What’s real in photography?
November 13, 2009 by Kathryn Wirsing
Filed under News, Photography
I think there comes a time in most fashion photographers careers when they want to strip away the makeup, the glamour and really focus on capturing the beauty within. This is when portrait books and exhibitions appear. There’s always this urge to sit down with a subject, get personal and have those images reflect the session.
Perfect example; Richard Avedon. Fashion photography powerhouse, Avedon is mostly known for his success in the glamourous world. However, Avedon created crisp and unforgettable portraits in his In the American West series. Shot on location as he traveled the country, he taped up white seamless, set up his large format camera and used natural light to capture these portraits. After years of working with Harpers Bazaar and Vogue, this refreshing series got the worlds attention.
(Dovima with the Elephants and Ronald Fischer, Beekeeper; Richard Avedon)
Stephen Shore is a different example. His photography career got him noticed when he started capturing the hot scene of his time, Andy Warhol and The Factory. He then embarked on cross country road trips taking images of ghost towns and the lives of people in rural areas in the mid west. His deadpan style, and way with colors got his work noticed. Recently in his career he’s shot for Elle magazine bringing his style to fashion photography.
(Ginger Shore, Causeway Inn, Tampa, Fla. and A Perfect Stranger shot for Elle Magazine; Stephen Shore)
The last photographer is an exception to the prior two, but is seeking the same things. Robert Bergman’s last gallery show was in 1964 when he was only twenty years old. You do the math. He’s spent most of his life avoiding the mainstream art world, not feeling as though he fit in. How true of most artists though, tormented by their work, not wanting to be judged.
Shooting with 35mm film and using natural light and surroundings, Bergman creates truly masterpiece images. He is the ultimate in capturing the raw, the pure and the innocent. It’s as though his subjects want to be seen, understood, recognized and sympathized with. The eyes of his subjects are so intense it’ll make you shift in your seat. Bergman has struck gold with his series. Don’t miss seeing a man so dedicated to his art, it beams out through his portraits. The untainted and realness is unsettling and impressive. His work is now debuting at three different venues including P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center. The series on display is one that was made during a road trip throughout the U.S. from 1985-1997, be sure to check it out! This makes me wonder, do you have to travel to the mid west in order to capture raw and real portraits of everyday people? We should see who’s willing to strip off makeup and have their portrait taken on the streets of New York.
(both images, Robert Bergman)
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I just recently went to the exhibit at ps1 it was great. The 100 years exhibit is also really wonderful. I really enjoyed this article Kathryn. It was very interesting and informational.