What a life .. what an adventure. Wish I could do the same or something similar.

[Murchu]

Interesting story, but am quite sure such a life is not for me. It certainly shows the value of taking an active interest in just what is around us, I think.

Re: the ultimate quality of the work, I would find it hard to make sweeping statements on the basis of a few images selected to accompany a news article. Much like Nan Goldins work for example, I think the ultimate value of work like this, can only be judged by the collective body of it, which is effectively shining a light on a subculture most won't be familiar with. That said, I think I would need to see more of the work, before I would be enthused enough to consider buying the book.

 

[semi-ambivalent]

It really made you that angry?

I wasn't aware strongly stated disagreement equaled "anger". "Anger" is often used as a perjorative; as if it is no longer a valid emotion but a pathological condition. It is a rhetorical tool used these days to squelch debate.

A bigger subject, not mentioned yet, is Photography's ability to find beauty (if not always content) in such miserable circumstances. But I suppose images of people killed trying to hop trains, or jumping between cars would be a bit graphic, and reduce the hipness factor and gallery sales.

I can suggest "Riding Toward Everywhere" by William T. Vollmann (2008, Harper Collins), it will nicely balance out the hipness of these images and the romance of such a life.

Cheers,

s-a

 

[micromontenegro]

I clicked the link. Wow, talk about a surprise! Not the thing I was expecting after reading the first posts. Most surely NOT a life I would like to lead.

 

[daveleo]

. . . the whole thing comes across as the far too common "let's make a new hero" syndrome that's been endemic in newspapers and magazines since the seventeenth century.
. . . .

I can agree that the article is overwritten (too much exaggerated comments about "stunning the art world" 🙄 ) . . . but that's aside from the photographs themselves. I don't think that the photographer wrote the article.

 

[zauhar]

Not brilliant photographs, but good documentary work under harsh conditions.

It does show what you can achieve if you put your ass on the line.

Randy

 

[bigeye]

Great shots and a thought provoking theme.

But, that 'life' has about an equal measure of hunger, drugs, beatings, rape, thievery, etc. I can't see the whole catalog, but it would be disingenuous to romanticize it. There are better adventures that don't include awakening on a railway siding in Moline caked in blood.

.

 

[Murchu]

Not brilliant photographs, but good documentary work under harsh conditions.

It does show what you can achieve if you put your ass on the line.

Randy

True, although in this case it would seem the photographer was just photographing/ documenting the lifestyle he was already immersed in.

 

[Lax Jought]

As the OP, I don't suppose my input is worth 2cents at this point but I should point out that I was looking at this train hopping thing as a photography project, having the means as an artist to just take off into the wild and spend, say, 6 months on the road working this as a photography project.

I don't assume for a second that train hopping as a full time lifestyle, or as the only lifestyle option would be a walk in the park. It's a hard life for sure and I expressed an acknowledgment of that somewhere on the first page of this thread.

 

[benji77]

Superb and very inspiring.

 

[semi-ambivalent]

As the OP, I don't suppose my input is worth 2cents at this point but I should point out that I was looking at this train hopping thing as a photography project, having the means as an artist to just take off into the wild and spend, say, 6 months on the road working this as a photography project.

I don't assume for a second that train hopping as a full time lifestyle, or as the only lifestyle option would be a walk in the park. It's a hard life for sure and I expressed an acknowledgment of that somewhere on the first page of this thread.

Lax,

I have no complaint about your post, my take was how galleries pitch images such as those. Your point about the freedom is noted and I agree, but the 'means' have to come from somewhere and that's where the galleries come into play. I suspect some of the other posters were coming from a similar angle though I certainly can't speak for them.

s-a

 

[danielsterno]

the lust for an adventure with a camera....good for him.

 

[28mm]

Philip Scott Andrews' images look like an outsider documenting group of people while Mike Brodie's images feel like he was just documenting his own life (because he was).

 

[benlees]

Philip Scott Andrews' images look like an outsider documenting group of people while Mike Brodie's images feel like he was just documenting his own life (because he was).

I don't know. Sometimes documenting your own life is taking the easy way. One thing that is apparent (to me anyway) is that all the people all look a little scared. Which makes sense.

 

[28mm]

Is there an issue with taking the easy way? And what if living your own life is more difficult than documenting someone else's life for a few months?

Are these really relevant criteria?

 

[Sunti]

Great shots and a thought provoking theme.

But, that 'life' has about an equal measure of hunger, drugs, beatings, rape, thievery, etc. I can't see the whole catalog, but it would be disingenuous to romanticize it. There are better adventures that don't include awakening on a railway siding in Moline caked in blood.

.

Exactly my thought. It's a life full on hardships that I do not wish for myself. His photographs are the silver lining for which he paid plenty.

 

[danielsterno]

I see it this way- he wanted to live that experience for x time, he just happen to live that experience with a camera to document what he saw, what he felt. some would of written about it: jack kerouac on the road or wrote songs about the experience-Dylan? or painted or drew it: too many to list. So IMO, Mike Brodie's images are well done from the few Ive seen, sincere & authentic.

 

[richardhkirkando]

What a load of self-congratulatory bollocks, these snaps are all posed and depict nothing of the reality. Get a grip people. Sorry if I offended anyone but it needed to be said.
Impressive my arse, this is symptomatic of the "look at me, I'm an artist and I live the life" school of duping.
There really is some utter pseudo-arty bull**** masquerading as the real thang out on the net. More Emperors new clothes stuff.



Bunkum.

Can you post a link to some photos that show us what train hobo life is really like?

 

[jsrockit]

I wasn't aware strongly stated disagreement equaled "anger". "Anger" is often used as a perjorative; as if it is no longer a valid emotion but a pathological condition. It is a rhetorical tool used these days to squelch debate.

I think you assumed that I think anger is all bad. I was just curious about your extreme reaction to these photos.

 

[28mm]

^ you were originally replying to steveclem's post, which also came off as angry to me. semi-ambivalent just joined in on the discussion.

Either way, just because an opinion is "strongly stated" doesn't necessarily make it more true.

 

[danielsterno]

good insight on Mike Brodie's photographs, I bought the book of photographs from the gallery- good show:

http://the.me/blind-passengers-by-mike-brodie-the-bukowski-of-contemporary-american-photography/