Your pick for most underrated and most overrated photographer

[logan2z]

Underrated: Tony Ray-Jones, although he's been getting more attention of late.

 

[logan2z]

Underknown: Jeff Brouws

Never heard of him

 

[Alex Benjamin]

Underrated: Tony Ray-Jones, although he's been getting more attention of late.

Not sure I would put him in the underrated column. On the contrary, his pictures nearly have cult status, especially in England, where he's sort of seen as capturing something of the essence of being British as Robert Frank did for Americans.

When I read the name I remembered I had bookmarked this profile in The Guardian from last year.

 

[cliveh]

In the row behind, with IR bulbs in his flash gun..

I think you mean in the row in front.

 

[logan2z]

Not sure I would put him in the underrated column. On the contrary, his pictures nearly have cult status, especially in England, where he's sort of seen as capturing something of the essence of being British as Robert Frank did for Americans.

When I read the name I remembered I had bookmarked this profile in The Guardian from last year.

Perhaps I should have said 'underrated outside of the UK'. Or maybe my perception of his status is off.

In any case, I love his work. The new book by RRB is great.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

Perhaps I should have said 'underrated outside of the UK'. Or maybe my perception of his status is off.

In any case, I love his work. The new book by RRB is great.

You're certainly right in pointing that his reputation may be circumscribed to England. Even though he lived in New York for a while, he did spend most of his short life documenting the people of England. In that, he's the embodiment of "photograph what you know, photograph what interests you." I've been aware of him mostly because his name does appear once in a while in The Guardian (one of the few papers who still reviews photographic expositions) and is often quoted as being influential by Martin Parr.

I'm unaware of the new book by RRB. Do you have a link?

 

[Alex Benjamin]

To "underrated" and "overrated" I would add the category "Photographers whose brilliance is so overwhelming you immediately feel you're not worthy of even owning a camera".

And there, first name that comes to mind is Saul Leiter.

Wows me every time.

 

[George Mann]

Doesn't deserve either. Unremarkably just fine.

Of course, I and many others don't agree (including Jimmy Hendrix).

 

[cliveh]

This thread is not about musicians. Please respect the OP.

 

[logan2z]

To "underrated" and "overrated" I would add the category "Photographers whose brilliance is so overwhelming you immediately feel you're not worthy of even owning a camera".

And there, first name that comes to mind is Saul Leiter.

Wows me every time.

Ironically, he was more than happy to remain unknown. In fact he preferred it that way.

 

[logan2z]

I'm unaware of the new book by RRB. Do you have a link?

Here you go:

https://www.rrbphotobooks.com/products/tony-ray-jones-1

 

[Alex Benjamin]

Here you go:

https://www.rrbphotobooks.com/products/tony-ray-jones-1

Dang! And there I said I wouldn't buy another photography book before 2021. This looks stunning.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

To "underrated" and "overrated" I would add the category "Photographers whose brilliance is so overwhelming you immediately feel you're not worthy of even owning a camera".

And there, first name that comes to mind is Saul Leiter.

Wows me every time.

The first part? Seems like one would have to be suffering from self esteem issues.

But on Leiter? It does seem like a lot of people have not even heard of the name. One of a very few where painting with camera, especially in color, rings true. And with a striking power.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

The first part? Seems like one would have to be suffering from self esteem issues.

But on Leiter? It does seem like a lot of people have not even heard of the name. One of a very few where painting with camera, especially in color, rings true. And with a striking power.

I was being facetious. Just a way of expressing awe and admiration in front of pure genius. Many of the great photographers can be imitated or quoted, in some way (successfully or not). With Leiter's colour photography, I wouldn't know where to start. With some of these great photographers, it's their way of seeing the world that is unique ; with Leiter, it's what he's looking for that's unique, and what's amazing is how many times he managed to find it (whatever that "it" is).

 

[jjss1993]

lol peter lik

 

[Pieter12]

And while we're on the subject of Art Photography, how about Lewis Baltz? Love his work.

Love Lewis Baltz. I can't get over the fact that he shot 35mm Technical pan with a 35mm lens. The prints look like large format.

 

[Arthurwg]

Here you go:

https://www.rrbphotobooks.com/products/tony-ray-jones-1

Great pictures, great photographer. But $80 is rather expensive.

 

[macfred]

But on Leiter? It does seem like a lot of people have not even heard of the name. One of a very few where painting with camera, especially in color, rings true. And with a striking power.

Yes, I really like his work !
Every time I hear about Leiter, Ernst Haas comes to my mind. Fortunately Santa brought me his 'New York in Color - 1952-1962'. I can really recommend!

 

[logan2z]

Great pictures, great photographer. But $80 is rather expensive.

$70 from Photoeye in the US

https://www.photoeye.com/bookstore/citation.cfm?catalog=ZJ014&i=&i2=

 

[Darkroom317]

Overrated: Can't decide. There are too many.
Underrated: It's between Joan Fontcuberta and Henry Holmes Smith

 

[Vaughn]

apprentice

Overrated = Ansel Adams
Underrated = Ansel Adams

All depends on who you talk to, which photographs you've seen, and not the least of which ... how many.

Since I value the role of teacher as high as that of artist, I see AA as generally under-rated.

PS -- Happy birthday to AA today. He'd be one old fucker if he was still around!

 

[Darkroom317]

Overrated: Can't decide. There are too many.
Underrated: It's between Joan Fontcuberta and Henry Holmes Smith

Actually, figured out the most overrated. Gregory Crewdson

 

[GLS]

Most overrated: Annie Leibovitz. I am honestly mystified as to why her work is so highly praised, as I personally find it exceptionally bland, highly contrived and over-produced.

Most underrated: my pick would probably be Eugène Atget, as he consistently produced works of subtle and sublime genius, yet precious few people (even amongst photographers) have even heard his name.

 

[cliveh]

Most overrated: Annie Leibovitz. I am honestly mystified as to why her work is so highly praised, as I personally find it exceptionally bland, highly contrived and over-produced.

Most underrated: my pick would probably be Eugène Atget, as he consistently produced works of subtle and sublime genius, yet precious few people (even amongst photographers) have even heard his name.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[urnem57]

Most overrated: Peter McKinnon. Great at marketing himself. Mediocre at best as a photographer.
Most underrated: Gary Winnogrand. A genius of street photography.