Am I Supposed to "Like" Photographs Because Many Others Do?

Helinophoto · Nov 2, 2018

jnanian said:
didn't he say the negative was the score and the print was the performance? he probably spent 2 days printing it because
1/ photo papers probably weren't 1/2 as good as they are today and
B/ he was trying to figure out how he wanted to print the negative.

I know, I put that in there just on spite.

jnanian said:
a friend's wife is a classically trained pianist and whenever i hear her
play it blows my mind. and i don't really enjoy classical music but i can appreciate how she plays and somehow
is able to do what she does. i can barely play the first part of chopsticks...

Then it's a performance (in lack of a better word, since I am not a native English-speaker).
I was physically and emotionally stopped in my tracks one time, while doing some test-shots in a church, to prepare for the actual performance.
As I had the auditorium part of the church covered and planned and was heading my way down, a young lady picked up her violin and played a (classical) solo-piece.
I came only half-way down those stairs, because I HAD to stop and listen to her.

I don't "like" classical music generally, but I can like all genres if it is played with feeling and emotion, rather than read-and-play or "for the thousandth time" autopilot.

I know I am stepping on toes by saying Adams and the "pioneer of street-photography" HCB himself, are "Meh", then again, I'm a casual nobody, so it doesn't really matter what I think

KenS · Nov 2, 2018

"Beauty" (it is said) is in the eye and the mind of the beholder...
How about "To each, his own"

Ken

Theo Sulphate · Nov 2, 2018

Is there any photographer that the "general public" likes, but is roundly disliked by photo enthusiasts - especially internet photo enthusiasts?

For example, go on the Sax on the Web forum and say you like Kenny G. I double-dog dare you.

DonJ · Nov 2, 2018

Theo Sulphate said:
Is there any photographer that the "general public" likes, but is roundly disliked by photo enthusiasts - especially internet photo enthusiasts?

For example, go on the Sax on the Web forum and say you like Kenny G. I double-dog dare you.

Peter Lik is the first name that pops into my mind.

faberryman · Nov 2, 2018

Theo Sulphate said:
Is there any photographer that the "general public" likes, but is roundly disliked by photo enthusiasts - especially internet photo enthusiasts?

I don't think the general public knows the name of any photographer, other than perhaps Ansel Adams.

removed account4 · Nov 2, 2018

Theo Sulphate said:
For example, go on the Sax on the Web forum and say you like Kenny G. I double-dog dare you.

i have, and people agree he's one of the finest sax players who has ever lived. you know he invented circular breathing, right?
he's played the longest note both on land, and in an international flight !

DonJ said:
Peter Lik is the first name that pops into my mind.

no clue why he isn't liked. he's a great photographer and business man and a year or 2 ago he actually sold
a photograph for more than any other. i think it was called phantom at slot canyon or something. i always wished
i could see it in person, but its probably vaulted now... next time i get a chance im going to one of his galleries/shops
maybe they have a lesser quality, smaller version of the same photo so i can look and swoon...

Dali · Nov 2, 2018

faberryman said:
I don't think the general public knows the name of any photographer, other than perhaps Ansel Adams.

Maybe on this side of the Pond.... On the other side, I doubt...

MattKing · Nov 2, 2018

faberryman said:
I don't think the general public knows the name of any photographer, other than perhaps Ansel Adams.

I am fearful that they know the name of Anne Geddes.

Bill Burk · Nov 2, 2018

Dan Pavel and Michael Firstlight your posts are incredibly thoughtful. Thanks

Arklatexian · Nov 2, 2018

Arklatexian said:
I have been looking at photographs "critically" for 69 years. Over the years I have seen many that I liked and many that I didn't like. Some of those that I did not like were praised by others. I can usually tell whether I like it or not in the first few moments that I see the picture. I am only talking about Black and White and I can usually tell you why I like or don't like it. What is your reaction when viewing a picture for the first time?

it is with some humility that I thank all of you who responded to my "question". It seems, in many cases that others have had the same question. I have been looking at "photographs' seriously for many years and continue to do so. There are well known photographer's work that I admire and some by the same photographers that I find uninteresting no matter how long I look at the work. Because of your comments I will continue to use the terms "like" when I see some work and "dislike" when I see others and continue to trust my own opinion. I invite all of you to do the same. You are not "forced" to "like anyone's work because others do or because the photographs bring big dollars, pounds, euros, etc......Again, thank you so much for your comments......Regards!

Arklatexian · Nov 2, 2018

Helinophoto said:
I know, I put that in there just on spite.

Then it's a performance (in lack of a better word, since I am not a native English-speaker).
I was physically and emotionally stopped in my tracks one time, while doing some test-shots in a church, to prepare for the actual performance.
As I had the auditorium part of the church covered and planned and was heading my way down, a young lady picked up her violin and played a (classical) solo-piece.
I came only half-way down those stairs, because I HAD to stop and listen to her.

I don't "like" classical music generally, but I can like all genres if it is played with feeling and emotion, rather than read-and-play or "for the thousandth time" autopilot.

I know I am stepping on toes by saying Adams and the "pioneer of street-photography" HCB himself, are "Meh", then again, I'm a casual nobody, so it doesn't really matter what I think

It most definitely really matters what you think., especially to you. Anyone who stops what they are doing to listen to a solo-violin piece, as you say, played with feeling and emotion, does most certainly "like" classical music played by an artist and his/her opinions are important......Regards!

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 2, 2018

Some people like blondes, others brunettes.

Helinophoto · Nov 3, 2018

Theo Sulphate said:
Is there any photographer that the "general public" likes, but is roundly disliked by photo enthusiasts - especially internet photo enthusiasts?

For example, go on the Sax on the Web forum and say you like Kenny G. I double-dog dare you.

David La Chapelle (http://www.lachapellestudio.com/)
Annie Leibovitz (http://portfolioone.com/photographers/annie-leibovitz/)

Both feed on celebrities and has been in the media here several times (last time, it was A.L photographing the queen of England).

In general, I don't think people not into art or photography know many photographers at all.

In my own country, there is more or less just a couple that struck trough the "barrier", both shoot celebrity-stuff, which is probably why they are known (and liked) by the public.

Bjørn Opsahl, who was the main-shooter for 2-3 seasons of our local top-model contest and currently works as an instructor for one of the photograph-schools here ( https://www.100norwegianphotographers.no/bjorn-opsahl )

Morten Krogvold, who actually also work with film (Usually with a Hasselblad and Leica, although I think he has gone digital for small format these days ) and print. I think Morten is generally liked. I would love to attend his workshops, but not for $600 in the middle of a work-week, located somewhere in the wilderness on the west-coast.

(https://www.100norwegianphotographers.no/morten-krogvold)

blockend · Nov 3, 2018

Dali said:
Maybe on this side of the Pond.... On the other side, I doubt...

Over here it would be David Bailey. Like Stirling Moss the racing driver, or Stanley Matthews the footballer, David Bailey became a kind of iconic brand that lives on beyond a professional career. The way Babe Ruth might be for Americans. I seriously doubt the man on the Clapham Omnibus will have heard of any art photographer, including Ansel Adams. A TV programme posted on You Tube recently asked young Londoners to pinpoint major British cities on a map. The results would be laughable if they weren't such an indictment of the current educational system.

Back to the original question, "likes" are not a transferable asset. With the exception of a few who've been commissioned based on their personal online work (Daniel Arnold's work for Vogue comes to mind), a like has no monetary value. You'll earn more working in a camera shop or teaching an evening class than trying to convert into cash.

Jim Jones · Nov 3, 2018

Consider the fate of William Mortensen. He was far more imaginative (but sometimes controversial) photographer than his arch-enemy Ansel Adams. The grand scenic photos of Adams appealed to more people, so Mortensen lost in their feuds in the photo magazines of their time. The authority of someone like Adams is necessary for some photographers to decide on what they like. I admire each for their mastery of disparate views.

Charles Escott-New · Nov 3, 2018

blockend said:
Over here it would be David Bailey. Like Stirling Moss the racing driver, or Stanley Matthews the footballer, David Bailey became a kind of iconic brand that lives on beyond a professional career. The way Babe Ruth might be for Americans. I seriously doubt the man on the Clapham Omnibus will have heard of any art photographer, including Ansel Adams. A TV programme posted on You Tube recently asked young Londoners to pinpoint major British cities on a map. The results would be laughable if they weren't such an indictment of the current educational system.

Back to the original question, "likes" are not a transferable asset. With the exception of a few who've been commissioned based on their personal online work (Daniel Arnold's work for Vogue comes to mind), a like has no monetary value. You'll earn more working in a camera shop or teaching an evening class than trying to convert into cash.

Could I add Beaton, Snowden, Litchfield and ,of course, David Hemmings for UK public recognition ?.

Charles Escott-New · Nov 3, 2018

Apologies,the 1st Earl of Snowdon and the 5th Earl of Lichfield. My poor spelling.

MattKing · Nov 3, 2018

Charles Escott-New said:
Could I add Beaton, Snowden, Litchfield and ,of course, David Hemmings for UK public recognition ?.

Would Jane Bown make it into that group?

Charles Escott-New · Nov 3, 2018

MattKing said:
Would Jane Bown make it into that group?

Not sure, unassuming might not do it, I really like her work but is she show-biz enough to gain public recognition? Years ago I stumbled across a photo by James Ravilious of a Devon farmer protecting himself from a downpour by holding a feed sack over his head.It just spoke to me and his is the work that draws me back again and again. Dan Pavel said it better than I can, it affects me as I immerse myself in his world. His father ,Eric, is better known as an artist.

faberryman · Nov 3, 2018

MattKing said:
Would Jane Bown make it into that group?

I only know of her work because she was one of the few professional photographers that used an Olympus camera, mostly with an 85mm f/2 as I remember.

Vaughn · Nov 3, 2018

Jim Jones said:
Consider the fate of William Mortensen. He was far more imaginative (but sometimes controversial) photographer than his arch-enemy Ansel Adams. The grand scenic photos of Adams appealed to more people, so Mortensen lost in their feuds in the photo magazines of their time...

Reading Mary Alinder's take on it, Mortensen actually skillfully won the battle of words, but lost the war...his type of soft-porn went out of fashion.

removed account4 · Nov 3, 2018

Vaughn said:
Reading Mary Alinder's take on it, Mortensen actually skillfully won the battle of words, but lost the war...his type of soft-porn went out of fashion.

that's kind of weird, it seems it is always in fashion. and its as cheezy as ever ! LOL
but these days they call it "figurative work"

MattKing · Nov 3, 2018

faberryman said:
I only know of her work because she was one of the few professional photographers that used an Olympus camera, mostly with an 85mm f/2 as I remember.

But you probably didn't read the Observer when she was working.

jtk · Nov 4, 2018

Jim Jones said:

Consider the fate of William Mortensen. He was far more imaginative (but sometimes controversial) photographer than his arch-enemy Ansel Adams. The grand scenic photos of Adams appealed to more people, so Mortensen lost in their feuds in the photo magazines of their time. The authority of someone like Adams is necessary for some photographers to decide on what they like. I admire each for their mastery of disparate views.

Click to expand...

IMO it's a little deceptive to refer to the "disparate views" of Adams and Mortensen without mentioning that Mortensen's fame had a lot to do with his outright and extreme, beautifully executed pornography.

I doubt you can still find any of that online or in print today (it's mysteriously been purged). The original prints, a few of which I've seen, are certainly exquisite, undoubtedly still hanging on walls of certain types of people. Outright pornography is of course banned on Photrio.

It's likely that Ansel Adams' "authority" had little to do with the fate of Mortensen's reputation.

faberryman · Nov 4, 2018

jtk said:
It's likely that Ansel Adams' "authority" had little to do with the fate of Mortensen's reputation.

It depends on which audience you are referring to. To the readers of Camera Craft magazine, Adams and his aesthetic was the victor.

Am I Supposed to "Like" Photographs Because Many Others Do?

Helinophoto

KenS

Theo Sulphate

DonJ

faberryman

removed account4

Dali

MattKing

Moderator

Bill Burk

Arklatexian

Arklatexian

Alan Edward Klein

Helinophoto

blockend

Jim Jones

Charles Escott-New

Charles Escott-New

MattKing

Moderator

Charles Escott-New

faberryman

Vaughn

removed account4

MattKing

Moderator

jtk

faberryman

Am I Supposed to "Like" Photographs Because Many Others Do?

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