Bruce Barnbaum expose shadows zone iv

I haven't seen that book, but I've seen enough of Barnbaum's work to know that I'd like to someday produce photographs that are as good as his (but probably never will).

36cm2 said:

I think your comments are wildly off point, and betray an extremely limited perspective on Bruce’s work, output (both in silver gelatin and books), passion and personal presence. I say this as a person who has attended his and other great photographers’ workshops, owns many many monographs by great artists, and owns many original prints from various photographers including Bruce and several assistants and direct descendants from the Ansel Adams lineage. I would invite you to dig further before levying such reductive commentary.
Respectfully,
Leo

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Respectfully I disagree. I believe one needs to have full confidence in whose teaching he accepts. I mentioned that particular book because if you read comments on it, you will want one. It is plainly THE book ot have of his work. I took the plunge and lost all confidence I could possibly have in his judgment. A lo of it has to do with either you aim at excellence (which to me is ALL the time as best possible) or yoiu use some of your well known and recognized work (like the mentioned silt canyons) and then fill the book with pretty average pics that fall far outside what one would expect from the cover. it is not uncommon, but it does show where the focus was, and it had nothing to do with quality (I mean the photos and what show not printing of it). As I said this how I feel about it and the reason why I no longer follow whatever good he may have to say on technique or process. I am not suggesting he does not know how to put out quality print, I am saying he is all over the place with presentation, too many fillers if you will. If you take for example a John Sexton book, you know he wants to have you enjoy every one of the photographs.

Witold said:

Visual Symphony draws viewers with the cover of one of his famous shots of slit canyons (which BTW appear to me faked up with artificial lighting, but that is just my opinion and it does not take away visual impact of that particular series).

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I read this and went to look at his slot canyon images. Nope. Not faked. That lighting is what draws millions of visitors a year.

Witold, I am comfortable with agreeing to disagree. The discourse is helpful anyway, especially to anyone on this forum who hasn't had the great adventure of learning more about all of the Owens Valley Workshop artists (and I don't mean to confine any of these artists' work to that period). Go dig in to Barnbaum, Sexton and McSavaney deeply. Dig even deeper to find the web of really wonderful photographers (and more importantly people) that they have been inspired by, collaborated with, and have inspired (and continue to inspire) in turn. Whether you like any one of them over another is irrelevant really - the beauty in the eye of the beholder. For me, all the ones mentioned here (and the many others they bring to mind) are worthy of great artistic respect and provide wonderful inspiration. Thanks.

Kind regards,
Leo

I think Barnbaum's works speak for themselves.

While I may criticize Bruce Barnbaum on specific teaching points, I wouldn’t be so harsh overall. I think of him as a teacher, so his contribution shouldn’t be measured by the impact of his images, rather his images should be judged in terms of how well they illustrate the topic of the lesson.