1) Eric Gottesman uses his photography, writings, and films to highlight social structures within a community. In his project If I Could See Your Fave I Would Not Need Food, Gottesman documents and photographs those with HIV/AIDS. Due to the stigma that followed the disease many did not want their faces show. Gottesman use instant film to create this project. The prints are 20in X 24in toned silver gelatin print.
2) Gottesman was in Addis Ababa, the Capital of Ethiopia in 1999 documenting the effects of HIV/AIDS. His pictures capture the normalcy of everyday life, reading a book, looking out the window, and holding hands / being in love. Ascetically, the photos look great, even though you do not see their faces. When you realize that there is a reason why the faces are not shown it gives a deeper meaning to the photos. One may interpret these photos as having to remain hidden and secretive even during everyday activities.
3) I was drawn to Gottesman's project If I Could See your Face I would Not Need Food, because of the simplicity. In they first photo, the half blurred wall has a rough texture, his jacket and book have a smooth texture. This subtle contrast allows the man to be seen in the foreground. If the wall was smooth the man may have blended in and not been so prominent. I personally think that this photo is interesting to look at because of the photo is taken from behind. It is simple yet intriguing.
In the second photo I enjoy the symmetry of the curtains and wall. Again Gettesman stages the person he is photographing in front of a solid background, in this case a curtain panel. On either side of the center panel are windows overlooking run down buildings. If the center panel wasn't there the person being photographed would have been lost amongst the buildings. The center panel not only provides a beautiful and well organized symmetry, but it is used to heighten the figure in front of it. There is a softness to this photo along with a sense of isolation, being separated from the outside world. This photo has a soft feel because the background is very subtle and not much attention being drawn to it. There is no high contrast so the background blends in to the rest of the photo.
The third photo, there are lines, stripes, and patterns. This photo has a busier feel than the other two. The focal point of this photograph is definitely the two hands. The lines in the photo brings us to where the hands meet. The hands are crisp and in focus. If you notice the gentleman's shirt sleeve is rolled up. The stripes of his shirt would have been too much against the striped/floral pattern and his arm would not be so distinct in this photo. I believe that all of Gottesman's photos have been well thought out and I enjoy how he utilized different backgrounds to heighten focus on his subjects.
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