Ryan Russell, an influence.

Ryan Russell series (In the studio with UnderOath "Lost in the Sound of Separation," 2008)

Ryan Russell is a male photographer born in Birmingham, Alabama who has a B.A. degree in art studio from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Clients are signed/ unsigned bands, companies, and various publications. Also works in album art direction and layouts. (All information used from http://www.ryanrussell.net/)

Photography can create relationships in so many forms, whether it be with the concept, artistic interpretation, or the content within the photographs. What draws me to the photographs of Ryan Russell, is the nature of the individuals within his photographs. He primarily works with bands and musical artists with documentation of them in concert, studio, or even while they are walking around, smoking, eating, or having a conversation. Some people often forget that musicians are human beings like everyone else and have to do the same everyday routines like everyone else. Ryan presents "in the moment" photographs, which I have grown a fondness for. These photographs put you in the lives of these individuals and allows you to interact with them. Which allows you to grow an even closer bond with not only the band, but with the nature of this business. Creating an album is such a process for these musicians, that it can be tedious and complex. Ryan has created some series that document the production, tracking, interactions of band mates, all while capturing individual personalities.

For me, being a musician with such a passion for this art, I enjoy the sense of relativity I get while viewing this work. The photographs that I have viewed are naturally lighted and work to keep a crisp focus on the particular subjects. The settings are very interesting, to understand the dialogue. Ryan Russell does a spectacular job to include the details that are necessary for understanding his photographs. There is limited usage of modification or rendering, with the exception of some images that have been merged or have had color effects. This helps keep a theme of reality within his images, while allowing a story to be told within.Overall, the photographs are a well observed insight into the process of music and the personalities that bless the work that is produced. Ryan Russell does an exceptional job in allowing an audience to view poetic lives at work.

Though there are many ways that his work has influenced my own, I have found that my focus on people has increased since I have seen his work. I try to focus on a moment within a situation in order to summarize that event. You can create so much dialogue with the right composition. Ryan Russell is able to focus on a particular emotion so that it is portrayed within the entire piece. This may not be monumental work in photographic, but it is significant and has allowed viewers to connect with musicians through a fascinating media. I hope that I may reach areas to where personalities may be captured through my art.