Jan Groover
Still Life Photographer
(April 24, 1943- January 1, 2012)
1. Personal Background-
Jan Groover was an American photographer born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey. She later moved to France, where she spent the last few years of her life. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Pratt University in Ohio. In 1978, she won a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which led her to purchase her first large- format camera. She later taught at the University of New York, at which she taught many famous photographers for more than a decade.
2. Style-
Jan Groover brought almost a Renaissance vibe to modern day photography. There are subtle notes of feminism that is different from any other photographer. She turns simple objects such as silverware into something to really think about. She believed she could “change space” and that even though it sounded stupid and cold, formalism was so important. She paid a lot of attention to color and lines, and was always pursuing her concerns.
3. Philosophy-
Groover believed that all things in life had beauty. Through her work, she showed that even things you find in your kitchen could be turned into something worth looking at and thinking about. This was probably a personal messsage that she was trying to convey in her photographs. Behind the forks, spoons, and dishwashers there is something more. She is trying to convey that no matter how simple something is, there is still beauty.
4. Influences-
Jan Groover has definitely influenced my work in many ways. From her, the idea that less is more really shines through, and has started showing up in my own work. I have started to use less noisy backgrounds, and get up close and personal with my subjects. I also really like the lighting she uses, so I have started using that in my own work as well. She may not be the most flashy photographer, but she is definitely influential.
Jan Groover was an American photographer born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey. She later moved to France, where she spent the last few years of her life. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Pratt University in Ohio. In 1978, she won a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which led her to purchase her first large- format camera. She later taught at the University of New York, at which she taught many famous photographers for more than a decade.
2. Style-
Jan Groover brought almost a Renaissance vibe to modern day photography. There are subtle notes of feminism that is different from any other photographer. She turns simple objects such as silverware into something to really think about. She believed she could “change space” and that even though it sounded stupid and cold, formalism was so important. She paid a lot of attention to color and lines, and was always pursuing her concerns.
3. Philosophy-
Groover believed that all things in life had beauty. Through her work, she showed that even things you find in your kitchen could be turned into something worth looking at and thinking about. This was probably a personal messsage that she was trying to convey in her photographs. Behind the forks, spoons, and dishwashers there is something more. She is trying to convey that no matter how simple something is, there is still beauty.
4. Influences-
Jan Groover has definitely influenced my work in many ways. From her, the idea that less is more really shines through, and has started showing up in my own work. I have started to use less noisy backgrounds, and get up close and personal with my subjects. I also really like the lighting she uses, so I have started using that in my own work as well. She may not be the most flashy photographer, but she is definitely influential.
6. Compare and Contrast-
In general, I think my final three images turned out pretty similar to Groover's. In (Forks in dishwasher), we both had blue holders, although our perspectives are a little different. In (Forks,Knives, Spoon), our silverware is positioned the same way, but hers has a hue to it while mine is simply black and white. In (Spoons), her silverware is much fancier than mine, and mine isn't black and white. I know the original was black and white, but I made a creative decision to keep color in mine. I am happy overall with how my photos turned out.
7.Personal Artist Statement-
My photos show that even every day objects can be beautiful. Every piece of silverware has a different shape, and different scratches that shows character. I used the principles of emphasis and unity a lot in my photos, along with the elements of lines, shape, and value. Although I did have some trouble with the lighting and the background, this shoot ran pretty smoothly. I'm glad I had the opportunity to be inspired by Jan Groover and her work.
In general, I think my final three images turned out pretty similar to Groover's. In (Forks in dishwasher), we both had blue holders, although our perspectives are a little different. In (Forks,Knives, Spoon), our silverware is positioned the same way, but hers has a hue to it while mine is simply black and white. In (Spoons), her silverware is much fancier than mine, and mine isn't black and white. I know the original was black and white, but I made a creative decision to keep color in mine. I am happy overall with how my photos turned out.
7.Personal Artist Statement-
My photos show that even every day objects can be beautiful. Every piece of silverware has a different shape, and different scratches that shows character. I used the principles of emphasis and unity a lot in my photos, along with the elements of lines, shape, and value. Although I did have some trouble with the lighting and the background, this shoot ran pretty smoothly. I'm glad I had the opportunity to be inspired by Jan Groover and her work.