CThru.com Presents Tony Ward Studio

Kianna & Shay

Copyright 2012

Photo: Larry Fink

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Dan Murphy

.

……….Legendary photographer Larry Fink spoke at the Arthur Ross Gallery, University of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, November 28th – as part of the much acclaimed 9 Perspectives On a Photography Collection exhibition. The attentive crowd was regaled by a series and discussion of outstanding images from Larry’s storied professional career and young life as a photographer. The talk was intriguing, humorous, informative, and poignant leaving the listeners with smiles on their faces, some wisdom from a special artist, and fond memories that made marks in their hearts and minds.

.

Photo: Larry Fink

.

Photo: Larry Fink

.

Larry Fink’s work, virtually all black and white, covers a wide range of subjects – from politics, parties, Hollywood, fashion, sports, counter culture, and intimate family shots. Larry’s unquestionable ability to detect and capture the “photographic moment” was quite apparent. The audience was shown Larry’s exceptional photographs as a professional photographer covering high society with shots of celebrities at the Oscars and lavish Hollywood parties, legendary musicians such as John Coltrane, and even President Obama himself.

.

Photo: Larry Fink

.

Larry Fink also spent some time highlighting his incredible work on boxing, shot over years in Philadelphia’s historic Blue Horizon. The images on pugilism were so striking because of Larry’s ability to capture the drama inherent in the sport – the battle between two warriors and two wills, the pain and the perseverance, the victory and defeat, against the gritty backdrop of North Philadelphia’s famous venue and the trainers, staff, and crowds swarming all over the now defunct arena.

.

Photo: Larry Fink

But make no mistake, Fink’s pictures were not something you would find in a standard event photographer’s portfolio. They captured the human element – emotion, drama, narrative, character, and beauty in his subjects. Larry’s gifted ability to capture the raw humanity in a beautiful way was already being articulated when he was quite young, as his early work powerfully displayed in a more bare bones way.

.

Photo: Larry Fink

.

Photo: Larry Fink

.

Photo: Larry Fink

About The Author: Daniel Murphy is a young professional in Philadelphia and is studying digital and film photography at the University of Pennsylvania.

.

Editor’s Note: Larry Fink’s photographs are currently on display in 9 Perspectives on a Photography Collection, Arthur Ross Gallery, the University of Pennsylvania from November 10, 2012 to January 27, 2013. To learn more about Larry Fink’s Photography log on: www.LarryFinkPhotography.com

UPenn: Arthur Ross Gallery

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Heather Gibson

.

……….On Friday, December 7th at 5:00pm the Arthur Ross Gallery, University of Pennsylvania will be screening The Fighting Lady. The 1944 film follows a US Navy aircraft carrier during World War II, illustrating the experiences of the crew members. The film was photographed in zones of combat in the Pacific Ocean, including the attack on the Japanese base on Marcus Island and the decisive attack known as the “Marianas Turkey Shoot.” Much of the footage was shot by “gun cameras” mounted directly on aircraft guns. The film was directed by Edward Steichen and narrated by Lieut. Robert Taylor.

.

This screening takes place on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, which is observed to commemorate those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Editor’s Note: Heather Gibson is the Art Collections Manager, Office of the Curator, University of Pennsylvania.

Photo: J. Antonio

Posted on December 3, 2012 by J. Antonio

.

……….Anyone who has been a student has interacted with librarians at some point in their life. I’ve always wondered what a librarian’s life was like. My economics teacher back in high school always told us that she should have become a librarian. She could have lived a peaceful life in the quiet library, reading all the books and novels she wanted. In fact, she encouraged everyone in my class to become librarians and study library science in college.

.

Photo: J. Antonio

.

Unfortunately, librarians and libraries are becoming extinct. The advent of the internet and digital technology has affected the way we receive information, thus making librarians and libraries a rare commodity, or for this series of pictures, a hot commodity.

.

Photo: J. Antonio

.

I wanted to portray the sexiness of a librarian, yet still remain classy and elegant. The model had an excellent wardrobe of colorful and professional clothes that suited the librarian I was looking to portray. Her personality – intellectual and tenacious but still down-to-earth made her the perfect candidate for the shoot. While she and I have never done a shoot like this before, we trusted each other and understood the story, image and interpretation of our pictorial.

.

Photo: J. Antonio

.

Also, there is an element of excitement or fascination when it comes to pushing limits and allowing oneself to explore a different side of them. My model and I were no different from the librarian we were both trying to portray in this shoot.

.

Photo: J. Antonio

.

Like a librarian and a student who spends countless hours reading, it is important to unwind, express oneself, and take risks to challenge oneself. It’s the only way to grow and learn.

.

Photo: J. Antonio

About The Author: J. Antonio is enrolled in the Graduate Fine Arts program and City Planning major at the University of Pennsylvania.

Photo: J. Antonio

Posted on December 1, 2012 by J. Antonio

.

………..For this series of fashion photographs, I was inspired to produce a “collegiate” or “ivy league” look. As a student of the University of Pennsylvania, and a member of such a prestigious institution, I wanted to showcase one of the greatest assets the school has – its fashionable students and its striking campus architecture.

.

Photo: J. Antonio

.

The two models – Marc-Anthony & Taylor are both sophomores hailing from the suburbs of New York. Marc-Anthony is studying political science at the College and aspires to become a politician one day. Taylor on the other hand is studying biology and hopes to one day become a doctor. Both students have impeccable taste in fashion and embody the collegiate look that I was going for in this editorial.

.

Photo: J. Antonio

.

Growing up in the catholic faith and education, Taylor is no stranger to plaid, skirts and neutral colors. A simple black cardigan over her top with a plaid skirt was her choice of fashion. She changed her tops and even added a sleek green vintage blazer to add a different look and texture to the photo.

.

Photo: J. Antonio

.

Marc-Anthony’s personal style and fashion fits perfectly with this collegiate theme. His love of sweaters, blazers, slacks and boots come natural to him. To stage the scenes I wanted to make sure that he not only was natural, but that he connected well with the scenery and space he was in. Shooting in the iconic Quadrangle was an ideal location and a familiar place for him and many students at Penn. It’s a very photogenic location and one of my personal favorites to shoot on campus.

.

Photo: J. Antonio

.

Most importantly, I wanted to shoot fashion that spoke to me and my models. It is “a look” that is timeless, something my models and I enjoy and can identify with. This style helps us connect with our surroundings and our school. More importantly this style/fashion helps us identify who we are.

.

Photo: J. Antonio

About The Author: J. Antonio is enrolled in the Graduate Fine Arts program and City Planning major at the University of Pennsylvania.

Now Available

Posted on November 22, 2012

Announcement

Posted on November 17, 2012

UPenn: Photography & Fashion

Photo by J. Antonio, Copyright 2012

Photo: Madeline Miller

Posted on November 4, 2012 by Madeline Miller

.

……….We’ve given it nicknames and spent hours of our days and nights within its walls. We often mention it with disdain and dread because it holds memories of boredom, unbearable stress and silence. It can also be lively and at times it teems and buzzes with procrastination induced chatter. So much more than books and research resources, Van Pelt is a hub of social interaction and isolated intellectual struggle. I have hardly ever considered this structure objectively or architecturally except to comment on the small, narrow, prison-like windows that dot its exterior. What does this space feel like when it’s empty, when it’s removed from its purpose, when it’s unfamiliar?

.

Photo: Madeline Miller

.

Photo: Madeline Miller

.

Van Pelt is a functional space. It maximizes its square footage by placing uniform desks and carrels along every wall, so as to allow optimal room for housing an endless supply of books. Walking through the doors, riding the elevators and using the desks I have never really looked at this building, always distracted by the purpose it serves as a space for studying. I have come to learn that Van Pelt can also be an aesthetic space. During the early morning and late afternoon, the floor-to ceiling-windows throw light onto chairs and desks, causing them to glow. Instead of the austerity and darkness I associate with this building, the symmetry of the furniture and the linear shadows produce a sense of calm and order.

.

Photo: Madeline Miller

.

Photo: Madeline Miller

.

My goal was to transform the way I see this building, which I often find stifling, claustrophobic, stressful and harshly lit. It was a chance to see the familiar in an unfamiliar way, stripping this space of its associations and creating a new representation of a place I walk through so frequently. With a camera, it became a bright, modern, geometric space, uncluttered by books, papers and computer cords and absent of stress and fatigue. This is how I wish I could see Van Pelt on a daily basis, as expansive and bright, but as soon as I pass through the turnstile the chaos and distress mar my vision of what I now know can be a surprisingly beautiful space.

Copyright 2012

.

About The Author: Madeline Miller is a senior enrolled in the College of the University of Pennsylvania. Class of 2013.