The Ongoing Moment |
Kim Manley Ort reviews this book on her excellent blog. As it's the second time she's mentioned it (and the second time I've been tempted! I just had to buy a copy.
I was particularly struck by what she'd extracted on Metaphors, and on stairs in particular. I often photograph stairs and this may be why:
Indeed, if Henri Cartier-Bresson said that “photography was a way of comprehending" then I am minded, as Dorothy Lange claimed "that every photograph [is] a self-portrait of the photographer."
I discovered how very true this is whilst completing Kim's excellent course on Visual Journalling. I was lucky enough to participate earlier this year. When it comes around again I cannot urge you strongly enough to sign up. I don't often claim that something is life-changing, but my three month long experience certainly was.
I have been left marvelling that I don't choose to photograph things, rather that - as Paul Strand said - "they choose me."
"On stairs: Atget often photographed stairs from the bottom, looking up – the stairs serving as metaphors for exhaustive endeavours that lie ahead, or possibilities for other views, other photographs. In Brassai, by contrast, the sense is always of stairs leading down … to a more intimate knowledge of a city… of the truth of a place being found in its basements."I can certainly relate to this. Equally to the reflections on benches and doors.
Indeed, if Henri Cartier-Bresson said that “photography was a way of comprehending" then I am minded, as Dorothy Lange claimed "that every photograph [is] a self-portrait of the photographer."
I discovered how very true this is whilst completing Kim's excellent course on Visual Journalling. I was lucky enough to participate earlier this year. When it comes around again I cannot urge you strongly enough to sign up. I don't often claim that something is life-changing, but my three month long experience certainly was.
I have been left marvelling that I don't choose to photograph things, rather that - as Paul Strand said - "they choose me."
So much to read and so little time! Yes, Kim's posting was a good one and I enjoyed all the quotations too, some of which you've put up here as a nice reminder.
ReplyDeleteInteresting the words about photographing stairs. I'm rather attracted to windows and bridges - they seem to appear fairly regularly and doors can be really exciting too!
I have to admit, this books seems very interesting. You must let me know!
Oh, rest assured, I will. Of course I need another book on photography like I need a hole in the head!
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