The Genius of photography 4

1.Why did Garry Winogrand take photographs?

Garry Winogrand was an American photographer and he said he took photographs to see what the world looked like photographed. Many photographers had this as a motto when they went on journeys to see man altered landscapes.

2.Why did “citizens evolve from blurs to solid flesh”?

Architecture was the easiest to photograph as it didn’t move and allowed the camera to capture it without it changing. “Citizens evolve from blurs to solid flesh” when the technology caught up, before this cameras had long exposures so if a person moved they would be seen as a blur rather than a person, so they would either have to stay still for a long amount of time or be caught as a blur. This is what was said to be a visual language of blurs and grain that was unique to photography and photographers such as William Klein showed us that you could have fun with the blurs and make children look like they had beards.

3.What was/is the “much misunderstood theory”?

The much misunderstood theory is Henry Cartier Bresson’s decisive moment. This was about being in the right place at the right time but people have different views on this and some believe that is was just luck and not planed so this is why it can be seen as a misunderstood theory.

4.Who was the godfather of street photography in the USA?

Garry Winogrand became a leader for a generation of young street photographers, he photographed a lot on 5^th avenue which was then made popular as a result. He was said to have a wild wit and a good generosity and appetite for life. He was compared to a godfather in street photography. There was always things happening where he was and he upset and startled people with what they thought was un true.

5.Who was Paul Martin and what did he do?

Paul Martin was a candid British seaside photographer in 1896 he explored Great Yarmouth with a camera disguised as a brown paper parcel. He liked to show images of the magic of a beach at work and allow people to forget what it was like to be Victorian.

6.Who said “When I was growing up photographers were either nerds or pornographers”?

Ed Ruscha was the one who said “when I was growing up photographers were either nerds or pornographers.” He created several photographic books in the 1960’s he included taken for granted backdrops, and showed the blank reality rather than people. He documented petrol stations and travelled a lot on route 66.

7.Why does William Eggleston photograph in colour?

William Eggleston decided to photograph in colour in the 1970’s this had a lot of shock and criticism when his images were shown in MOMA in 1976 and were published in a book called William Egglestons Guide. Colour photography was only really found in advertising and glossy magazines, it was also said to be the amerture snapshot. Colour images were also harder to create. He used colour to show the visual hierarchy and importance of some colours to others.  

8.What is William Eggleston about?

William Eggleston photographed his home city Memphis and its surrounding area and says he is at war with the obvious and is about photographing life today.