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I’ve been checking out some photography exhibits over the past couple of months. Whenever I’m looking for inspiration in terms of style and mood for my films I tend to check out photography before I look to other films.

Although camera movement is essential (I took a course in university specifically on the significance of camera movement in film), it’s not the first thing I think about when it comes to aesthetics. When I’m looking for a style that represents the tone I want for my films, photography has always been my reference point.

Here are some photographers that I’ve recently discovered whose work has been hugely inspirational. Unfortunately, the specific photographs that got my attention at the exhibit are nowhere to be found online (or even in books on the collection of their work). I’ve posted some of my other favorites that I was able to find however.

Leonard Freed. Photo journalist who rose to prominence in the 1950’s and 60’s. I love Freed’s composition and sense of energy that he captures in his photographs.

Jewgeni Chaldej (pronounced Yevgeny Khaldei) Red Army photographer.

This is Chaldej’s most famous photograph. I can’t say it inspires me the way some of his other work does, but it’s what launched him to international fame.

Herbert Tobias German/Soviet photographer. Again, I love his framing and use mise en scene. The photographs feel effortless and simple yet structured and although he’s a distant observer you still get a sense of intimacy which I think is quite wonderful.

If you’re in Berlin, the Leonard Freed exhibit is on at C/O Berlin until October 5th and the Herbert Tobias exhibit is on at the Berlinische Galerie until September 1st. Both worth checking out.

Chaldej is no longer at the Gropius Bau but the Rodtschenko exhibit is definitely worth the visit.