Photographers Research and Evaluation

Photographers Research

The first two photographers I have chosen to research are those that have greatly influenced others who have chosen to follow in their footsteps and made their life's work, 'photography'. The third photographer I have researched looks at how a photographer can be influenced by another but project their own vision and style into the images they produce, ultimately going on to influence others themselves.  I admire the work all of the photographers that I have chosen to research.

The first photographer I have chosen to look at is, 'Cartier-Bresson' (1908-2004) 

Derrière la Gare Saint-Lazare, 1946

Cartier-Bresson is possibly one of the best known photojournalist photographers in the world. He has inspired a great number of photographers that have chosen to follow in his footsteps and will probably continue to do so for many years to come.  Cartier-Bresson was instrumental in developing the street photography style that was coined 'The Decisive Moment', that has lay at the heart of his influence over the generations of photographers who have since followed. Cartier-Bresson was also an early adopter of 35mm format film photography, using a Leica 35mm rangefinder camera as his choice of equipment.  He also shot almost exclusively in black and white, refusing to embrace colour photography when it was first introduced.

My Opinion/Evaluation

It would be difficult to look at Cartier-Bresson's work and not be impressed and inspired. Learning that Cartier-Bresson who was firmly in the 'purist photography' camp, didn't edit his work if at all possible, makes his produced images seem that extra bit special. It is highly evident that Cartier-Bresson strived to apply the rules of composition in his work as every one that I look at and appreciate, is perfectly framed. His idea of working un-obtrusively on the street along with his patience, also appeals to me as this is the way I think his most famous 'Decisive Moments' were captured. The above image I have chosen to display, depicts one the most widely used images of Cartier-Bresson's and it epitomises one of his decisive moments. The man in the image is perfectly poised, foot pointed at the perfect angle and reflection in exactly the right place within the frame, it is known this image was born out of patience and perseverance. I understand why Cartier-Bresson has and continues to be a great inspiration for countless photographers. The images below are further examples of Cartier-Bresson's decisive moments.

New York City, 1946 by Cartier-Bresson

Rome 1959, by Cartier-Bresson

The image on the left is perfectly timed and framed, it depicts a mother being reunited with her son after world war two, capturing their raw emotion.

On the right this image shows perfect timing with the girl running through the patch of light on the ground, illuminating her and drawing your eye in, despite her only being a small object in the frame.



 
The second photographer I have chosen to look at is, 'Eugene Atget' (1857-1927)

Eugene Atget, date unknown

Atget is considered to be a pioneer of documentary photography who recorded the changing social history of Paris during his lifetime.  Unlike other revered photographers, Atget didn't receive high acclaim for his work whilst alive and his work was published and exhibited by photographer 'Berenice Abbott', following his death in 1927.  Atget originally sought to be an actor or painter, however, his true talent lay with photography.  It is unknown who or what inspired Atget to take up photography but it is known that he greatly inspired both Man Ray and Berenice Abbott, who, are both highly celebrated photographers and many others besides. Atget's photographic equipment was the standard for the day, including a large wooden camera equipped with bellows, a wooden tripod and standard-size gelatin glass negatives.  Atget never went on to update his camera equipment as time went by, preferring to stay with his dated yet familiar and set ways.

My Opinion/Evaluation

Atget was no doubt a talented photographer who didn't truly appreciate his own worth, however, I find it myself looking at Atget's work and understanding why others do.  Following looking at the book  'Atget The Pioneer' (2000), which, draws our attention to the comparison between  Atget's work to many others that have followed him, I have come to realise just how monumentally influential he has been. I find his social documenting of Paris during that era, fascinating, as I think it is important that Atget didn't just concentrate his efforts on the affluent, pretty side of Paris but rather, he recorded its changes and decline and included the run down outskirts of the city.  Even the shop fronts he photographed interest me, as they paint an honest and realistic snapshot of the time.  Due to the long exposures needed at that time in photography, there are 'ghostly' images recorded in some of Atget's work, as shown in the image above, that I think add to the character of his work. Some may see this as surrealist but I think it was just a side effect of the long exposure and not intentional.

The third photographer I have chosen to look at is, 'Berenice Abbott' (1898-1991)

Once it is understood how vital and instrumental Berenice Abbott was in publishing and exhibiting the work of Eugene Atget, I felt it only was fitting to research her own work. Abbott is probably best known for her project on New York in the 1930's, although, she also went on to form other projects including a highly acclaimed, science series of photographs.  Abbott's earliest influence was the artist Eugene O'Neill and Surrealist Photographer, Man-Ray, who was responsible for introducing her to Eugene Atget's work, which, she then went on to be highly influenced by.  Abbott documented New York City through photography, inspired by Atget's work in Paris, however she achieved this from her own perspective and vision. Abbott captured the inner city and it's splendours along with the changes which, quite often featured the old with the new.  Abbott used a large format view camera known as Century Universal.

My Opinion/Evaluation

It is clear to witness the influence of Atget in Abbott's work but it is also evident to me that she used her own perspective and captured her images as she wished to express them. In the image below, (The Flatiron Building), it is reminiscent of Atget's image of a similar building in Paris, however they convey a completely different mood and atmosphere. I see Abbott's image as lively, positive and thriving whereas Atget's image is run down, neglected and sombre.  Abbott captured both the buildings and life happening in New York in a poignant and powerful way.  It is interesting that Abbott worked for the surrealist photographer, Man-Ray but had a dislike of this genre of photography, preferring the pure style of photography, which, she found in the work of Atget.

A Corner, Rue de Seine, May 1924 by Eugène Atget

The Flatiron Building, 1934 by Berenice Abbott

"Ragpicker" by Eugene Atget, date unknown

Hot Dog Stand, 1936 by Berenice Abbott

Bibliography

Atget Photography.com. (). Berenice Abbott. Available: http://www.atgetphotography.com/The-Photographers/Berenice-Abbott.html. Last accessed 8th November 2013.

Cheroux, C (2008). Henri Cartier-Bresson. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.

Commerce Graphics Ltd, Inc.. (2008). Berenice Abbott, New York. Available: http://commercegraphics.com/ny.html. Last accessed 8th November 2013.

Chrisalago, M. (2011). The Accidental Genius of Eugène Atget. Available: http://bastardtype.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/131-the-accidental-genius-of-eugene-atget/. Last accessed 8th November 2013.

Famous Photographers. (2013). Henri Cartier-Bresson. Available: http://www.famousphotographers.net/henri-cartier-bresson. Last accessed 10th November 2013.

Krase, A., Adam, H. A. (2008). Paris Eugene Atget. 2nd ed. Cologne: Taschen.

Lemagny, J-C., Aubenas, S., Borhan, P. & Lebart, L. (2000). Atget the Pioneer. London: Prestel.

O'Neal, H. (2010). Berenice Abbott, Photofile. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.

Victoria & Albert Museum. (2011). Approved biography for Eugène Atget. Available: http://www.luminous-lint.com/app/photographer/Eugene__Atget/A/. Last accessed 10th November 2013.