Koudelka

[David Allen]

Are such comments necessary?

No - politeness costs nothing and sharing knowledge is my understanding of what the purpose of this site is.

David
www.dsallen.de

 

[chip j]

No - politeness costs nothing and sharing knowledge is my understanding of what the purpose of this site is.

David
www.dsallen.de

As far as sharing knowledge, has anyone seen the work of Charles Harbutt?

 

[andreios]

To get back to Mr. Koudelka - what for ME is inspiring about him is his pursuit of ever something new and the fact he's challenging himself to see and to share what he sees with others.
Yes, he may be most widely known for Prague's invasion - right place, right moment, loads of courage. Or the Gypsies. Fair enough, that was the era of social documentary or whatever one may call it - but his was excellently executed and the portraits are not portraits taken by a passer-by but by someone who has almost become a gypsy himself. But look at his newer work. I have been staring at the images of his latest work WALL - concerning the wall that was built between israeli and palestinian areas in Holy Land. At first sight - one might say they are random snaps, but I think his style in recent years is what I call "demanding" photography - these are shots that are not made to be liked on first glance. They are not pretty nor simple, but require time and involvment - to look. And look. And look again. And then one may understand a part of what Mr. Koudelka is trying to say. I cannot put it into words myself. But I wish that in a couple of decades time I was able to produce something like he does. And I'd like to encourage anyone with real interest not to quickly browse his images but to spend some time with them and put your own effort in understanding them..

 

[mexipike]

One of my favorite photography books ever is Koudelka's Chaos. It's not the documentary style from Prague or gypsies but rather gorgeous panoramics beautifully composed, arranged and printed (IMO)

 

[analoguey]

Had been ignoring this thread as ' maybe will read later' thing. But now got to it.

I know somethings are quite Google-able others not.
Reading through I kinda had similar questions to Bert -and its good that he asked them and others mostly graciously answered.
Time to actually lok up the photos on the system

And good one, Cliveh!

Sent from Tap-a-talk

 

[NB23]

What makes his work so special? His printing? His compositions?

 

[blockend]

I've always been a fan of Koudelka's work, he's a predecessor to Salgado in many ways. If there's any criticism it's that, like Salgado, he makes deprivation and horror look beautiful. However his place in the C20th photographic pantheon is assured.

 

[MDR]

NB 23 haven't you learned anything he is great period the reason for his greatness shall not be discussed on an internet forum. Greats are great because they are great or someone once said he is great.

But to answer your question Koudelka has often a very unique nearly cinematic approach to photography, his images are often cleary divided in differents zones. He often (his good images) puts a main subject almost in the middle of the foreground but unlike many other photographers he uses the depth of field and the main subject is only a guide for a lack of a better term into the image. So what makes him great I'd say his composition and approach.

Thank you NB23 and thetoadman for actually caring about the reason of his greatness and not just accepting the he is great rule.