Tyler Shields

A typical Tyler Shields’ blog post can be found at http://www.tylershields.com/2008/08/03/aaron-paul-7/#more-1161

I picked this one because I thought the combination of Tyler Shields imagery and Radiohead music was interesting.

Tyler Shields produces still shots and videos. His work is a mixture of commercial, artistic and experimental. Almost all his work is figurative.

His style is unique. He has a vision that could be described as Californian-surrealist-noir. He photographs shadows rather than light.

For instance, his portrait of Taryn Manning (http://www.tylershields.com/images/taryn-manning/taryn-manning.jpg) shows the actress’s visage chopped into abstract shadow shapes. The stillness of the gaze, combined with the windswept hair, is amazing. It reminds me of the Reynolds portrait of Jane Halliday at Waddesdon (which you have to see first-hand - reproductions just make the painting look dead).

His best work tends to be set in interiors or at night. He is able to suggest moods and emotions. Most of his images have a strong sense of the unspoken narrative.

Radiohead are an “alternative” rock band from Oxfordshire. Lead vocalist is Thom Yorke. They have managed to encapsulate an “alienated” sound which is much imitated by wannabes.

Radiohead “changed the world forever” by choosing to distribute their album In Rainbows on a pay-us-what-you-think-it’s-worth basis.

More on Radiohead: http://www.myspace.com/radiohead