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