9/7/09 Artist Post: Paul D'Amato

In this past week, I have been looking at photographers that use deep emotion in their images without having to create that feeling. Paul D'Amato does just this. The tension in his images is always balanced by some type of resolution. D'Amato puts himself in situations where he is going to be the "tension" in the community he is interested in photographing, whether that is because they are a different race or different class. D'Amato says that he wants his pictures "to have the widest possible emotional range." D'Amato does not photograph anybody that he does not consider beautiful. Through his subject's body language you feel as if they are revealing a personal look into their life, but they also keep a certain part of themselves hidden. It is a tricky balance between what is revealed and what is kept secret. In most of D'Amato's images, the subject is not even posing. They are just caught in the midst of what they are doing, in their usual hustle and bustle. He photographs people in their natural environment, which may be what I find to be so intriguing about him.
In D’Amato’s images above Isela (Image 5), Anxious Bride (Image 4) and Quebradita (Image 3), he is just being part of the crowd while taking his photographs. He happens to catch the exact moment in which something spectacular is happening. In Anxious Bride, it is clear just how “anxious” this poor bride is. It was impeccable timing that lead to such a strong image that portrayed as much emotion as this specific image holds.
In the above images April (Image 2) and Twins in Gangway(Image 1), D’Amato finds this perfect opportunities and photographs them. The subject of these photographs is very much aware that he is there but they do not change how they are acting. D’Amato says that “the important thing is knowing how to recognize the certain way a look will communicate in a picture.”
My work relates because I am constantly trying to figure out how to convey a certain look through and image but have not completely gotten a knack for it. Although I may be aware of what type of image I am looking for, I do not necessarily know how to go about finding that image without creating it myself. I am hoping that by looking at artists such as D’Amato I will be able to find their influence and put it to use through my images as well.
http://www.pauldamato.com/work/