Assignment 2. Exploration Photography.

Josef Koudelka (1938-). His pictures always mesmerize the audience. He uses no Photoshop, no special effects or elaborated props, yet his works are always mysterious, dramatic and seem to depict some parallel universe. Most of his life Koudelka used to take pictures of ordinary people (peasants, gypsies, Prague and France citizens, etc), however, since 1980s he seems to have got more interest in nature.

FRANCE. Region of Nord-Pas-de-Calais. City of Calais. The new harbor. Dyke (1989). This photo is a great example of Koudelka's genius and unbelievable ability to see beauty in habitual things. The low vantage point makes the shadows, the reflections and the rocks interweave, creating the most harmonious panoramic composition based on equilibrium between dark and light areas of the image.
The tight framing and the absence of any living creature but a lonely bird produces an atmosphere of a secluded yet peaceful world. If it were not for the title, we would probably never be able to say that behind the 'dyke' there is quite a big city. It seems, the photographer wants to get us back to nature, to show what it used to be when there was no human being. From this point of view, Koudelka’s latest photos are very much like his own 'Rephotographic Survey Project'.
In fact, because of its very sharp contrast, rich tonal range and graphics the photo looks more like a painting. It reminds Picasso's works to me. The natural cubism Josef Koudelka managed to find in an everyday scene makes this picture a photographic chef-d'oeuvre.

PS Really sorry, but I couldn't find a better resolution of the photo. Very few of Koudelka's works are on line. Yet, if you visit www.magnumphotos.com and click Josef Koudelka's portfolio, you'll be able to see more details.