That said, a photo book is not itself a photo. A photo is a what will get judged as a photo.
Most of his work was done in the form of photobooks where the sequencing of the photographs and the socio-political context of the photographs play a big role in creating the photographic experience.
That said, a photo book is not itself a photo. A photo is a what will get judged as a photo.
The jury of the prestigious Hasselblad prize have judged Paul Graham's works to be of significant importance and acknowledged his contribution to photography by awarding him the prize. Not that you need to agree with their judgement, but obviously they've a different way of judging Graham's works.
In debate, there is a logical fallacy called appeal to authority, erroneously thought to offer proof of an opinion. At any rate, I didn't say his photography was unworthy. It is noteworthy, however, when several thoughtful comments here mention his photos seem lacking.
Yawn.
I'm often drawn to photo books that take this approach, where individual images might leave me cold or uninterested but when taken as a whole build to a compelling statement.Paul Graham's photographs, when seen individually, don't cut much of an impression. They're not always hinged on the decisive moment like Cartier-Bresson. Most of his work was done in the form of photobooks where the sequencing of the photographs and the socio-political context of the photographs play a big role in creating the photographic experience. Taken out of the sequence and not seen in the light of the specific socio-political context, individual pictures might not always stand out. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
I agree.I'm often drawn to photo books that take this approach, where individual images might leave me cold or uninterested but when taken as a whole build to a compelling statement.
It doesn't have to even be a book, a small series of photos can work together creating a narrative as they work together.
We need a cage match...No Holds Barred... between you and the guy that said..."A picture is worth a thousand words."I think his images are meh, but they do have a characteristic look. If the right people like that look, boom, you've got yourself a reputation.
Personally I think the written word is a far better storyteller than any camera will ever be.
We need a cage match...No Holds Barred... between you and the guy that said..."A picture is worth a thousand words."
A while back I picked up one of Lenswork's Seeing in Sixes books. Each photographer gets only six images and it's incredible how much some were able to say within that pithy limitation.
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