Locations worked to excess?

Leon · Aug 26, 2004

Les McLean said:
Leon
IMO the definitive photographs of Stonehenge have been made by Paul Caponigro and you can see them in the Print Room on the 5th floor of the V&A museum in London. You will also see what I think are the best black and white prints ever made. Ask for the Caponigro Stonehenge Portfolio when you go.

Wow - thanks Les ... I have just found a this link http://www.soulcatcherstudio.com/artists/caponigro_megaliths.html. How did I miss out on this??? Never heard of him before, yet he is where I am striving to be, and all before I was born - damn it I will definitely have to go to the V&A now.

I'm sure my intense interest and passion for these places (which way pre-dates my photographic hobby) makes me a terrible critic - I'm not sure any photos I see of these places go any where near striking chords with my own perceptions and emotions I experience when I spend time at them (often overnight) ... something I am desperate to capture, yet never quite get there. Caponigro is definitely getting there though!

Leon · Aug 26, 2004

Francesco said:
You know what Leon, I think you are right. Funny that don't you think.

not sure I got what you mean Francesco?

David A. Goldfarb · Aug 26, 2004

I think the problem is usually not with the "overphotographed" location, but with the photographer who is making more of a connection with the great photograph of the location than with location itself. Not that a great photograph of a particular location can't be a comment on earlier photographs of that location, but there has to be something original to the person operating the camera in there.

I was making some photographs in Wells Cathedral for the first time and was fortunate enough to be passing by a corridor as some people were coming out so that I could stumble into one of the most overphotographed locations in the world--Frederick Evans' "Sea of Steps." "So this is where it is!" I thought.

Evans used a long lens and had his camera fairly high up to compress space and create a real sense of motion. What struck me, though, was the sign at the bottom of the steps that read: "CAUTION--VERY WORN STEPS--PLEASE TAKE CARE." So I used a wide lens to give the sign a little more prominence and called it "Sea of Steps in the Age of Liability."

Les McLean · Aug 26, 2004

Leon said:
I'm sure my intense interest and passion for these places (which way pre-dates my photographic hobby) makes me a terrible critic - I'm not sure any photos I see of these places go any where near striking chords with my own perceptions and emotions I experience when I spend time at them (often overnight) ... something I am desperate to capture, yet never quite get there. Caponigro is definitely getting there though!

I spent a day with Paul many years ago when he had a show in London, at the time he was living in New Mexico and told me that he so enjoyed standing stones that he had a small stone circle built near his home so that he could go and sit and meditate. Now there's a project for you next summer. It's worth looking for his book "Megaliths" too. Now that I know of your love of these places when you visit in September I'll take you to a small stone sircle at a place called Dudo about 20 minutes from home, that'll keep you quiet for an hour or two.

Leon · Aug 26, 2004

Les McLean said:
It's worth looking for his book "Megaliths" too. Now that I know of your love of these places when you visit in September I'll take you to a small stone sircle at a place called Dudo about 20 minutes from home, that'll keep you quiet for an hour or two.

that would be superb Les - I'm really excited already.

Francesco · Aug 26, 2004

Leon said:
not sure I got what you mean Francesco?

I meant that I agree that I have yet to see beautiful images of stonehenge and since it is quite a famous place (i.e. well documented) I find it funny that most of the images from there tend to resemble archaeological recordings as opposed to fine art photographs (whatever way you would define that). It may be that the subject itself and its open location make it challenging for any artist.

Andy K · Aug 26, 2004

I would like to photograph Stonehenge, but it is not as accessible as people believe. It is no longer possible to just wander round the stones taking photos. My father was luckier than me and in 1960 took a few shots of my mother there as they were passing on a motorcycling holiday. It would not be possible to do the same now unless special access was granted or unless it was a solstice.

Dead Link Removed

Eric Rose · Aug 26, 2004

Umm, lets see what's been worked to death - maybe nudes, dogs, kids and doors. But that's not to say I don't mind seeing new interpretations of any of these. Well except maybe dogs.

Leon · Aug 26, 2004

thanks for that francesco ... I am a bit slow on the uptake at times. I think it is one of those places that is just too big to take a picture of ... it means too much to too many people. Yest another part of it's mystery I guess.

nice pic Andy ... I remember being able to climb on the stones when I was young.

seem to have gone a bit off topic - sorry guys

Ole · Aug 26, 2004

Bruce (Camclicker) said:
Nor have I, that I know of or remember.... Perhaps it's about time somebody makes some memorable pictures of Bodie? Perhaps even a conference could be held their or something.

Maybe we just can't remember having seen any pictures of Bodie?

- No wait - I've seen one that I remember. My mother took it 30 years ago, with my grandfather standing in the main street (she was over there visiting him, he lived in Cody, WY).

Just to be utterly predictable, I've put a picture from a non-overworked location in the Critique gallery

John McCallum · Aug 26, 2004

Of course this point is a matter of perpective. Down here in New Zealand, most of the time we would only get to see any of the places mentioned through publication (except of course the Sydney Opera House). So I always appreciate a new, first hand perspective of the well known subjects.

Any images that show local culture, significant landmarks in the US, UK or Europe shown in a different and creative light, I just can't get enough of!

Personally I would love to see as much as can be taken.

..... would be interest to know if people feel the same about New Zealand.

TPPhotog · Aug 26, 2004

John McCallum said:
..... would be interest to know if people feel the same about New Zealand.

Hi John, sure do and if I ever make enough money New Zealand is the first place on our list

Francesco · Aug 26, 2004

John McCallum said:
Of course this point is a matter of perpective. Down here in New Zealand, most of the time we would only get to see any of the places mentioned through publication (except of course the Sydney Opera House). So I always appreciate a new, first hand perspective of the well known subjects.

Any images that show local culture, significant landmarks in the US, UK or Europe shown in a different and creative light, I just can't get enough of!

Personally I would love to see as much as can be taken.

..... would be interest to know if people feel the same about New Zealand.

John, on my wish list: my 8x10 and me in Kiwiland for a month!

John McCallum · Aug 26, 2004

You'd be very welcome. Might even be able to show you some quite extraordinary places. At the risk of asking you to give away your deepest held secrets ...... What would you like to photograph/see more images of?

Francesco · Aug 26, 2004

John McCallum said:
You'd be very welcome. Might even be able to show you some quite extraordinary places. At the risk of asking you to give away your deepest held secrets ...... What would you like to photograph/see more images of?

Ancient Chinese ruins..... Colonial towns of the Philippines ..... viking burial grounds ..... Glacier abstracts (New Zealand comes to mind here) .... Sardinia (ruins and Etruscan influences)............. just a short list.

roteague · Aug 26, 2004

jdef said:
I think that photographers who intend to show or sell their work have a greater challenge to avoid repeating often seen views and subjects, but more importantly to avoid reflecting another photographer's vision in their own work.

I have found over the years that even though many of us photograph from the same locations every picture is still unique. I find that I tend to photograph a lot of the same places that other people in Hawaii do, but, I have a different vision than most. So, when I go into a local gallery I see the same locations, but very different photos.

John McCallum · Aug 26, 2004

Ole said:
...Just to be utterly predictable, I've put a picture from a non-overworked location in the Critique gallery

Added another completely overdone location (well subject anyway) in the Standard Gallery .

BWGirl · Aug 26, 2004

Leon said:
if we are consciously copying tripod placements, i dont see the point, but an individual fresh perspective is always welcome in my books.

BTW - as a self confessed megalithic maniac, I've never seen a definitive "good" shot of Stonehenge, so I pray that people dont stop shooting it in the hope that one day one GOOD image will emerge

That's funny... I've seen quite a few awe inspiring shots of those 'megaliths'... they were on your website, if I recall correctly!

I guess, as the recent poster of a derelict train car, I'd have to say that, yes, people can go overboard on things, but sometimes it's just that the newness of it to THEM makes it something wonderous and special! For example, last month, I sat through close to an hour of softly flowing waterfall slides... some good, some not so good...all color. When I left, I was thirsty, but I thought that if I had to see one more &8%#*&@ waterfall, I would scream! haha (So I'm going on a trip to shoot waterfalls in October!) Revenge in B&W!!!

Heck, if I was in the UK, I'd be following Stan & Leon around just for the chance to see the stone & structures first hand. I'd shoot film until my finger gave out, and I can guarantee you that it would not bother me one wee bit that every photographer on the island had taken a shot of that 'whatever'!
Because none of them are me. (at least not that I know... )

Jeanette

mobtown_4x5 · Aug 26, 2004

I think it also depends on what you like- I like "roots and rocks"and "urban decay" type stuff, so I have a little more patience for a cliche shot than,for instance, shots of children or "nudes on the rocks" which totally bore me.

I agree that a new angle on an old subject is always possible...
... in fact the great photographers are ALWAYS the ones that do this- because it all has been done at this point-
but the true greats... they could set up at Bodie, Stonehedge, or a totally undiscovered spot and they would come away with a unique image regardless.

By the way, those ARE the best photos of Stonehedge I have ever seen. Thanks Les

Matt

noblebeast · Aug 26, 2004

So by combining the things in this thread with the "Bad News from Ilford" thread, we're not supposed to photograph anything that has been photographed more than once or twice before, and we have to do it on film that may not be available much longer...

Hot Damn! Ain't photography fun and relaxing?

roteague · Aug 26, 2004

BWGirl said:
Heck, if I was in the UK, I'd be following Stan & Leon around just for the chance to see the stone & structures first hand.

If I was in the UK, I would follow Stan & Leon around just to "pick their brains" and learn a little something about photography.

doughowk · Aug 27, 2004

Quoting Les McLean

My approach to revisiting locations is to photograph the light for it is always different.

reminds me of the movie Smoke where Augie tells William Hurt to slow down. Each day of same scene is different whether its a street scene or El Capitan. Sometimes magic occurs, & if you're lucky you'll be there.

Graeme Hird · Aug 27, 2004

The subjects might have been photographed many times, but it is the way the light falls on those subjects that we are interested in capturing. The quality of the light makes a photo memorable as much as (or more than) the subject matter.

Each "done-to-death" location is a new photo when special light conditions arise. Therefore, I'm going to shoot anything that doesn't move but aim to be there when the light is at its best or most unusual.

Cheers,

Ole · Aug 27, 2004

Francesco said:
Ancient Chinese ruins..... Colonial towns of the Philippines ..... viking burial grounds ..... Glacier abstracts (New Zealand comes to mind here) .... Sardinia (ruins and Etruscan influences)............. just a short list.

Burial grounds and glaciers I can do - the others are a bit out of the way from where I usually go

But must viking burial grounds are just a big mound which could be anything. Bronze age mounds are smaller, and may be a better subject. I know where to find a few - might be worth a couple of sheets?

Leon · Aug 27, 2004

BWGirl said:
That's funny... I've seen quite a few awe inspiring shots of those 'megaliths'... they were on your website, if I recall correctly!

Stop it jeanette - you're embarrasing me

Locations worked to excess?

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