"Street Photography", squared?

Fascinating! And I feel some kinship with Wall, as we're of the same generation and seem to share some background, environment (Vancouver vs Seattle) and attitudes. He works very differently than I, but based on the article I think I'd enjoy his work.

I found myself slowing down and reading the article more intently as it became ever clearer that it had very personal relevance. Thanks for bringing it up, Barrett!
 
Is it street photography, if you can't set up your tripod where you want and so spend 6 months recreating the street in your studio?

You know, it had never occurred to me to ask that question before.

colin
 
That is a lot of text! It's a good read so far. However, I scrolled quickly to the bottom and saw the link to Iggy. I couldn't resist, so I went there and read that article instead, but I wanted to thank you for posting the link. :)


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I thought it was a very interesting article. While I'm not very familiar with his work, I plan on heading to the MoMA to see the show. The presentation and size of each piece alone merit a visit I think. He ends up printing huge and using a giant lightbox behind each. Sounds pretty interesting. I don't think he's doing street photography necessarily, but perhaps the next evolution of it. It's very deliberate, but yet still seems to capture a fleeting moment. That shot with the papers flying in the wind is spectacular.
 
RayPA said:
That is a lot of text! It's a good read so far. However, I scrolled quickly to the bottom and saw the link to Iggy. I couldn't resist, so I went there and read that article instead, but I wanted to thank you for posting the link. :)


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Ah, yes, Iggy and the Stooges. Interesting article as well, and the Times video was a hoot.


- Barrett
 
morgan said:
I thought it was a very interesting article. While I'm not very familiar with his work, I plan on heading to the MoMA to see the show. The presentation and size of each piece alone merit a visit I think. He ends up printing huge and using a giant lightbox behind each. Sounds pretty interesting. I don't think he's doing street photography necessarily, but perhaps the next evolution of it. It's very deliberate, but yet still seems to capture a fleeting moment. That shot with the papers flying in the wind is spectacular.
I love that one as well, and it's interesting how that work, among the works mentioned and shown in the article, appears to have the most digital jiggery-pokery involved in it. As much as I'm the proverbial "straight shooter" with my own work (indulging in occasionally-weird in-camera trickery once in the proverbial blue moon), I admire those who manage to expand the photographic vocabulary in an interesting way, and I think Wall does this. I'm looking forward to seeing the work in-person.


- Barrett
 
Wow. I like that quote at the end where he compares himself to an honest street photographer and proclaims that there is little difference between fabricating a photograph with paid actors and capturing a real moment by observing and reacting.

And, I would expect that since he has all the time in the world to fashion an image to his exact desire, they would be a little more interesting. I found the photography presented at the link all very boring. It is the authenticity and honesty that draws me to street photography. This approach, apparently turns me totally disinterested.

Looks like I'm the only one that feels this way? Maybe I am missing something... What about this work do you find appealing?
 
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a similar artist that may be more to your liking is joel sternfeld. he doesn't set things up, use lights cinematically, or pay so much "homage" to paintings, though he does take a distanced, god's eye view to the scene.
 
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