Pick a photographer, what would you ask them over coffee / tea/water/"zoom" &c

[TheFlyingCamera]

Hmm... I'd love to have a chat with F. Holland Day. I'd love to talk platinum printing with him, and self-portraiture, and about his use of the "other" as subject matter in his photos.

 

[Vilk]

off the top of my head, depardon, leiter... ghosts allowed?

with raymond i would chat about road trippin', with saul, probably about nothing, just sit there enjoying late afternoon sunlight...

one condition: words (or thoughts) starting with "photog..." are banned

ps. i'm still searching for that perfect way of making coffee on the road--currently copper ibrik on primus--i have a feeling they might have an idea or two

 

[Auer]

I'd have some Absinth with HCB and listen to him talking about chicks he met.

 

[cliveh]

I would like to have a chat with Eugene Atget and ask him how he was able to achieve images that had presence using a photomechanical, chemical and optical process.

 

[Chrismat]

Peter Elgar, as long as he brings over some of his old cameras, and a few bags of cheese n onions crisps.

+1

 

[removed account4]

YOU... because you’re fascinating! The questions would be, photographically, what do you think I can do to be a decent photographer after my lifetime of trying. But most of all is just enjoy relaxing and chit-chatting.

HA!
I'd just say keep doing what you enjoy doing cause that's what matters, lifetime of trying -- obviously your already decent ! ... relaxing and chit chatting is good !
==
I'd hang out with ManRay and if Marcel Duchamps was around ... him, drink some bootleg hard cider I made myself .. and play some chess and if they knew how, some backgammon.

 

[warden]

I'm sure a meal with Pentti Sammallahti would be fascinating. I mean, what's it like to receive a twenty year grant from your government to go do your thing?

And finding out how life has been treating her since Hold Still would would be a pleasant evening spent with Sally Mann. Although now that we know she's an excellent writer I figure we'll find out soon enough.

And then Eggleston, career behind him and the great beyond ahead. What says he?

Some time with Emmet Gowin would be good, if only to talk about Mariposas Nocturnas. Talk about a project.

I could make a list dozens long. It's fun to think about.

 

[BradS]

Frank Hurley.

 

[Merg Ross]

Brett Weston. It wouldn't be coffee or tea. It would be for a "snakebite" by the fire. And I would ask him to recount his favorite stories of women he had loved. Because I have a feeling that he would greatly enjoy himself sitting by the fire, having a snake bite and telling stories of women he had loved. That sly smile you see on him in old documentaries is probably infectious in person mid-tale.

Good choice! Brett never spoke much of past affairs. He did say that Dody was his best marriage; they remained close until his death. It was fascinating how many of his former loves remained in his life as friends; at his 70th birthday several showed up to celebrate! Perhaps with a few shots of Jim Beam you could coax him into tales, but I doubt it. And yes, that smile was special, reserved for a few.

 

[KenS]

I'm somewhat surprised that no-one has mention the works of John Sexton.. a photographer I consider to be just as worthy of being enjoined within the 'group' of "Great" photographers.

Ken

 

[Pieter12]

The few photographers I have seen speak in person or recording can tell wonderful tales of specific assignments, shots, subjects, clients, locations. Very few say much about their process or their craft. It seems they are unable or unwilling to communicate that part of their practice--but they are visual folks after all. Watching a great photographer work tells much more.

 

[36cm2]

Good choice! Brett never spoke much of past affairs. He did say that Dody was his best marriage; they remained close until his death. It was fascinating how many of his former loves remained in his life as friends; at his 70th birthday several showed up to celebrate! Perhaps with a few shots of Jim Beam you could coax him into tales, but I doubt it. And yes, that smile was special, reserved for a few.

I envy your experiences Merg and thank you for the wonderful color. Very cool.

 

[guangong]

Arnold Genthe. His book Old Chinatown, with pictures taken before 1906 earthquake, are pictures of a world lost forever. Candid pictures taken with disguised camera about the size of an old lunchbox. No Minox, no Leica, no Rolleiflex. However, beware the “pc” reprints. They assume in their criticism that the world of the Ch’ing dynasty wasnno different than that of today. Get an original edition. A conversation with Genthe could take many turns.

 

[guangong]

(Last line cut short and should read) ...since he came to America with a PhD in philology.

 

[removedacct1]

Miroslav Tichy

 

[Old_Dick]

Gene Smith & a single malt. Imogen Cunningham & Panama Red.

 

[spoolman]

I would love a couple of hours with O. Winston Link over coffee to talk about how he shot all of those railway scenes and the equipment and techniques he used to get the shots.

Doug

 

[Dali]

Josef Koudelka and Don McCullin.

 

[Helge]

Robert Capa, over a cup of truth serum.

 

[removed account4]

great responses, sounds like fun conversations!

 

[Bill Burk]

I’m planning on meeting a photographer for coffee. Maybe this weekend or next. We’re bringing some prints to share.

 

[Bill Burk]

Robert Capa, over a cup of truth serum.

Check in with AD Coleman.

 

[Bill Burk]

Perfect. You took mine ...

My wife grew up in Carmel leading to many crossed paths and close friendships with second and third generation Westons. I was a bit tongue-tied when introduced to Cara, top of her mind was grandkids. I have one blurry picture of that

 

[Bill Burk]

HA!
I'd just say keep doing what you enjoy doing cause that's what matters, lifetime of trying -- obviously your already decent ! ... relaxing and chit chatting is good !
==
I'd hang out with ManRay and if Marcel Duchamps was around ... him, drink some bootleg hard cider I made myself .. and play some chess and if they knew how, some backgammon.

just like the title states, if you have an opportunity to have a cup of coffee/tea, glass of water, "zoom" &c with a photographer, famous, your favorite insta-influencer or whatever... who would it. be and what would you ask them? and why?

In a number of posts we talk about how you wouldn’t know what to say or how you would be flabbergasted. To help those of us who might be shy, how about this twist? What if you could bring a photographer you admire to go see one of their old friends?

I did that once and while I didn’t have much to contribute, seeing my friend talk about everything with his old friend was about the most amazing thing I have witnessed... (I took Dr. Demento to visit Ian Whitcomb).

I don’t think it would be much fun to do this with Ansel Adams and William Mortensen but maybe Ansel and George Fiske

 

[Deleted member 88956]

I would definitely ask out Ansel the Saint and asked if Zone System was so precise why did he spent hours on end in the darkroom, dodging, burning, making notes and then back again.