Photographers you most admire

[SodaAnt]

And what does that mean? Do you think an opinion is an innocent thing? Do you think your opinion has no ability to influence what others think or do? Opinion has always been and will always be the greatest influence over human belief. No opinion gets stated as something that is true for the speaker only - opinions get stated as facts, as objectively true. So there is no "just my opinion" unless it goes unshared. Once uttered, it claims itself irrefutable.

And what is wrong with making a strong claim such as "photography is not art"? Why hide behind the wishy-washy shield of subjectivity, implying that it's "just" what you believe? If it's to avoid needing to defend your claim, justify your statement, and define your terms, then you should not make the claim to begin with.

Sigh...

 

[Mike Lopez]

And what does that mean? Do you think an opinion is an innocent thing? Do you think your opinion has no ability to influence what others think or do? Opinion has always been and will always be the greatest influence over human belief. No opinion gets stated as something that is true for the speaker only - opinions get stated as facts, as objectively true. So there is no "just my opinion" unless it goes unshared. Once uttered, it claims itself irrefutable.

And what is wrong with making a strong claim such as "photography is not art"? Why hide behind the wishy-washy shield of subjectivity, implying that it's "just" what you believe? If it's to avoid needing to defend your claim, justify your statement, and define your terms, then you should not make the claim to begin with.

Well stated. This is nothing more than a troll.

 

[SodaAnt]

Well stated. This is nothing more than a troll.

I'm keep my opinions to myself next time as it seems they're not wanted here.

 

[Arthurwg]

Gustave LeGray

Did anyone mention Steichen?

 

[logan2z]

@logan2z - just received a copy of Paul Strand's Hebrides book. Absolutely sensational.

I have it as well, wonderful book.

 

[Don_ih]

I'm keep my opinions to myself next time as it seems they're not wanted here.

If you would bother to try to understand what I said in my two comments to you, you would see that your opinion is absolutely wanted but, if you're are not willing to explain it, defend it, stand behind it, you may as well not state it.

Don't say something without expecting contradiction, especially if it's a "controversial position".

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

If you would bother to try to understand what I said in my two comments to you, you would see that your opinion is absolutely wanted but, if you're are not willing to explain it, defend it, stand behind it, you may as well not state it.

Don't say something without expecting contradiction, especially if it's a "controversial position".

Relax. This is a photo forum.

 

[Don_ih]

Relax.

No.

 

[Mogens]

Why is it absurd? It's just my opinion, and if yours's is different than mine, I won't call yours absurd.

Prior to your post, I'd never heard of Gregory Crewdson. I went and looked him up and looked at some of his work. I wasn't impressed. One article I read on CNN had an image of his with three teens on bikes stopped in the middle of the street watching a trailer burn in a vacant lot. I'm not sure what point he was trying to make with this staged photo, but it inspired no emotional response in me. I just don't see the "artistic intent".

Some opinions are absurd: the earth is not flat, or that if an artist's work doesn't resonate with you that means it's not art.

 

[SodaAnt]

Some opinions are absurd: the earth is not flat, or that if an artist's work doesn't resonate with you that means it's not art.

How far do we take this? Is a photo of a crucifix in a glass jar full of urine “art”?

Piss Christ - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[snusmumriken]

How far do we take this? Is a photo of a crucifix in a glass jar full of urine “art”?

Piss Christ - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

There have been some very tedious debates here on the forum about what art is, and whether photography is it, or can be it. This thread is about photographers you admire. Please drop the pointless controversy and contribute meaningfully to that subject.

 

[MattKing]

There have been some very tedious debates here on the forum about what art is, and whether photography is it, or can be it. This thread is about photographers you admire. Please drop the pointless controversy and contribute meaningfully to that subject.

Moderator hat on:
+1
"Is photography art?" doesn't belong in this thread, and has already been done to death elsewhere anyways.
Hat now off.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

Moderator hat on:
+1
"Is photography art?" doesn't belong in this thread, and has already been done to death elsewhere anyways.
Hat now off.

Member hat, er..., tuque on: +2. "Yeah but is it art?" has reached the status of most uninteresting subject in the universe a while ago, the fight that generally ensues belonging more on "The X formerly known as Twitter" than here.

Now, back to admirable photographers. I was at a short talk by Canadian photographer Larry Towell in Montreal this past Thursday. Knew just a tiny bit of his work before, but meeting him and going through my now-signed edition of his book The Mennonites, I'll have to find a way to include him in my list. Fantastic photographer and very interesting person.

 

[Mogens]

I do admire Andres Serrano, who is the photographer who created “Piss Christ” and many other works. He’s worth exploring beyond the 30 year-old Catholic League propaganda that all of us are too familiar with.

 

[logan2z]

Now, back to admirable photographers. I was at a short talk by Canadian photographer Larry Towell in Montreal this past Thursday. Knew just a tiny bit of his work before, but meeting him and going through my now-signed edition of his book The Mennonites, I'll have to find a way to include him in my list. Fantastic photographer and very interesting person.

The Mennonites is a great piece of documentary photography.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Art is/was someone in my high school class.

 

[snusmumriken]

Now, back to admirable photographers. I was at a short talk by Canadian photographer Larry Towell in Montreal this past Thursday. Knew just a tiny bit of his work before, but meeting him and going through my now-signed edition of his book The Mennonites, I'll have to find a way to include him in my list. Fantastic photographer and very interesting person.

Agreed. Larry Towel is solidly on my radar and ‘The Mennonites’ on the list of books I want to have.

 

[Arthurwg]

How far do we take this? Is a photo of a crucifix in a glass jar full of urine “art”?

Piss Christ - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Yes

 

[snusmumriken]

You're in for a treat. One thread that connects them, for me, is that they both explored themes of alienation, separation, anxiety and uncertainty about the future in the divided Germany pre 1989.

"Waffenruhe", "Berlin Wedding" and "Leipzig Hauptbahnhof" have a special place on my desk.

Her photos really appealed to me online, but I’ve just received my copy of ‘Leipzig Hauptbahnhof’ and admit to being disappointed. In part that’s the fault of the publisher (small format, poor quality reproduction), but also I feel there are perhaps 6 stand-out photos among a lot of also-rans. I really like the theme though.

 

[albireo]

Her photos really appealed to me online, but I’ve just received my copy of ‘Leipzig Hauptbahnhof’ and admit to being disappointed. In part that’s the fault of the publisher (small format, poor quality reproduction), but also I feel there are perhaps 6 stand-out photos among a lot of also-rans. I really like the theme though.

A matter of taste of course. Personally I like the reproduction, I've seen much worse. The format is fine for me, it reads like a small book, I can keep it in my backpack.

As for the images: I adore them. They project me right into the 'normality' of life flowing around an average train station in the GDR. I like the presentation: I find I enjoy photographers who convey a message through deceptively simple images. Another one who uses non orthodox, simple compositions, and searches for beauty in the banal is of course Eggleston. I came to Helga Paris from him, and it was a natural progression.

As such, those images work together for me as a whole. I haven't noticed any also-rans.

If some of the photos online appealed to you, perhaps look for used copies of 'Diva in grau' (urban decay) and 'Women at work' (female portraits).

 

[Nitroplait]

Any of my lists of favorites; music, food, films etc. will look different next month or even tomorrow.
Thus, the list below reflects my current mental state.

Almost always on the list:

• Lee Friedlander
• Robert Adams
• Alec Soth

And current favorites:

• Blake Andrews
• Vivian Maier
• Masahisa Fukase
• Elliott Erwitt
• August Sander
• Bernd & Hilla Becher
• Poul Strand

Half of them living although 3 are beyond their late 80's and probably have there best work behind them - unless they fish some gems out of their archives such as Erwitt did with Pittsburgh 1950 in 2017.

Blake Andrews is probably best known as a writer on Photo-eye and has yet to publish a widely distributed book, but I have followed him for years, and have bought some of his homemade books of work prints, a few prints and a zine published by TourDogs.
His infrequently updated blog is a treasure-trove of photographer interviews - known and unknown.
Unfortunately, to see his work at the moment you have to shift through his instagram account.

 

[snusmumriken]

A matter of taste of course. Personally I like the reproduction, I've seen much worse. The format is fine for me, it reads like a small book, I can keep it in my backpack.

As for the images: I adore them. They project me right into the 'normality' of life flowing around an average train station in the GDR. I like the presentation: I find I enjoy photographers who convey a message through deceptively simple images. Another one who uses non orthodox, simple compositions, and searches for beauty in the banal is of course Eggleston. I came to Helga Paris from him, and it was a natural progression.

As such, those images work together for me as a whole. I haven't noticed any also-rans.

If some of the photos online appealed to you, perhaps look for used copies of 'Diva in grau' (urban decay) and 'Women at work' (female portraits).

As you say, it's a matter of personal taste, and I certainly didn't mean to question yours. There is still much for me to savour in the book, I am happy to believe that the simplicity is deceptive, and am not sorry to own it.

I am still musing over the indulgent reactions that this lady - then in her 40s - got from her subjects. The photo of people in the bar, for instance, taken from the other side of the glass window. The subjects are just 6 feet away, and they show a mixture of reaction from puzzlement to amusement, but no hostility. I'm fairly sure that if I had been the photographer (male, 6ft), someone would have come running out shouting, and unpleasantness would have ensued.

The day-dreaming waitress with the almond eyes is a fabulous photo too; also the five blokes stood eating burgers and beer.

Really wish I had taken photos in my twenties, when all my travel was by train and ship.

 

[Udor]

Right now I'm fascinated with the work of Ilse Bing (a German photographer working in Paris in the 1930s, and then in New York City for the rest of her long life).
She doesn't seem to be on anybody's list... (which is really a shame). Take a look of her work (especially the vintage prints from the 1930s, which are really splendid).

 

[logan2z]

Right now I'm fascinated with the work of Ilse Bing (a German photographer working in Paris in the 1930s, and then in New York City for the rest of her long life).
She doesn't seem to be on anybody's list... (which is really a shame). Take a look of her work (especially the vintage prints from the 1930s, which are really splendid).

I posted this in another thread, but in case you missed it...

 

[Udor]

I posted this in another thread, but in case you missed it...

Thanks for that Yes, I know this documentary. I have a DVD copy. It's really amazing. What a wonderful artist!