because trust me, there is much depth to them, but in the sense that his style is unmistakable; a quality many photographers lack these days.

I met Marco during our first term at Art Center. He was very much into landscapes and night shots with a very static appeal. As we progressed in our studies, his style started to emerge. I remember in our color processing class he showed up with the most beautiful cross processed images he had taken in the mountains. He had found his ‘look’ and ran with it.

Marco’s imagery is raw and dirty, not in subject matter but in the feeling expressed through it’s color and grain. But there is a softness to them as well; a sort of ‘innocence lost’ undertone. His subjects are real and his lighting is never forced but rather equally soft and harsh, just like the pattern of the sun. He tells pieces of stories with his images, never too much information, just little samples; enough to wet the palette. As well as being an incredible image maker, Marco is a pleasure to work with, very soft-spoken and polite. He better be; he’s British. But don’t be fooled; when behind the camera he becomes quite the bad ass. Check his work out here: www.marcowalker.com

One To Watch: Steven Klein (for Adam)

Alexandra Marie — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:56:00 +0000

So a friend of mine (cough! Adam) was recently describing his current ‘obsession’ (to put it lightly) with Steven Klein so I decided to check out his online studio figuring it had been a while.

Klein has been a editorial hot shot for the past decade, shooting for all of the major international Vogues, V, W and one of my favorites, Dazed and Confused. His light is untouchable, so direct and forceful yet inviting. And I have yet to find another photographer that can make skin look porcelain like he does. In addition to his photography, he does some amazing video work as well.

In his own words: “Portraiture in the past has been regarded as a documentation of a person but for me it is a documentation of the encounter between myself and the subject. It is not meant to reveal them, nor is it meant to subject them to an X-ray; it is a departure from that. I am more interested in the alchemical reaction that occurs when elements are brought together in a space.” Heavy. I dig.

Check his work out here: http://www.stevenkleinstudio.com/

One To Watch: Colin Angus

Alexandra Marie — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 21:06:00 +0000

Colin Angus Studios

OTW: Tim Walker

Alexandra Marie — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:13:00 +0000

Tim Walker is a new (old) favorite of mine. I fell in love with his work when I went to the Unseen Vogue exhibition at the Design Museum in London back in 2003. His imagination is simply marvelous. I love his daring sense of adventure and make believe. He brings a certain innocence to his imagery while remaining polished and mature. He has two books out right now that I am just dying to have. I am just waiting for the prices to come down a little on Amazon.

One To Watch: The Ting Tings

Alexandra Marie — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:31:00 +0000

I am in love with the band the Ting Tings. It is funny how you get into new music. This CD was put on the freebie table at work and I swiped it solely because I liked the girl’s hair color on the CD sleeve (totally ridiculous, I know). It sat in my car, in shrink wrap, for about three weeks. It wasn’t until I gave Jill the “We Shot The Moon” CD (also amazing!) out of slot 2 in my cd changer that I felt the urge to fill the void. So, I popped in the Ting Tings. I have been singing “That’s Not My Name” for the past 24 hours. I am such a fickle person. Tomorrow I am sure I will have a new love to gush about. That is how it always works for me. I have such an obsessive nature that fades and quickly as it grows. But for this moment alone, it’s all about the Ting Tings…

One To Watch: Wes Murphy

Alexandra Marie — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 04:40:00 +0000

The powers that be inside Wes Murphy’s entourage (i.e. his agent) requested some new ring flash images to spruce up his book. Of course I was much obliged, Wes is one of the funniest guys I know who seems to try the least: it just comes naturally to him. He has a big, goofy heart and is just a total joy to be around. He is on the road to greatness. Here is a video of him doing impersonations of Matthew McConaughey and a male model. Absolute genius.

One To Watch: Emma Bell

Alexandra Marie — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:26:00 +0000

I have been longing for that magic hour light that summer provides so well. Lately, on my drives home I have noticed families out front watering their lawns. There is just something so beautiful about that 6 o’clock sun shining through water. Right then and there I decided I needed to incorporate it into a photograph for my new portrait project. Emma (my Gwyneth/Gemma lookalike) looked stunning strutting her stuff in my Cole Haan jacket out on Penn Street. The sun blazing through her golden locks is picture perfect. I can’t wait to start painting and writing!

One To Watch: Ms. Jillian Finley

Alexandra Marie — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:18:00 +0000

Nothing is hotter than my BFF, Jill. The camera loves her almost as much as I do. Viva Cara, Jill. VIVA CARA!

One To Watch: ♥ Campaign

Alexandra Marie — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 21:04:00 +0000

James came over yesterday with his band, Love Campaign to take a few promotional shots. After we were done with the band pictures, I had James take a seat in front of the 8×10. There is no denying it; cameras love James. These are just quick scans of the polaroids we took, I am going to develop the film tomorrow.