First of all, this image has nothing to do with the topic of my post today. I just wanted to share it and at the same time I had an idea that I wanted to write about while it is still fresh in my mind.
A while ago I read a post (I can’t remember where) and one of the points was about improving your photography by studying the images of other photographers. While I agree that there is something to be gained from doing this, in my case it has depended on where I am in my learning journey. Early on I studied the Exif data for images that I was really drawn to because I wanted to know how they were made. I also looked at the composition, the light, and all those other things people tell you to study. Then I’d go out and try to replicate it. One such example I have is a beautifully framed long exposure image of the Seattle Space Needle with a moving ferris wheel taken at night. Sound familiar? You’ll see a very similar image in Bryan Peterson’s Understanding Exposure book. By doing this, I learned more about the craft of photography. It’s one of the reasons why many of us imitate (knowingly or unknowingly) the images of the photographers we admire. As my craft has improved, I’ve found that I don’t look at images in the same way. I am less interested in studying them for the reasons above but more for just enjoying great images.
And here’s another interesting development I’ve found along my journey. I am actually less interested in looking at the work of contemporary photographers, the wunderkinds of today. I am finding that there is so much marketing wrapped up in much of what I am viewing that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to appreciate the work. In some cases I am not seeing “work” that make my heart skip a beat, images that draw me in and hold my attention. Because of this, I am not learning as much as I did before by looking at these images. There is a lot to be said for studying the masters rather than our contemporaries, and I would put to you that the real value of studying the masters is not so much in looking at their images but in studying their lives. Not the how but the why.
This idea is not new to me as it has evolved through numerous mentoring conversations I’ve had with Ray. What is new is a great little resource I’ve found that I wanted to share with you. The International Center of Photography (ICP). If you follow the link to their other resources under Research Center, you can find an archive of online audio and video lectures. Now I know that Ray watches television without the sound on, what I would say here is, to first listen to the audio without looking at the video. I know that when I do this, I can concentrate fully on what the photographer is saying without being seduced by their images. And what I hear is the “why” of their photography and it is fascinating. I believe the “why” tells me much more about their images and because it provides a deeper perspective about their entire life’s work, it is really helping me figure out my answer to the question “why this?”. I am also learning about the roots of their unique voice as an artist and it is helping me understand my own voice.
Just this morning I listened to a video presentation by Saul Leiter called “Life Lessons“. Sorry there is no direct link to it but just follow my instructions above and you’ll see it listed under 2009. It is not only informative but highly entertaining. Don’t miss it!
Sabrina, thanks for your article! While we all have our”daily bread” of excellent photography posted on various social-media outlets, I’ve recently been drawn to seeing exhibitions on photography, and specifically photographs made as far back as possible. I guess I’m trying to ask myself: what are the qualities which make these photographs “eternal”? Two memorable exhibits I’ve seen in the last six months were: (1) “Images of A Capital: The Impressionists in Paris”, highlighting not only photography, but also paintings, sketches, and sculptures (Museum Folkwang, Essen, Germany); and (2) a collection of Bressai’s photographs in “Paris la Nuit” (Paris the night), shown in Curitiba, Brazil.
You’re welcome! I’m jealous you were able to see Bressai’s exhibit. His work is considered one of the “must see”s by some of the photographers whose work I’ve been studying, like Larry Towell. Just a few weeks ago I went to the Vancouver Art Gallery to see the Surrealist exhibit there. Maybe like you, I am finding it is really artistically nourishing to spend time with other forms of art.
Great post, Sabrina, and thank you for that link! It will keep me busy for quite some time.
Thanks Beate and you’re welcome! Let me know if you find some good ones there I need to see because it will also take me a while to get through them. I can recommend Elliot Erwitt’s “Woof” too!
First of all, I love the above image.
Also, learning the “craft” is important. After all, though a Chef has the cooks prep veggies, he still wields the fastest knife in the kitchen.
Very good insight of The Contemporaries vs. The Masters.
Thanks Chris…it’s from the Steveston docks
Yes learning craft is important; I’m not saying that it isn’t. I’m just saying that as a photographer, I want to be more than a craftsman and so this is where I’m taking my journey. As a Chef you can be fast but if your food doesn’t move people, you will never be a Master Chef.
What a fabulous resource. Thanks for sharing Sabrina
I shall proceed as you suggest and let you know how I go.
I am much the same re contemporary superstardom…i am confronted by the marketing and the hype which crowds out my own responses to the work. A lot of this has to do with that long struggle I have getting literate in contemporary photography (especially in the documentary space). I’m learning to sift through the noise it as I learn more about it, but it’ll take a while i think. All part of the journey. Greater good.
PS, There are so many things I love about the picture heading your post. Most of all, how the ray is looking up at the fisherman like a child pestering a hurried parent. Oh and it and the fisherman’s gaze just leads my eye to that mysterious area outside the frame. The purpose of it all.
Foundations are so important and as time passes I realize I don’t have a good understanding of what is important in making images and art. I’m slowly starting to remedy that and having a lot of fun figuring it out. It’s wonderful to hear those masters speak so irreverently about their work.
Thanks for your comment about the image too! It’s actually a skate and if you can believe it, he sold the whole thing a few seconds later
I’ve been digging for video and audio of ‘the greats’ discussing the intersection of their life and process. Looks like you’ve found a real treasure trove. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome Andy. It’s going to keep me busy for a while I think.
This is quite the treasure trove of information — and, just as importantly, inspiration. Thank you!
Welcome Paul! I did find it inspirational too and I am happy to share it with you.
Great stuff, Sabrina. Sorry I don’t have the time or brain cells to think through and leave a thoughtful comment, but I just love the feel of the image. I’ll make a point of listening to the audio clips. It is the why of the photographer that ends up creating the image, isn’t it.
And why doesn’t it surprise me that Ray watches TV without sound…;-)
Thanks Brian. I’m pleased you like the image
Thanks for sharing this resource Sabrina – it will be keeping me busy as well. I think I have for the moment – really immersed myself in the why of an artist too…and that ART drove me to really look at my influences, which funny enough I wasn’t able to see as clearly as you all were.
Sometimes we need to have an out of body experience to see our work as others see it. I can see the beginnings of a great discussion for our next road trip!
A very well written post as always Sabrina, some great thoughts. I agree very much and I think it’s a healthy process. We start out learning the craft itself, the mechanics of using the camera. At some point this hopefully becomes completely transparent so the how is irrelevant and we can find our own style, voice etc.
I am presently almost ignoring all the present time images being shared and I am kinda sick of all the constant image sharing, most of all my own image sharing. There are so many images shared everyday online, it’s just a white wash of white noise, everyone is sharing everywhere and there are lot’s of good images shared by great people but we know nothing of the why and the meaning and there is nothing long term. It’s just a single good image, designed to get ‘likes’ and votes and RTs etc. Like you I look at the old masters, photo books with long term projects and studying the ‘why’ as you say is precisely one of the very cool things about it. Thanks Sabrina.
Thanks Flemming. I am wondering if this is one of the reasons that prompted you to put your own images in a magazine and a book to share rather than online?
Photos really do belong in print, prints, books or magazines. A 72dpi screen display is but a pale foggy reminder of the original.
I have always wanted to do a book. It is probably my favourite way to study images, and publishing my own book is a dream come true. I finally feel now that I have enough good images and story to do a book justice (and then Charlene has helped me so much turning it into something rather awesome. She’s amazing).
What an amazing resource. Thanks for sharing this. Just as I decided I didn’t need any more videos/pod casts you come along and show me a new treasure trove.
LOL I know what you mean Julie. It used to be that I had a stack of books to read and now I have multiple piles of virtual reading. One thing about this kind of material compared to some of the contemporary sharing, is that it is timeless wisdom. If we don’t get to it this year, it will be just as informative next year
Hmmm… I actually think the image you chose is perfect for this post. The skate is in a position where it is completely vulnerable and exposed.
I’d have to guess that for a photographer to really develop in their craft, they’d need to find that vulnerability. With a different outcome than the skate though, I’d hope lol