Ralph Gibson Interview

[robert blu]

I agree fully with this. This Kaufmann is really a Kaufmann (businessman). He spoiled the whole interview. He underestimated the difficulty of interviewing someone more interesting than himself. He was not prepared for this. He liked listening to himself more than listening to Ralph Gibson.

Erik.

I agree, Dr. Kaufmann behaviour was disturbing. Nevertheless Gibson points were interesting, specially for not very experienced photographers.

 

[Michael Markey]

Bit of an outlier on this one I`m afraid chaps .
I had the greatest sympathy with Dr Kaufman and thought Gibson was being rather opaque .

I admit that I watched it again to see if I was missing something or maybe not being as receptive as I could but no .

 

[Ricoh]

Bit of an outlier on this one I`m afraid chaps .
I had the greatest sympathy with Dr Kaufman and thought Gibson was being rather opaque .

I admit that I watched it again to see if I was missing something or maybe not being as receptive as I could but no .

I very much like Ralph Gibson’s work but I do agree that he’s quite “opaque” with his statements - maybe deliberately, I don’t know.
The 50mm v 75mm definitely placed the cat amongst pigeons causing much confusion and debate. I get the impression he would be sort of pleased if he knew the stir. For the same subject distance it’s impossible to get equivalent results given the different FoV of the 50 c.f. 75 - obviously. I guess if I had a face to face discussion with him (observing social distancing of course) I still think I’d come away confused. To clear things up I’d invite him to prepare two images of the same subject, one with the 50 on a film body and the second using the 75 on digital.

 

[retinax]

I agree Gibson was being opaque. It would have been Kaufmann's task as an interviewer to ask what he means rather than to just jump to a different topic or his own ideas. In the video PRJ posted, Gibson can talk freely and does get clearer and much more articulate, however still a bit enigmatic at times. He tells some of the same stories he tried to tell with Kaufmann, so at least they're already out there.

 

[Michael Markey]

I very much like Ralph Gibson’s work but I do agree that he’s quite “opaque” with his statements - maybe deliberately, I don’t know.
The 50mm v 75mm definitely placed the cat amongst pigeons causing much confusion and debate. I get the impression he would be sort of pleased if he knew the stir. For the same subject distance it’s impossible to get equivalent results given the different FoV of the 50 c.f. 75 - obviously. I guess if I had a face to face discussion with him (observing social distancing of course) I still think I’d come away confused. To clear things up I’d invite him to prepare two images of the same subject, one with the 50 on a film body and the second using the 75 on digital.

Yes …. I was going to use "deliberately" but then thought I was being too judgemental and anyway how could I possibly know .
That was my feeling though which is where my sympathy for Dr Kaufman came from.
I certainly didn`t feel that he was intellectually challenged by Gibson`s statements just puzzled as to why he was being so obtuse .

 

[Out to Lunch]

Herr Dr. Kaufman butchered the interview but the link lead me to more interesting links covering this photographer. If interested, there are a few on YouTube. Have a nice weekend!

 

[icebear]

RG: "... you can photograph anything! Like a spoon for example."


Here you go 😉

 

[Bill Clark]

Thanks for the link to the video.

I will have to play it completely. I see some other videos come up on you tube. Will have to look at them.

Looks like, from wiki, he has published quite a few books.

Humans are social creatures. We each see the world with our eyes, expressing what we see with our cameras. Some others use a different medium but, in a way, it’s all similar. I work at making photographs of people when they are happy. This old saying is true, “the eyes are the window to our soul.”

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

[Dogman]

I didn't watch the whole interview because the interviewer got on my nerves. Gibson is one of my favorite photographers. I became interested in photography about the time he was publishing his first books and I was both mystified and spellbound by his pictures. Over the years I've continued to be a fan of his books and his photography. Too bad the video was weighed down by the interviewer.

 

[icebear]

...
I did not understand his point about 50 on film and 75 on digital...I have to watch again and think again about it. Probably it his relate much to his formalist style. But I have to think about...(I know, I have already said it!)...

I very much like Ralph Gibson’s work but I do agree that he’s quite “opaque” with his statements - maybe deliberately, I don’t know.
The 50mm v 75mm definitely placed the cat amongst pigeons causing much confusion and debate. I get the impression he would be sort of pleased if he knew the stir. For the same subject distance it’s impossible to get equivalent results given the different FoV of the 50 c.f. 75 - obviously. I guess if I had a face to face discussion with him (observing social distancing of course) I still think I’d come away confused. To clear things up I’d invite him to prepare two images of the same subject, one with the 50 on a film body and the second using the 75 on digital.

Maybe he's just looking for a new challenge after like 50 years using primarily a 50 focal length. He worked with a 135 for his vertical horizon series and possibly going all the way back to 50 feels almost wide angle. So he's stopping by at 75 for a short break.

It's not about the focal length or lens. Everybody sees differently and you have to use the tool that allows you to capture what you see. For some a 50 might be the perfect tool others favor 35 or even shorter. Nothing to get hung up over 😉

It is about if you feel the image that the camera captured is close enough to how you saw it. If you get that feeling with a 50, use a 50, if not use something else. It doesn't really matter which tool you use ... as long as you know how to use it and what the result will be.

 

[icebear]

...
I certainly didn`t feel that he was intellectually challenged by Gibson`s statements just puzzled as to why he was being so obtuse .

😕 sorry I read it a couple of times and I'm still not sure what you mean...
You were puzzled by Kaufmann being obtuse ... or Kaufmann being puzzled by Gibson being obtuse?
...not a native English speaker here 😱

 

[Michael Markey]

I agree Gibson was being opaque. It would have been Kaufmann's task as an interviewer to ask what he means rather than to just jump to a different topic or his own ideas. In the video PRJ posted, Gibson can talk freely and does get clearer and much more articulate, however still a bit enigmatic at times. He tells some of the same stories he tried to tell with Kaufmann, so at least they're already out there.

I think that`s fair comment .
A skilful interviewer would have been able to probe deeper and hopefully encourage the subject to reveal more rather than leave the viewer guessing .

 

[Michael Markey]

😕 sorry I read it a couple of times and I'm still not sure what you mean...
You were puzzled by Kaufmann being obtuse ... or Kaufmann being puzzled by Gibson being obtuse?
...not a native English speaker here 😱

Sorry …. I should have been clearer 🙂
It was Dr Kaufman who I felt was puzzled by Gibson being obtuse .

I`ve watched a few of these at home with Leica vids and they have tended to use a young chap (can`t recall his name ) and sometimes a young woman.
Both have been excellent interviewers but their subjects have all been rather less enigmatic than Gibson was .

 

[Emile de Leon]

At first view I didnt like Kaufmann..
Thought he was not up to the job..
But then I looked at the vid a week later..
..and appreciated the 2 divergent points of view..
In some sense totally incompatible..
But interesting on how all involved handled the differences..
Not everything has to be world changing or perfect..
Sometimes..like photos..you just have to see the thing..as it is..

And not pass personal judgement on it..
It is what it is..

 

[Ricoh]

To be fair to Andreas I think many would find it difficult to interview Ralph Gibson, he likes to use koans as a form or instrument for meditation; some may say riddles. There no time for an instant response from the interviewer and the discussion has moved on, very difficult. However Andreas did interrupt too often to my liking, but to be kind let’s put it down to the internet delay through the luminiferous aether. I have a similar issue with zoom when carrying out virtual get togethers with family and friends.

 

[Tuna]

Just this morning I happened to be flipping through some photobooks in my collection and went through Gibson’s Deja-Vu from 1973. A happy coincidence to see this thread today...will consider watching the interview though quite a mixed review of it..

 

[Shac]

I agree fully with this. This Kaufmann is really a Kaufmann (businessman). He spoiled the whole interview. He underestimated the difficulty of interviewing someone more interesting than himself. He was not prepared for this. He liked listening to himself more than listening to Ralph Gibson.

Erik.

Robert,

Thank you for bringing up these salient points. While the interviewer was a bit full of himself, I certainly felt there was lots here to think about.

.........

David

Have to agree with yu both - I was looking fwd to listening to Gibson, but with the interruptions it was a challenge.

Anyway thank you DwF for bringing to our attention

 

[icebear]

Sorry …. I should have been clearer 🙂
It was Dr Kaufman who I felt was puzzled by Gibson being obtuse .

....

adjective

not quick or alert in perception, feeling, or intellect; not sensitive or observant; dull.


OK well, I beg to differ about this perception.
But I do admit I'm being partial to the photographer here.😀

 

[robert blu]

At first view I didnt like Kaufmann..
Thought he was not up to the job..
But then I looked at the vid a week later..
..and appreciated the 2 divergent points of view..
In some sense totally incompatible..
But interesting on how all involved handled the differences..
Not everything has to be world changing or perfect..
Sometimes..like photos..you just have to see the thing..as it is..

And not pass personal judgement on it..
It is what it is..

To be fair to Andreas I think many would find it difficult to interview Ralph Gibson, he likes to use koans as a form or instrument for meditation; some may say riddles. There no time for an instant response from the interviewer and the discussion has moved on, very difficult. However Andreas did interrupt too often to my liking, but to be kind let’s put it down to the internet delay through the luminiferous aether. I have a similar issue with zoom when carrying out virtual get togethers with family and friends.

Fair comments, thanks. Anyway it was interesting to listen to Ralph's thoughts and think about.

His approval to mix B&W and colour (heresy for many until a short time ago) is revelatory of his strong personality.