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Philippe Halsman and Salvador Dali "Three Flying Cats"

Salvador Dalí and Three Flying Cats 
This Idea of the three cats flying through the air wasn't Salvador's first idea. He initially wanted to blow up a duck using Dynamite which sounds like a crazy idea and I don't think it would've been as successful as this one. It goes to show how Dali's mind works, this is what makes him so unique in the way he works. In a strange way, I would've liked to have seen his original idea, even though it would have unsettled me.
 The amount of work put into this one image is pretty amazing. the amount of tries to get the image just right is admirable, especially in an age where digital editing doesn't exists. Looking at the behind the scenes photos was very interesting. You can make out the assistant holding up a chair and you can see the failed attempts at getting the cats to look right as they are thrown into the air.

 The type of work that I do today would be almost impossible back then, unless I do it manually and print out the images, then physically cut and paste the photographs.




this is another image that took a great deal of time and planning to achieve, but the end result is mesmerizing. The seven models pose to make a giant skull shaped image as Dali stands off to the side. I read that it took Halsman 3 hours to arrange the models. I really admire this kind of work, so much planning and effort to make up one image, but its all so worth it.

In todays world, this kind of image could be created in half the time using todays technology. You could even just use one model and duplicate them to make up the skull. But I feel like the image would lose the sense of realism and practicality. Which is what makes this image so powerful.

Again, looking at the progress photographs gave me a sense of the amount of work they put in to make this piece. you can see that they constantly played around with poses and lighting before finally settling on a final image. This really gives me a goof insight into the lead up this final image.

I love the partnership that Dali and Halsman have. I can sense from their work together that they have a great deal of understanding about each other and play off each other well.


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