Koudelka

[NB23]

Let's have a duscussion about Koudelka...

 

[cliveh]

Yes lets, have you got a few hours, because I would like to contribute lots to this thread. His work is fantastic and I love that picture of the dog in the snow:-

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=j...e-Photographers%2FJosef-Koudelka.html;637;414

He was a good friend of HCB and I was particularly impressed with his panarama shots for selecting a narrow band of ground level subjects.

 

[Alan W]

He's the Dog's Bollox.He has always,and still does it his way.I love his work.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I do like his work.

Jeff

 

[chip j]

I have 2 of his books:"Gypsies" &" Exiles". I think he went downhill after those.

 

[gone]

Thanks for the link cliveh. Very interesting B&W stuff. I hope no one is offended, but every shot I looked at on that link looked set up. Not my thing, but they are nicely done.

 

[gone]

Thanks for the link cliveh. Very interesting B&W stuff. I'm afraid I'm not on the bandwagon here. Every shot I looked at on that link looked set up. Not my thing, but they are nicely done.

 

[250swb]

Thanks for the link cliveh. Very interesting B&W stuff. I hope no one is offended, but every shot I looked at on that link looked set up. Not my thing, but they are nicely done.

I can't think why anybody would be offended by your comment that every shot looks set up, but perhaps they will form an opinion.

Steve

 

[cliveh]

Although I like most of his stuff, I actually learnt something from looking at his panoramic shots. Usually we associate a panoramic shot in a horizontal plane, but he makes use of any narrow plane within 360 degrees, which I thought was quite clever.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=k...e-holy-see-at-the-venice-biennale-452;750;718

Not sent via I-pad using taptalk (whatever that is)

 

[NB23]

Yeah, Panoramic fits his vision well...

 

[Vilk]

...looked set up. Not my thing, but they are nicely done.

looks like the russians are setting up another just like that

 

[TheToadMen]

Okay, I'll bite: who and what is Koudelka?
I've never heard of him, so please educate me why I should want to know him and his work.
What did he do and makes his work special?

I'm ignorant, I know, but isn't that what this forum is about? Helping each other to learn?

 

[cliveh]

Okay, I'll bite: who and what is Koudelka?
I've never heard of him, so please educate me why I should want to know him and his work.
What did he do and makes his work special?

I'm ignorant, I know, but isn't that what this forum is about? Helping each other to learn?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Koudelka

 

[Dali]

I am more interested by his early works like the Gypsies and the Prague invasion coverage. It is anyway an interesting character.

 

[TheToadMen]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Koudelka

Okay, I read it and it is an impressive story: certainly a person worth looking into.
But what is it that attracts you in his work, what would make you look twice, if you've had never heard of him and saw his work for the first time?

Was he just the right person at the right moment (1968) at the right place (Prague) with a camera?
"He had returned from a project photographing gypsies in Romania just two days before the Soviet invasion, in August 1968. He witnessed and recorded the military forces of the Warsaw Pact as they invaded Prague and crushed the Czech reforms."
Or is there more to it?

"Panoramic fits his vision well": why is this and what is his vision?
Please educate me.

 

[benjiboy]

Okay, I read it and it is an impressive story: certainly a person worth looking into.
But what is it that attracts you in his work, what would make you look twice, if you've had never heard of him and saw his work for the first time?

Was he just the right person at the right moment (1968) at the right place (Prague) with a camera?
"He had returned from a project photographing gypsies in Romania just two days before the Soviet invasion, in August 1968. He witnessed and recorded the military forces of the Warsaw Pact as they invaded Prague and crushed the Czech reforms."
Or is there more to it?

"Panoramic fits his vision well": why is this and what is his vision?
Please educate me.

" Or is there more to it " what do you want blood, I met Josef Koudelka shortly after he fled when the Russians invaded his country when he was staying with David Hurn at his house in Wales, he faces Russian tanks armed only with a camera and I can assure you he's the real deal a man I admire greatly and wish I was as brave as he and half the photographer he is.

 

[cliveh]

He also has a good sense of geometry in spotting a good composition and moment to take the shot. But above all he is not a tourist photographer, but is prepared to live within the communities he photographs. To do that takes great dedication and the ability to empathise with others.

 

[TheToadMen]

" Or is there more to it " what do you want blood, I met Josef Koudelka shortly after he fled when the Russians invaded his country when he was staying with David Hurn at his house in Wales, he faces Russian tanks armed only with a camera and I can assure you he's the real deal a man I admire greatly and wish I was as brave as he and half the photographer he is.

Hello Ben,
Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to argue here, nor am I saying you're wrong or that Koudelka shouldn't be honored.
I'm just asking "why" as an attempt to understand what's interesting about Koudelka - beyond what he did in 1968.
I never heard of this man before (my poor education, I know), but since there are quite some people interested in a thread about him on a photography forum there must be something (photo related) and I would like to find out what I missed. That's all. And further, I'm only inviting you all to share with me why you are fascinated by this man, just out of sincere curiosity. I need more than a page on Wikipedia to understand why.

But if I offended you in anyway, I apologize sincerely.

I can see what he did was exceptional, brave and yes: very very dangerous. So it was a good thing that he made the photos and was able to get these out of the country, for us all to see in 1968. For that fact alone he already deserves recognition as an exceptional person.
But my question is this. Does this make him an interesting person as a good journalist - or even an political active person? And how does this reflect on his photography - since this is a photography forum? Or was he already a good photographer who - forced by circumstances - used his skills to expose what was happening? If these things in 1968 wouldn't have happened (to him), would we still know him as a exceptional photographer in this day and age? The answer might probably "YES" again, but then what in his work makes it so?
I'm just curious. That's all.
Since you know his work and met the man, who better to ask? But If you don't like to or if I'm off topic, just say so and I'll shut up and delete my post as well.
Thanks,
Bert from Holland
http://thetoadmen.blogspot.nl

 

[benjiboy]

Hello Ben,
Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to argue here, nor am I saying you're wrong or that Koudelka shouldn't be honored.
I'm just asking "why" as an attempt to understand what's interesting about Koudelka - beyond what he did in 1968.
I never heard of this man before (my poor education, I know), but since there are quite some people interested in a thread about him on a photography forum there must be something (photo related) and I would like to find out what I missed. That's all. And further, I'm only inviting you all to share with me why you are fascinated by this man, just out of sincere curiosity. I need more than a page on Wikipedia to understand why.

But if I offended you in anyway, I apologize sincerely.

I can see what he did was exceptional, brave and yes: very very dangerous. So it was a good thing that he made the photos and was able to get these out of the country, for us all to see in 1968. For that fact alone he already deserves recognition as an exceptional person.
But my question is this. Does this make him an interesting person as a good journalist - or even an political active person? And how does this reflect on his photography - since this is a photography forum? Or was he already a good photographer who - forced by circumstances - used his skills to expose what was happening? If these things in 1968 wouldn't have happened (to him), would we still know him as a exceptional photographer in this day and age? The answer might probably "YES" again, but then what in his work makes it so?
I'm just curious. That's all.
Since you know his work and met the man, who better to ask? But If you don't like to or if I'm off topic, just say so and I'll shut up and delete my post as well.
Thanks,/ Bert from Holland
http://thetoadmen.blogspot.nl

''
I can't help your ignorance, but can tell you that he is cosidered by the rest of the photographic World one of the most iconic photographers of the 20th Century, if you can look at his work and not be moved by it there's no point in me in trying to explain it.

 

[dasBlute]

I'm just asking "why" as an attempt to understand what's interesting about Koudelka - beyond what he did in 1968.

There doesn't need to be anything beyond what he did in 1968, the work stands alone.

Look at the images, and try to place yourself there, in person, what it would take to make the images he made.

What I see: the ability to be in the moment, to gain rapport, to see the possibilities,
to place oneself correctly and to be unflinching and yet compassionate.

If these things in 1968 wouldn't have happened (to him)... would we still know him as a exceptional photographer in this day and age?

absurd. take anyone out of the circumstances and they become someone else.
We would never have heard of Lincoln but for the war.

 

[TheToadMen]

''
I can't help your ignorance, but can tell you that he is cosidered by the rest of the photographic World one of the most iconic photographers of the 20th Century, if you can look at his work and not be moved by it there's no point in me in trying to explain it.

I understand what you're saying. I'll shut up.
Sorry to have waisted your time.

 

[miha]

Bert, you may find this read interesting: http://erickimphotography.com/blog/...delka-has-taught-me-about-street-photography/

 

[TheToadMen]

Bert, you may find this read interesting: http://erickimphotography.com/blog/...delka-has-taught-me-about-street-photography/

Hello Miha,
This helps me understand what others feel and think.
It makes the images much more alive. I will read it with pleasure.
Thank you very much.
Bert

 

[250swb]

What is it about the internet that means a thread degenerates to shit because somebody can't be arsed to find out some background information for themselves before demanding proof of a concept? The moon is in the sky, so prove it. The tides come in and out, so prove it. Why not convince yourself first, and then descend on the thread with a rant about why you don't like Josef Koudelka, it would be more constructive than trying to make people do homework for you? Take the reins, don't let other people guide you in life, have an opinion of your own.

Steve

 

[miha]

Are such comments necessary?