Martin Parr in the American South

I want someone to send me to document along the Trans Siberian Railway. My needs are minimal my assistant (ok wife) A variety of film Tri-x, Portra and Foma 100 in both 35mm and more importantly 120. 7 days in each of the small towns and a month in each city should do it, I don't mind simple apartments but bathrooms must be light tight. We do not require a massive budget for living expenses and finally if someone kindly offers me this gruelling assignment I might get a large format to add to the options.
 
Michael Markey said:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/297827209/hot-spots-martin-parr-in-the-american-south
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Hmmm.... not sure what to make out of the "oddball" stuff he has in the video.

It surely does not represent everyday life in Atlanta, Georgia. I would think the average middle-class person I know would be offended.

All I saw were the overweight people as if that were the norm. It is not. Then there were the oddballs dressing up and having a good time at the baseball game, etc. This is not the norm either. Granted, that is what he went after and he got it. But, it sends the wrong message about the Southerners who are mostly transplants from elsewhere anyway. I am one of the few who were actually born in Atlanta. Just another version of how easy it is for some people to poke fun at the people I have lived with my entire life, who were not even in the video.

The video, at best, gives a negative impression of the "American South" that is not at all representative of what reality truly is in Atlanta, let alone the entire region.:rolleyes:

I would give the video a poor grade at best. The rest of the work, let's see.
 
dave lackey said:
Hmmm.... not sure what to make out of the "oddball" stuff he has in the video.

It surely does not represent everyday life in Atlanta, Georgia. I would think the average middle-class person I know would be offended.

All I saw were the overweight people as if that were the norm. It is not. Then there were the oddballs dressing up and having a good time at the baseball game, etc. This is not the norm either. Granted, that is what he went after and he got it. But, it sends the wrong message about the Southerners who are mostly transplants from elsewhere anyway. I am one of the few who were actually born in Atlanta. Just another version of how easy it is for some people to poke fun at the people I have lived with my entire life, who were not even in the video.

The video, at best, gives a negative impression of the "American South" that is not at all representative of what reality truly is in Atlanta, let alone the entire region.:rolleyes:

I would give the video a poor grade at best. The rest of the work, let's see.
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... I suspect it was not his intention to document the middle classes, but the society in general
 
Sparrow said:
... I suspect it was not his intention to document the middle classes, but the society in general
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I understand what you mean... but by that definition, he failed. It became a representation of the American South when, at best, it was a documentary of sideshows.:)
 
dave lackey said:
I understand what you mean... but by that definition, he failed. It became a representation of the American South when, at best, it was a documentary of sideshows.:)
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It was very like the inhabitants of Charlotte NC at play in my opinion ... well without all the soldiers

I've not been to Atlanta so I probably shouldn't comment, but it generally had a southern flavour I feel
 
He's not terribly flattering in his depictions of us Brits either. He has a quirky eye which does uncover certain 'truths', but if anyone were to make a judgement on a society based simply on his (or any other individual photographer's) viewpoint then there'd be a lot missed.

I think one needs a certain sense of humour to appreciate his stuff.
 
Yes, I love the humor part... unfortunately, too many people who know nothing about the southern U.S. are not aware that this work (which is admittedly good!) is not representative of our region.

It must be fun to get paid to do these whimsical projects.:)
 
It looks like he gave up on the Nikon ring light and now uses those Fong diffusers. He should also go stand by the emptying of a cruise ship in Puerto Vallarta.

Thanks for link it is one of the best I've seen that really displays him in action.
 
dave lackey said:
Yes, I love the humor part... unfortunately, too many people who know nothing about the southern U.S. are not aware that this work (which is admittedly good!) is not representative of our region.

It must be fun to get paid to do these whimsical projects.:)
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Anyone who knows his work would not make that mistake ... anyway it's about photography not peoples' regional sensitivity
 
His style divides opinion: look at his complicated route to acceptance by Magnum. I find myself drawn to his work and see it as gentle teasing rather than insult.

When I first saw his pictures I was dismissive. What was the point of his cup of tea? There were 1,000s of tables carrying thousands of cups of tea on 1,000s of checked tablecloths every day at that time. After a while I realised the photo must be having an effect on me if i could recall it so clearly. Then I realised that familiar scene was gone and his was the only picture of it that I could recall. I certainly never had the vision to take such a mundane photo that could become such a reminder of a place and time.
 
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