We learn from so many people and photographers from the past are just some of the artists we can learn so much from. Two Americans and one European.
It has been great to see that you enjoy these posts. We can learn so much from other photographers and not just current ones. Today we are looking at three of the best known photographers in the world. Two, I was aware of, and one that is new to me.
The videos I have found have their words as they discuss their work and why they took what they did. I hope you enjoy them.
Robert Doisneau
This is a fascinating video where Robert Doisneau talks about his photos. He looks at several he took. He then discusses why he took them and the one he thought worked best. I’m sure the words are his, but not sure he is saying them.
Dorothea Lange
This is a short video that looks at the steps that were involved in how Dorothea Lange achieved one of her most iconic images.
In the previous video, we saw how the image, the Migrant Mother was created, but I also found the following one. In this, it talks about the subjects, who they were and how they felt about that image. We often don’t think about the people who were in front of the lens in these iconic images.
Walker Evans
This is a new photographer for me and I found this video really interesting. Makes me want to go and investigate a lot more about him. He was a bit like Dorothea Lange in that he took a lot of photos of The Great Depression, or the people experiencing it. Maybe not as well known, I don’t know, but a good one to look at.
The following video he talks about what he was doing, or what he thought he was doing.
I was particularly struck by the images of the migrant mother – a soul searcher for sure.
Yes, it is an incredible image in many ways, regardless of how it was taken. Thanks Sheila.
I love old photographers, they had something, an eye for details… Of course we cannot generalize but there are some old photos that made history with such poor technology. Impressive.
They were lucky in many ways. There weren’t a lot of photographers and they had many opportunities. Many of the things they were allowed to do would no longer be allowed. Perhaps the age of digital has destroyed that in many ways. They photographed history in a way that I’m not sure we do now.
Yes, you are right and I feel there is just like a lack of content, of message, of everything…
I think you could be right Flavia, in many ways Social media has wrecked many things.
Not to mention this social mental disease of selfies 🤦🏻♀️ I hate when I go on Instagram, write the name of a place, a city and as a first thing it shows me faces, asses, any sort of bodies, overdressed, naked… The only thing that they have in common is that they are unbearably ridiculous and again, I wanted to see places, not people!
Oh yes, I don’t get the whole selfie thing. I’ve done them, every now and then, but I want to photograph where I am, not my self. I think they should put up massive photos at these places so people can do their selfies and get out of the way of the people who want to get nice photos of the site.
Thank youuu! I totally agree with you. When I was at lake Bled (Slovenia) I have seen people queuing for a spot with a big frame and a heart, despite the fact that the lake was much more interesting… Who ever put it there, had an excellent idea because the best strategic spots where available💪
Now that is a movement or thing I would like to see catching on, sounds fantastic. Thank you for telling me about that.
You’re more than welcome 😉
😀 😀
Phenomenal Leanne, not sure how you found these two documentaries, but the story behind the photograph is as important as the photograph itself. Thank you.
I spent a lot of time trolling through YouTube and watching a lot. I agree, it is really interesting hearing the story behind the photograph. You’re welcome Keith, I like hearing that people enjoy these posts.
Leanne, thank you for sharing those brilliant photographers. All of them I am very familiar with their work. Especially Dorothea Lange , she had been my hero and inspired me so much when I went to photography school, about 28 years ago. Back than when just migrated from Germany to the USA, California, I set my mind on a project, to photograph the strawberry pickers in their fields… my instructors waved the flag, that this is absolutely impossible to do, because I would go against the law, photographing them under those conditions… oh well I had to drop my project…. Anyhow, I like when you introduce more women photographers, there is one, which I don’t know if you are familiar with, but she is outstanding in her work …. Tina Modotti….originally an Italian photographer , who was involved with Edward Weston… just a suggestion for you. Have a great week.
I’ve heard of Dorothea Lange, but I’m not really familiar with her, it is quite interesting. Why couldn’t you photograph the strawberry pickers? Couldn’t you have asked them?
I haven’t heard of her, I will look her up Cornelia, I’m happy to hear you enjoy these posts.
Thanks for sharing Leanne!!!
You’re welcome, happy to hear you enjoyed them.