Photographer - Ed van der Elsken

One of the better Amsterdam photographers. I've got a couple of his books. I'm not entirely into his rough and dirty photography style, but I do appreciate the stories his photos tell.
His Amsterdam books are my primary source to look into the history and life of the city in 40's-70's.
 
Mr van der Elsken was one of Hollands most applauded and crushed photographers. Some people hated his narcistic way of operating. For those people it was always "The van der Elsken show".
On the other hand a lot of people, and I'm one of them, loved his way with people, and how he made them react on his presence. And for most how he portrayed life, in a raw and direct manner. For me he's on the same level as HCB, Salgado etc.

Try to see his 'farewell' movie "Bye". A hart breaking, self shot, documentary about his own struggle with cancer. With monumental last words.
 
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chrismoret said:
Mr van der Elsken was one of Hollands most applauded and crushed photographers. Some people hated his narcistic way of operating. For those people it was always "The van der Elsken show".
On the other hand a lot of people, and I'm one of them, loved his way with people, and how he made them react on his presence. And for most how he portrayed life, in a raw and direct manner. For me he's on the same level as HCB, Salgado etc.

Try to see his 'farewell' movie "Bye". A hart breaking, self shot, documentary about his own struggle with cancer. With monumental last words.
Click to expand...



Didn't know his style was considered "narcisistic", but I do see rebellious character behind the photos, especially having read some opinionated narratives to his photos. Not knowing much else about his personality he's cool in my book. He's done the most important work in my opinion in preserving the image of this city's social characteristics. The whole provo movement, beat generation, street life, street culture and the whole Amsterdam reality. His photos are f#%ked-up, but they tell it like it is.
Amsterdam is not where I'm from, but it's been my home for some years, and nobody told me better about the city than myself and Mr. Ed with his 60's/70's photos.
 
Phantomas said:
Didn't know his style was considered "narcisistic", but I do see rebellious character behind the photos, especially having read some opinionated narratives to his photos. Not knowing much else about his personality he's cool in my book. He's done the most important work in my opinion in preserving the image of this city's social characteristics. The whole provo movement, beat generation, street life, street culture and the whole Amsterdam reality. His photos are f#%ked-up, but they tell it like it is.
Amsterdam is not where I'm from, but it's been my home for some years, and nobody told me better about the city than myself and Mr. Ed with his 60's/70's photos.
Click to expand...

The 'narcistic' remark was probably made by people that didn't see the passion and compasion in his work. There were some critiques that couldn't appreciate his sometimes very personal insight into his own life. Like his last film 'Bye'
I find it one of the greatest 20th century Dutch graphic artist.
 
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