Discuss an Andre kertesz Photograph

[mark]

http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2005/kertesz/kertesz_ss18.shtm


I can never get attachments to show up. SOrry

This is truely and amazing photograph. I was wondering what others had to say about it.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

A really well-seen picture. The placing of the two figures is perfect.

 

[naturephoto1]

Very interesting image.

Rich

 

[Aggie]

Reminds me of the simplicity of a grandma moses painting. Uncluttered yet plenty to look at and explore. The more you look at tie more you pick up the complexity of the image. I went through the link David gave us about the man. I was amazed to discover that almost every photo he had in that series of 20 photos had a person somewhere in it. He was very good at incorporating the human element in everyday scenes to enhance the warmth of it. Just my opinion.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

The ol' view from the artist's window gambit--I know it well. You can set up in all kinds of light and just wait for things to move into place.

Also, note the image size in the original link--about 4x5". Kertesz usually printed small, often contact prints.

 

[Sparky]

Yes, it's a reasonably well-composed photograph, I'd say. It's got an OKAY to pretty good overall composition - but it keeps the eye busy. There's interest all over.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

I find it very graceful, and not busy at all. It keeps all the elements well-separated, and the curves complement each other. It's very nice to see a true winter picture after so many weeks of heat wave. The perspective is somewhat odd, very stretched vertically. Reminds me of a scroll painting; people walking on top of trees. The effect is that the picture depth looks very shallow, as if everything was on the surface of the paper.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Here's some background on the image and Kertesz's 12th floor apartment overlooking the park--

http://www.berry-hill.com/exhibitions/050101/detail/kertesz.html

(note that the gallery is selling a later 8x10" print)

 

[copake_ham]

Oh no, another one of those "wintertime" classics that lead me to think all the good shots have already been made!

 

[Jim Chinn]

Kertesz is one of the greatest. (IMHO). His images always seem to be a bit lyrical and while often very simple on the surface the compositions and framing of the scene are pretty complex. Most of his best work always seems to contain a human element or the feeling tha someone is present, just outside of the frame of the image.

In this image I always liked how there is a line of trees that make a nice diagonal across the image with that diagonal being supported by the gracefully curving fence at the bottom and the lighter curving path above that line of trees.

It very much keeps in step with modern ideas of painting at the time, flattening the scene, eliminating the impression of depth and distance.

The two people walking seperate paths, maybe oblivious to each other adds the final touch.

Nothing really deeper to it then a beautifully recognized composition of toanlity and form.

 

[Bill Mitchell]

Perhaps unique to 35mm photographers, Kertesz did not shoot prolifically, but would shoot a very limited number of frames of a subject, often only a single image, and leave the roll in his camera for months until it was finished. It's interesting to speculate whether this was simple curmudgeonly or, as he claimed, pure talent (he already knew what was on the film and had no need to verify it quickly).

 

[matt miller]

Kertesz is one of my favorites. The man had an amazing eye.

 

[skillian]

This has always been one of my favorites from Kertesz. He had a wonderful eye and this photograph is a great example of his work. He made many great photographs from up high like this and looking down where he compressed space and related objects that are not normally seen together. A couple other great examples:

http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/pd--10116963/sp--A/Buy.htm

and

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6md7g/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/kertesz1.jpg