Ruth Bernhard

Introduction
Not only was this a new upcoming artist but a determined and unique one as well. Ruth Bernard is a German-American photographer, she was born October
14, 1905. She was known to be a surrealist photographer, Ruth Bernard had gone to Berlin Academy of Arts. After that she had moved to New York to further
her photographing career. Ruth had started off as a commercial photographer as well, a few years later she had also met Edward Weston in California and
she had been deeply moved by his work in 1953, Weston also had been her mentor. Bernard soon moved to San Francisco and was a colleague of Ansel
Adams, she was also influenced by Ansel Adams the most which made her become a photographer in the first place along with Van Gogh, Cezanne, Matisse
and Soutin. She was the type of photographer to start off to take one photo just by one angle, instead of changing the lighting of photos, adding more
props,etc. Stephen White had stated that Ruth’s photos “Ruth had a long career, but the range of her work is fairly limited” from the 1970's-80's. But also had
her victories as well. In an interview with White with the Los Angeles Times, he had been talking about Ruth and said “She holds a unique place for the way
she photographed female nudes years before the feminists of the 1970s." Ruth knew it had been different if men took photos of nude women because it would
be objectification. She liked to represent certain types of advacations in her work. Taking nude photos of women had shown a type of empathy in her
photography according to Peter Fetterman. Bernhard further explained her photos on her feminism by saying "Woman has been the subject of much that is
sordid and cheap, especially in photography," she told Margaretta Mitchell, author of "Ruth Bernhard Between Art and Life". "To raise, to elevate, to endorse
with timeless reverence the image of woman has been my mission." Ruth really wanted to make change throughout the sexism going on in photography but
with adding more feminism and to changing the perspective on nude photos of women she did exactly that. Most of all, if it wasn’t for the artists had met on
the way she wouldn’t have photography as a career. Ruth had thought beforehand that that photography wasn’t that serious until she met Weston and saw his
work. Ruth’s journey had been filled with a lot of different aspects no one would have expected. People had thought her journey was a rare journey of success
by everything that had been happening throughout her story of photography.
a
● #1: This photo shows leading lines,
value, and motion. As you see the
hands in the black and white photo
your eyes go straight through the
hands and move your eyes throughout
the whole photo. The value in the
photo is added into the black in white,
it indicates the soul in the photo.
Because of the darkened spots in the
background the little whites on the
hands added softness and raw
emotion in the photo. A reflection of
influence in a way because of the way
the hand is moving.
● #2: Framing, Value, and lines is
incorporated into this photo. Framing is
used by the way the treeś are sprouting
on the sides a bit. Then, value is added in
by the black in the background and in the
trees. Then the white is in the babydoll
and in the hand that make those stand
out the most. In the leading lines it’s
shown throughout the hands that lead up
to the dolhead in the hand of the photo.
This photo shows a sense of sadness and
mystery due to the emotion of the doll.
Then also because of the background it
gets you lost and to wonder.
● #3: This photo includes a Silhouette and
value. The darkened shadow in the shards
of light is a silhouette by the darkened
shadow. The black and white included adds
value due to the greys, whites and blacks
put into this photo. The silhouette adds a
little emotion, from the pose of the
silhouette it adds beauty.
● #4: This photo shows the value,
framing and Angle of View . The bowl
that’ s surrounding the girl is framing
the photo. Then the value due to the
black and white incorporated in the
bowl, skin, and background of the
photo. It's all by the angle of view. The
shot had been taken at a higher angle
because of how the girl is positioned in
the photo. This photo adds in
vulnerability because of the way she’s
nude. It adds the ways vulnerability
doesn't have to be just a weakness or
strength but that it can be both. Ruth
had always said, nude photos were a
way to show empathy to women.
● #5: This photo shows leading lines, value,
and depth of field because of the depth in
the photo with the dents and dented photo
effect with the teapot as well. Especially
with the amount of detail added in this
photo. Through the shading, through the
black and white, and lines as well. The
leading lines are shown through the lines
of the white colors/ grey colors sprouting.
The lines start to move your eyes around
as you look from line to line. The value is
added by the black & white shown
throughout the pot & the background as
well. This photo represents letting things
go. I say this because of the way the pot is
dented and messed up, the pot is crushed.
But the white/grey colors are sprouting out,
it’s like after holding something in for so
long you’re finally letting go.
● #6: This photo shows value
and shadowing. Its shown
throughout the objects shape,
it shows the shadowing due
to the light over casting the
object. With value it adds a
black and white effect with the
object. It darkens the
background more which
makes the shadows stand out
and the white is on the object
to make the main object
stand out. This photo
represents reflecting of life,
reflecting of anything that we
conflict on.
● 7: This photo incorporates the
value, It shows by the dark black
shading out the leaf that shows the
value. By the grey, whites, and
blacks incorporated on certain
parts of the leaves. The shading
adds a modern effect on the photo.
The way one leaf is perfectly
rounded, shaped. Then the other is
abstract/crinkled. It adds the
beauty.
● #8: This photo has value, depth of field,
and shadowing. By the darkened and
lightened spots on the photos and stem of
the leaf the value in it incorporates more
colors in the range of black and white.
Also, it has shadowing in the background
of the leaf. The shadowing adds a more
detailed effect by showing the texture of
this leaf.The leaf in this photo portrays the
depth of field due to the detail in the stem
of the leaf, the shape, and the texture
throughout the photo. This photo is a story
of evolution, the beauty and life of nature.
Spread Story of Ruth Bernhard: Spreadsheet #2
Taking shots in Ruth’s style was an eye opener. I realized Ruth’s style had been so unique and creative. So, I really wanted to incorporate that into
the photos I took by using the style that Ruth uses for her photography. In each photo I wanted to make each one black and white because Ruth’s
photo had been black and white. As I used the black and white filter I wanted to add something to the photo that would make the photo unique and
emulate a story at the same time as well. So I used cutouts of silhouette photos I took and took another photo I took and used that technique to
remake some of Ruth’s photos. But also taking photos just in her style. Ruth’s styles have always had depth or nature, a deep meaning or settled
meaning behind the photos. Also with the ones I took they have those parts, the techniques, and style as Ruth Bernhard had in her’s. Throughout
learning of Ruth’s photography style and everything each photo I took shows a story of life, hurt, mystery, depth, and a fairytale. They all add in to
be something we feel in reality. As a photographer Ruth would take photos at certain angles to where her photos would come out so defined. With
each photo I took, in the first slide (first row). These 3 I really wanted to use inspiration from her photos to help take photos in her style. When I
used that as a technique, I started to think like her, how would I shoot this or how would I edit it, to make it look like something she would take. In
the second slide, I wanted to remake with more depth and different from the rest of the photos I used in the first slide. But in the last slide I wanted
to remake some of her photos as well but using different objects to use. I decided to use blocks, instead a circular shape she had used to make
shadows. After I used the blocks I decided to take another photo but with my doll. In her photo that I put in the slide of her holding a doll in her
hand, I decided to incorporate that in my photo as well. Every photo I decided to take, I did it in a way Ruth Bernhard would’ve taken it. This whole
project was wonderful to see in another photographer's view. Thinking of their style, learning about their style, and using it to take photos was
amazing. With the background information and learning about Ruth it has been an eye opener as an artist to see how other photographers' style
can touch you or move you. With knowing that I was able to take these amazing photos I never thought I could take. Especially using creativity and
elements I’ve never used before to take my final photos. I had gotten the chance to tell a story to give emotion to anyone who needs to be moved or
touched by one single photo.
Photos in Ruth Bernhard’s Style:))
Photos in Ruth Bernhard’s Style:))
Photos in Ruth Bernhard’s Style:))
In this photo I wanted to incorporate the value and depth
Ruth added into her photos so I used a cut out of my
silhouettes of my hands and I decided to add them on a
separate photo I also took. Which made it turn out like
this, since Ruth always adds value into her photos by the
shading, black&white filters. I decided to add a rustic
black and white filter to have effect in this photo.
This photo has value, leading lines, and
silhouettes. In this photo, the black and
white filter adds value due to the shading,
whites, greys, and blacks. When you look
closer into the photo you can see the
silhouettes of the bridge railings as well.
Then, you can see the leading lines of the
railings, that make your eyes go all over
the photo.
This photo shows value and depth of field. The detail
throughout the leaves to the grass it adds an effect, it
shows more od depth of field. The black and white photo
added value because of the shading throughout the
blacks. Then, the whites and greys bringing out the color
in the leaves as well.
This photo shows value and leading lines. This
photo has shading throughout the tree starting
from the bottom to the the top of the tree. Then, the
leading lines are shown by the tree steps that lead
up to the sky. To get this angle I used angle of view
by getting a to a low angle. I took this photo at the
bottom of the tree as if I was a bird looking up at
it’s nest. Which helped take this shot of this photo.
This photo shows value and symmetry because
the black and white filter in this photo. The blacks,
whites, and greys are in the photo. The white’s
you can see on the bathtub, the greys my skin
and blacks in my shirt. As there is a reflection in
the photo it accounts as symmetry because of the
reflection in this photo. Then to take this photo I
put it up at a high angle using the angle of view
composition to take this photo.
This photo has value and a silhouette. The value is
put into this photo because of the black and white
range of colors throughout every part on this photo.
The silhouette is shown as I’m posing reaching up.
The shadowing and the overcasting of the sun
makes it into a silhouette. Also with adding in
touch-ups to make the silhouette stand out more.
In this photo it has the photo
compositions of value. In this photo I
used a projector to use as a
background. Then I used my doll to
incorporate a an effect as Ruth did in
her doll photo. As the colors of black
shades and the light shades it adds
value into the photo.
This photo I used blocks to
make the shapes. This photo
shows value because of the
type of shading and range of
black and white throughout
this photo.
My Photography Style: Spreadsheet 3
Throughout this whole semester learning about the rules of photography, compositions, the
feedback. I decided to use new things, try new styles, and be creative with my photos. So for
this final my style choice is silhouettes, cutouts and high angle viewpoints. I chose these to be
put into my photos because it makes my photos unique and a cool effect of texture, emotion,
etc. For each photo I really decided to take more time into editing to either add more lighting, or
less, and to make my photos more detailed. In some I decided to use more silhouettes than
others because I really love the affet cutouts can give just by adding the right filter or adding the
right amount of shadowing. The ones you’ll be able to see will have some of these styles
incorporated into my photos. Throughout my photos silhouettes, cutouts, and high angle of
viewpoint have become huge parts of my photography style. I decided to make each photo a
story of life. With the struggles, the silence, and the mystery behind everything.
In this photo it shows value and silhouette.
The value was made by the black and white
filter. I used it as a way to add more soul
into the photo. With that I used the texture
of the tree to be used a cutout for my
silhouette to be put onto. Which made a
detailed photo.
In this photo I contrasted the colors and
made a soft touch a filter to even out the
photo. I then used the flowers in the photo to
add a little extra to reflect off of the emotion I
was putting into this photo. Which the flowers
represented leading lines.
In this photo it has a silhouette and value. I used
the brightness to brighten up the photo. Then I
overlapped the photo to darken the silhouette
more. With that I used a shadowing to darken
the silhouette.
I started to use more cut out
photos of my silhouettes and use
those to be put into a photo. So
in this photo I used a silhouette. I
used the shadowing too to
darken the silhouette and added
a filter to add more of a light
touch.
In this photo I used leading lines and
silhouettes. In the photo the shadowing of
the flowers show onto the light. The leading
lines lead your eyes all around the photo.
In this photo I used my bathroom mirror to add
a symmetrical affect onto the photo. I used the
curtain rod to hang my phone on to take this
photo. As this photo is in a high angle, this
photo adds a photo composition (angle of
view). After I had put a filter on to bring out the
color and light in the photo.
In this photo I contrasted the colors to bring out the
blue sky and the white in the trees and bushes. I
also used the brightness tool to add more light into
the photo so it wouldn’t be as dark. Then with those
final touches this is the final photo.
In this photo I used viewpoint (angle of view) to
take this photo. I decided that an angle where
someone is looking at you was a good shot to
take in this photo. I decided to contrast the colors
in this photo as well because it helped add more
effect to the photo. After i did those touch-ups to
the photo, this is how it turned out.