Macro images of objects & textures

Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier was an unknown photographer until she died, leaving 100,000 negatives behind. She is now seen as one of the greatest street photographers of the 20th century.
These are three self portraits.
Check her out - look at this article in the Guardian website for a start...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/jan/16/vivian-maier-chicago-street-photography

Michael Mann

Look at this website: http://www.michaelmann.info/#serien
Michael Mann shoots mainly fashion & portraiture, but he also has some inspiring abstract images. The above colour images are of car lights, shot using movement. The b/w images are of trees. 

Bill Brandt

Another great 'classic' black & white photographer to look at. Remember his low key portraits of artists like Magritte? He is also famous for his stylised portraiture (above left) and abstract imagery using various parts of the body!

Cindy Sherman

Don't forget this 'master' of self portraiture when choosing photographers to study and respond to...
Check out this interview with her on the Guardian website:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/jan/15/cindy-sherman-interview

Photograms and other camera-less photography

Look at the V&A museum website. There is an exhibition called 'Shadow Catchers' showing examples of camera-less Photography, with work from Pierre Cordier, Floris Neususs, Susan Derges etc. Have a look at their work and read the captions explaining how they create their imagery, then have a go yourselves!