Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/10/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 11:29 AM 10/5/99 +0200, Anthony Atkielski wrote: >What happens when the original photographers die without ever documenting the >circumstances of their greatest photos? Herein lies the problem, Anthony. Just because you don't read it, doesn't mean it isn't. These pictures are well documented, and I would think Paris has a library (they do have public libraries in France, no?) that has scores of books on the topic of photography. When I first fell in love with photography back in '78 I spent many, many hours in the library learning everything I could about photography, which allows me to babble on for hours and thousands of messages on the Internet with a semblance of authority over 20 years later! :-) I would also, seriously, suggest that some photography history books in your home library will bring you many hours of reading enjoyment, and on top of that, might cause you to get more interested in doing serious documentary work, rather than the cursory type you seem to be satisfied doing. I would start with some books on Paris photographers. Andre Kertesz, Cartier-Bresson, Brassai, and the guy who Bernice Abbot saved from obscurity Eugène Atget who documented Paris back around the turn of the century, something you especially should relate to. And many, many others. Paris is home to many of the greatest artists and photographers. I would think there would be a rich source of information the likes few cities in the world have. So while running around Paris, get a few books, and one on the history of photojournalism. You will see these pictures are well documented. Very few icons of photojournalism's past have such rumors about it that weren't started by people who are either jealous of the power of photography, or just want to start rumors. And people who can't make great photos of their own, so they'd rather tear someone else down than admire their good fortune and skill. Eric Welch St. Joseph, MO http://www.ponyexpress.net/~ewelch Bumper Sticker: "Horn doesn't work; Watch for finger"