Andre Kertesz

[mightyecho]

Andre Kertesz is a rangefinderist who truly deserves his own thread. There were questions about his book in an another thread. I only own a pocket book by him so I can not make any true recommendations. Please share your information about Kertesz here: favorite/best books, pictures on the web anything,

I'll start out with a two modest but a nice internet links (which I'm sure most of you know already but still):

pictures: http://photography-now.info/andre_kertesz/index.html

video interview: http://www.blinkx.com/video/arts-photography-andre-kertesz-interview/hOhQKc2Zm8TVde8IwO3E1A

 

[peter_n]

Yes he is surely one of the greats. HCB certainly thought so. There was a revealing comment about HCB in a recent interview with Josef Koudelka. Koudelka was staying at his flat in Paris and HCB called him and said that Andre Kertesz was in town and the three of them should go out to dinner. Ever conscious of his place in photographic history Koudelka replied that he didn't think he belonged with Kertesz & HCB. "Oh yes you do" was the reply.

I have three Kertesz books and going in order of size there is the tiny The Early Years of contact prints made in Hungary between 1912-1925. A little jewel of a book. Next is a small(ish) book from the Getty Museum in the In Focus series simply called Andre Kertesz and full of beautifully reproduced prints from the museum's collection. My favorite is "Meudon, France" taken in 1928 and is the shot of a train on a viaduct and a man with a newspaper-wrapped parcel. Finally there is the big book, also called Andre Kertesz which is the catalog of the exhibition held in Washington in 2005. That's an excellent book and the one I would recommend.

 

[pesphoto]

Ive been collecting his books lately. " The Early Years". "Americana", "Birds", "Washington Park".etc. Also look for "Kertesz on KErtesz"...a classic. HE comments on his own photos.
This is where i buy many of them for next to nothing!
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=Andre+Kertesz&sts=t&x=0&y=0

 

[pesphoto]

Hear it from the Master himself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10U_eI34kEI&feature=related

 

[MCTuomey]

If you have the funds, I second Peter's recommendation of Andre Kertesz.

Recently picked up a copy of Americana at a small bookseller in Xenia, Ohio. Although I was already familiar with a number of the pictures it contains, like "Armonk NY," it is a fine representation of the often difficult years he spent in the US.

I marvel at his transformational power.

 

[sleepyhead]

I have most of the books mentioned above.

I love The Early Years, but quite frankly, I think The Birds kinda sucks. I think it's sad that such a great photographer, especially of people, was reduced by depression, age, neglect, or whatever, to taking pictures of pidgeons in the park.

 

[dof]

Here here! to Kertesz having (at least) a thread dedicated to him! He has always been a favorite of mine, long before ever shooting with or even knowing what a rangefinder camera was.

I have and recommend Andre Kertesz A Liftetime of Perception. While it is a bit short on text, the reproductions are good and the selection spans his entire oeuvre. I also came across a slim paper-bound volume called Andre Kertesz On Reading in my European travels many years ago. Published by Penquin Books in 1971, I imagine that it might be difficult to track down now, but it's one the charms of my own collection.

Best,

 

[pesphoto]

I think it's sad that such a great photographer, especially of people, was reduced by depression, age, neglect, or whatever, to taking pictures of pidgeons in the park.

Um...he photographed birds throughout his lifetime. WHat have you published!

 

[sleepyhead]

Um...he photographed birds throughout his lifetime. WHat have you published!

Sorry, I wrote that reply on my phone and couldn't elaborate. Don't get me wrong - I'm a huge Kertesz fan - I just think that particular book "The Birds" just isn't up to his typical standards and if the original poster is looking for recommendations for books that would not be my first.

It's true that Kertesz took alot of bird photos throughout his life, but THAT book has quite a few of his later, NYC, ones that just don't cut the mustard IMO. Also, it's well known that after his wife died and his photo "career" was languishing in non-recognition, he just wasn't his former great self.


There is a nice Kertesz quotation (I'm paraphrasing) that "A good photographer should be able to take a good photo of anything"

I often think of him and that quote when I'm walking about with my camera, looking around and seeing nothing special, no inspiration. I try to puul myself together, try to see the most common things as if they were new to me, and try to live up to his inspiring pictures of everyday things.

I haven't quite gotten there yet!

 

[35mmdelux]

Andre Kertesz, His Life & Work (Borhan, 1994)