Jaydan’s Blog

Allen Ginsberg, celebrated as a poet and prominent figure of the Beat Generation, was also an insightful photographer. His photography, like his poetry, was personal and raw, focusing on the unguarded, everyday moments shared with friends like Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady, and William S. Burroughs. His images, often spontaneous and unpolished, aimed to capture the essence of those around him rather than creating technically perfect photos.  One notable piece,  Robert Frank, his Bleecker Street house New York January 1984, old Polaroid 195 gives negative, portrait for my collected poems 1947-1980 back-jacket—Peter Orlovsky present snapped us both that hour, captures Ginsberg with renowned photographer Robert Frank in Frank’s New York apartment. This 1984 gelatin silver print, now housed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., was created with a Polaroid 195 camera, a favorite of Ginsberg’s for its ability to produce instant negatives. The print is gritty and unfiltere...

  1.) This photo uses light in a unique and creative way to form an intriguing composition. The primary source of light, likely sunlight, shines through the fabric of the large, striped umbrella, casting the shadow of a person standing behind it. The striped pattern of the umbrella creates an interesting texture and interplay of colors as the light filters through the fabric, illuminating it in warm yellow and orange tones. This contrast between the bright umbrella and the darker shadow of the person adds depth to the image, emphasizing the silhouette while allowing the viewer to focus on the details of the background. The shadow itself is a sharp and well defined, capturing the viewer’s attention and creating a sense of mystery, as the person’s identity is concealed. The indirect lighting on the wooden deck enhances the texture of the boards, while the chairs in the background remain dimly lit, creating a sense of space and environment. Overall, the light in this image is used not...