which photographer would you want to talk with?

I don't think many photographers have handled fame/notoriety well in the moment - when I see them put on the spot to talk about their process or philosophy, I feel like they get squirrely. I can understand that; I'm not much of a public speaker. However, I would like to talk to Garry Winogrand. I like his rambling, sardonic, self-effacing way of speaking. But from a pure learning perspective, I think Joel Meyerowitz is a very interesting and intelligent, not to mention talented, guy who articulates very well, and is very down to earth.
 
Sally Mann. Of course, reading her memoir, "Hold Still", is the next best thing to meeting her. She has an insane, brilliant sense of humor, and uses it often to look at the very dark things in life. I've recommended her book to several non-photographers, and they loved it as much as I did.
 
I'd like to speak to Erich Lessing about his experience of the Hungarian revolution and also his journey to the Eastern block in the 50s. Seeing some of his work in the mining towns of southern Poland when i was in my beginning of my photographic journey was really inspiring for me.
 
p.giannakis said:
I'd like to speak to Erich Lessing about his experience of the Hungarian revolution and also his journey to the Eastern block in the 50s. Seeing some of his work in the mining towns of southern Poland when i was in my beginning of my photographic journey was really inspiring for me.
Click to expand...

Sounds like why I have David Plowden in my list above. His landscapes (especially his barns and the open plains of North America ...) I wish I could do them even a fraction as well as him.
 
As a high school sports and news photographer I would have liked to ask WeeGee (Arthur Fellig) for advice on breaking into the police reporting business. It was one of many early dreams that came to naught.
 
Garry Winogrand for sure. Everything I've ever heard him say about photography has resonated with me, "Everything is photographable".

Kryn Taconis - because of his ability to see the humanity in all of his subjects (even the true villains) and his incredible journalistic courage and integrity - whether documenting day-to-day life under Nazi occupation with a hidden camera, or sacrificing his prized Magnum membership in order to continue covering the Algerian resistance - against Magnum's wishes.

Jacques Henri Lartigue - (the consummate armature), for his ability to capture and define joie de vivre with a camera. I just think he'd be a lot of fun to talk to, unlike the seemingly humorless HCB.
 
Retro-Grouch said:
Nobody wants to hang out with Bruce Gilden? Why on Earth not?
Click to expand...
Never heard of him. (googles) Eh, not my type. Not a fan of street in the first place so that's probably the big problem for me. Seen better seen worse but I'll pass on this one.
 
Retro-Grouch said:
Nobody wants to hang out with Bruce Gilden? Why on Earth not?
Click to expand...
I'd be afraid that during our meeting, he'd stick a flash in my face. I'd be happy to meet with Garry Winogrand but I see that he's fully booked. Two fascinating photographers on opposite sides of the spectrum: Saul Leiter, an excellent raconteur, and William Eggleston, who prefers not to say too much. Cheers, OtL
 
My mother who was an excellent self taught photographer. She not only mastered her cameras and took all the family photos, she taught herself to develop and print her films in a little darkroom she created from an old kitchenette in the back part of the house next to my bedroom. She would disappear in there often in the evenings with her bottle of whisky and her cigarettes. As a child I wasn't the least bit interested but sixty years on I would love to go back and talk to her about it. 💕
 
Last edited:
agentlossing said:
But from a pure learning perspective, I think Joel Meyerowitz is a very interesting and intelligent, not to mention talented, guy who articulates very well, and is very down to earth.
Click to expand...
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of watching Meyerowitz shooting (anonymously) in a crowded farmers' market in Provincetown MA. He was interacting with many of the folks he was shooting, and I was struck by the openness, warmth, and gentleness he communicated and projected as he interacted with residents and tourists. I don't think those are qualities you can fake!
As an aside, he was not shooting with a Leica or the giant Deardorff that made his work synonymous with Provincetown. He had some little point-and-shoot, I think a Sony. I felt a little twinge of disappointment, but that's my issue!
 
Retro-Grouch said:
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of watching Meyerowitz shooting (anonymously) in a crowded farmers' market in Provincetown MA. He was interacting with many of the folks he was shooting, and I was struck by the openness, warmth, and gentleness he communicated and projected as he interacted with residents and tourists. I don't think those are qualities you can fake!
As an aside, he was not shooting with a Leica or the giant Deardorff that made his work synonymous with Provincetown. He had some little point-and-shoot, I think a Sony. I felt a little twinge of disappointment, but that's my issue!
Click to expand...
That's very cool! From everything I've heard and seen of Meyerowitz I think you're exactly right with your in-person impression. He seems like a man with integrity, confidence and kindness worn on his sleeve. We need more people like that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top