HCB Appreciation

[nikos79]

View attachment 413209

Hows this for an S shape composition?

For me most important thing in the photo above is the hand of the girl that is raised in that particual stance and her eyes being closed. Had the hand be down or the girls eyes open looking at you the photo is lost. Sometimes the difference is mm and ms in separating a good photo from a mediocre one.

 

[nikos79]

Favorite photo from the book I recently got "America in Passing"

 

[nikos79]

View attachment 413209

Hows this for an S shape composition?

Similar woman stance in this Andre Kertesz picture too?

 

[warden]

Favorite photo from the book I recently got "America in Passing"

View attachment 413210

Exquisite image. The mood is perfect and the hands are just right.

 

[nikos79]

After all the praise we’ve given HCB, and for good reason, I’ve been thinking a bit more about him. Alex described him as exceptional. Clive highlights his compositions and unmistakable instinct. Alan is more cautious and reminds us of his more "mortal" moments.

My own view falls somewhere in the middle. What separates HCB from most of us is not an otherworldly talent or some unreachable technical mastery but the sheer amount of time and dedication he gave to the medium. To be clear, I’m not saying he wasn’t gifted; he was remarkably so. But taking a photograph doesn’t require years of technical training the way painting does, nor does it demand the months-long, deeply personal process of filmmaking. Photography is comparatively accessible; it borrows moments from reality.

What HCB possessed in abundance was the ability to truly look and see, paired with a lifelong devotion to photography. And I’d argue that several people in this forum, if they devoted their life and purpose to photography and art and remained honest with themselves, could reach a level comparable to his.

 

[snusmumriken]

After all the praise we’ve given HCB, and for good reason, I’ve been thinking a bit more about him. Alex described him as exceptional. Clive highlights his compositions and unmistakable instinct. Alan is more cautious and reminds us of his more "mortal" moments.

My own view falls somewhere in the middle. What separates HCB from most of us is not an otherworldly talent or some unreachable technical mastery but the sheer amount of time and dedication he gave to the medium. To be clear, I’m not saying he wasn’t gifted; he was remarkably so. But taking a photograph doesn’t require years of technical training the way painting does, nor does it demand the months-long, deeply personal process of filmmaking. Photography is comparatively accessible; it borrows moments from reality.

What HCB possessed in abundance was the ability to truly look and see, paired with a lifelong devotion to photography. And I’d argue that several people in this forum, if they devoted their life and purpose to photography and art and remained honest with themselves, could reach a level comparable to his.

I’ve always supposed he was the same species as the rest of us, and think some of the adulation he gets quite silly. All the same, what you suggest reminds me of the question how long it would take a roomful of monkeys with typewriters to produce the works of Shakespeare.

 

[GregY]

I’ve always supposed he was the same species as the rest of us, and think some of the adulation he gets quite silly. All the same, what you suggest reminds me of the question how long it would take a roomful of monkeys with typewriters to produce the works of Shakespeare.

Well said Jonathan

 

[GregY]

Exquisite image. The mood is perfect and the hands are just right.

Nice to see some straight up appreciation !

 

[nikos79]

I’ve always supposed he was the same species as the rest of us, and think some of the adulation he gets quite silly. All the same, what you suggest reminds me of the question how long it would take a roomful of monkeys with typewriters to produce the works of Shakespeare.

Writing depends on language, structure and intention, so it can’t really happen by chance. Photography works directly with what’s in front of you, and it’s much easier to start doing well. HCB didn’t make great photos by accident, but he also didn’t need the lifetime of technical craft that someone like Shakespeare needed for writing.

 

[nikos79]

Also there was only one Shakespeare, but I would claim that there were many photographers on the level of HCB

 

[GregY]

Also there was only one Shakespeare, but I would claim that there were many photographers on the level of HCB

There may have been only one Shakespeare, but there have been many exceptional writers, just as there have been many exceptional photographers. The world would be a much poorer place if Shakespeare/HCB were the only writers/photographers that had existed.

 

[snusmumriken]

Also there was only one Shakespeare, but I would claim that there were many photographers on the level of HCB

Then again, there have also been countless photographers - amateur and professional - who had just as much practice as HCB, but didn’t make the grade.

I suppose we are now debating exactly how rare his talent was in the human population, which is probably silly. Maybe we can agree that it was exceptional but not beyond comprehension or aspiration?

 

[nikos79]

There may have been only one Shakespeare, but there have been many exceptional writers, just as there have been many exceptional photographers. The world would be a much poorer place if Shakespeare/HCB were the only writers/photographers that had existed.

Yes sorry for putting it like that, of course there are many exceptional writers

 

[nikos79]

Then again, there have also been countless photographers - amateur and professional - who had just as much practice as HCB, but didn’t make the grade.

I suppose we are now debating exactly how rare his talent was in the human population, which is probably silly. Maybe we can agree that it was exceptional but not beyond comprehension or aspiration?

Agreed

 

[cliveh]

Let's not forget that HCB was fortunate to be part of a rich family with wealth from the textile industry. He could afford to travel the world doing what he loved best. Hence the expression 'a photographer in bankers shoes'. Most of us can only do what we love part time, while trying to pay the mortgage.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

There may have been only one Shakespeare, but there have been many exceptional writers, just as there have been many exceptional photographers. The world would be a much poorer place if Shakespeare/HCB were the only writers/photographers that had existed.

I wonder how Shakespeare would have done with a camera?

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Let's not forget that HCB was fortunate to be part of a rich family with wealth from the textile industry. He could afford to travel the world doing what he loved best. Hence the expression 'a photographer in bankers shoes'. Most of us can only do what we love part time, while trying to pay the mortgage.

He also came in the beginning when photography was relatively new, especially with journalism and street. So there was less competition and limited good equipment. If you check, today there a many fine photographers around doing exceptional work. Its; hard for them to break out of the crowd.

 

[cliveh]

Here is a simple how to do it by HCB: -

Patience is a virtue.

 

[nikos79]

I wonder how Shakespeare would have done with a camera?

Most probably terrible as many great directors who tried to do photography too (Tarkovsky, Wenders, etc.)

 

[cliveh]

A

Most probably terrible as many great directors who tried to do photography too (Tarkovsky, Wenders, etc.)

As Tommy Cooper said: - Here I have a violin and a painting by Stradivarius and Rembrandt. Unfortunately Stradivarius couldn't paint to save his life and Rembrandt was a lousy violin maker.

 

[GregY]

Let's not forget that HCB was fortunate to be part of a rich family with wealth from the textile industry. He could afford to travel the world doing what he loved best. Hence the expression 'a photographer in bankers shoes'. Most of us can only do what we love part time, while trying to pay the mortgage.

Perhaps so, but family money might have been an easy way out.... (as it can often be). HCB was an interesting human being.....joined the French resistance...was imprisoned for several years. Many musicians/artists have wealthy benefactors. That HCB chose to follow his artistic side i find admirable......& he was good at it.

 

[nikos79]

Perhaps so, but family money might have been an easy way out.... (as it can often be). HCB was an interesting human being.....joined the French resistance...was imprisoned for several years. Many musicians/artists have wealthy benefactors. That HCB chose to follow his artistic side i find admirable......& he was good at it.

What is even more interesting is without criticising his upbringing trying to take a leap and see if that is evident in any of his photos.
I think yes. His often attributed arrogance and noble heritage can be traced in his photos through position and distance to the subject, choice of the moment, and refusal to engage.
What can we do he was a bourgeois. I have many photos in my mind.

 

[MattKing]

Most probably terrible as many great directors who tried to do photography too (Tarkovsky, Wenders, etc.)

And then, of course, there was Stanley Kubrick, who started out as a photographer, but achieved at least a modicum of success as a film director thereafter.
It is amazing some times how talents and abilities can end up expressing themselves.
I always think of how interesting it must have been when the two friends, Stanley Kubrick and Ascher Fellig (Weegee), got together.

 

[nikos79]

And then, of course, there was Stanley Kubrick, who started out as a photographer, but achieved at least a modicum of success as a film director thereafter.
It is amazing some times how talents and abilities can end up expressing themselves.
I always think of how interesting it must have been when the two friends, Stanley Kubrick and Ascher Fellig (Weegee), got together.

Were they two friends?!
I read somewhere that each artist likes to play with their own "games"

Hmm but maybe in the end Leonardo Da Vinci might have stood a chance

 

[MattKing]

Yes they were friends.
And Weegee was the stills photographer on Dr. Strangelove.
One of my favorite photography exhibitions/shows experiences:
https://www.nsnews.com/local-arts/c...ographs-on-view-at-presentation-house-2929334