What Photographer(s) inspire you

[papagene]

If you are going to mention Gordon Parks, you should also mention Roy de Carova (sp?) and James van der Zee (again sp?). I saw an exhibit of Roy de Carova's work at SUNY New Paltz while visiting my daughter, an excellent cross section of his work. Too bad the little gallery it was in was a little too dim.
gene

 

[estrellita]

Emmet Gowin, Sally Mann, Harry Callahan, Frederik Sommer, Graciela Iturbide, Ralph Eugene Meatyard, Francesca Woodman, Diane Arbus, Mary Ellen Mark, Bruce Davidson.

 

[rakuhito]

ralph eugene meatyard
http://www.geh.org/ne/str085/htmlsrc8/meatyard_sld00001.html

frederick sommer
http://www.jhcampbell.com/web/estate/cottages/guest1/guest1.html

they also both have galleries on the masters of photography website.
http://www.masters-of-photography.com

 

[SuzanneR]

When I first got interested in photography I loved the work of Garry Winnogrand, and Robert Frank, but lately, I find myself looking at Gertrude Kasebier. Her portraits, although very painterly, are so modern, and her sitters so clearly engaged in life. It's great stuff.

 

[tomtom]

i'm inspired by a lot of photographers (the photo/shiny object syndrome)
these are photographers who's work i've recently seen -

todd hido http://www.toddhido.com/todd.html - homes, landscapes and interiors - awsome night work

rolfe horn Dead Link Removed - amazing images and printing

michael kenna - ditto

don kirby http://www.donkirbyphotography.com/ - ditto

walker evens - polaroids


tomtom

 

[Stephen J. Collier]

Besides the usual (Adams, Strand and The Westons) I would also have to cite:

Minor White
Margaret Bourke-White
Brassai
James Nachtwey

I think that a debt of gratitude should be forever paid to Alfred Stieglitz for pioneering photography as art, art critics be damned. And also to Nancy Newhall for her documentation and great writings on photography photographers, particularly on Group f/64.

 

[amurray]

Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Brett Weston, Paul Caponigro, Emmet Gowin,
Imogen Cunningham, Edward Weston And Ansel Adams Just to name a few.

 

[Robert L]

Mostly:
Edward Weston
Minor White
Imogen Cunningham

 

[Glenn McCreery]

Along with a number of photographers that have been mentioned so far, two from the Monterey Peninsula, Wynn Bullock and Morley Baer are inspirational. I must have a thing for Monterey Peninsula large format B&W photographers since Ansel and Edward are on the top of my list. Also, the photographs and, especially, the writings of Galen Rowell inspire me to take longer hikes to find photographs than I might otherwise take.

 

[Ian Grant]

Raymond Moore's work opened my eyes to the unusual power of straight photography, and he's largely responsible for me becoming a photographer.

Other strong influences:

John Hilliard
Victor Burgin
Paul Hill
Thomas Joshua Cooper
John Berger
Hamish Fulton

There are many other photographers whose work I like very much, but those people spring to mind as having altered my perception of photography. I wonder if anyone else on the forum holds them with the same regard?

Best,
Helen

Well I hold well over 80% in extremely high regard. Is only one I'm not keen on but I do have to admit I do realise his importance and influence on other photographers like Willy Docherty etc.

But would add John Goto & John Blakemore, Paul Caponegro & Minor White, and also Andy Goldsworthy. And then the essays/articles by Gerry Badger, Peter Turner etc.

Ian

 

[Rio]

Hello, Loads and loads of photographers inspire me, but to me music is what really gets me going! I love to watch music videos - some show so much thought and effort and meaning. One of my fav artists/musician is Marilyn Manson and though not to everyones taste my advice is to experience one of his videos. My all time favourite photographer is Cindy Sherman-just type her name in Google (I'm not sure of an address). Check out Hans Bellmer too and Jan Saudek. All are worth looking at. Rio x

 

[Lee Shively]

Thanks for resurrecting this after a couple of months, Rio. I very much like Cindy Sherman's early work--"Untitiled Film Stills" and "Centerfolds" are my favorites.

Inspiring photographers? So many. Right now, I'm being inspired by Walker Evans. I'm reading Mellow's biography and I have 7 or 8 other books on him to read when I finish. Both his and Wright Morris' photographs of people's spaces are so intimate you don't need to see the person to know the person. Prior to Evans, I was heavily into Paul Strand. I never cared for his landscapes but his portraits and his details are awesome.

Emmett Gowin and Sally Mann. Their family photographs were compelling and their later works are, in many ways, even more interesting. Inspiring for their vision.

Robert Frank for the emotion. Pictures show how things look but Frank showed us how things felt. "The Americans" was eye opening. His photography since then, although small in quantity, has been heart wrenching.

Edward Weston for the committment. Elliott Erwitt for the humor and underlying truth. Cartier-Bresson for "The Moment". Garry Winogrand for the honesty. Lee Friedlander for the purity. Bill Brandt and Ralph Gibson for the mystery. Robert Adams for the clarity. William Eggleston for the simplicity. Jeanloup Sieff for the sensuality.

Others, Andre Kertesz, Wynn Bullock, Robert Doineau, Imogen Cunningham.... More, so many more....

 

[Bob Carnie]

I really like August Sander's , Josef Sudek , Brassaiwork, as well currently Joel Peter Witkin, Salgado and Anton Corbin. Also put in a good word for Brett Weston and Larry Towell

 

[Robert Brummitt]

Mix bag!

Group F/64. What a great bunch of photographers! For current workers of the light and shadow. I would say John Wimberley, Bruce Barnbaum, John Sexton, Ryugie Douglas, Henry Gilpin and many painters such as Geogia O'keeth. Hazeltin, Monet and John Sargent.
For color photography. Charles Cramer and Chris Burkett and Eliot Porter.

 

[colrehogan]

I have to say Kerik Kouklis and Michael Kenna.

 

[wm blunt]

William Clift. Dick Arentz and Jay Dusard.

 

[lee]

Hi wm glad to hear there is another fan of Jay Dusard here on apug. I think you and I have had this conversation before.


lee\c

 

[Edwin]

When I think of all the great photographers who have inspired me, one always rises above the rest: Gordon Parks.

Gordon Parks made his mark in so many arenas, and with such impact, I will forever be awed by his courage and talent.

Thanks for a great thread.

Edwin

 

[smieglitz]

I find it also curious how several people have grouped photographers I also find interesting. In addition to Bellmer and Saudek someone else earlier grouped Ralph Eugene Meatyard with Francesca Woodman.

Other of my favorites are:

Edward Steichen
George H. Seeley
Anne Brigman
Edward Curtis
Josef Sudek
Frantisek Drtikol
Paul Outerbridge
Jan Groover
Olivia Parker
Debra Heimerdinger (http://www.guild.com/artist/802.html) [I've had her book "Rearrangements-A Book of Flowers" stolen from me twice. Only Led Zeppelin IV have I replaced more.]

and I have to add Veruschka & Holger Trulzsch's "Transfigurations" & "Oxydations" projects high on that list.

In terms of technique I have to give a nod to both William Mortensen and Ansel Adams (yikes, mentioned in the same sentence!!!) as well as Minor White for his take on the zone system.

Wish I could find more on Jaromir Funke and Arthur S.Kale 'cause I think I'd like them big time as well.

Joe

 

[Gustavo_Castilla]

a bit cliche perhaps but

a bit cliche perhaps but Edwaed Weston, Avedon , Hemut Newton , SnowdonImogen Cunningham , Nadar , Bruce Weber, Eisenstad , Nadar, Davison, Strand ,Harold Lloyd

 

[eagleowl]

I don't know if they have websites,but..

... my favourite photographers are the late great Man Ray,and the still very much alive Charlie Waite

 

[roteague]

... my favourite photographers are the late great Man Ray,and the still very much alive Charlie Waite

Interesting, two totally different type of photographers.

 

[David Murray]

This guy is my Inspiration.

Easily the best Wedding Photgrapher in the UK and one of the best in the world.

www.jeffascough.com

 

[Cheryl Jacobs]

David, you've got that right, and he's also a hell of a nice guy. Rare combination!

 

[c6h6o3]

All,

I am interested in learning what photographers inspire you in your work.

Chris Jordan. Like, DAMN!!!

http://www.chrisjordan.com/