Photographing America: Henri Cartier-Bresson / Walker Evans 1929-1947

[jsrockit]

I just picked up this book (it's been out for awhile) because I had wanted a Walker Evans book of some kind and do not want to buy the books of his I really want (OOP too expensive). I figured it was a bonus to get some HCB as well. The Walker Evans stuff in the book is pretty standard WE, but the HCB stuff is very very good. It is interesting to see how he interpreted America years before Robert Frank. I really believe it is some of HCB's best work. Anyone else a fan of this book?

 

[gns]

Haven't seen that yet, but imagine I will probably get it. Just saw a lot of Cartier-Bresson's american stuff in the big show at SFMOMA. It was interesting. There were pictures in there that were like little kernals of what later would be Friedlander's factory workers or Winogrand's Public Relations.

The Walker Evans book to get is American Photographs. One of the true classics. Fortunately it is one of the titles that Errata Editions covered, so there is at least that available at reasonable cost.

Another book I would recommend is Tod Papageorge's "Walker Evans and Robert Frank: An Essay on Influence". Probably hard to find as well, though. You might be able to find the essay (sans pictures) on line. Try AmericanSuburbX???

Cheers,
Gary

 

[jsrockit]

Thanks GNS. I'm aware of the books you've mentioned. Getting a cheap copy is hard. I didn't like the Errata Editions version... a bit weird to look at. However, I may need to concede and just buy it.

I was able to see the Cartier-Bresson show at the MOMA in NYC. A little overwhelming honestly. However, some of my favortite HCB stuff is the stuff in the aforementioned book. I don't recall seeing many of them for some reason.

 

[gns]

Here is a link to the Papageorge essay...

http://www.americansuburbx.com/2009/08/theory-walker-evans-and-robert-frank.html

Aperture is publishing a book of Papageorge's writings this year called "Core Curriculum". Looking forward to that.

Cheers,
Gary

 

[jsrockit]

Thanks GNS. I'll check it out.

 

[Florian1234]

That book is on my list, too. Did not get it yet though. Thanks also for the link, I'm waiting for the Papageorge book, too.

 

[Michael Markey]

I picked it up on Amazon earlier this year published by Thames & Hudson.... really good.

 

[dyao]

I've looked through HCB's America in Passing book...competent but left me cold. I take it these are from an earlier period than that book?

 

[jsrockit]

I've looked through HCB's America in Passing book...competent but left me cold. I take it these are from an earlier period than that book?

You know what, I have that book too. It is in my closet somewhere because I wasn't that into it either. I will take a look to see if the same images are in the book I started the thread about. It'll be interesting to see if my perspective has changed regarding the work.

 

[al1966]

We saw an exhibition at the Cartier-Bresson institute in Paris a couple of years ago it was needless to say superb.