Underrated Photographers

David R Munson

David R Munson

写真のオタク
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As discussed in the "overrated photographers" thread, I think we need this for balance and for a more positive exploration of work that is insufficiently seen and under-appreciated, for whatever reason.

I'll start with two.

First, Sam Abell. He is a name in photography, of course, but I am always surprised by how few people know him and his work. I was fortunate to hear him give a talk at Ohio University in 2003 and that, combined with his book "The Photographic Life," unquestionably changed how I thought about and practiced photography.

Second, architectural photographer Cervin Robinson (http://www.cervinrobinson.com/), whose ability to photograph architecture both for its own merit and within the true context of its surroundings are, to me, unparalleled. His book titled "Cleveland, Ohio" is a particularly good example of this.
 
Already mentioned in the other thread but for me James Ravillious is right up there. Also not sure about underrated, but not oft-mentioned is Stephen Shore who I am a huge fan of, particularly his Uncommon Places series which was hugely influential to me.

Otherwise I sometimes discover gems on Flickr such as http://www.flickr.com/photos/terrorkitten/page3/ -- I really like the style and subjects.

I'm sure I'll find others in my collection of books later to feed back on.
 
David Plowden http://www.davidplowden.com

I never hear of him (except when I'm pushing him ;) ) but I find his work, especially documenting the last steam trains, ships & the like, to be first rate. Of course, living in the midwest and watching the passing of barns and farms to still more strip malls and fugly exurb developements does tend to predispose me towards that kind of work.

William
 
wlewisiii said:
David Plowden http://www.davidplowden.com

I never hear of him (except when I'm pushing him ;) ) but I find his work, especially documenting the last steam trains, ships & the like, to be first rate. Of course, living in the midwest and watching the passing of barns and farms to still more strip malls and fugly exurb developements does tend to predispose me towards that kind of work.

William
Click to expand...

Fantastic photographs!
 
Two starters from the 19th century:

Roger Fenton (1819-1869)
Frank Meadow Sutcliffe (1853-1941)

Just as 'overrated' can mean 'think they're the dog's appendages because they know of no-one else', so can 'underrated' mean 'do not appreciate their genius because they have ever heard of them, even though their genius is widely acknowledged by those who have heard of them'.

And if you like Mapplethorpe (or even if you don't), try Wilhelm von Gloeden (1856-1931).

Not a mushy pictorialist among 'em.

Cheers,

R.
 
Vicky, Terrorkitten's work has a hint of an Eggleston influence about it. A talented Photographer who's work I've much admired over the years is Richard Misrach. Here's an example of his work.

RichardMisrachDivingBoard-SaltonSea-1983.jpg
 
Nigel Meaby said:
Vicky, Terrorkitten's work has a hint of an Eggleston influence about it. A talented Photographer who's work I've much admired over the years is Richard Misrach. Here's an example of his work.

RichardMisrachDivingBoard-SaltonSea-1983.jpg
Click to expand...

LOVE Misrach. Desert Cantos was a truly inspiring book for me. Thanks for reminding me, I'm going to have to pull it out.
 
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