This week's reading includes Museum Piece, an article focusing on April Greiman by Todd Hays and Pixel Perfect, an article focusing on Pascal Dangin by Lauren Collins.
Museum Piece
In this article, Todd Hays talks about two posters that April Greiman has done for The Modern Poster exhibit at the MoMA. What is so innovative about Greiman's work is that she has used the computer to make both of her posters. A program she uses, called Graphic Paintbox, can draw, paint and photocollage on the computer. Greiman mentions how you can see the pixels when you zoom in to retouch details in the poster, and how it is unfortunate that there is no way to get pixel patterns out of the computer systems. The article also talks about how the programs layering function allows elements to fade in to another, a technique only possible on the computer. The article concludes with Greiman looking at the new possibilities of technology and how it is well received by people willing to accept new technology. Overall I was pretty baffled when I read this article from 1988 since now most graphic design is made using the computer. Techniques described to achieve certain effects can now be easily done. Many fonts have been created that are only on the computer. Reading the article makes me realize how much graphic design as a profession has changed. The computer did more than anyone probably thought it would. Everything now has been simplified. It is now easier to create something on the computer and to print it. Perhaps since now computers can do so much, maybe it is better to limit ourselves when creating design.
- Exhibit at MoMA called The Modern Poster featuring around 300 posters
- April Greiman has two posters in the exhibit
- Greiman was influenced by Swiss design
- April Greiman, Inc has four Apple computers, both posters and type created using the computers
- Program called the Graphic Paintbox used to draw, paint, and photocollage
- print process using various colors and in a certain order
Pixel Perfection
Lauren Collins examines Pascal Dangin and his work as a fashion photograph retoucher. Many people rely on him for retouching, like photographers, magazines, and celebrities. Dangin can also be seen as more of a re-interpretor of the photograph. He can draw out possibilities that may not have been obvious, and makes sure each photograph is perfect. Collins goes over Dangin's process in one of his meeting to retouch a model. All the corrections are marked with a grease pencil. However, the actual retouching is done afterwards by Dangin himself. There is also a lot knowledge that goes behind retouching photographs. Dangin require that his artists take in house classes on anatomy. Prospective hires need to take a fifty-six question quiz ranging from computer science to art history. Overall, this article revealed that it takes much more than knowing how to use Photoshop to become a retoucher for fashion photographs. The computer is just a tool, it is still up to the individual to use the tool effectively and efficiently. Without prior knowledge, the touch-up could just end up looking fake or mediocre. However this technology has also given viewers an unrealistic sense of beauty. The retouches output a perfect model, but not a "realistic" one.
- Pascal Dangin is the goto guy for photograph retouching
- many people call him for help to retouch their photographs, including photographers, magazines, and celebrities
- Pascal Dangin is more for just removing blemishes, he can re-image an entire photograph
- started as a hairdresser
- worked long enough until he was sure his retouching skills were up to par
- admits retouching may give an unrealistic expectation of beauty, but doesn't distort the skeleton or disfigure the body
- today's computer programs have reduced quality of photography because the photography can be fixed
- Dangin attends photoshoot and is there for every step of the process to make sure the image is realized
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