Jocko
Off With The Pixies
In all the excitement of the M8 release, it is wise to remember that there have been other photographic revolutions - and that Amateur Photograper magazine has always stood at the sharp-end of the avant-garde.
Buyers of the AP camera guide in 1960 would have read a searing article by Mike Davis, which, in its own way constituted another revolution in imaging. Mike declares his “stern resolve” to transform the conservative attitudes of “amateur photographers who just take many shots of almost the same picture [sic] which usually implies laziness in not applying care and thought to the idea”.
Mikey - a unique prose stylist, self-described as “a photographer who wishes to obtain the unusual photograph” - rages against “lax technique”. He urges absolute commitment and discipline: “photography should not be undertaken between the hours of 10 am and 3pm” - and offers sensational insights: “on any job I undertake I always carry my electronic flash outfit as this often comes in handy when one least expects it to be of use, such as fill in for shadows, or in darkness”. Like the crazy, beatnik poet he is, Mike reminds us that we only have "one roll" - of the dice, the drum or Ferraniacolor... seize the living moment you wild, jiving dudes!
The article culminates with a poignant cri de coeur: “Children and young women have in the main a natural grace. It is as well therefore for the photographer to encourage the subject to behave naturally rather than overpose. This is the most important point”.
He illustrates these principles with a series of photographs of “lovely Carol Prior, a young London secretary”. Their stunning naturalness, diversity and “unusual”, completely unposed nature, has much to teach us still. I felt compelled to share them.....😉
Ian
Buyers of the AP camera guide in 1960 would have read a searing article by Mike Davis, which, in its own way constituted another revolution in imaging. Mike declares his “stern resolve” to transform the conservative attitudes of “amateur photographers who just take many shots of almost the same picture [sic] which usually implies laziness in not applying care and thought to the idea”.
Mikey - a unique prose stylist, self-described as “a photographer who wishes to obtain the unusual photograph” - rages against “lax technique”. He urges absolute commitment and discipline: “photography should not be undertaken between the hours of 10 am and 3pm” - and offers sensational insights: “on any job I undertake I always carry my electronic flash outfit as this often comes in handy when one least expects it to be of use, such as fill in for shadows, or in darkness”. Like the crazy, beatnik poet he is, Mike reminds us that we only have "one roll" - of the dice, the drum or Ferraniacolor... seize the living moment you wild, jiving dudes!
The article culminates with a poignant cri de coeur: “Children and young women have in the main a natural grace. It is as well therefore for the photographer to encourage the subject to behave naturally rather than overpose. This is the most important point”.
He illustrates these principles with a series of photographs of “lovely Carol Prior, a young London secretary”. Their stunning naturalness, diversity and “unusual”, completely unposed nature, has much to teach us still. I felt compelled to share them.....😉
Ian
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