Good Article on Constantine Manos in Rangefinder Magazine

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks for posting that. I would have never seen it if you hadn't posted it. I found it intriguing that he has completely left behind film. This was thought provoking for me, as I am currently shopping for an M6...
 
Thanks for posting this, he is talented. I'm on a project with a youth orchestra and have been thinking about how to show movement in music performance. I recently bought his book Portrait of a Symphony (he was the official Boston Symphony photog in his youth) and sure enough, there are about four pics in there that show movement. They're random, no patterns, but he'd clearly thought of the concept.
 
Costas Manos proved to me with his photos that it is possible to have good, vibrant, natural colours with a digital camera, an M8 in his case. I thought it impossible before I saw his "American Color". Now I know it is simply a matter of talent in post processing (I think he employs a pro to do his post work?), which is a talent I dont have and therefore sticking with film. I'd rather have Kodak do the hard work for me :)

He is one of my favourites, thanks for posting this.
 
I met Constantine Manos about six weeks ago. What a classy understated guy!

The event was an opening of Stella Johnson's "Al Sol" http://stellajohnson.com/events/media/johnson_LFI-03-2010.pdf This is an excellent body of work shot over a 15 year period while living with rural families in Mexico, Nicaragua and Cameroon. Early in her talk, she thanked Constantine Manos who has served as her mentor. Then she mentioned he was sitting in the last row of the auditorium. Sure enough, he had slipped in as she was starting and was sitting by himself.

During the social time afterward, several tried to engage him in conversation about his career and his work. Every reply immediately turned things back to Stella Johnson and her work. No conversation about himself, this was Stella's night.

For the gear freaks, someone asked Stella: This 15 year long series was shot with a M-6 and 35mm Summicron. Coincidentally, Susan Bank's "Campo Adentro" http://www.susansbank.com/, a similar project done over 10 years was shot also shot exclusively with M-6 and 35mm Summicron.
 
Bob Michaels said:
For the gear freaks, someone asked Stella: This 15 year long series was shot with a M-6 and 35mm Summicron. Coincidentally, Susan Bank's "Campo Adentro" http://www.susansbank.com/, a similar project done over 10 years was shot also shot exclusively with M-6 and 35mm Summicron.
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Yes but which version summicron? :p
Ok I'll stop here.
Campo Adentro is such a nice series!
 
I am enjoying looking through Susan's work and some of the Manos' work that I had not seen before.

I can't say I am surprised that her work was shot on such simple kit. In decent light, what more does one need than a lens or three at the most?

Manos has a distinctive style and although some of his colour work is cracking, I actually prefer his B&W work. Enjoyable stuff!
 
Thanks very much for bringing this piece to the fore, GB. I've long admired Manos' work, and it's clear the man still "has it." His take on digital, IMO, is quite canny and nuanced. Overall, he sounds like he still has his head about him.


- Barrett
 
Spyro said:
Yes but which version summicron? :p
Ok I'll stop here.
Campo Adentro is such a nice series!
Click to expand...
The LFI articles stated that Bank used a 28mm cron and Johnson the 35 Asph. :angel:

Personally I prefer Johnson's stuff and can't be that much a friend of Manos' color pictures.
 
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We have known Costa for many years. He is one of the class-acts when it comes to sharing information and though he now shots color - he is also one of the best bl/w printers I know. We have about 8 of his prints hanging on our walls. It is slightly disconcerting to come down from the darkroom with a print in hand, thinking that it is good - and then seeing some of his!!!! Back to the darkroom.
 
Florian1234 said:
The LFI articles stated that Bank used a 28mm cron and Johnson the 35 Asph. :angel:
Click to expand...

I could find no reference to Susan Bank in the Stella Johnson LFI article. Stella Johnson did tell me that they had recently exhibited together and were friends.

Possibly we are speaking about different LFI articles. I am not a regular reader.

I do know that Susan Bank told me in conversation that she only shot with a Leica and 35mm lens.

I went back one more time and looked at all of the photos in Campo Adentro (the book, not on line). I cannot tell if they were shot with a 28mm or 35mm lens. I don't think anyone can tell the difference.

And we all agree both bodies of work are great.
 
Bob Michaels said:
I met Constantine Manos about six weeks ago. What a classy understated guy!

The event was an opening of Stella Johnson's "Al Sol" http://stellajohnson.com/events/media/johnson_LFI-03-2010.pdf This is an excellent body of work shot over a 15 year period while living with rural families in Mexico, Nicaragua and Cameroon. Early in her talk, she thanked Constantine Manos who has served as her mentor. Then she mentioned he was sitting in the last row of the auditorium. Sure enough, he had slipped in as she was starting and was sitting by himself.

During the social time afterward, several tried to engage him in conversation about his career and his work. Every reply immediately turned things back to Stella Johnson and her work. No conversation about himself, this was Stella's night.

For the gear freaks, someone asked Stella: This 15 year long series was shot with a M-6 and 35mm Summicron. Coincidentally, Susan Bank's "Campo Adentro" http://www.susansbank.com/, a similar project done over 10 years was shot also shot exclusively with M-6 and 35mm Summicron.
Click to expand...
Bob what a wonderful opportunity! & thank you sir for posting the works of Stella Johnson & especially Susan Bank! Her photo's are stunning! I wonder if she does her own printing, beautiful work! Cuba is a lovely place, wonderful culture. I know you have been & It would certainly be one of my dream spots to photograph!
 
gb hill said:
<snip> Cuba is a lovely place, wonderful culture. I know you have been & It would certainly be one of my dream spots to photograph!
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Greg: If you seriously decide you want to go to Cuba, drop me a note off-list for some information. It is easy and cheap.
 
Bob Michaels said:
I could find no reference to Susan Bank in the Stella Johnson LFI article. Stella Johnson did tell me that they had recently exhibited together and were friends.

Possibly we are speaking about different LFI articles. I am not a regular reader.

I do know that Susan Bank told me in conversation that she only shot with a Leica and 35mm lens.

I went back one more time and looked at all of the photos in Campo Adentro (the book, not on line). I cannot tell if they were shot with a 28mm or 35mm lens. I don't think anyone can tell the difference.

And we all agree both bodies of work are great.
Click to expand...


Both bodies of work are very fine, indeed. I was talking about two seperate LFI articles. The one about Bank was in LFI 1/2009. But the writers there are known to make some minor mistakes once in a while. There was some chaotic mixture of data in the article about Turkish photographer Maga, too (who I know in person and did a group exhibition toghether with some others and him last year).
 
Florian1234 said:
Both bodies of work are very fine, indeed. I was talking about two seperate LFI articles. The one about Bank was in LFI 1/2009. But the writers there are known to make some minor mistakes once in a while. There was some chaotic mixture of data in the article about Turkish photographer Maga, too (who I know in person and did a group exhibition toghether with some others and him last year).
Click to expand...

I could ask her since we occasionally communicate by phone and e-mail. But I won't since I would hope that her answer would be "it does not make a difference"
 
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