Paper Movies
What is the significance to us of the ‘Photographic Journey’ in three decades from the 1950’s? The photographic journey describes the significance of how the environments from deserts, roads, city streets and man made environments have evolved and altered the landscape of history. Joel Sternfeld is seen using what type of camera? Why would he be using this instead of digital?
Joel is working on an 8x10 large format camera as he prefers the spacial power and authenticity over digital.
Why has Robert Frank’s book ‘The Americans’ had such an impact on modern photography?What ‘narrative’ is pervasive throughout his book?
Created in the 1950s during a series of road trips through the United States, it shows a different view of the Americas as not seen in the country’s self-image at the time. From highways, parades, cars, interiors and many other cliché and stereotypically American symbols.
The images portrayed an underlying sense of depression, alientation and hardship. Frank looked in depth at the gaudy fake façade that the Americas put on and brought a newer light to the world. William Klein had one particular photographic outlet for the expression of his photography – How would you describe his attitude to photography?
Klein was fearless, fast to work and worked with a strong sense of rhythm. His images show aggression and a real sense of shock and awe to provoke a stronger reaction. What made Joel Meyerowitz reject Henri Cartier Bresson’s decisive moment concept for his New York Street Photography?
Bresson had a romantic view of the parks and streets of New York with a low scale of elegance to it. Meyerowitz felt that there was a vibrancy and energy to the city and his work showed a more ecstatic approach.
Iconic NY Street Photographers Garry Winogrand, Diane Arbus & Lee Friedlander oand English Photographer, Tony Ray Jones who was heavily influenced by the above noted the key pointers to being a successful Street Photographer ………..Can you list them…. Jone’s list: Be aware of shake Agression Be involved Get close Stay on subject Don’t be boring Be simple Relate everything Shoot little Why have British ‘street photographers’ gravitated to the beach as an ideal location for their subject matter?
A traditional form of candid street photography in Britain is of people on the beach. It is more abundant in the UK than America with a higher percentage of the population living closer to it. The people also often show another side to themselves that they wouldn’t unless at a beach, in 1896 photographer Paul Martin took a photograph that shows just this happening.
The Road trips of Stephen Shore & Joel Sternfeld Your observations……
Shore kept a visual diary in colour of his trip. Everything from places, beds, people and toilets he had a budget and an idea with a clear outcome in min where in reflection Sternfeld was broke on $40 and some sunflower seeds he barely shot a lot but kept each shot intentional as he journeyed towards his goal.
Why would William Eggleston be regarded by photographers as ‘King’?
From his inspirational and ground breaking work, to his use of colour and garish composition Eggleston is held in high regard among street photographers. His approach to answering questions put to him by his piers is unique as if he has selected which parts of the question to hear. How ever if not for his work and methods street photography and the approach may not be what it is today, leading photographers such as Martin Parr, Nan Goldin and Jeff Wall all attribute their inspiration to “King”. Which would only have happed with the wok and approach taken by Eggleston.
