Fine Art Archives - Page 4 of 4

George Krause: Quality Time With a Legend

Legendary photographers George Krause and Tony Ward sit together — Photo of George Krause and Tony Ward courtesy of W. Keith McManus, Copyright 2023

Quality Time With a Legend

I first met George Krause at an exhibit of his work in 1974 at Photopia Gallery on South Street in Philadelphia. This was the first time I was introduced to his work and was taken immediately by his mastery of the craft. His early black and white street photography from the 1960’s are included in the canon of photographic history evidenced by his inclusion in the seminal publication in 1973, Looking at Photographs, 100 Pictures from the Collection of The Museum of Modern Art by John Szarkowski, who at the time was the director of photography at the MOMA.

We became friends when I invited him to exhibit his work while I was a graduate student at the Rochester Institute of Technology from 1977 to 1979. Here is a draft of a letter I sent to George regarding the invitation to exhibit his work at the institute and his response.

Letter to George Krause from Tony Ward 1978 — Letter to George Krause from the Tony Ward Archives 1978.

Letter from famous photographer George Krause to Tony Ward — From the archives of Tony Ward 1978

George, now 86 years young called me on the eve of the recent annual Photo Review picnic as he and fellow octogenarians Larry Fink and Neal Slavin were being celebrated at this years event which was held at Haverford College in Haverford, Pa. On the eve of the celebrated gathering George mentioned that he was going to visit noted photographer Lawrence Salzmann at his charming home in Powelton Village the day before the picnic. Many thanks to W. Keith McManus for capturing this intimate moment with a dear friend and mentor to many photographers world wide.

To access a gallery of his work and interview I conducted with George Krause in 2018, link here: https://tonywardstudio.com/gallery/george-krause-interview-with-a-legend/

Fiction: Night Swim

Fiction by ChatGBT

Night Swim

The evening air was crisp as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across the serene lake. A beautiful woman named Diana emerged from the water, her long dark wavy hair clinging to her wet skin, glistening in the fading light. She stood at the edge of the lake, shivering slightly from the coolness of the water and the gentle breeze that swept through the valley.

As Diana tried to warm herself, she instinctively covered her breasts with her arms. Her gaze was fixed on the distant mountains, captivated by their majesty and the ethereal beauty of the setting sun.

But in that moment, as she turned her head slightly to the right, Diana noticed a movement out of the corner of her eye. Her heart skipped a beat, and a sense of vulnerability washed over her. She realized that she wasn’t completely alone.

Her instincts urged her to flee, to seek the safety of her clothes and retreat from the unexpected presence. But curiosity mingled with fear, compelling her to stay and investigate. She wanted to know who else shared this isolated lakeside paradise.

Slowly, Diana turned her gaze towards the source of the movement. Her eyes widened in surprise and intrigue as she saw a figure emerging from the shadows. It was a man, tall and muscular, with an air of mystery about him. His eyes met hers, and a moment of silent understanding passed between them.

There was a charged energy in the air, a recognition of the raw vulnerability they both felt. Diana’s initial fear began to transform into a different kind of anticipation. She felt a flicker of desire awaken within her, blending with the lingering sensations of her nude night swim.

Without a word, the man approached Diana, his eyes never leaving hers. His presence was both comforting and electrifying, drawing her in like a magnet. She found herself entranced, her body responding to his proximity.

As he reached her side, the man extended a hand, a silent invitation for Diana to join him on this twilight adventure. Something within her urged her forward, and with a mix of trepidation and excitement, Diana placed her hand in his.

Together, they walked towards the fading light, towards the mysteries that awaited them beyond the mountains. The photograph would forever capture that fleeting moment of connection, a testament to the power of unexpected encounters and the allure of the unknown.

Bob Shell: Images and Artificial Intelligence

Portrait of porn star Kimberly Kane photographed by famous photographer Tony Ward — Film Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023

Images and Artificial Intelligence

Every year, Sony Corporation sponsors the Sony World Photography Prize. Thousands of photographers worldwide enter to win this prestigious award.

This year’s winner was Boris Elgadsen who won with a portrait of two women.

After winning, Elgadsen revealed that his winning image was not a photograph at all, but the creation of an artificial intelligence program.

He said he was just testing to see if artistic competitions were prepared to detect AI creations. “They are not,” he said in an understatement itself worthy of a prize.

Years ago when Photoshop first became available, a traditionalist photographer told me, “This is the death of real photography.” In a sense he was right.

It used to be that photography represented reality, at least for the most part, because manipulations were difficult. Photoshop changed that. Now, we won’t even need a photograph or photographic elements as starting points to create an image. Just describe what you want to an AI program and it will create it for you.

AI is also capable of generating sound. Using the Telegram app, users can create false voices. The hacker group known as Torswats offers services such as closing down a school with an AI generated bomb threat for $ 75. For $ 50 they will they will call in a report designed to have police raid a person’s house and haul him off in handcuffs.

Beyond photography and malicious use of AI, using the app Replika anyone can create a virtual human. A boyfriend or girlfriend who will love you unconditionally, and look and act as you choose. Many users say they prefer these artificial people to the real thing. Using a VR headset, you can interact with them in a virtual reality superimposed on your own reality. The only downside — you can’t touch or be touched by them — yet!

About The Author: Bob Shell is a professional photographer, author, former editor in chief of Shutterbug Magazine and veteran contributor to this blog. He is currently serving a 35 year sentence for involuntary manslaughter for the death of Marion Franklin, one of his former models. He is serving the 13th year of his sentence at Pocahontas State Correctional Facility, Virginia. To read additional articles by Bob Shell related to UFO’s, click here: https://tonyward.com/bob-shell-film-makes-a-comeback/

Fiction: The Temptation of Monsignor Luna

Photograph of three actors modeling for a Tony Ward photograph: a monsignor, a nude woman and a woman in prayer — The Temptation of Monsignor Luna. Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023

Text by ChatGBT

Monsignor Luna sat at his desk in the rectory, surrounded by stacks of paperwork and an ever-growing to-do list. As he took a sip of coffee, he noticed a photograph on his bookshelf that he hadn’t looked at in some time.

In the photo, a woman stood behind him in prayer, her head bowed in reverence. In front of her, a nude woman sat on a bed of nails, legs and wrists shackled while looking away from the priest with dark eyes. Monsignor Luna shook his head, trying to clear his mind. How did this photo end up on his bookshelf?

He remembered the day it was taken. A woman had come to him for confession, seeking guidance and comfort in her faith. She was in tears, overcome by guilt and shame for her past sins. Monsignor Luna had listened with compassion, offering words of wisdom and hope.

As they prayed together, the door had opened and in walked a nude woman, claiming to be a model for a local artist. She had been drawn to the rectory by some unknown force, compelled to be in the presence of the popular religious leader.

At first, Monsignor Luna was taken aback by her presence. But then he felt a strange sensation, a feeling of power and control over the situation. He saw the women as two sides of the same coin, one representing sin and temptation, the other purity and faith.

He asked the women to pose for a photograph by a famous photographer friend who he commissioned to capture the vision in his mind for posterity. Now, as he looked at the photo, Monsignor Luna felt a sense of unease. Was this a moment of weakness or strength? Had he given in to temptation or overcome it?

He closed his eyes, praying for guidance and forgiveness. He vowed to use this photo as a reminder of the power of faith and the dangers of temptation. Monsignor Luna knew that he would never forget this moment and the lessons it taught him.

To access a gallery of Tableaux Vivant’s by Tony Ward from 1994- 1996, click here: https://tonyward.com/portfolios/tableaux-vivants-1994-1996/